Star Review digital edition - June 21, 2023

A bright future for Great Northern?

Nine-figure mixed-use development planned for mall site

By dAvid TylER

Last week, Onondaga County and developer Guy Hart Jr., of Hart-Lyman Cos., announced that the legal issues that threatened the deal to purchase the Great Northern Mall from an outof-town landlord who has let the aging facility fall into disrepair had been resolved, paving the way for an ambitious redevelopment as a new mixed-use neighborhood.

Last week, Hart, along with Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon, held a brief press conference in the parking lot of the dilapidated mall. The terms of the purchase agreement are confidential, Hart said, but they are similar to the original purchase offer of $9 million. He expects to close on the property in July, he said.

Plans for the redevelopment, at this point, are conceptual, Hart said, but those concepts fit with Onondaga County’s comprehensive land use plan, which call for investment in walkable, village-centric mixed-use developments. Hart said he expects there will be hundreds of housing units as well as a mixture of businesses including a variety of goods and services, including restaurants, retail and medical.

“[It’s going to be a] walkable community, following that village-center, towncenter comprehensive plan,” Hart said. “The exact look of all that will kind of take place over the next several months.”

The target market for the

project is “blue collar up to middle class” residents, and he said he expects the residents to be a cross-section of people who want to live in a community where they can walk to the gym or the coffee shop.

Hart, who is also developing the Lakeshore Village project in Cicero, said he is currently in discussions with several national investment groups to provide financing for the project, which he expects will cost several hundred million dollars.

“Some of the national groups, who I would say have never looked at any of the upstate markets probably from Buffalo to Albany as potential investment sites, Syracuse is on the map for them now,” Hart said. “In an economically challenged national and international

landscape, they’re seeing Syracuse as one of the few diamonds in the rough, which is a great change from what I grew up being used to.”

McMahon pointed out that a few years ago, when Amazon arrived in the area with a $400 million project, it was the largest investment in the history of the county. This project, he said, will rival the Amazon facility in terms of investment, and there are other nine-figure residential and mixed-use projects in the works – ShoppingTown in DeWitt and Lakeshore Village in Cicero – that show how much momentum Onondaga County has right now.

Hart said that a project like this normally would take up to 10 years to complete, but with Micron arriving in the next couple of

Local artist shares his knowledge

By AndREw wEllivER

In recognition of the Juneteenth holiday, the Liverpool Public Library hosted local artist and illustrator London Ladd on Thursday June 15, where he spoke about his work.

years, the demand for housing will likely speed up the pace for the Great Northern project.

“I think you’ll see five years from today, a substantially complete project, with the possibility that there might be pockets that we haven’t finished yet,” he said.

Currently, Hart said, they are in the process of working on an asbestos survey and demolition survey with the expectation that demolition of most of the existing mall will take place later this year. There are also a few current tenants of the existing mall, whom Hart said he needs to “have conversations” with. Hart also said there are no plans to purchase the existing Olive Garden restaurant adjacent to the mall property.

Challenger files complaints with Attorney General

Penizotto claims Supervisor Paro interfered with election process

By Russ TARBy Contributing Writer

The upcoming Republican Party primary race for supervisor in the town of Salina pits challenger Stella Penizotto against incumbent Supervisor Nick Paro. Last month, Penizotto filed several complaints about Paro with the office of New York State Attorney General Letitia James.

In her statements submitted to the Attorney General’s Public Integrity Bureau, Penizotto charges Paro with election interference.

One of the three complaints involve threatening text messages sent to Penizotto on April 21, while another reports the cancellation of a Penizotto fundraiser planned for May 9 at a business owned by a friend of Paro’s.

Penizotto also told the Attorney General that Paro had attempted to “bribe” her by offering her business – Shining Stars Daycare – a Main Street development grant.

For his part, Paro strongly denies the accusations.

“All three [of those charges] are not true,” Paro said. “They’re frivolous.”

Paro said the Penizottos – Stella and her husband, John – have been “harassing me for more than a year. Now they’re making things up, and I’m frustrated.”

The supervisor, who is also chairman of the town’s Republican Party, said Penizotto’s complaints are simply untrue.

“Here are two grown adults who run a day-care center, who are lying,” Paro said.

Penizotto said she felt obligated to make her allegations.

“The first time it happened, when he intimidated me, I let it go,” she said on June 10. “But it kept happening, over and over. The people have to know what kind of a person he is, and they need to consider if they really want him as supervisor.”

On June 6, Alexis Richards – an aide to the Attorney General – confirmed her office’s receipt of Penizotto’s complaints. Meanwhile, the Penizottos have hired a Syracuse-based private investigator from the Intrigue Investigations agency to help them build their case against Paro.

Voting in the primary election is scheduled from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, June 27.

In 2021, Paro – then a legislative analyst for the Onondaga County Legislature and the First Ward town councilor – was elected Salina town supervisor by soundly defeating Democrat Kathy Zabinski 3,157 to 2,176.

If Paro wins the June 27 GOP primary, Penizotto will still be on the ballot in November’s general election because she’s endorsed by the Onondaga County Conservative Party.

Democrats will not run a candidate for supervisor in November. Earlier this year, Salina Democrats failed to gather enough signatures by deadline to qualify their candidate for a line on the ballot.

This is the first time the Liverpool Public Library held an event in recognition of Juneteenth.

For a first time event it garnered a lot of interest with about 30 people in attendance.

Ladd spoke about his work on the murals he has painted in Syracuse, including a mural of Frederick Douglas and Martin Luther King Jr.

The work also contains important quotes by both figures to help bring the piece together.

“I wanted the quotes for the murals to mean something,” Ladd said.

Karen Eames sentenced to six months

By Russ TARBy Contributing Writer

On Feb. 7, 2022, at the family home in Brewerton, when her 48-year-old husband, Isaac Eames, killed their 21-year-old son, Troy, and shot his wife in the face before committing suicide, Karen Eames was clearly the victim of a brutal crime.

