Cazenovia Republican Digital Edition - Dec. 14, 2022

Financial problems drive Caz College’s closing announcement

TOwN Of cAzENOviA

Future of Caz College campus discussed

By kate Hill Staff Writer

During the Dec. 12 Cazenovia Town Board meeting, Supervisor Bill Zupan reported on a group discussion held the previous Friday regarding the future of the community without its nearly 200-year-old college.

On Dec. 7, the Cazenovia College Board of Trustees announced its decision to permanently close the college following the spring 2023 semester due to financial difficulties.

According to the college, the financial challenges facing the institution have included a shrinking population of collegeaged individuals; skyrocketing inflation; decreased enrollment and increased expenditures during the global pandemic; and recent uncertainty in the bond and stock markets, which made it exceedingly difficult to refinance the college’s bond debt, which came due in September.

Two days after the closing was announced, a group of local leaders convened to begin working towards the goal of developing a clear vision for what post-Cazenovia College use(s) of the campus will have the greatest long-term impact on the community.

By kate Hill staff Writer

On Wednesday, Dec. 7, the Cazenovia College Board of Trustees announced its decision to permanently close the college following the spring 2023 semester due to financial concerns.

Founded in 1824, Cazenovia College is the eightholdest private, independent college in New York State and the 28th-oldest independent college/university in the United States.

In a Dec. 7 press release announcing its decision, the college said it will finish out the fall 2022 semester as scheduled and continue to be fully operational through the spring, holding classes and events, including athletics and other normally scheduled activities.

During the spring semester, the college also intends to assist students with their transferring plans and provide additional supportive services such as counseling.

“We’re deeply disappointed that it has come to this,” said Ken Gardiner, chair of the Cazenovia Col-

lege Board of Trustees, in the press release. “Considerable time and effort have been spent on improving the college’s financial position over the past several years. Unfortunately, the headwinds and market conditions were insurmountable, leading to a projected deficit of several million dollars for next year. As a result, the college won’t have the funds necessary to be open and continue operations for fall 2023 and beyond. Our plan is to be open for the spring 2023 semester during which faculty and staff will work with students to help them transfer to another college for the fall.”

As of Dec. 7, the college had entered into teach-out transfer agreements with the following higher education institutions that will provide pathways for students to continue their studies beginning with the fall 2023 semester and will assist students with their transitions: Daemen University, Elmira College, Excelsior University, Hilbert College, Keuka College, LeMoyne College, Mercy College, State University of New York College

at Oneonta, Utica University, and Wells College. Additional institutions will be added as agreements are finalized.

According to the college, the “business realities” that led to the decision to close were accelerated by the global pandemic, “skyrocketing” inflation, and a shrinking population of college-aged individuals that makes it hard for small private colleges to maintain enrollment levels.

Since its peak with nearly 1,000 full-time students on

campus for the 2014-2015 academic year, the college’s enrollment has dropped by over 40 percent.

The college explained that the pandemic impacted the institution’s recruitment and fundraising efforts while increasing its economic burdens. In response to the pandemic, large investments were made in technology and campus safety measures as enrollment dropped due to students choosing to postpone college or take a leave of absence.

Additionally, the college

said, recent uncertainty in the bond and stock markets made it particularly difficult to refinance the college’s bond debt, which came due in September.

The college defaulted on a $24.92 million bond payment in September after an unsuccessful attempt to refinance it with a long-term loan. The college borrowed the money in 2019.

“Being a small college without a large endowment has made the college’s challenges formidable,” said Cazenovia College President David Bergh in the press release. “We have worked tirelessly to strengthen the financial position of the college through fundraising campaigns, adding graduate offerings, streamlining transfer pathways, and exploring alternative options. Unfortunately, these efforts did not create results to ensure long-term viability for the college.”

Bergh added that the campus community is a family and that this is an extremely difficult time for everyone, but the college

Zupan said that among those in attendance were Village Mayor Kurt Wheeler, Cazenovia College President David Bergh, Cazenovia College Chief Financial Officer William Veit, Town Councilor Kyle Reger, Village Planning Board Chair Rich Huftalen, and former Cazenovia Public Library Director Betsy Kennedy, and some stakeholders.

“Everybody was just trying to put their heads together to see what ideas we could come up with,” said Zupan.

According to Wheeler, who organized the meeting, the group hopes to develop holistic ideas for the campus that will offer the bondholders a better return than a “fire sale” of piecemeal assets that won’t replace the college’s economic and social impact on the community.

Wheeler said the group also discussed the fact that some parts of the overall campus that are separate from the core, like the equine center, the athletic complex, and the Jephson Campus, may not be needed for the optimum future use of the campus. He added that as those determinations are made, the group can play a role in identifying the best uses for those peripheral assets as well.

“The essential element is

submitted photos

on dec. 7, Cazenovia College announced that it will not be enrolling students for the Fall 2023 semester.

Pictured above is the Cazenovia College quad in the 1900s. Below, students line up on the college’s athletic field.

Library introduces children’s reading program with therapy dog Alexander

By kate Hill staff Writer

This fall, the Cazenovia Public Library & Museum (CPL) introduced a reading program that uses therapy dogs to increase children’s desire and ability to read.

Through the Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.) program, children have the chance to read aloud to an animal to help improve their reading and communication skills.

R.E.A.D. dogs are trained, tested, registered, liability-insured therapy animals who volunteer with their owners as a team, visiting schools, libraries, and other settings as reading companions and literacy mentors.

Smooth-coated collie Alexander and his owner/ handler Jane LaSure visit CPL on the third Tuesday of the month, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Individual appointments can also be made by contacting CPL Youth Services Coordinator Jenna Wright-Martin at jwright@midyork.org or calling the library at 315655-9322.

“Learning to read is often less about intellect than

overcoming fears,” said LaSure in a CPL press release announcing the program. “Dogs are proven to help increase relaxation, lower blood pressure, and do not correct or set a pace. Reading becomes an anticipated adventure rather than a scholastic experience. The handler is also educated in being a facilitator, shifting performance pressure off the child while guiding [the] child and dog in a productive environment.”

According to WrightMartin, CPL’s R.E.A.D. program operates on a firstcome, first-served basis.

“The ideal group size is one to four,” added LaSure. “If more than four show [up] for a session, some can pull books while we work with others.”

LaSure brings books with her to each session and Wright-Martin pulls a variety of books from CPL’s collection. Children are also invited to bring books they are reading at home.

Wright-Martin explained that the library staff helps young readers take turns with Alexander to get individual reading time. For those who are not

yet reading independently, wordless picture books are provided so the children can describe the pictures/ create their own stories.

“Alexander’s calm nature and adorableness help all the adults blend into the background and gives the young reader a really special experience with a nonjudgmental listener helping to build their confidence and enjoyment of reading,” said Wright-Martin.

LaSure said she realized Alexander’s potential as a therapy dog with the help of Catherine Perry of Paws Please Dog Training in East Eaton, NY.

“I acquired Alexander as a two-year-old and enrolled him in her secondlevel class so we could get to know each other,” LaSure recalled. “Ms. Perry has extensive experience and suggested that he would excel at therapy work. The R.E.A.D. program had great appeal because it included my three passions: linguistics, working with animals, and witnessing the confidence the right animal gives to children.”

To become officially registered with R.E.A.D., LaSure and Alexander were

first required to earn their American Kennel Club (AKC) Good Citizen Title, which qualified them to train to be an Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD) candidate. Upon ATD certification, Alexander was qualified to become a R.E.A.D. dog once LaSure passed the coursework.

During the school year prior to the COVID-19 closures, LaSure and Alexander were invited to read with first graders in the Hamilton Central School District.

“He was pretty excited when the bell rang and we all piled into the hallways,” said LaSure. “That was

this fall, the Cazenovia public library & Museum (Cpl) introduced the reading education assistance dogs (r e a d.) program, which uses therapy dogs to increase children’s desire and ability to read. smooth-coated collie alexander and his owner/handler Jane lasure visit Cpl on the third tuesday of the month, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. pictured: isla Hunt reading to alexander.

New display at New Woodstock Library

The New Woodstock Free Library is pleased to welcome New Woodstock resident Mary Tegtmeyer and her handmade houses and their occupants for the holiday season.

