Stories skating toward a Cup

Oh, nothing much going on in the NHL playoffs.

Just a 26-hour stretch where the defending champions, the 2020 and 2021 champions, and the team with the most regularseason points in history all got cast out.

That would be Colorado, Tampa Bay and Boston, for the uninitiated. Also the Rangers are out, blanked in Game 7 by New Jersey, a fate almost worse than last place.

That sound you heard on those particular evenings were ESPN and Turner Sports cringing at the notion that their ratings cash cows in Beantown and the Big Apple were gone, and possibly a few million viewers with them.

Well, if they go, they’ll miss something special.

Of the eight teams that started the second round, three have never hoisted the Stanley Cup, and four of the other five haven’t won it in the salary cap era. Only Carolina has done so….in 2006, the first year of the cap after the lockout.

In other words, we’ve got hungry teams here, some full of youth, some full of experience, but each of them with a compelling narrative and one guaranteed to find nirvana sometime in June.

Carolina and Dallas have the most standard cases – good teams for years, maybe it’s their turn. The Hurricanes have gained plenty of playoff reps in recent years and have an underrated and passionate fan base. Oh, and those post-game celebrations they cooked up made Don Cherry mad. An extra bonus.

When they needed a COVID bubble in 2020, the Stars got all the way to the finals. Thus, there’s some points for getting real close and returning with a good chance to add to the title won in 1999 when….okay, as a Sabres fan I probably shouldn’t mention it except for “No Goal”.

Then there’s the expansion duo. Vegas almost cut in front of the line their very first season in 2018, ruining whatever charm may have come from paying some dues. Now? Oh, it’s always a spectacle in Sin City, and that’s cool, but again, as a Sabres fan, seeing Jack Eichel happy……

Far more charming is Seattle.

First, the cool name – Kraken! Then there’s the passion always displayed by Seattle fans whatever the sport – when we, wrapped up in our lives, were too busy to attend to her, too full of our lives to ascribe the debt that we owed. She carried us under her heart for nine months. She nursed us through illnesses, celebrated our accomplishments, visited our classrooms, accompanied us to college …something she could never dream for herself … was the last down the aisle before we walked to the altar to marry, spent weeks with us after the birth of our children, clipped coupons and sent them to us when she had more need of them herself. She spent her life on us, giving us all she could. But, I wanted more than that. What it was, I couldn’t articulate.

I wish that I had known my mother as that young girl with dreams, the one who became a woman who gave up those dreams so that we could live why, dear Lord, did they lose the Sonics?

Random Thoughts

Phil

blackwell

Sure, it’s early in the Kraken’s existence, but for now their continued presence remains novel and quirky enough.

Florida earns some sympathy from having suffered through Tampa Bay’s dynastic era up close while it went 25 years without winning a series – and when it did, the Bolts swept them in 2022. But the Panthers’ comeback to shock Boston was something to behold. So would another showering of rats circa 1996. New Jersey suffers many ways – mocked for their location and for their name, then blamed for ushering in a so-called “Dead Puck” era and winning it all three times during it. Mostly they just suffer from proximity to Rangers fans and will be glad to reclaim their arena in Newark for the rest of their playoff run.

Then we turn to Canada. In Edmonton, the wait for Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and friends to start replicating the Gretzky-area greatness has proven excruciating, but all might be lining up for the Oilers, who can just plain outscore teams if necessary and are easily the most attractive team in the West.

Finally, there’s Toronto. Oh, there’’s Toronto.

Go 19 years without winning a series and 56 years without a Cup and, yeah, you’ll have a fan base that comes to expect the absolute worst and puts epic levels of pressure on the Maple Leafs to end all of it.

Well, the Leafs finally won a series. Maybe that’s it – but what if it isn’t? You’re talking about the possibility of a catharsis equal to the 2004 Red Sox or 2016 Cubs, spread out over a large chunk of an entire country.

No ending would match the overwhelming emotion of seeing the team in Blue and White claim the Cup, easing the pain of two generations.