Two months later, however, her status as a victim changed dramatically after she was arrested and charged with grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property.

District Attorney Bill Fitzpatrick maintained that the Eames couple collaborated on the theft of more than $529,000 from the sheriff’s office where Isaac Eames worked as a civil deputy. Karen Eames, 46, worked as a secretary at Liverpool High School.

On June 12 in Syracuse, Onondaga County Judge Theodore Limpert sentenced Eames to six months at the Jamesville Correctional Facility and five years of probation. Prosecutors had sought a sentence of three years in state prison.

Limpert told Eames that she could have prevented the entire tragedy had she simply refused to cooperate with her husband’s scheme.

Before she was sentenced, Eames made a statement to the court.

“I simply went along with something I should not have,” she said. “This was out of my character for me, and from the day this came to light I have done everything in my power to make this right.”

Eames’ defense attorney, Michael Vavonese, said Limpert’s sentence was well-reasoned.

“Certainly that sentence reflects the court’s understanding of what occurred in this matter and her part in it separated from her husband, Isaacs’s, part,” Vavonese said.

As part of her plea agreement, Eames will pay back $530,000 to the county, and she has agreed to return $77,000 donated to a GoFundMe account following the murder-suicide.

London Ladd

Artist london ladd shared insights into his art at the liverpool library in celebration of Juneteenth day.

david tyLer

County Executive Ryan McMahon and developer Guy Hart Jr. speak about the future of Great northern Mall at a press conference held in the mall’s parking lot last week.

All Together Now: Salina Library kicks off summer reading program

Readers of all ages can come together this summer as Salina Library presents the 2023 Summer Reading Program, “All Together Now!” The program includes weekly events, prize drawings, story times and more. Readers from preschool age to adults are encouraged to join. The program runs from June 19 through Aug. 6.

Children and teens can once again use READsquared to help track reading and activities and to earn tickets for prize drawings. Register online at salinalibny10.readsquared.com/, through the READsquared app, or register in

person at the library. Once you’ve registered, pick up a goodie bag and a weekly craft to take and make at home. For more information and for help registering, call 315-454-4524 or email info@salinalibrary.org

In addition to weekly prizes, children and teens who read and turn in their reading records by Aug. 6 will receive a free book.

Adults can pick up a Summer 2023 registration packet at the front desk. Check out the library’s events calendar for a complete list of free weekly events for all ages. Please register in advance.

Illustrious headliners, up-and-coming combos at Syracuse Jazz Fest

By Russ TARBy

Contributing Writer

Headliners for the 37th edition of the National Grid Syracuse Jazz Festival include a ground-breaking jazz keyboardist and one of the most popular female vocalists of all time.

Legendary pianist and

composer Herbie Hancock will appear on the Amazon Main Stage in Clinton Square at 9:15 p.m. Friday, June 23. Admission to all Jazz Fest events is free.

Hancock, 83, was a member of the pioneering Mile Davis Quintet before he forged a highly successful solo career with albums such

as “Head Hunters,” “Rockit” and “Future Shock.”

Hancock has won 14 Grammy Awards and an Academy Award for his score for the film “Round Midnight.” His compositions include “Watermelon Man” and “Chameleon.” In 2016, the Chicago-born musician received the Gram-

my’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

Gladys Knight rose to fame in the early 1960s alongside her Atlanta-based group, The Pips. Billed since 1961 as Gladys Knight & The Pips, the combo scored Number One hits with “I Heard it Through the Grapevine” and “Midnight Train to Georgia.”

Knight will light up the Amazon Main Stage here at 9:15 p.m. Saturday, June 24.

Over the years, Knight has been nominated for 22 Grammys and won seven of them including a Best Gospel Performance trophy for her 2004 duet with Ray Charles, “Heaven Help Us All.” Knight, who’s 79, refused to limit herself to singing. She also excelled as an actress in television programs such as “New York Undercover” and “Charlie & Co.” In 1999, she starred on Broadway in the smash musical “Smokey Joe’s Cafe.”

All that work earned Knight a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and she and The Pips were inducted into the Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame.

Tuba skinny swings hot

While Hancock and Knight are familiar names, lesser-known performers will also impress Syracuse Jazz Fest audiences.

“This year’s festival is back to the programming level of Jazz Fests of yesteryear with superstar headliners and household names like Gladys Knight and Herbie Hancock, and terrific up-and-comers like Tuba Skinny from the streets of New Orleans,” said festival founder Frank Malfitano, who lives in Baldwinsville.

Tuba Skinny – those free-wheeling trad-jazz buskers – will swing like crazy at its main-stage set at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, June 24.

First formed shortly after Hurricane Katrina swept away much of the Crescent City, Tube Skinny’s eight core musicians

came together after playing with bands such as the Dead Man Street Band.

While the band is a collective, Skinny’s de facto leader is well-bred lady cornetist Shaye Cohn who also plays piano and fiddle and orchestrates much of the music. Shaye’s the cog around which the entire ensemble swings like a pendulum.

The musicians are trombonist Barnabus Jones, banjoman Max Bien-Kahn, guitarist Greg Sherman, sousaphonist Todd Burdick, washboardist Robin Rapuzzi and vocalist Erika Lewis who doubles on bass drum.

A few years ago, sultry singer Erika Lewis relocated to North Carolina. She no longer regularly performs with Tuba Skinny, however she still joins the

Honor Flight Syracuse receives donation

By AndREw wEllivER

Honor Flight Syracuse received a $2,600 donation from the Town of Salina on June 12.

The presentation was made at Salina Town Hall during the town board meeting.

Town representatives presented the check to members of Honor Flight.

Among the members of Honor Flight Syracuse who came to accept the check, was Jeffrey Bastable, director of development for Honor Flight Syracuse.