This lovely exhibit features whimsical tabletop houses in a folk-art style cre-

ated by using found objects, clay, and wood to depict intricate scenes with a cozy and welcoming atmosphere.

Ever since she can remember, Tegtmeyer has been interested in creating with natural materials.

As a child, she was inspired by her dad, a stone

mason, who made decorative houses using remnant stone. Tegtmeyer followed in her dad’s footsteps to create her delightful folk-art friends and their domiciles.

Tegtmeyer will be presenting a hands-on workshop on Saturday, Jan. 14 from 10 am to noon at the

New Woodstock library. This fun take-and-make workshop is for children age 5 and up, along with a parent or caregiver. Tegtmeyer will teach how to make whimsical dolls such as those shown in her display.

Tegtmeyer’s pieces will be on display throughout the library during the months of December and January, some available for purchase.

A tree decorated with felted doll ornaments from around the world will also be on display.

For more information, please contact the New Woodstock library at 315412-6104 or newwoodstocklibrary.org

submitted photo

submitted photo

new Woodstock resident Mary tegtmeyer and her handmade houses and their occupants will be on display at the new Woodstock library for the holiday season.

Runner works toward completing a marathon in every state

By kate Hill staff Writer

Longtime Cazenovia Children’s House (CCH) director Penny Noll is well on her way to accomplishing her goal of running a marathon in every state in the country by 2025.

On Oct. 2, 2022, Noll took first place in her category at the 41st Annual Guthrie Wineglass Marathon in Corning, New York.

“I was very proud to achieve a first-place award in the 70-74year-old age group, and also I am very thankful that I have the health, support, time, and finances to be running in my 70s,” said Noll.

Just over a month later, she finished her second New York City Marathon, which she last ran in 2011.

Noll, who worked for CCH for 27 years before retiring in 2015, said she started running 18 years ago while helping CCH and the community to organize Cazenovia’s first Annual Chilly Chili 5K Run/Walk.

Founded in 1970, CCH is an early learning and childcare center that serves families in the greater Cazenovia area. The an-

nual Chilly Chili race, which is typically held each January, is the organization’s biggest fundraiser.

Noll ran her first marathon, the Toronto Waterfront Marathon, in 2006.

“I had so many memorable marathons,” said Noll. “. . . I would say that my first marathon was the most memorable as I cried crossing the finish line. I accomplished a huge new achievement after months and miles of training. My longest run was eighteen miles, and I had no idea how I would feel running 26.2.”

In 2010, she learned about the 50 State Marathon Club, a nonprofit organization whose members share the common goal of running a marathon in each of the 50 states. To join, a runner must have completed a marathon in at least 10 states. As of Dec. 5, the club had 5,104 members in all 50 states, DC, and 21 foreign countries. Its members have run a combined total of more than 353,000 marathons.

On Dec. 4, Noll said she was signed up to run in the Three Bridges Marathon in Little Rock, Arkansas on Saturday, Dec. 10.

“It will be my 45th state and 55th marathon,” she said. “My

that we have to work collaboratively through this process,” said Wheeler, “There will be no room to prioritize the interests of one entity or one short-term deal over the long-term interests of our greater community. The importance that 210 local jobs, hundreds of students and $55 million of annual economic impact have cannot be overstated. Our failure to replace that overall positive impact as completely as possible will have profound long-term consequences for our community.”

During his report to the town board, Zupan told the councilors that anyone interested in attending future meetings regarding the college campus should contact Wheeler at kurtwheeler13035@ gmail.com.

“The college did a very good job of trying to reach out to other institutions, but it just didn’t work out,” said Zupan. “. . . Going through the meeting, I think they did a very thorough job, and they investigated every avenue to stay open. I think Cazenovia

next marathon will be April 1, 2023, in Nevada.”

Registration is now open for the 18th Annual Chilly Chili 5K, which will be held Sunday, Jan. 22 at 1 p.m.

For more information or to sign up, visit runsignup.com/ Race/NY/Cazenovia/ChillyChili5KRunWalk

is a very resilient community, and we will work our way through it.”

Later in the meeting, Councilor Kelli Johnson informed the board that Lauren Lines, executive director of the Cazenovia Area Community Development Association, said her organization stands ready to help with the community-wide effort to determine what can be done to reimagine/ revitalize the college area. i n other news

The board adopted a resolution to introduce a proposed local law to amend the town code with respect to commercial solar regulations in the Town of Cazenovia.

According to Zupan, the change had to do with setbacks from property lines.

The board scheduled a public hearing as to the enactment of the proposed local law for Jan. 9 at 7:30 p.m. at the Town Hall.

Additionally, the board authorized the solicitation of bids for the procurement of a new model year 11-foot aquatic plant harvester for the town for use on Cazenovia Lake to help ad -

dress aquatic weed growth. The board will receive sealed bids until 2:30 p.m. on Feb. 7, 2023.

The town board also authorized additional funding in the amount of $5,000 for Community Resources for Independent Seniors (CRIS), a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing and coordinating supportive services that help individuals 55 and older in the Cazenovia, Nelson, and Fenner areas to preserve their independence, remain active and engaged in the community, and live safely and comfortably in their homes for as long as possible.

“I was talking to a board member of CRIS, and they said [Cazenovia Area Senior Association] was going along [well], but CRIS needed help,” said Zupan. “In this time with the pandemic and inflation and everything else, I thought the town could help. I thank the board for going along with my idea.”

During his report, Zupan informed the board that the town received preliminary figures for a project to modernize the Cazenovia Wastewater Treatment Plant.

“They are anywhere between probably $6 million and $15 million, depending on how much we do,” Zupan said.

The supervisor added that he plans to meet with Plant Manager Jim Cunningham and then move forward with seeking out an engineering firm to design and execute the project.

s weatshirt scam

On the day of the meeting, Village of Cazenovia Chief of Police Michael Hayes warned residents that if they receive text messages saying that the Cazenovia Police Department is selling sweatshirts, it is a scam.

Hayes said he has a single provider for police department sweatshirts, and they can only be ordered through him. He also stated that he tried calling the phone number that shows up on the texts, and it is not in service for calls.

The Cazenovia Town Board typically meets on the second Monday of every month at 7:30 p.m. For more information, visit towncazenovia.digitaltowpath.org or call the town office at 315-655-9213.

Former Cazenovia Children’s House director penny noll is on a mission to run a marathon in every state in the country by 2025. submitted photos

Years Ago in History

By Cindy Bell toBey

100 years ago – dec. 14, 1922

The December issue of the Sporting Goods Journal, which circulates among the sporting goods dealers, contained five pictures of the Cazenovia Outdoor Club’s winter sports activities.

Also an illustrated story, “Harvesting Winter Joys” which is a writeup of the Cazenovia Outdoor Club’s activities written by F.E. Brimmer, president of the club, will appear in the February number of Outers Recreation.

This is the second largest outdoor magazine published in the United States.

75 years ago – dec. 18, 1947

The Cazenovia Civic Club will hold an open meeting Jan. 6 in order that the community may learn more about the proposed National Football Shrine and Hall of Fame.

It is expected that one of the incorporators of the shrine project will come to Cazenovia and speak before the meeting, giving full information, and answer all questions regarding the proposed project.

Everyone interested, whether members of the club or not, is invited to attend the meeting, regarding which further announcement will made later. Cazenovia is one of several communities which have been suggested as a possible site.

The shrine proposal is a very large project, in fact, no one knows to what proportions it may develop.

Rutgers University is actively campaigning to be designated as the site because of the first intercollegiate game of football having been played there in 1869 between Princeton and Rutgers – six years after Gerritt Smith Miller captained his club, the Oneidas, in the first football game played in America between regularly organized clubs, the Oneidas vs. the Mohawks, in 1863 on Boston Common.

The Oneidas won and a marker has been erected on the Common commemorating the first game of football in America played between regularly organized football clubs.

50 years ago – dec. 18, 1972

Reaction from Cazenovia merchants to a proposed million-dollar shopping center across from the Town & Country plaza on Rt. 20 appears to range from disbelief to gloom.

One Albany Street merchant said, “It would make a ghost out of downtown.”

Another said “I can’t imagine any national outfit going in there. You must draw from the rim to the hub, not the other way around.”

A downtown merchant said,“I can’t see where it could get off the ground. I think that people on the other side of the county shop in Utica, not Syracuse, and they don’t go through Cazenovia.”