Yet it’s almost guaranteed that whoever does win this will find it novel and unprecedented, having undertaken a long, grueling journey to what is, undoubtedly, the toughest trophy to win in professional sports.

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

ours. At a mature age, I now know what “more” was, how she was “more” in all she did, so strong and determined to raise her family despite tremendous hardships. She sought nothing more than to see us succeed into happy, healthy lives. We were the parameters that defined her existence. We were her “more.”

There’s a small wooden washboard that hangs over the sink at our cottage which reminds me that I am not a good enough person to even come close to being the woman who was and is my mother.

Happy Mother’s Day in heaven.

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.

Crossword

Send your events to adearborn@eaglenewsonline.com.

Notices must have the date, time and location of the event.

Deadline for submissions is 12 p.m. Friday. No calendar item can be guaranteed for placement in the papers, nor run for multiple weeks, unless it is a paid announcement. All free placement is on a space-available basis. Event information may be subject to change, so be sure to contact the event organizer to confirm the details.

Through JuNE 28

Flamingo Flocking Fundraiser

Support the Cicero Fire Department Auxiliary and flock your friends, family, and neighbors! Email cathay.barling@ cicerofd.org or call 315-699-5663 ext: 3.

Through JuLY 27

The Manufacturers Association: Become a real-Life rosie Program

5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. MACNY aims to enhance helping women transition into manufacturing. join a 12 week program that will include on-the-job training through virtual and in-person classes. Contact Yawa Zewon at yzwon@mancy.org or visit www.macny.org/womenin-the-workforce.

Through MAY 21

Tender rain

Syracuse Stage. Kyle Bass’s play is set in a small southern town in the 1950’s where the audience is introduced to a white banker and an older black woman.It richly observes a layered emotional landscape rooted in an oppressive society as it explores intimacy, race, and the assumptions we make about one another. www. syracusestage.org.

Through MAY 10

Women’s garden Club hanging Baskets

Sponsorship

The Garden Club is proud to support the beautification of the downtown business district with hanging baskets. Sponsor a basket for $55. Visit www.baldwinsville.org or email vgetman2@gmail.com. May 10 deadline.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 10

Cookbook Club: Mexican

6:30 p.m. Skaneateles Library. Bring a prepared dish to share and the recipe that inspired it. Everyone will sample while only having to prepare one dish. Registration required.

Baldwinsville Public Library Board Meeting

7 p.m. Baldwinsville Public Library. Monthly business meeting of the BPL Board of Trustees. All board meetings are open to the public.

ThurSDAY, MAY 11

African Violet and gesneriad Auction of Leaves and Plants

7 p.m. Pitcher Hill Community Church, North Syracuse. Hosted by the African Violet and Gesneriad Society of Syracuse.

FrIDAY, MAY 12

Crafts for Seniors: Wildflower Coaster

11 a.m. Salina Library. Craft and chat with others! For adults 55 and older. registration required.

SATurDAY, MAY 13

All you can Eat Waffle Breakfast

8 a.m.-11 a.m. Lamson Grange #588, 9108 Fenner Rd., Baldwinsville. Adults: $10. Ages 6-13: $5. Ages 5 and under free. Menu: Belgian waffles, blueberry topping, warm syrup, scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, toast, and beverages.

Mother’s Day Weekend hanging Plant Sale

9 a.m.-2 p.m. Johnson Park, Village of Liverpool. $22 each. Sponsored by Liverpool First United Methodist Church.

Are your “Clubs” ready for the season?

The golf season has started for most CNY golfers. You have already removed them from your garage, basement or trunk and dusted them off from their Winter’s hibernation. You have hit the range, golf course and maybe taken a lesson or two. You are now ready to improve on last years performance. Sound about right? Well, not so fast. You might be ready for the golf season but you have already overlooked one of the most underrated areas of preparedness…are your “clubs ready for the season”? That’s right!