Bastable and other representatives of Honor Flight were on hand to show their gratitude for the financial support.

The donation was made possible by a first-time event, a Memorial weekend car show that took place on May 27.

Michael Hart, veteran outreach coordinator for the town of Salina set up the car show and had assistance from numerous organizations and individuals.

Jazz Fest

“Without assistance from these groups, the car show wouldn’t have seen the light of day,” Hart said.

The event was somewhat lastminute but many stepped up to make the car show possible and raise money in support of Honor Flight.

PattiCallahan,externalfundraising liaisonforHonorFlightSyracuse,gave her praise to the Salina community.

“I am so impressed with the community of Salina who raised this money at the last minute,” she said.

Hart took over as the veteran outreach coordinator on May 1, 2023, and with his work and the help of many others they were able to put the car show together and had 71 cars on display.

With Honor Flight being a nonprofitorganization,donationslikethis are an important part of making their mission possible.

“Having an event where people help raise awareness for our mission is critical,” Bastable said.

The mission of Honor Flight Syracuse involves celebrating America’s veterans by transporting them to

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group for major festivals such as the Syracuse appearance.

“Joy, simplicity and ensemble. That’s the trifecta,” says Skinny washboard wizard Robin Rapuzzi. “The three ingredients for that special recipe we call hot music.”

Malfitano knows hot when he hears it.

“Back in the day people used to come to Jazz Fest all the time just to see the opening acts, and with good reason,” he said. “The festival affords us an opportunity to showcase some of the greatest young jazz artists on the planet. A major bonus for festivalgo-

ers.”

national Grid syracuse Jazz Fest schedule

Thursday, June 22: 4-9 p.m., Hanover Square Outdoor Stage - Harri Stojka & Acoustic Drive, Something Else! (featuring Vincent Herring, James Carter, Randy Brecker, Paul Bollenback, Dave Kikowski, Jeff “Tain” Watts and Essiet Essiet)

Friday, June 23: 5:30-10:30 p.m., Clinton Square Outdoor Stage - Postmodern Jukebox, Tower of Power, Herbie Hancock

Saturday, June 24: 5:30-10:30 p.m., Clinton Square Outdoor Stage - Tuba Skinny,

Spyro Gyra, Gladys Knight

Sunday, June 25: 12:30-4:30 p.m.,

Hendricks Chapel Syracuse University Campus

- Gospel closing ceremonies featuring The Dillard University Gospel Choir of New Orleans; Syracusejazzfest.com.

Harvey M. Millier, iii Former World and U S champion ice dancer

Harvey (“Skip”) M. Millier, III, a master of dad jokes, died May 27, 2023, surrounded by his loving family after a brief, but courageous, battle with cancer. Born on July 25, 1948, in Auburn, Skip spent the first five years of his life in Skaneateles, until his family moved to the Philadelphia suburbs. There, Skip graduated from St. Joseph’s Prep and Villanova University, where he developed his life-long passion for Villanova basketball and Philadelphia sports.

Skip spent many years working for Weichert Realtors, and later Berkshire Hatha-

dr. simon A. Ginzburg, 85 electrical engineer, avid athlete

Dr. Simon Aaron Ginzburg, 85, of Boxborough, MA, passed away on June 10, 2023. Simon was born in Russia to Aaron Samuel Ginzburg and Bronislava Ginzburg and immigrated to the United States in 1980.

He made major contributions in the field of electrical engineering with his work on fiber optic cable design on behalf of the U.S. Air Force. He was an avid athlete and completed numerous marathons and triathlons in the New England area, including the Boston Marathon on multiple occasions.

Simon is survived by his three children, Ira, Natasha and Michael and his sister Nina. His good nature, strong will, humor, kind heart and patriotism will be deeply missed. Services are private.

OBITUARIES

way, as a residential and commercial real estate agent. He was a fierce advocate for his clients and was skilled at finding the right property for them, whether a firsttime home buyer or experienced investor.

Skip was president of the Drexel Park Homeowners Association for several years, and was also a member and former president of his local Rotary.

In his early life, Skip was a World and U.S. champion ice dancer, first competing and performing with his sister, Ann, in 1966 in Lake Placid. Skip and Ann were silver medalists at Nationals in 1970, earning a spot on the US World Figuring Skating Team. Together, they traveled the world with the U.S. team, including “behind the iron curtain,” competing in world and in-

ternational competitions. They were part of an elite group of skaters that introduced ice dancing to the Olympics. Skip enjoyed passing on his ice-skating knowledge and skill to his many students over the years.

Skip was a true sports enthusiast and athlete, and he found joy in coaching little league and attending almost every one of his children’s games and meets. He was a dedicated and passionate tennis player, and enjoyed playing daily with his friends. He also found great joy in introducing the sport to his granddaughter, Ainsley.

Skip met the love of his life, Sally, in 1977 while he was living in Lexington, MA, and teaching skating in Boston. They married on May 30, 1981, and built a fabulous life together, filled with dinner parties, travel, tennis, dancing, dogs and their two children, of whom Skip was so proud.

Skip was fortunate enough to return to Skaneateles in 2020 to be nearer to his beloved granddaughters, Ainsley and Lily, with whom he shared his love for dogs and ice cream. Skip is survived by his wife of nearly 42 years, Sally Pearson, daughter Samantha and son-in-law Mike Balestra, son Gunnar and daughter-in-law Emily, granddaughters Ainsley and Lily, sisters Ann O’Neil and Margaret Everett, and

william E. snow, 93 WWII veteran

William “Bill” E. Snow, born in Baldwinsville, passed away peacefully on Jan. 13, 2023, at the age of 93, where he lived at the Veterans home in Port Charlotte, FL.

several nieces and nephews.