Mrs. Sidney Phelps of The Little Book Case said flatly, “It will flop. People go into the city or to Shoppingtown to spend money. They’re not going to make the effort to come here for a second-rate department store or discount house. Of course, a good New York store like Altman’s or Lord & Taylor would be a great draw. But I don’t see how another shopping center could survive on local trade, especially in the winter.”

25 years ago – dec. 17, 1997

Cazenovia College recently signed papers which gives them ownership to the old Cazenovia Carpets building at 95 Albany St. Cazenovia

Community Bank announces promotions

Community Bank recently annoucned that Barbara Houghton has been promoted to senior district manager and Heather Russell has been promoted to branch manager at the bank’s Cazenovia branch.

Houghton brings over 28 years of banking experience to her new role, where she will be responsible for overseeing the nine banking offices in Boiceville, Norwich Town, Canastota, Cazenovia, Chittenango, Hamilton, Oneida, and Vernon, NY. Houghton will remain at the Cazenovia office and will be working closely with each of the district managers in her footprint. She specializes in customer service and all types of lending.

Houghton volunteers her time with the Cazenovia Chamber of Commerce and Caz Cares for their Giving Tuesday Initiative. She also serves as a board member for the Cazenovia Chamber of Commerce. Houghton lives with her husband, Kevin, and two sons.

Russell has been promoted to branch manager at the Cazenovia location, and will be responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the office, ensuring that every customer receives the highest level of service. She will also manage the effective delivery of the branch’s sales and service activities to ensure operational efficiency and integrity through adherence to policies and procedures. Prior, Russell was a teller, head teller, and branch assistant at the

Cazenovia branch during her seven-year employment with Community Bank. She specializes in consumer lending, commercial lending, and customer service.

Russell is involved in many events hosted by the Cazenovia Chamber of Commerce and looks forward to getting involved in more chamber events in the future. Russell has completed coursework through Mohawk Valley Community College and lives with her fiancé and two children.

“We’re excited for both Barbara and Heather to take on these new roles,” Regional Manager Janet Briggs said. “These promotions are well-deserved; they are both natural leaders and we’re grateful to have their financial skills and experience on our Community Bank Team.”

First Presbyterian announces Advent celebration

The First Presbyterian Church in Cazenovia will celebrate the fourth Sunday of the Advent Season on Dec. 18 at its morning worship service at 10 a.m.

The candles representing hope, joy, peace, and love will be lit on the Advent wreath by the Kagey family followed by a litany from the congregation and a choral response from the Senior Choir. The public is invited to come and participate.

The service will feature Christmas in Brass with trumpeters Nathan and Grace Kaercher along with Pat Carney. The service begins with the trumpets and Caz Pres Bell Ringers playing Lo, How A Rose arranged by Kevin McChesney and O Come All Ye Faithful arranged by Sandra Eithun.

The trumpets will accompany the choir in the anthem Emmanuel by Noel Goemanne.

The trumpets will also be accompanying the congregation on favorite carols. The service will close with Christmas Angels by Lloyd Larson as the postlude. Nathan is a music teacher in the Chittenango Central School District.

His daughter Grace is a sophomore at Williams College and Pat is a retired music teacher and currently playing in the Syracuse Stage production of Little Mermaid.

The service will be led by Rev. Karen Chamis, Resource Presbyter of the Cayuga/ Syracuse Presbytery.

The word Advent means “coming” or “arrival.” The focus of the entire season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ in his First Advent, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his Second Advent.

Advent is marked by a spirit of expectation, of anticipation, of preparation, of longing, of hope.

In a world that seldom slows, Advent is an opportunity to still our hearts and open our eyes to the wonder and majesty of the season.

Sunday School is available during the service.

For more information contact the church at 655-3191 or cazpres.org. The service can be watched on the church’s YouTube.

Houghton russel

Send your events to Alyssa Dearborn at adearborn@ eaglenewsonline.com. Notices must have the date, time and location of the event. The deadline for submissions is 10 a.m. on Friday for the following week’s editions.

NOV. 25-JAN. 8

The Syracuse Stage Presents The

Little Mermaid

Tickets are available now at www.syracsuestage.org or through the Box Office (315443-3275). All ticket purchases are protected by Syracuse Stage’s “Worry Free Guarantee,” which provides automatic refunds to patrons if performances are canceled.

THURSDAY DEC. 15

The Distilleries of Madison County 7 p.m. Rt. 20 East, Cazenovia. Madison County Historian Matt Urtz will present “The Distilleries of Madison County.” Hosted by Cazenovia Heritage.

SATURDAY, DEC. 17

White Christmas Drop-off 10 a.m.-12 p.m. United Church of Fayetteville. Collection for the FM Food Pantry. Needed items include toilet paper, paper towels, tissues, feminine products, and bars of soap. All donations appreciated.

SUNDAY, DEC. 18

Comfort & Joy Tour 4:30 p.m. St. James Church, 6 Green St., Cazenovia. Features Steve Angrisano and Sarah Hart. Reception to follow. Free will offering at the door.

TUESDAY DEC. 20

CNY ATD Learn@Lunch 12 p.m.-12:45 p.m. CNY ATD holds an informal conversation around current and emerging talent development topics. Topic – Share your talent development accomplishments of 2022. Complimentary virtual activity. Registration – https://cnyatd.org/ learn_lunch .

DEC. 21 & 22

Christmas Pierogi and Bake Sale Wednesday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. St. Lukes’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 3290 Warners Rd., Warners. To order for for more information, call 315-888-4163 or email events@stlukesuoc.org. Give your name and number with your order.

FRIDAY, DEC. 23

Christmas Eve Eve Candlelight Service

6 p.m. Summit Church, 21 Lincoln St., Cazenovia.

MONDAY DEC. 26

The Great Salt City 7:30 p.m. The Palace Theatre, Syracuse. The area’s best musicians will be paying tribute to the music of legendary artists.

DEC. 29-JAN. 2

Disney On Ice: Let’s Celebrate Upstate Medical Arena at The Oncenter War Memorial, 515 Montgomery St., Syracuse. With more than 50 beloved characters in the show, the legacy of Disney is displayed through 14 classic and modern

stories, including “Frozen,” “Finding Dory,” “Aladdin” and “Beauty and the Beast.” Visit disneyonice.com for tickets.

SATURDAY APRIL 8

Monster Jam Stadium Championship

JMA Wireless Dome, Syracuse. The most unexpected, unscripted and unforgettable motorsports experience for families and fans in the world today returns to Syracuse for an adrenaline-charged weekend. Tickets will be available for purchase online at ticketmaster.com.

ONGOING

MONDAYS Jigglebugs

Every Monday at 10:30 a.m. Manlius Library, 1 Arkie Albanese Ave. Shake and move with Miss Windy! This program is intended for toddlers, but all ages are welcome. All children must be accompanied by an adult caregiver.

Chair Yoga Class

10:30 a.m. Fayetteville Senior Center, 584 E. Genesee St. This class is for those who wish to feel healthy, remain active, and slow the aging process. Yoga moves can be done sitting or standing. The DVD class runs for 54 minutes and is free for all members.

Story Time

11-11:30 a.m. East Syracuse Free Library, 4990 James St. Enjoy stories, music, and crafts.

TUESDAYS

Toddler Storytime

10:30 a.m. Manlius Library, 1 Arkie Albanese Ave. Continue to support your toddler’s language and social development with storytime with Miss Karen. Intended for ages 0-3.

Baby Storytime

10:30 a.m. Story Garden, Cazenovia Library, 100 Albany St. Bring your baby for a lapsit story time! Features interactive movement and singing. Children under 3 only.

WEDNESDAYS

Music & Movement

10-10:30 a.m. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St. Bring a blanket and join us for singing, dancing, and movement in the Greenspace.

Preschool Storytime 10:30 a.m. Manlius Library, 1 Arkie Albanese Ave. Listen to Miss Karen read stories! Children are invited to share stories and social experiences that continue to support literacy and learning. This program is intended for children ages 2 ½-5.

Family Storytime 10:30 a.m. Cazenovia Library, Creekside Park (alternate location: story garden). Pack a blanket and join us for story time at Creekside Park! Storytimes will be outdoors as long as the weather allows.