Your clubs have to be ready. Brad Reading, PGA Master Professional and a 6-time PGA Section “Teacher of the Year” says, “It’s not just the lie angles, lofts, grooves, and shafts that need to be checked. The one item that might just be the most important, where you physically connect with the club on every swing is…the grip”. Thank you Brad. Those words are “magic to my ears”. It is either the last thing we think about when we start to get our clubs ready for the season, or, it is not even on our list. Big mistake. Brad goes on to say, “The importance of the proper feel when gripping the club cannot be overstated, nor can the importance of the role of the grip”.

So, how much can a poor grip effect our golf game?

* Perspiration, dirt, and normal wear and tear can have a huge influence on performance.

* If your grip isn’t consistent because your hands slip on the grip, your swing can’t be consistent either.

* The slightest slip of your hands at impact, affects your club and club face with variations in ball flight.

Last year you might remember I wrote about PGA Tour Pros and how often they regrip their clubs. It is a minimum of 3 times a year and as many as 5 times. Obviously, most of us shouldn’t have to re-grip that often, but once a year is certainly recommended, even with monthly washing/cleaning. If you only play 6-10 times a year, save you money.

Brad Reading believes, “performance, comfort and confidence” are all critical to your score and you are sacrificing all three elements when you arrive at the golf course with poor grips that can easily ruin a memorable round. He also says, “Why risk having that one shot or all of your shots affected by a piece of equipment that would be so easy to correct”?

A Guide To Choosing The Right Grips for You:

1. Because the number of grip options on the market are so numerous, you should first make sure you find a certified fitter with sufficient inventory to allow you to chose the style, feel and looks you want. A CNY PGA Golf Professional is the first place I would start to look.

2. Do you want “soft”, comfortable grips or “firm”, for better control?

3. Do you want help gripping more consistently with; no alignment, with alignment or a raised section for visual and texture feedback?

4. What size and shape is best for you… undersized, standard, midsized, or jumbo?

5. According to Golf Magazine…When it comes to finding the correct size, comfort is key. You have to choose the the size that is going to make you the most comfortable, regardless of your hand size. The golf grip is the only “non-‘emotional “ connection you have with your clubs, so it better feel comfortable and inspire confidence.

In a recent study by Golf Pride, the leading grip manufacturer in the world, golfers using the new Golf Pride Tour Velvet grip compared to a worn grip, increased their average “ball speed” by 1.3 mph and the average “carry length” increased by 2.3 yards. In addition, the new grip compared to the old grip showed a dispersion (accuracy) increase of 11%.

ARE YOUR “GRIPS” READY FOR THE GOLF SEASON?

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.

Salina Trail Walkers: Beaver Lake

10 a.m. Beaver Lake Nature Center. Meet in the parking lot. Look for the car with the blue flags.

Bowling for Autism

1 p.m.-5 p.m. B’ville Sports Bowl, 45 East Genesee St. Give back to special needs groups and spread autism awareness. $25 includes two games of bowling, shoes, and a $5 food voucher to use towards food. Proceeds benefit the Families First organization.

MoNDAY, MAY 15

Senior Social Time

Marcellus Park Welcome Center. Join for games, snacks, and prizes. Topics vary each month. Register by calling 315-673-3269 ext: 2.

Morning Book Club

10:30 a.m. Skaneateles Library. This month’s book is

The Maid by Nita Prose, a heartwarming mystery with a loveable, one-of-a-kind heroine.

CNY ATD Employee Learning Awareness roundtable

12 p.m. Virtual. CNY ATD will hold a roundtable to discuss the importance of highlighting employee learning and for sharing ideas. info@cnyatd.org.

Mexican Train Dominoes

6 p.m. Salina Library. Meet for an evening of a fun and easy domino variation.

The Science Behind uFo Events

7 p.m. Schroeppel Historical Society, Phoenix. Free. Refreshments courtesy of the SHS. Donations appreciated. Some topics not appropriate for children.

TuESDAY, MAY 16

Create!

6 p.m. Salina Library. Create a blank card with a painted feather design. For adults 18 and older. Registration required.