A private service and burial will be held for immediate family to honor Skip’s life. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the U.S. Figure Skating Memorial Fund or to a charity of your choosing.

To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

He spent 42 years in Panama City, FL, including five years at SIMS Veterans home. He worked in many capacities and could fix or build anything - he loved helping people. His smile will be missed.

Bill proudly served in the US Navy during WWII on the USS Midway and the Army National Guard Reserves in Upstate New York.

Bill is predeceased by his son Michael D. Snow and survived by his devoted wife Grace of 70 years, his daughter’s Marlene Snow and Pat Bailey.

His final resting place will be Riverview Cemetery, 70 Tappan St., Baldwinsville, N.Y. 13027, where a military grave side service will be held on June 29, 2023 at 11 a.m.

Harvey M. Millier

dr. simon A. Ginzburg

william E. snow

OuR vOicE

Commencement

As graduation ceremonies and celebrations begin locally we look at the word commencement, which has two related but also distinct meanings.

According to the American Heritage Dictionary, commencement means a graduation ceremony. But it also refers to the start of something such as a journey.

At this time of year as local high school students take their diplomas and throw their caps in the air, the graduation ceremony is perhaps the most obvious and immediate meaning that will come to mind.

Walking across the stage in cap and gown, taking their diploma is the culmination of years of work, late nights of homework, seemingly endless exams and reports.

Those moments, when they walk down the isle and listen to the speeches from school staff and administration and valedictorian and salutatorian addresses, the moment when they walk across the stage and take their diploma, those are just the first half of the commencement equation.

When they have their diploma in hand and have come off the other side of the stage, that is when the other meaning of commencement truly beings.

This other definition, to start or begin something, has both literal and more metaphorical meanings.

These young adults will be starting many new things in the days, weeks, months and years ahead of them

This day marks the start of an entirely new chapter of their lives.

For some this will take the form of secondary educational opportunities, heading off to college.

For others this may mean the military.

And still for others this may mean entering the workforce.

Whatever the journey may be and wherever it may take these young adults, each will have their own unique experiences and discover new interests, new friends, have new experiences and broaden their horizons in ways they may not have yet anticipated.

This definition of commencement holds incredible potential.

While their paths may be mapped out in a general way, college, work, et cetera, as cliché as it is, the future is unwritten, a blank page, where each will begin to write a new chapter of their own life story.

This can be an overwhelming, but hopefully an exciting prospect.

Whether it is college or the workforce or the military or a gap year or a year taking part in any number of student exchange or civic and volunteer opportunities, this is a time to start something new and a time when these graduates will begin shaping their lives in new ways preparing for careers and everything else their future holds.

But even as they commence, this is also a time to look back.

These ceremonies mark the culmination of not only the work of the students, but also the parents, families, educators and innumerable others that have helped them on their journey and assisted them in preparing for this moment. So as they step into the bigger world, they will be ready for all that lies ahead of them.

This network of support, parents, teachers, the whole community, has proven to be incredibly valuable on their journey to this special day.

For their support, all of these people deserve a moment of praise and recognition for all they have done to help prepare the next generation to lead the way into the future.

And of course congratulations is due to the students and all their hard work, commitment and determination to persevere no matter how challenging circumstances became.

HOw

OF sMOKy AiR And MusHROOMs

Cough, cough ….what are they burning up there?

A silly question as the news tells us that these wildfires located in our friendly neighbor-to-the-north are partially a normal part of nature, partially the result of poor forest management, although how one manages huge swaths of native forest is a pretty good question ... and other accidental or not accidental occurrences. The smoky and crunchy drift of wildfire particulates into our neck of the woods being the result of an unusual pattern of air movement.

How many of us remember the TV and print ads telling us “Only You can Prevent Forest Fires?”

Even as a child, watching Smokey the Bear, I wondered how I could prevent forest fires, since there were no forests in Brooklyn. There was a maple tree that grew in front of our house, the only tree on the block, but I didn’t think that counted. I did keep an eye on it, though. We recently experienced what so many in the western part of our country have experienced - being downwind of wild fires. The difficulty breathing, watery eyes, etc. tells us that being downwind is not a good thing and it gives us some sense of what air pollution is about, however generated. It tells us what happens when we are not applying what we know about forest management, climate change, etc.

Science, as it is designed to do, reevaluates facts and data and has acknowledged that

nature needs fire, a reality which native cultures recognized and accommodated as a natural part of life. We have yet to incorporate that knowledge into action. We are not only ignoring science but also pre-scientific knowledge. Cough, cough.

Speaking of nature, it has recently been noted that we humans and mushrooms are fairly close genetically. Actually, the news is that mushrooms have more DNA in common with humans than they do with plants. In the not-too-distant past, when we studied how we divide up life on earth, it was decided that there were two ways of being a living entity: plant or animal. And…mushrooms seemed to resemble plants more than they resembled humans. This is not true anymore. Here comes science again, correcting or, more appropriately, adding to knowledge.

Now I am not a botanist or zoologist, but those who are have, with some fairly decent research, divided the living world into more than plants and animals. There are now five “kingdoms:” monera, protista, fungi, plants and animals. (This information was good as of this morning, but who knows, science moves fast.) You will notice that the fungi now have their own kingdom. Why? Probably because they are everywhere. If you think that insects are ubiquitous, fungi have the insects beat by miles and miles of mycelium.

Mushrooms, in whatever

form they appear, were once considered plants. They are not. Plants make their own food. Fungi do not. Fungi exist by consuming nutrition from other living and non-living organisms’

From the mycorrhizae that support the life of the largest trees to the tiniest yeast spore, fungi are integral parts of all life on earth. When you eat bread or cheese or dink beer or wine, when you take medicines like penicillin … you are interacting with fungi. Fungi are what makes that sock that got wet and hid behind the dryer the source of horrible odor. Fungi make the green color under the constantly wet area around the garden hose, or pop up as possible edibles next to the hollyhocks. Fungi are also the cause of plant diseases. The mint that used to take up a good portion of my garden has been decimated by a fungus. Oh, and byy the way, oregano is a mint.