Paws & Relax

3:45-5:15 p.m. every other Wednesday. Manlius Library, 1 Arkie Albanese Ave. Feeling stressed? Need a study break or a furry snuggle? Love dogs and want to relax? Stop by the library for canine stress

relief! The Manlius Library has teamed up with Pet Partners of CNY to bring therapy dogs to the Teen Room. No registration is necessary.

THURSDAYS

Free ESOL Class 10 a.m. Manlius Library, 1 Arkie Albanese Ave. Practice your English skills for free in the library’s Community Room. Adults of all nationalities and skill levels are welcome. No registration is necessary.

Art Group 10:30 a.m. Parnell Hall, Fayetteville Senior Center, 584 E. Genesee St. Join for an informal get-together to work on art, projects, and hobbies with others. Please call 315-637-9025 to RSVP.

Poetry Group 1 p.m. Fayetteville Senior Center, 584 E. Genesee St. Write, share, and listen to poetry. You do not have to have any experience to write or participate. Call 315637-9025 to RSVP.

Manlius Library Writers 3:30 p.m. Manlius Library, 1 Arkie Albanese Ave. Join other writers to share your work, get feedback, talk about your practice, and more. All genres and experiences are welcome!

FRIDAYS

Let’s Sing 10:30 a.m. Fayetteville Senior Center, 584 E. Genesee St. Join for a piano accompanied sing-a-long followed by lunch at 12 p.m. Lunch will cost $5. Call 315637-9025 to RSVP.

Tech Time 11 a.m. Manlius Senior Activity Centre, 1 Arkie Albanese Ave. Do you need help with your iPhone, laptop, or kindle? A librarian will be at the Senior Center every Friday to answer your tech questions. Call 315682-6400 to make an appointment.

FriYAY! Make it Day 11 a.m to 12:30 p.m. New Woodstock Free Library, 2106 Main St. Create makeand-take projects like sand bottles, Cricut crafts, and more. All are welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Jazz Listening Parties with Dick Carr 12:45 p.m. Manlius Senior Activity Centre, 1 Arkie Albanese Ave. Join veteran disc jockey Dick Carr to listen to famous artists from the 20th century and the best of the big bands. Carr will provide historical information about the era and answer questions. This event is partnered by the Manliu library and is free to the public.

SATURDAYS

Create & Connect: Art Therapy Open Workshop for Teens 12:30 p.m. Manlius Library, 1 Arkie Albanese Ave. Stop by for a drop-in art workshop led by a New York State licensed creative art therapist. No art experience required. All are welcome.

Dice neeDs a home

Dice is hoping you’ll take a chance on him! This handsome goof, pictured with volunteer carissa nodzo, came to the shelter as a stray. he’s about two years old and sixty-two pounds. he’s part of the doggy playgroup and loves to run around with other doggies here at the shelter. he’s been described as “delightfully stupid,” “a big baby,” and “lots of fun.” Because of his size, energy level, and oversized puppy attitude, he would do best with kids twelve and up. if you’re looking for a dog who’s twice as nice, take a chance and roll with Dice! For more information about adoption, call 315454-4479, email frontdesk1@ cnyspca.org or visit cnyspca.org.

By Donna newman Photo by Donna newman

Holiday safty

For many the holiday season invokes images right out of a Norman Rockwell painting and it is this ideal that many strive for as they decorate and prepare for the Christmas season.

It is those images of a warm fire and the stockings hung just so and the lights glistening on the tree and candle lights shining in the window that have come to define the holiday season for many people.

And while this creates a beautiful image there are also some safety tips to keep in mind while decorating this Christmas season.

The Firefighter’s Association of New York (FASNY) in particular has some recommendations that will help make sure everyone has an enjoyable and safe holiday.

“The holidays bring cheer, love, and joy to New Yorkers each year,” said FASNY president Edward Tase, Jr. “Unfortunately, it historically also brings an increase in home fires. Dry trees, unattended cooking, and forgotten candles can all lead to tragedy. We want all New Yorkers to enjoy a safe and accident-free holiday.”

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA ), U.S. fire departments responded to an average 160 home fires that started with Christmas trees per year and an average of 7,900 home fires started by candles.

From 2014-201 8 , fires caused by candles resulted in an annual average of 81 civilian fire deaths, 677 civilian fire injuries, and $278 million in direct property damage per year.

New York State has the second-most home fire fatalities this year, with 126 death s , following Pennsylvania with 141. At this time last year, New York had 102 home fire fatalitie s , fifth-most in the nation.

“Keep you and your loved ones safe this holiday by not leaving candles unattended, and turning off all decoration lights when leaving the home. Also, if using a live tree to decorate your house this season, be sure to water it often and place it away from any heating sources to avoid fire risk,” Tase, Jr said. “As always, FASNY wishes all New Yorkers a safe and happy holiday this year.”

h

oliday decorating tips from Fasny and the n ational Fire Protection a ssociation :

Be careful with holiday decorations. Choose decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant.

Keep lit candles away from decorations and other things that can burn.

Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both.

Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections.

Use clips, not nails, to hang lights so the cords do not get damaged.

Keep decorations away from windows and doors.

Fire safety tips for your c hristmas tree

Fresh trees are less likely to catch fire, so look for a tree with vibrant green needles that are hard to pluck and don’t break easily from its branches. The tree shouldn’t be shedding its needles readily.

Always place your tree away from heat sources like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights, and keep the tree base filled with water to avoid a dry out.

Make sure all your indoor and outdoor Christmas lights have been tested in a lab by the UL or ETL/ITSNA for safety, and throw out any damaged lights.

Any lights you use outdoors must be labeled suitable for exterior placement, and be sure to plug them into a ground-fault circuit interrupter protected receptacle.

Keep all your holiday candles away from your Christmas tree, surrounding furniture and décor.

Don’t forget to turn your Christmas tree lights off each night.

haiR aPPaRenT

My Dad always wanted his three daughters to have long hair. In real life that seemed to be impossible for us. We hadn’t inherited the thick wavy hair from my mother’s English genes but rather the thin, took- forever-to-grow hair from the patrimony of the Irish Smithwicks. None of us three sisters were able to grow our hair beyond a thin stretch to our shoulders. Thick hair was aspirational.

My poor mother tried to make up for our awful locks by wrapping them in rag curls which resulted in a style that made us look like we had walked in the rain. She tried braiding our hair. We could have braids, odd looking spikes of hair that stood out to the side. Just pitiful. We yearned for the type of hair that could have a luxurious French braid cascading down our backs. Instead, we sported two ordinary thin plaits that extended to the middle of our necks. We didn’t have fancy bows to hold the hair in place either. These babies required the use of rubber bands. Stylish we were not.

Our Smithwick locks seemed to gather knots and strange looking whirls when we slept, leading to daily screams of pain as Mom tried to undo these oddities with a wide toothed comb. Ouch!

At one point, in consultation with our grandmother, she decided to utilize what was new technology in the hair business, a Tony home permanent. I have to believe that they had our best interests and coiffeurs in mind. I have to.

Boy did that stuff stink. There isn’t a better word to describe the odor. It was awful

… ammonia and who knows what else. And the permanent rods which had little spikes in them to hold them onto your head? More ouch. The results? Do you remember those bottle brush trees that we put around the Christmas trees? Well, our hair looked exactly like them with a touch of the Bride of Frankenstein. Tony of Tony home permanent didn’t include what you do with the hair after it is permed, so Mom just brushed it out. We had to live with this.

There are pictures of us that need to be burned so that future generations didn’t think that we used keys in electrical sockets to create this look.

Again, with our best in mind, Mom decided to use professional services so that the pictures that were taken at Christmas were “lookable.” We were going to the beauty parlor, as it was called in the dawn of hair styling. The shop to which she took us was on the ground floor of the same building as the office of our former doctor and next door to the A & P on Fourth Avenue. We were there to have our problematic locks turned into something called the Poodle. Think of the fur on the top of a poodle’s head and that was the goal. The beautician had both old and new hair transformation technologies from which to choose. For us it was the modern ammonia hair cocktail while we watched others sit under a scary apparatus that included a large metal hoop from which wires descended with clips attached to the ends. The beautician fastened the clips in the customer’s hair and then flipped a switch to engage the electrical

current to heat up the clips. Oh, my gosh! This seemed to be like medieval torture. No one seemed to be hurt by this, but it was frightening to three little girls, sitting in a cloud of permanent waving solution gasping for breath across the salon from these apparatuses.