LPL Budget Vote

6 p.m.-9 p.m. Wetzel Road Elementary, 4246 Wetzel Road. Two trustee seats will be up for election.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 17

Craft Kit: Feather Card

Salina Library. Pick up a kit anytime the library is open. While supplies last. One per patron.

ThurSDAY, MAY 18 grab-n-go Community Dinner

4 p.m. St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Baldwinsville.

Dinner will be Swedish meatballs. Free to all. Everyone welcome.

TACNY Sweet Science Series: Tour of the onondaga County Dept. of Water Environment Protection Sewage Treatment Plant

5:30-7 p.m. 650 Hiawatha Blvd. West, Syracuse. The program is primarily for adults of all levels of technical understanding. For information and registration, visit https://www.tacny.org/.

Pajama Storytime

6 p.m. Salina Library. Children ages 3-6 are invited to wear their comfiest pajamas for a special storytime and craft. Please register. on the Same Page Book Club

6 p.m. Salina Library. Discuss books and TV shows and movies based on books. Tell us what you think! Register or email adults@salinalibrary.org for a Zoom link.

FrIDAY, MAY 19

CNY BEST Session

8:30 a.m. Virtual. CNY ATD will hold an informational session regarding the CNY BEST Talent Development Program recognizing excellence in talent development and awards. 315-546-2783 or info@cnyatd.org.

SATurDAY, MAY 20

Cpl. Kyle Schneider honor and remember run and Walk Van Buren Park, Baldwinsville. Hybrid event. This 5k brings communities together to honor those who have served and remember those who have sacrificed. Proceeds support the Cpl. Kyle R. Schneider Foundation. www.cplkylescheider.com.

Annual Master gardener Plant Sale

9 a.m.-12 p.m. Immanuel United Methodist Church, Camillus. Buy Perennials, herbs, ferns, grasses, and native plants. All grown locally. Cash and check only.

TACNY Junior Café Scientifique

9:30-11 a.m. The MOST, Syracuse. “Measurements and Math behind Sewing” Program is primarily for middle school students. Come early for a continental breakfast and then visit the MOST as our guest when the program is over. Free. Must RSVP at jrcafe@ tacny.org.

Croquet open house

10 a.m.-2 p.m. Westhill Country Club, Camillus. Join the Westhill Croquet League for croque and refreshments.

Chicken BBQ

11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Liverpool American Legion, 205 Cypress St. Half chicken, salt potatoes, baked beans, roll, and homemade cookie for $13. Call 315-5419544 to preorder.

Stephen ryan Memorial Art Show guitar Concert: Lynn Mcgrath

12 p.m.-5 p.m. 56 Onondaga St., Skaneateles. Join the family of Stephen Ryan for a memorial art show celebrating his career and life. Stephen was a wellknown watercolor artist working in Skaneateles. He was an award-winning artist and a beloved teacher.

7:30 p.m. Skaneateles Library. Blending expressive musicianship with her passion for Spanish language, literature, and theater, McGrath performs for diverse audiences.

SuNDAY, MAY 21 outdoor games: Bocce riots and ruckuses in onondaga County history onondaga Civic Symphony Concert

Jazz Appreciation Society of Syracuse Concert: Djug Django Spaghetti Warehouse. $15 for JASS members, $20 for others. Visit www.jasscny.org for more information.

1 p.m. Salina Library. Meet behind the library for an afternoon of bocce. For adults 18 and older. Registration required.

1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Clay Historical Park. Presented by Jonathan Anderson, will discuss riots and ruckus in 1794-1975 and their impact on history.

3 p.m. Cecilia Church, Solvay. Enjoy a sampling of memorable music from movies like Pirates of the Caribbean, Harry Potter, The Greatest Showman, and more. $15 or $10 for seniors and students.

Load and Loaves of Love

6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Colonial Laundromat, Baldwinsville. Laundry voucher is required. Vouchers include quarters for one regular wash, 30 minute dry, detergent sheet, and dryer sheet. Sponsored by St. Mark’s Lutheran Church. Call 315-638-0406.