Fungi are always around, even when they are not sensed. After a particularly damp summer, you can watch mushrooms of all shapes and sizes enthusiastically appear in lawns and woodlands. We can expect to see changes in the appearance of fungi as the climate changes. If you take a bit and read about the structure of fungi, it exists in at least two forms - its socalled roots or main body, which mostly lives out of sunlight., and the fruiting bodies, what we see as mushrooms, which produce spores for reproduction. It’s actually a bit more complicated than that, but that’s about

Fungi

l Page 7

Crab apple tree banned, but flowers planted

The Liverpool Community Gardeners were out in force on Friday, June 9 and Saturday, June 10 down at Heid’s circle. Armed with spades, shovels, wheelbarrows and rakes, they dug out the turf, laid down some topsoil and planted flowers.

They’re calling it the “Garden of Liverpool.”

After submitting their planting plan to village hall, the Community Gardeners were issued a permit by the New York State Department of Transportation to go ahead, explained LCG director Kelley Romano.

“The original design included a crab apple tree in the center,” Romano said. “That was a good native tree choice because it would feed the birds. However, this was denied because it was deemed a road hazard. The rest of the perennials in the design were accepted.”

It seems as though anything that does not exceed two feet in height is acceptable.

Petunias too

The gardeners chose colors in shades of purples, contrasted with yellows and pinks. Some – such as sedum – will flower later this summer.

Ten volunteers from Liverpool came out Friday and Saturday last week to dig, grade, plant, mulch and water the garden. They included Aaron Buchta, Chris Hebblethwaite, Susan Henry, Semmler Horky, Kevin McElwee, Linda and Tom Ogden, Abby, Kelley and Mike Romano and Brannon Waters.

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On Thursday, June 15 Romano and her daughter, Abby, planted petunias in the outer circle.

“We couldn’t get the creeping phlox this late in the season, so my husband, Mike Romano, donated two flats of petunias to finish the Garden of Liverpool for this year,” Kelley said. “Petunias are annuals and will not grow back.”

Next spring, the gardeners are guaranteed the creeping phlox, a perennial, from Carol Watson Greenhouse in Lafayette.

This year, Mill Creek Product and Supplies donated two yards of natural untreated mulch for use at the site.

“After my initial phone call to them, the president of the company, Kim Viau, called me back and asked for a description of the project,” Kelley said. “Then she offered to donate the mulch without me even asking. She said they are happy to help beautify the village of Liverpool.”

Cassidy inducted

Former major-league pitcher Scott Cassidy – who lives in Liverpool – was inducted into Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame last week. A tenacious right-handed reliever, Cassidy pitched professionally for 10 seasons including stints with the Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox and San Diego Padres. In 2003 he hurled for the hometown Syracuse SkyChiefs in the International League, one rung below the big leagues.

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In the early-1990s Cassidy was a star pitcher at Liverpool High School where he played under Coach Bob Godin. His outstanding 1.17 earned-run average and 7-0 record earned him First Team All-County, National Amateur Pitcher and MVP honors.

Three years after he retired from the game, Cassidy was hired as head baseball coach at his alma mater, Le Moyne College. In 2015 Cassidy was inducted into the Le Moyne College Sports Hall of Fame, and this year he was honored by the Syracuse Sports HOF. CO vid cancels choral concert Did you think the COVID-19 pandemic was over? Well, think again.

On June 10, the Liverpool Community Chorus performance at Liverpool High School had to be canceled because so many of its members have been diagnosed with the virus. It’s said that more than 30 of the singers are sick.

Among those stricken was the chorus’s music director Joe Spado Jr. The 100+ member group was rehearsing a show titled “Love of Music Changes Everything.” After everyone recovers from the coronavirus, they hope to announce a rescheduled date; liverpoolcommunitychorus.org

l ast word

“The support I’ve received [over the years] from our residents has been beyond party affiliations and truly feels like ‘neighbors helping neighbors.’”

russ Tarby

Historic Moment: A look at village lighting

By JORGE BATllE SkaneateLeS viLLage hiStorian

The first public lighting fixture in the Village of Skaneateles was said to be the one installed by Mr. M. Petheram on the corner of State Street and Academy Street in 1872. He also volunteered to light this kerosene lamp each evening. This seemed to be the only light in the village until 1881.

The Skaneateles Free Press asked, “why can’t the village have street lights? Money is spent for other purposes, but none for lighting the Village.” John Packwood of Genesee Street and John Purcell of Jordan Street were the first to respond, placing a kerosene lamp before their homes. By 1882, Skaneateles had a total of six lamps each owned by private citizens. The newspaper continued to push for a lighting system. In December of 1884 article, “Skaneateles should take steps to provide itself with street lights. Our village is sadly behind the times in that respect. There is scarcely a village of our size in central New York so scantily supplied with street lighting.”

Finally is 1885, the village board voted to spend $250 to buy street lamps. Henry Thurlow was appointed, lamplighter. Twenty oil lamps were purchased for $116 total. They were small kitchen style lamps set inside glass frames set on top of an iron post seven feet high. There was a small door in the frame to gain access to the lamp for daily cleaning and refilling. A crude three rung ladder in the shape of a half circle made to fit around the iron posts for the use of the lamplighter. (This ladder is on display at the Community Museum at the Creamery). There was much dissatisfaction with the oil lights and their maintenance.

Since 1880, many Skaneateles busi

nesses had been using steam engines such as Eckett’s Bakery, and the Stone Mill. The two printing presses of The Skaneateles Free Press were steam oper

ated. In 1886 these and other businesses began to turn to a new source of power - electricity.