We left the salon looking like three human poodles. Tight curly heads that devolved into yet another bottle brush “do” after being brushed.

We tried over the years, as we grew older, to find ways to ameliorate the problems of our awful hair, coming to the conclusion that only by setting our hair every night could we look presentable on the next day. During those years we evolved from hours of pin curls to setting with and sleeping on rollers with spiney brushes inside. We were able to endure the pain for the result that lasted, unless it rained.

Then came heated rollers, followed by the curling iron and styles that we couldn’t emulate because we didn’t have long enough hair and others, shorter but requiring thicker hair.

It was a lifelong battle that has required constant attention, lots of promissory “products,” a good stylist and a substantial allocation of money and time - for passable success and the realization that you should enjoy your luck on the good hair days and on the bad ones you wear a hat.

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.

It takes a village

To the editor:

Last Friday (Dec. 2) the Village of Fayetteville hosted its tree lighting and memory tree ceremony. During this time of year, I’m pleased to say our village has a lot to be thankful for. It truly does “take a village.”

Our recreation committee provides all the refreshments; the DPW makes sure the trees are lit and ready for the season; our fire and EMS crews host the event opening their doors to several hundreds of residents; the village trustees help load and unload over 700 people who ride the horse drawn wagon rides; and, Judge Hughes is our official photographer and gets all the singers together. A special thank you to Starbucks for donating coffee this year!

We are already looking at ideas to make next year’s event even better. On behalf the Village of Fayetteville let me wish all of you and your families a happy holiday season and best wishes for a great New Year.

We truly enjoy being able to make events like this happen in our village and look forward to next year. mayoR maRk oLson Fayetteville

friends at the YMCA. Manlius has become, in many ways, a perfect place for us to settle down.

And “settling down” is what a village is for, isn’t it? Isn’t that why we once called such places “settlements?”

As village trustees and zoning officials consider amending rules to accommodate a drive-through Taco Bell inside the village off an already busy street that, at least for bicyclists, is already somewhat risky, I hope that they will ask themselves whether a new drive-through fast food restaurant will actually make the village a better place.

Cazenovia, Corning, Skaneateles, Eastwood, and many other nearby small cities and villages offer appealing “Main Street” alternatives to the drive-through development that Mayor Whorrall acknowledges is readily available on Erie Boulevard, just a few minutes away in the cars that “people don’t want to get out [of].”

Perhaps, instead of revising the code for one Taco Bell, the Village of Manlius can foster development alternatives to a drive-by / drivethrough experience for those of every generation who want to settle or visit here.

Can Manlius dream better than a drive-through?

equation as to actual water use, as other factors like water for fire hoses and replacement of infrastructure were discussed. Rather than handing down yet another local tax bill to residents, could other solutions be found?

I have a few questions/comments. The Town of Dewitt has a solar array which since fall 2020 is supposed to pay for all of municipal electricity. Is any of this going to pumping municipal water supply and getting it to residents? Can fossil fuels be eliminated in this process?

Going forward, it does not seem that residents should have to pay for any replacement/improvement to water infrastructure. New York voters overwhelming passed the Environmental Bond Act. ballotpedia.org/ New_York_Proposal_1,_Environmental_Bond_Measure_(2022 )

Many projects are covered under the Environmental Bond Act, including replacement of dated water infrastructure (sewers and pipes), while simultaneously improving water quality by redirecting and reducing water runoff.

I urge the Town of Dewitt with the Onondaga County Water Authority to look into funding through the Environmental Bond Act or other sources.

To the editor:

Just over four years ago, my wife and I moved to the Town of Manlius, just outside the village, and close enough to walk in to see a movie at Manlius Cinema, have dinner, get a coffee, or have an ice cream.

I have purchased guitars from Terry at Beat Street and made

managing editor: Jennifer Wing, ext. 340, jwing@eaglenewsonline.com

news editor: Jason Gabak, ext. 319, jgabak@eaglenewsonline.com

Reporter: Kate Hill , ext. 325, khill@eaglenewsonline.com

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sports editor: Phil Blackwell, ext. 348, pblackwell@eaglenewsonline.com

Display ads eB: Linda Jabbour, ext. 304, ljabbour@eaglenewsonline.com

Water rates

To the editor:

Doug eaTon manlius

Thank you for bringing to the community’s attention that the Town of Dewitt is looking at an increase of water bill rates. It does not appear to be a simple

Display ads cR: Lori Lewis, ext. 316, llewis@eaglenewsonline.com

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Billing questions: Alyssa Dearborn, ext. 305, adearborn@eaglenewsonline.com

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

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

sonia kRagh member, Dewitt aDvisory Conservation Commission

Disappointed in

Hannaford’s decision

To the editor:

I am very disappointed for so much of the village that lies to the Letters

Ramblings from the empty nest Ann Ferro

Will it make the village better?

a question of playoff seeding

Picture the third weekend of January and, finally, the NFL playoffs are at hand.

Eighteen weeks, 17 games, ups and downs, comebacks and collapses, injuries and controversies, and now the fun part really starts as, in the opening round, Dallas is at Tampa Bay.

Oh yeah, and the Cowboys are 13-4 while the Bucs are 9-8.

As if hearing about Tom Brady and Jerry Jones on a continual loop isn’t obnoxious enough, the mere idea that a team with a record four games worse than the other can host a post-season game simply because it won a weak division will make even non-Cowboys fans upset.

Worse yet, we’ve traveled this road plenty of times since the NFL’s playoff field expanded in 1990 to 12 teams.

There’s those multiple cases of 7-9 division champions hosting –and winning – playoff games, such as Seattle in 2010 and Carolina in 2013, Or the .500 San Diego Chargers doing the same in 2008.

Sure, they won their divisions. But having home field in the playoffs is enough of an inher -

Random Thoughts

Phil Blackwell

ent advantage that it should not be handed out in a preconceived, arbitrary manner.

Foolproof as the NFL is on many fronts, how it conducts the post-season remains a flaw that, in a way, is an original sin of the Super Bowl era.

When the old NFL and American Football League merged in 1970, they went, for a few years, with rotating who hosted playoff and even conference title games. Thus, you had the bizarre sight on New Year’s Eve 1972 of the 15-0 Miami Dolphins playing the AFC Championship game at Pittsburgh.

Fortunately, the Dolphins won and reached perfection two weeks later, but within a couple of years the NFL fixed that bug and home field advantage went to the conference’s two best records, which holds to this day.

Ah, but it’s not eight teams anymore. And even 12 with two firstround byes, a system most everyone agreed on, got warped when it went to eight divisions in 2002 and the possibility of mediocre division champions went way up.

Now we’re at 14, which gave

the league more first-round playoff content from which to make a mint, but only further enforced the unfairness of the structure.

It’s past time for the NFL to rectify this situation and, if they insist on 14 teams, make sure they line up in a fair and equitable manner. And the solution isn’t even a tough one.

All that’s required is to seed the teams in each conference one through seven based solely on overall win/loss record

Nothing would really change in the regular season. Win the division, you’re in the playoffs no matter what. Just that, once the season is finished, line up the seven and the top four records get home games.

If that meant a second-place Wild Card team finished ahead of one or two division champions, fine. Why should anyone going, say, 12-5 get demoted in favor of a division champ just above or below break-even?

To the question of what happens when two teams have the same record, it depends on who they are. Here is where a division champ could get priority and a higher seed, not as a predetermined outcome, but a fair reward.

It would also add an extra dimension to the last weeks of the regular season, and a better chance that teams will go all-out rather than rest key players, leading to better on-field product.

Back to the case of the Cowboys. Not that anyone would shed tears for Jerry Jones for any reason on earth, but there’s a real chance, if it can’t topple Philadelphia in the NFC East, that Dallas might need to win three road playoff games, too steep of a price simply for being in the same division with the Eagles.

What happens at the end of every season, regardless of whom it favors, should not depend, in any way, on where teams were positioned at the start. Not to say a championship is ever tainted, but you can’t ignore circumstances, either.

Every franchise puts their whole heart and soul into hosting the most important games in January. This simple, obvious change will make sure, most times, that their efforts are not in vain.