MoNDAY, MAY 22

Knit a Bit

6 p.m. Salina Library. Knit, purl, and chat! Join to finish up projects, share tips and ideas, or learn how to knit. Bring own supplies. For ages 18 and older.

TuESDAY, MAY 23

Leadership Essentials for Managers Workshop

8:15 a.m.-11:30 a.m. One Group Center, 706 N. Clinton St., Syracuse. CNY ATD hosts this workshop for growth, exploring the crucial skills for effective managers. Members: $45. Nonmembers: $60. info@cnyatd. org or 315-546-2783.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 24

Salina Library Writing group

6:30 p.m. Hone your writing skills or learn to write for various media. Facilitated by Debbie Stack, local author, editor, and TV script writer. For ages 18 and older.

SATurDAY, MAY 27

Perennial Plant Sale

9 a.m.-12 p.m. River Mall, Downer St., Baldwinsville. Buy peonies, herbs, grasses, lilies, hostas, crocosmia, corydalis, primrose, poppies, helleborns, and more. Hosted by the Women’s Garden Club of Baldwinsville. North Syracuse Family Festival

11 a.m.-5 p.m. The Village Center. Featuring kid friendly vendors and inflatables, activities, and music.

SATurDAY, JuNE 3

Crafters Needed for Craft Show

9 a.m.-3 p.m. Cicero United Methodist Church. $40 for a 8X10 booth. Call 315-632-2522.

SuNDAY, JuNE 4

AIDS Walk/run Beaver Lake Nature Center. Join for ACR’s 31st annual AIDS 5K walk/run. This annual event supports the life changing programs and services ACR Health provides to community. Contact Emily Overstrom at eoverstrom@ acrhealth.org.

ThurSDAY, JuNE 8

CNY ATD organization

12 p.m. Virtual. Learn about CNY ATD and its activities. 315-546-2783 or info@cnyatd.org.

SATurDAY, JuNE 10

Liverpool Community Chorus Concert

7:30 p.m. Liverpool High School. Join for concert featuring a 50 person choir.

WEDNESDAY, JuNE 14

Baldwinsville Public Library Board Meeting

7 p.m. Baldwinsville Public Library. Monthly business meeting of the BPL Board of Trustees. All board meetings are open to the public.

SATurDAY, JuNE 17

TACNY Junior Café Scientifique

9:30-11 a.m The MOST, Syracuse. “Nautical Times and STEM” Program is primarily for middle school students. Come early for a continental breakfast and then visit the MOST as our guest when the program is over. Free. Must RSVP at jrcafe@tacny.org.

WEDNESDAY, JuLY 12

Baldwinsville Public Library Board Meeting

7 p.m. Baldwinsville Public Library. Monthly business meeting of the BPL Board of Trustees. All board meetings are open to the public.

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 9

Baldwinsville Public Library Board Meeting

7 p.m. Baldwinsville Public Library. Monthly business meeting of the BPL Board of Trustees. All board meetings are open to the public.

SATurDAY, Aug. 19

Community Trash and Treasure Sale

8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Corner of US-11 and NY-31, Cicero. Hosted by the Cicero Fire Department. $20 donation to reserve your 10 sqft spot. Bring your own tables and chairs. Email cathay.barling@cicerofd.org

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 13

Baldwinsville Public Library Board Meeting 7 p.m. Baldwinsville Public Library. Monthly business meeting of the BPL Board of Trustees. All board meetings are open to the public.

WEDNESDAY, oCT. 11

Baldwinsville Public Library Board Meeting 7 p.m. Baldwinsville Public Library. Monthly business meeting of the BPL Board of Trustees. All board meetings are open to the public. oCT. 18-NoV. 5

Thunder Knocking on the Door Syracuse Stage. This intoxicating blues musical is filled with humor, affection and extraordinary music.

In a small Alabama town, a mysterious guitar-player arrives at the door of the milti-generation Dupree family, and what starts as a deal with the devil turns into a love story for the ages.