In 1886, the Draycott Mill in Skaneateles Falls installed an electric gen

erating plant to light the mill building, closely followed by other mills along Skaneateles Creek. A “Little Giant Water Wheel” was being used to generate power for 160 electric lights at the Glenside Woolen Mill. This led to the idea of using this “water power lying idle at the mill dam to light the Village with electric lights.”

July 13, 1889, three prominent citizens from Elbridge and Skaneateles formed a company to supply electricity to the town.

It was called the Central New York Electric Light and Power Company. Stock shares were offered to the public for $100. Besides Skaneateles, the new power company, from a central producing station, was to provide light by electricity to the villages of Elbridge, Jordan and Marcellus. (Jordan already had a small electric plant and were using arc street lighting and incandescent lights in homes and commercial buildings - deemed very satisfactory.)

A canvas was made of the Skaneateles residents, and by December over 300 eager people had subscribed. The number was expected to rise of over 500 by the time the entire population was canvassed. In November of 1889, a franchise was granted. By August of the following year, the new generating plant on Valley Drive in Elbridge was under way as was the setting of poles toward Skaneateles. Stores and businesses were being wired. Nov. 1, was the proposed completion date.

The Bowdish Manufacturing Company on Railroad Street (Fennell Street, at the present location of ACE Hardware) was the first to install electric lights. On Saturday, Dec. 6, 1890, lights were turned on in the village from 5 p.m. to 730 p.m.

The lights proved to be clear and steady. Thereafter the lights would be turned on and remain on until 7:30 a.m. The biggest consumer of electricity was the Packwood House (Sherwood Inn) with fixtures, nearly 100 in all, in every room. At the same time, electric lights were also being installed in St. James Episcopal Church. An exhibition of three electric lights was set up on Jordan Street to give village officials and taxpayers an idea of much better these were over the kerosene lamps. The cost of lighting the streets was estimated to be about 66 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation.

Some people felt that this additional tax was a burden as they are paying for the new water works plant and a new fire station. This money was needed for highway improvements and

other necessary expenses. This discussion went back and forth, while the installation of lights continued. The new power company had its own problems. In 1892, the lack of water down the creek led to the lights being turned off in the village by 9:30 p.m. This was a conservation measure to ensure adequate water supply for the Erie Canal. Another problem was a vandal cut the wires at Mottville. The company’s machinery broke down regularly. And the granting of water rights (The Great Water Steal, as the locals called it) to supply the City of Syracuse, to maintain lake water levels, the outlet was often shut off. With all this in mind, residents began looking for another source of electricity, and municipal ownership. Also there was much dissatisfaction with the continued use of the kerosene oil lamps.

Dec. 26, 1899, the village president (mayor) appointed a committee to draw up plans and specifications and costs for a municipal lighting plant. It was suggested that this facility be built on the existing water pumping station. March 20, 1900 a public vote was held showing “an earnest desire” for municipal ownership of an electric plant. July 13, 1900 the construction of the electric plant was started. The newspaper rejoiced “let there be

light.”

Using the new 60 kilowatt single phase alternating current generator, 125 hp coal burning steam boiler powering a 118 hp steam engine, November 6 electricity was turned on for the first time. The trustees had another reason to be pleased. They said, “…by the reason of strict economy, we have completed the plant with the money at our command, and when all the bills have been paid, we hope to be free and clear from debt.” The trustees in December of 1900 formed the municipal board to oversee and control both the water and light plants.

Over the next few years the municipal board dealt with establishing electric rates for street lighting and private use, times the street lights would be on, purchasing upgraded equipment, expanding the service areas throughout the village.

By October of 1901 the electric plant was making a 10% profit. Demand was rising. The existing generator capacity was often exceeded by 25%. The voters approved a bond issue to upgrade the capacity of the plant.

Editor’s note: This is part one and part two of this piece will appear in a future issue of the Press-Observer.

Summer Reading Challenge can help curb the ‘summer slide’

By sTATE AssEMBly MinORiTy lEAdER will BARClAy

Now that the school year is coming to a close, it is again time to challenge our young New Yorkers to continue their academic growth by reading about their favorite topics this summer. As such, I am proud to again host the New York State Assembly Summer Reading Challenge for the residents of the 120th Assembly District. This year’s theme is “All Together Now” and is focused on the important concepts of “ Kindness, Friendship, and Unit y.”

Students in kindergarten through seventh grade are invited to read for at least 15 minutes each day over a 40-day

period in July and August. Students who complete the challeng e will be presented with a New York State Excellence in Reading Certificate as well as earn an invitation to our summer reading party.

There are lots of great reasons to read during summer, but one of the most important reasons for young readers to do so is to help keep their minds sharp and fresh during noninstructional months. Developing minds that have limited or no academic engagements during the summer risk falling into the dreaded “summer slide” and have a harder time getting up to speed come September. The New York State Assembly Summer Reading Challenge is a

great way to combat that slide and give incoming students an extra edge when the new school year starts.

For families in and around my hometown, the Oswego Bookmobil e will be making stops all around town to provide free reading resources for young readers. The Bookmobile will be making weekly stops at the following locations through July and August: Hillcrest Trailer Park, Leighton Elementary, SUNY Oswego Children’s Center, Oak Hill Park, Kingsford Park, Hamilton Homes, Breitbeck Park, Fort Ontario Pool, Hill Top Trailer Park, East Park, West Park, Fitzhugh Park, Scriba Town Park and Little Luke’s. For a full schedule, visit

here https://oswegobookmobile.com/calendar/ summer-schedul e Further, the North Country Public Librar y system and the Finger Lakes Library Syste m are also tremendous resources for readers of every age.

Independent reading is an important part of a young reader’s development. While school-assigned reading is also necessary to provide students with the educational building blocks they need to thrive, so too are works of fiction and non-fiction that speak directly to their interests. Summer reading is a great time to turn a spark into a flame, and I hope we have even more participation in this great reading program than ever

before. Good luck and happy reading!

l From page 6 Fungi

as much as I can vouch for.