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

su leadership to honor deceased veterans in ceremony Dec. 16

This year, Oakwood Cemeteries of Syracuse will participate in National Wreaths Across America Day through the placement of holiday wreaths at resting places throughout the landmark cemetery at noon on Saturday, Dec. 17.

On Friday, Dec. 16, at noon, Dr. Mike Haynie, vice chancellor of Strategic Initiatives and Innovation at Syracuse University, as well as executive director of SU’s Institute for Veterans and Military, will lead a ceremony at Oakwood, adjacent to the university campus, to commemorate this special initiative. Haynie served for 14 years as an officer in the United States Air Force. The next day, volunteers will

east of the corner of Genesee and Manlius Street for walking and traffic patterns for those on either side of the street and especially for those of us in the Brookside area to have a large supermarket – Hannaford - building here.

Some may claim it is great to have a grocery store closer to us and in walkable distance for some but given the logjams of traffic at different

lay the wreaths at graves and in mausoleum locations in the cemetery.

In 2021, more than 2.4 million veterans’ wreaths were placed by volunteers on headstones at 3,137 participating locations around the country in honor of the service and sacrifices made for our freedoms, with each name said out loud. Wreaths Across America volunteers work year-round to ensure military laid to rest are remembered, their families and living veterans are honored, and the next generation is taught about the value of freedom.

“We are honored to be part of in this meaningful expression of thanks for our late veterans’ service,” says Oakwood

points in the day – especially in the morning commute – which sometimes require three lights for those of us who live here to get through that intersection, it represents another possibility for a stoplight or safety concerns for pedestrians also and more delays.

I do not believe it will help the walking population as much as it is going to frustrate many and create greater congestion.

I am disappointed that the town did

Executive Director Daniel Glavin, “and especially for the participation of Vice Chancellor Haynie as we participate for the first time in Wreaths Across America.”

Each year, a new theme is chosen to help volunteers and supporters focus their messaging and outreach in their own communities. The 2022 theme is “Find a Way to Serve.”

“You don’t have to be in military service to serve your community and country,” said Karen Worcester, executive director of Wreaths Across America. “Serving others, or being in service to others, gives purpose and I’ve seen first-

not convert it into green space or dog park or, better yet, an opportunity for lower cost senior housing.

I hope I am wrong and that the benefits of another grocery store less than a mile from a large one and only 3 miles from a giant one will outweigh

hand from Gold Star Families to veterans, how it can help people heal.”

“Every person has something to give, whether it is their time, ideas, compassion, or resources,” added Worcester.

“What can seem like the simplest act or gift, can start a nationwide movement and that is our hope that this theme will spark in people. I think Mother Teresa said it best, ‘the greatest good is what we do for one another.’”

For more information on how to volunteer at Oakwood for the December tribute or to sponsor a wreath for an American hero, visit wreathsacrossamerica.org/ pages/171837.

the burdens for those of us coming through this part of the village and all traffic from the East… but I am afraid not.

Fayetteville

Dave Pasinski brooksiDe

Carol e. keeney, 78 Mother, grandmother, great-grandmother

Carol Evelyn Thompson Keeney, 78, of Sunrise, FL, left this earth to join her heavenly family on Nov. 2, 2022.

She was born May 20, 1944 in Oneonta, New York to the late Gordon and Evelyn (Michaels) Thompson.

She graduated from Sidney High School and shortly after married her first husband, David Randall.

They began their family while working on the family farm in Guilford. They later moved to their own farm in Canastota, N.Y., followed by moving to the Gates Homestead Farm in Chittenango, N.Y., where, over the years, they welcomed seven children into the family.

Carol maintained the household while

also doing some office work for the farm. She desired to leave the snowy weather behind and moved to Sunrise, FL, in 1982.

In an intimate ceremony on her birthday in 1983, she married Ezra “Zeke” Keeney. Carol worked with Zeke for many years as he owned and operated Keeney’s Lawn Service.

She then went on to work at Hollywood Federal Savings for many years. She was a Florida Notary and had the great honor of marrying her son in 2008. Carol was a member of the Community Christian Church.

She was a long-term member of both the local and National Organization of Mothers of Twins Club; as well a member of the Red Hat Ladies Club.

Carol was an avid reader, enjoyed baking and sharing her creations, and spending time with friends at Bingo. She be -

came a dog mom later in life and enjoyed the precious moments she had with her good girl, Coco.

Carol was very proud of her family and would gladly talk about them to others when given the opportunity.

She was the mother of nine children, 16 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, with three more on the way.

She also welcomed Zeke’s two children, four grandchildren and multiple greatgrandchildren into her life.

Additionally, she bonded with and maintained contact with numerous others who entered the family for a period of time.

Carol was predeceased by her husband, Zeke in 2007; her son, Brian Curtis Randall in 2005; and her two brothers David Thompson in 2016 and Loren Thompson in 2015.

Gino Alberici, Nadine Randall and Iona Keeney.

The Planning Board meets once a month and the Zoning Board of Appeals meets as needed. Planning and Zoning Board members are appointed to serve a 5-year term. Alternates are appointed to one-year terms. Please contact the Town Clerk at 315-655-8582x1 or at tnclerk1@windstream.net

She is survived by her children, Phil and Amy Randall of Chittenango, N.Y.; Ron Randall and his fiancée Denise Brauchle of Chittenango, N.Y.; Mark and Kelly Randall of Thonotosassa, Florida; Deann Shaver and her fiancé Rob Tutty of Sunrise, Florida; Kristina and Steve Winschel of Manlius; Jack Randall of Windsor, N.Y.; Peter and Jina Keeney of Pompano Beach, Florida; as well as Paul and Esther Keeney of Davie, Florida. She is also survived by her brother Jack and Lori Thompson of Saint Stephen, SC; and her current and former in-laws Carol Anne Thompson, Lori Kelly, Mary Alice Thompson, Deb Taylor, Joanne Thompson, Maxine and

Years Ago

Her surviving grandchildren and greatgrandchildren are David, Erin and Adeline Randall; Jason Randall; Ronnie, Angus and Eloise Randall; Timmy, Alivia and Sawyer Randall; Curtis and Brianna Randall; Kyle, Sachi and Mena Shaver; Nicole Shaver, Isaiah Diaz, Wesley and Primrose Leon; Colleen and Michael LeFever; Steven, RuthAnn and Kevin Winschel; Kaitlynn and Joshua Randall; Rylee Randall; Patrick Keeney and Jak Scyfer.

Carol is survived by several cousins, nieces and nephews.

She also leaves behind Michelle and Andrew Card; Paula Youngs Fitch, Brianna Ruling, and Amelia Champion.

A celebration of life is being planned in New York on May 20, 2023, with a burial in Oneonta Plains Cemetery.

Baule. Titus said the college will be renting the space to retail merchants. She said the building, when filled, will help bring more retail business to the east end of the village and continue the commitment the college has with the village. A number of people have already spoken to the college about using the space, Titus said.

What is your golf IQ?

If you play golf, is it really necessary to know about the early history of golf, the basic rules, gol ng legends and unusual trivia and unexpected feats of greatness? About 20% of you will probably answer NO…to the question. Another 60% of you will range from probably YES to almost certainly YES. e remaining 20% of you will respond with a resounding YES! You are the ones who have embraced golf and have established a special relationship with the game that is meaningful and very special. Research also indicates that you are the ones who have lower handicaps, play in at lest one league as well as a few tournaments during the season.

During my career as a golf coach, I would spend 45-60 minutes of the rst session talking about the history, legends and trivia. e objective was to make it informative, entertaining and to get the class to laugh. When I heard laughter, it was a good sign that they would make a commitment to the game and their journey was going to be one they would never regret.

What Is Your Golf IQ?

A few of the following questions are fairly easy. e rest are not. Answer at least 11 questions correctly for an “A”.

1. Where did golf originate?

2. e word golf is an acronym that stands for, “Gentleman Only…Ladies Forbidden”. True or False?

3. According to the USGA, how many golf clubs are you allowed to have in your bag when you play?

4. Who is the oldest player to win the Masters Tournament?

5. Name the four major golf championships?

6. What is an albatross?

7. Only four PGA Tour players have made an albatross. Name one of them.

8. Golf is an Olympic sport. True or False? 9. How many times has Tiger Woods won the Masters? 10. Which is the oldest golf course in the world? 11. Who was the surprise winner of the 2003 PGA Championship…despite being ranked 69th in the world at the time? 12. Which Scottish king banned golf in 1457? 13. Which country has the largest number of golf courses? 14. What is the name of the trophy presented to the winner of the Open Championship?

15. Which major is gol ng legend Rory Mcllroy yet to claim? 16. Why do golfers shout ‘Fore’ when they hit an errant shot? No Peeking! Answers: 1. Scotland, although it is thought that older antecedents of the game existed in China and Persia.

2. False. is is a long standing joke but has no basis as the origin of the term golf. 3. 14

4. Jack Nicklaus was 46 years and 82 days old when he won the Masters in 1986.

5. e Masters, e US Open, e Open Championship (UK) and e PGA Championship. 6. ree under par on a hole.

7. Gene Sarazen(1935), Bruce Devlin(1967), Je Maggert(1994) and Louis Oosthuizen(2012).

8. True. However, golf didn’t feature in the Olympics from 1904 until 2016 when it was reinstated as a sport by the IOC.

9. Five.

10. St. Andrew’s Old Course which dates back to 1552.

1!. Shaun Micheel…You might recall it was at Oak Hill in Rochester,NY.

12. James Il. Jimmy boy was not popular back then because his military loved to play.

13. United States…of course…just under 17,000.

14. e Claret Jug.

15. e Masters.

16. e word ‘fore’ is Scottish origin and is a shortened version of the word ‘before’ or ‘afore’. e old Scottish warning, essentially meaning “look out ahead”, most probably originated in military circles, where it was used by military men as a warning to troops in forward positions.

If you answered 10 correct, you get a “B”…9 correct is a “C”…8 is a “pass”. Under 8…Study harder.

Perry Noun is the former executive director of the Northeastern NY PGA as well as a competitive amateur golfer and winner of the New York State Super Senior Amateur Championship. Perry Noun can be heard on “Tee Time With The Pronoun” on... News Radio 570 WSYR and 106.9FM.

Sarah Hart & Steve Angrisano

An Advent concert event open to St. James Parish and the Cazenovia Community

The Town of Nelson is actively seeking candidates for the Nelson Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals.

Carol e keeney

College President Adelaide “Van” Titus said part of the property was given as a gift and the remaining portion was purchased. Talks of purchasing the building started about two years ago with the former owner, Gerhart M.

remains committed to its students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

After the college announced its decision to close, Bergh invited employees and students to join him in two separate forums.

“I really wanted to finish my entire [four years] here, but I only got two years in and now we have to get shipped somewhere else,” said Savanna Elliott, a sophomore, as she waited to hear from the president. “I picked [Cazenovia College] because of how I thought the community was going to be and how calm and nice and fun it looked here, and I’m glad I did come here.”

Elliott, who is studying graphic design, said she had a feeling the closure was coming after the college sent out an email to its students earlier this fall.

“I have a plan B because our teachers told us to have one just in case this ever did happen, and today it’s happening,” she said. “[The first email] was sent at the end of October and they were talking about how they had to discuss bonds and see if they could get it extended, but they didn’t know. They told us they’d let us know in December, and this is what we’ve all been waiting for.”

Following the forums, Bergh held a virtual press conference to address questions from the media.

Bergh on the college’s finances

Bergh began by stating that despite the exhaustive efforts of the college leadership and board of trustees, they were unable to identify a path to financial sustainability.

“So, out of obligation to our incoming students, we could not have ethically in good conscience recruited a new class of students knowing that we could not secure longterm financing,” he said.

According to Bergh, the leadership and board were willing to think broadly and creatively about the future of the college. One of the avenues they explored was forming partnerships with other institutions of higher education or in industry/business.

“I think we were clear in our outreach to our elected officials at the federal, state, and local level that we were open to such creative ideas and to alternative pathways,” he said. “Unfortunately, none of those have materialized in time for us to be able to change the calculus that we are currently facing. . . We recognize that [for] an institution like ours to be viable and relevant into the future, it needs to reimagine itself, it needs to reach new audiences and look at its program mix. That’s something that we’ve been talking about doing for some time. Unfortunately, COVID really took away the planning runway that we had to do so.”

Bergh noted that some aspects of the growth plan were

already underway. In the past year, for example, the college had rebuilt and strengthened its admissions operation. It was also in the process of rebuilding its institutional advancement (fundraising) operation and strengthening its alumni affairs. Part of that plan was to leverage the college’s bicentennial in 2024 as a thematic basis for a capital campaign. Additionally, the college was exploring new programming with various constituencies and age groups (pre-college up to senior citizens), different credential levels, certificate programs, etc. through its adult and continuing education operations.

Bergh said that after two “down cycles” in enrollment during the pandemic, the college saw some marginal growth this past fall.

He added that the college felt positive about its trajectory in terms of enrolment growth, but there were challenges to overcome.

“One is that you have a couple of low classes and those feed through the system for four years,” he said. “You have a low incoming class, you are going to have low overall enrollment for several years, so it was going to be a multiyear build-back approach. We needed time to fully execute on the enrollment growth process. We needed to deliver on some of these other initiatives as well in the meantime and to secure funding for the future to enable us to do all that work as well.”

According to Bergh, the college leadership and trustees remained hopeful that they would find a path forward as recently as the day before announcing the closing.

“As we engaged in the process of attempting to get an extension on our debt and a long-term financial plan in place that would allow us to go forward, we had very positive assurances from experts in the financial industry about our prospects of attaining such a deal,” Bergh said. “[With] that, combined with our previously strong financial footing, we did not have concerns coming into this academic year. I think obviously that changed as we were unable to secure long-term funding.”

Bergh later described the college’s financial decline as a “slow roll” and reiterated that it was the result of a “perfect storm” of multiple external considerations, including unfavorable demographics; the announcement of the Excelsior Scholarship, which allows eligible students to attend New York State’s public colleges and universities tuitionfree; decreased enrollment and increased expenditures during the pandemic; turbulence in the bond market; and inflation.

“We were really experiencing [increasing] cashflow issues that [had] compounded during the period during which we were negotiating the extension,” he said. “I want to be clear; this is not all about the bond extension, it really speaks to our underlying financial situation, which

had deteriorated in the last year for all the reasons that I noted previously.”

Bergh on students and employees

In response to a question regarding the college’s transparency about its financial challenges and the possibility of closing, Bergh said the college has been communicating as much as it has been able throughout the fall semester as it attempted to secure financing. During that period, the president personally communicated with different on-campus constituencies, including faculty, faculty leadership, administrators, student leaders, and the student media. He also periodically sent out emails or other communications to on-campus groups plus alumni, parents, and others.

As a result of that communication and transparency, Bergh said, the campus community was very aware of the broad situation the college was in and the challenges it was facing.

According to Bergh, the messaging emphasized that the college was pursuing every possible opportunity to find a path forward and, at the same time, that the college was preparing for the possibility that those efforts would be unsuccessful. The communications specifically highlighted the college’s efforts to create a teach-out plan to help students meet their educational needs going forward if the school closed.

“I sent an email to all our students a while back explaining what would happen if we closed and the supports that they could expect to receive from us in that situation,” he said.

In addition to finding comparable programs for all its students to enter next fall, the college has also committed to providing as many resources as possible to its faculty/staff to assist with their job searches and professional development. Such assistance will include career services, resume review, and references.

According to Bergh, multiple higher education institutions have already reached out to the college about their employee needs including faculty, administrative and technical positions.

“I do anticipate we will be engaging in conversations with a number of our fellow institutions, making arrangements even conceivably in which employees might work here through the spring and then become employees of those other institutions,” he said.

The day after the college’s announcement, Dr. Thad Yorks, professor of biology and environmental biology, said he was still in shock and feeling a bit numb.

“I’m just sort of in a state of disbelief that this didn’t get sorted out,” he said. “I pretty much figured that in the end, we’d have to sell a couple of properties and cut some programs but would live to fight another day. And fight we

Cazenovia College’s Hubbard Hall is pictured, both many years ago, and in a more

would.”

He added that he started feeling increasingly upset as he began processing the implications for everyone affected, including his family which has called Cazenovia home for nearly two decades.

Yorks and his family relocated to Cazenovia in 2004, and his two now-adult children came up through the Cazenovia Central School District. One of his children earned his degree from Cazenovia College in 2020 and, according to Yorks, landed an excellent job in the field of his choice as a result.