Fungi and wildfires are pointed examples of the natural world, parts of the steady state system of life on earth, as are we.

How we interact with forest management and fungi affects and is affected by that interaction between them and us for good or ill. A better term would be the interactions among us, since we are all part of the

office can be reached by mail at 19 Canalview Mall, Fulton, NY 13069 and by email at barclayw@nyassembly. go v. You may also find me, Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay, on Facebook or on Twitter at @WillABarclay.

same creation and living planet.

While science and fire control and forest management ponder how best to live with the need for fire, I am looking for a few good recipes for mushrooms.

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.

Submitted photo

Historian Jorge Battle has been exploring the history of lighting in the village of skaneateles. Pictured here is the steam generator that helped support the lighting.

Spiritual Experiences

Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation d/b/a National Grid

THE FILING OF REVISED RATES TO P.S.C. NO. 220 ELECTRICITY, P.S.C. NO. 214 STREETLIGHTING, and P.S.C. NO. 219 GAS TARIFFS TO COMPLY WITH THE COMMISSION’S ORDER DATED JANUARY 20, 2022 IN P.S.C. CASES 20-E-0380 AND 20-G-0381.

Notice is hereby given that Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation d/b/a National Grid has filed revised rates with the Public Service Commission to comply with the Commission’s order dated January 20, 2022. ese revised rates become effective July 1, 2023.

e tables listed below show a comparison between the Company’s current rates and rates effective July 1, 2023.

For more information, visit http://www.nationalgridus.com or the PSC’s website: https://dps.ny.gov/

J. Marilyn yasso

Former teacher

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of J. Marilyn Yasso, formerly of Retsof and Conesus Lake. She was a remarkable woman who touched the lives of many with her vibrant spirit and inspiring journey.

Born in 1932 in Buffalo, Marilyn embarked on a beautiful journey that shaped her into the incredible person she became. Education was of great importance to Marilyn. After graduating high school she attended Geneseo State University. While at Geneseo she met her soon-to-be husband, Jim Yasso.

At the tender age of 19, she entered into a lifelong commitment, exchanging vows with her beloved husband, Jim. Their 64year love story became the cornerstone of their lives.

Following the birth of her four children, Marilyn returned to college, demonstrat-

DEATH NOTICES

OBITUARIES

ing her relentless pursuit of knowledge and proudly earning her teaching degree. She taught at York Central School for 22 years. Many former students told her that she was the best teacher they ever had.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Marilyn had an insatiable curiosity for history.

After her retirement, she dedicated countless hours researching and writing a remarkable book about Retsof, N.Y., capturing the essence of the community and preserving its heritage for future generations.

Marilyn possessed an adventurous spirit that led her to explore various corners of the world. Together they visited more than 65 different countries, creating lifelong memories and inspiring future generations to travel.

Many will remember Marilyn for walking. She and her golden retriever, Champ, and then most recently her collie, Bella, could be seen out walking miles every day in

all weather conditions.

Marilyn spent the last eight months of her life at Morgan Estates in Geneseo, N.Y., where she was surrounded by many familiar faces. The family will be forever grateful for the love and care she was given there.

Marilyn leaves behind her children, Debbie Hubbard (Marty), Jim Yasso (Sandy), Lisa McDonnell (Tom),her son-in-law David Klein, nine grandchildren, Randy Klein, Stacy Seiler, Kristie Clancy, Alexander Klein, T.J. McDonnell, James Yasso, Heather Babineau-Z, Linde Mull and Danielle Yasso. Also mourning her loss are her 23 great-grandchildren.

Marilyn is also survived by her sistersin-law Rose Marie Yasso and Beverly Hannett-Price.

She was pre-deceased by her husband Jim and daughter Linde Klein.

As we mourn the loss of Marilyn, let us also celebrate the extraordinary life she led. She will be remembered for her unwavering love and for being an inspiration to everyone.

A celebration of her life funeral mass was held on Saturday, June 17, at 10 a.m. at St. Lucy’s Church, Retsof, N.Y.

Funeral arrangements by Rector-Hicks Funeral Home, Geneseo, N.Y.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to Joseph’s House for Women, 802 Court St., Syracuse, NY 13208 or Doctors Without Borders, PO Box 5030, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5030.

Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation d/b/a National Grid

For more information, visit http://www.nationalgridus.com or the PSC’s website: https://dps.ny.gov/

J. Marilyn yasso

Ryan A. Silva, 38, of Clay, passed away June 10, 2023. Fergerson Funeral Home, North Syracuse, has arrangements.

Nancy J. Clark, 89, of Cicero, passed away June 11, 2023. Fergerson Funeral Home, North Syracuse, has arrangements.

lHs seniors earn seals of Biliteracy

Forty-six Liverpool High School seniors have earned the New York State Seal of Biliteracy, and one LHS junior has received precertification for the Seal of Biliteracy, which recognizes the accomplishments of students who demonstrate mastery in more than one language. The students recently were honored during a special ceremony as part of LHS’s Café Carpe Ole event.

The LHS students represented 13 different languages and dialects. Among the recipients from Liverpool were one student who demonstrated pentaliteracy (mastery of five languages), two students who demonstrated quadliteracy (mastery of four languages) and six students who demonstrated triliteracy (mastery of three languages). Earning seals were:

Atif Alihodzic: English, Serbian, Bosnian, Croatian, French

Arian Khadivizand: English, Farsi, Persian, Spanish

Arshia Khadivizand: English, Farsi, Persian, Spanish

Jane Borgard: English, French, Haitian Creole

Emilia Dzodic: English, French, Serbian

Azra Medic: English, French, Bosnian

Hajra Mustafa: English, Urdu, Punjabi

Haseebullah Naziri: English, Farsi, Persian

Nneamaka Nwaezeapu: English, Spanish,

French

Abdulhadi Alsadoon: English and Arabic

Valeriia Baranets: English and Ukrainian

Xinwen Chen: English and Mandarin Chinese

Jennifer Lema Lema: English and Spanish

Karim Qasem: English and Arabic

Tymofiy Vasylevskyi: English and Ukrainian

Melannie Delgado Carreras: English and Spanish (PRHYLI Distinction)

Layla Soto: English and Spanish (PRHYLI

Distinction)

Meghan Bell: English and French

Christopher Brancaccio: English and French

Haania Hamad: English and French

Olivia Maturo: English and French

Gabrielle Patterson: English and French

Nathan Pierce: English and French

Colin Burns: English and Spanish

Connor DiMartino: English and Spanish

Erin Folley: English and Spanish

Zachary Gates: English and Spanish

Quentin Gibbons: English and Spanish

Tessa Glashauser: English and Spanish

Beatrize Gurgol: English and Spanish

Janea Hamilton-Brown: English and Span-

ish

Sydney Hayes: English and Spanish

Dylan Jesmore: English and Spanish

Azam Khan: English and Spanish

Samantha Manheimer: English and Spanish

Jordan Page: English and Spanish

Pierce receives French honors

Liverpool High School senior Nathan Pierce been honored with the 2023 AATF Outstanding Senior in French Award from the American Association of Teachers of French (AATF).

Pierce is a student in Anna Burns’ French class at LHS.

Jailyn Parrotte: English and Spanish

Haley Peters: English and Spanish

Ethan Przytula: English and Spanish

Rachel Przytula: English and Spanish

Halle Reale: English and Spanish

Emily Santillanes: English and Spanish

Ava Scanna: English and Spanish

Cassandra Smith: English and Spanish

Emily Wood: English and Spanish

Katherine Wood: English and Spanish

Kiara Hogan: Spanish (Pre-Certification for NYS Seal of Biliteracy)

Students seeking the Seal of Biliteracy

were asked to prepare an extensive project and give an oral presentation in front of a panel of judges. The Seal of Biliteracy program, organized in Central New York by the Mid-State Regional Bilingual Education Resource Network (RBERN), strives to highlight the value of diversity and world languages instruction in schools. Students will wear the medal with their graduation robe and a special seal will be added to their diploma.

Three honored by CnyAFCsE

nathan Pierce

He has studied French for at least three years and is a member of the French Honor Society. During the pandemic, Pierce taught himself French, rising from French 1 in the fall of last year to French 4 as a senior.

The AATF Outstanding Senior in French Award is presented annually to students who have demonstrated excellence in the study of French as well as exceptional commitment to the French language and the many cultures where it is spoken. Recipients must be non-native speakers of French.

The AATF was founded in 1927 and its mission is to promote the study of the French language and Frenchspeaking cultures at all levels.

MEET MAndy

Submitted photo

liverpool High school senior Mya vallat, family and consumer science teacher Cathleen Bateman and Associate Principal Briana laRocca recently were honored by the Central new york Association of Family & Consumer sciences Educators. vallat was awarded the CnyAFCsE student scholarship, given to a graduating senior who plans to pursue a career in the area of Family and Consumer sciences. Bateman was awarded the CnyAFCsE Promising new Professional Award, which recognizes an individual who has made a significant contribution to the field as an effective teacher and dedicated professional in the first five years of the profession. LaRocca was awarded the CNYAFCSE Ellen Swallow Richards Award, given to a non-FACS professional who has made an outstanding contribution and serious impact to the field of Family and Consumer sciences education. All three were honored during the annual CnyAFCsE in early May.

Hal Henty honored with park naming

By AndREw wEllivER

Long time Clay resident Hal Henty was recognized for his dedication to his local community on June 10.

At a ceremony at the park formerly known as the Willow Stream Park, its name was changed to the Hal Henty Community Park in recognition of his service, and time spent helping the community of Clay.

On April 3, the Clay Town Board decided that Henty would be honored for his service and the recognition was presented to him at the June 10 ceremony by Town Councilor Kevin J. Meaker.

By dOnnA nEwMAn photo by CariSSa nodzo

Mandy came to the shelter as a stray, and she quickly won the hearts of everyone she meets. she’s a beautiful shepherd mix who loves to go on walks and have adventures. she’s a proud member of the doggy playgroup and is the first dog new volunteers take on walks. We think she would make a lovely companion and wonderful addition to almost any family. And those ears! For more information about adoption, call 315-454-4479, email frontdesk1@cnyspca.org, or visit cnyspca.org.

Approximately 40 people were in attendance to celebrate Henty including his friends, family, and members of the town board.

With a population of over 60,000 people, Henty has done a lot to give back to his community.

John Sheridan, coach of LiverpoolUnifiedBasketball

andreW WeLLiver Hal Henty was recognized for his years of work for the Town of Clay at a ceremony where willow stream park was renamed in his honor.

has felt the impact Henty has had on him and the athletes he coaches.

“Hal is a large part of youth athletics, and it means a lot to us,” he said. “This guy loves his community.”

Henty served the town for more than 36 years before and after his retirement holding multiple positions including assessment clerk, codes officer, town assessor, and the town’s unofficial professional photographer.

After retirement, he served as a member of the town’s zoning board of appeals, and he currently serves on the town’s planning board.

Henty has shown support for the public safety, welfare, and livability in the Town of Clay by working towards safe and proper planning efforts.

Henty has emphasized the importance of maintaining quality public spaces for

the residents of Clay to enjoy.

“We are always looking to improve and put more green areas into the community,” Henty said.

Following the dedication ceremony Henty thanked the whole community for the work they have done.

“The community has had great leadership over the years and volunteers,” he said.