Yorks also lamented the loss experienced by all the college’s students and employees and the Cazenovia community.

“I can’t speak for all others, but I have friends in essentially every different area/ department here, because we all work together toward a common and very important mission — educating and preparing our students for meaningful, satisfying careers,” Yorks said. “And we are [really] good at it. Not by accident, but by doing the homework and working our tails off. Working with the best [colleagues] a person could hope for to develop a curriculum. . . and then cranking out grads whose placement-after-graduation record can be pitted against anyone else? I can’t imagine being able to do that again anywhere but here.”

the Cazenovia community

During the Dec. 7 press conference, Bergh stated that although the college’s students and employees are its top priorities, the Cazenovia community is right behind them.

“We are the heartbeat of this village; we are the pillar institution of this village,” he said. “We have an estimated $55 million of annual economic impact in the region. We feel an obligation and a commitment to do anything we can to assist with any conversations about potential future uses of the campus.”

Bergh expressed that he is hopeful that there will be interest in the campus from various entities such as businesses, industries or other colleges for example.

He also said one of the most common questions he has received regarding the future of the facilities has been related to the buildings used by the equine program, which he described as one of the college’s “programs of distinction.”

“I can’t [say] yet what specifically will happen with the equine center and the horses other than that it will be overseen by professionals with appropriate expertise,” he said.

The college is not only an institution of higher learning, a major employer, and a physical focal point of Cazen-

ovia, but it is also a supporter of local businesses, a community partner, and a cultural resource for the Cazenovia area and other Central New York communities.

“The college has been at the core of our village for nearly two centuries, and its closure will have an enormous impact, not only economically, but culturally and personally,” said Village Mayor Kurt Wheeler. “The faculty, staff, and students of the college are our neighbors and are all valued members of our community. We will keep them in our prayers as they navigate this transition. President Bergh and the rest of the college’s leadership team have been great partners and we will continue to work with them as we all look for the highest and best future use for the campus.”

On the evening of the announcement, Wheeler reported that he was working to assemble a meeting of local leaders to begin looking at what the future will look like without the college.

Anna Marie Neuland, executive director of the Greater Cazenovia Area Chamber of Commerce, remarked that the loss of the college could mean a loss of both help and customers for some local businesses.

“The community is certainly going to miss the many interns that have worked with our businesses for many years,” she said. “The businesses will no doubt be coming up with ways to address the loss that they may or may not suffer next year without the college students and their parents shopping and dining in our village.”

According to Yorks, a few popular downtown destinations for students are Les Pâtes et Les Nouilles for Thai food, Kinney Drugs, and McCarthy’s Irish Pub.

“I literally never, after work, go to my vehicle parked at the health center without seeing at least one, usually more than one, group of students on their way to or from the downtown area,” he said.

Pat Carmeli, owner of Pewter Spoon Café and Eatery at 87 Albany St., said the news of the institution’s closing came to her from a tearful Cazenovia College professor and long-time customer as he was leaving the café.

According to Carmeli, who manages the café with her daughters Ava and Dana, the Pewter Spoon will sur-

vive without the college, but the business is sure to make fewer sales during such times as graduation, move-in days, parents’ weekends, and orientations.

“But that’s not what is on my mind right now,” she said. “Rather, it’s the teachers and administrators at the college who come in to share a coffee and a chat with coworkers, [and] the students that come in to study for exams or grab a quick caffeinated drink as they head to class. These folks are now scrambling mentally, right before the holidays, to consider their next moves in an economy that is fraught with uncertainty. In our 10 years of business, we’ve employed quite a few Caz College students and graduates, each with their own stories about how much the college and the friends that they’ve made there have meant to them. Many have chosen to make Cazenovia their home post-graduation because they fell in love with our quaint and close community. Cazenovia will also survive, albeit with a major hole in its very heart.”

McKenzie Houseman, another downtown business owner, remarked that the college has touched multiple generations of her family.

“My aunt, Val Barr, was the valedictorian of her class, and they gave my grandfather, Grey Barr, an honorary degree,” said Houseman. “I worked there for many years myself as a sign language teacher and a writing coach. I loved it so much.”

Houseman is the owner of 20|EAST, at 85 Albany St., a farm store that sells gifts, art, Cazenovia Cut Block wood items, artisan products, fresh flowers, and food items from all over Central New York.

“The college always made sure to keep things local by buying flowers from me, introducing incoming classes and their families to the community, and having parties at local restaurants,” said Houseman. “It cannot be denied that this will definitely be felt by the businesses. My hope is that someday something wonderful can happen with the college campus. Our community is resilient, and we will persevere but never forget the beauty of Cazenovia College.”

The college has played a significant role in providing residents and visitors with

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recent photo.

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an aerial view of Cazenovia College.

For example, the Art Gallery in Reisman Hall and the adjacent Sculpture Court regularly feature work by students, faculty, and alumni and showcase regional, state, national, and international artists. Exhibitions are always open to the public.

“I am honored to have had my position teaching a population of students with diverse interests for 20 years,” said Cazenovia College Professor and Art Gallery Director Jen Pepper. “I am equally honored to have worked with my talented colleagues and supportive staff members at the college. As the gallery director since 2005, it has been my privilege to curate and bring both international and national artists and designers to Cazenovia to support intersections between educational programming, our students, the CNY community, and the region with professional artists and designers. Our active exhibition cycles and lecture series have continued to support our mission that fosters appreciation and education of the arts while stimulating and igniting lifelong learning opportunities and connections. The college has made enormous strides in assisting with the

vitalization of the arts in CNY as a rich and active cultural base. We are a vital community, not that far from Syracuse, NYC, Boston, and Toronto, with enormous amounts of talented, curious, and interesting folks.”

According to Pepper, the gallery’s exhibition roster is full through spring 2023 with several shows, including student exhibitions.

“It is my hope for the future that the gallery may continue as such [and] bring diversity in the visual arts to Cazenovia and the community beyond,” she said. “I am very disappointed by this news.”

The Catherine Cummings Theatre at 16 Lincklaen St., formerly known as Cazenovia Opera House, was built in 1897 and first acquired by Cazenovia College in 1968. Today, the 250-seat theatre is the setting for drama, musical, and dance productions, Jazz-N-Caz events, concerts by the Cazenovia College Chorale, lectures, seminars, classic and family movies, theatre camps, fundraisers, and many other activities.

“Having run the theatre as the executive director for 21 years, it saddens me to think that its operation as a vital part of the CNY community will likely come to an end,” said theatre manager Colleen Prossner. “What I do know is that the theatre will operate as normal through the end of the academic year. The future use of campus facilities beyond that point is to be determined. The college will do all it can to

provide the best outcome for the Cazenovia community.”

For some community members, the loss of the college’s athletic complex, including its gym, pool, and indoor courts, will be yet another blow.

“Cazenovia College’s closing will be a big disappointment to the large, enthusiastic group of pickleball players that enjoy the three indoor courts available daily at the college’s athletic center,” said Cazenovia resident Sue Duffy.

The college has also been a valuable partner to numerous organizations, including the Cazenovia Preservation Foundation, the Cazenovia Public Library, the Cazenovia Community Development Association, the United Climate Action Network, the village, the town, Trout Unlimited, the Izaak Walton League, and the Cazenovia Lake Association (CLA).

“Our long-standing relationship with the college has been an important asset for the CLA as we strive to ensure the overall quality of our lake,” said CLA President Dave Miller. “Thad Yorks and his students have conducted annual fish surveys, led the effort to eradicate the invasive Frog Bit weed, and provided the CLA with phosphorus levels and other helpful data from their work on the streams that flow into our lake. Additionally, they have provided technical guidance on various issues throughout the years. These have all been very valuable to the CLA, and we will have to fill this void

that is left by the closure.”

Miller stated that going forward, the CLA will continue its work with the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Cornell, and other partners as they evaluate potential options to continue the college’s work.

“We are disappointed to learn of the college’s plan to close but want to thank Thad and his students for all their support over the years and wish them the best in their future endeavors,” concluded Miller.

Cazenovia College opened nearly two centuries ago as the Seminary of the Genesee Conference, the second Methodist seminary to be established in the United States. In 1839, the seminary also developed a curriculum focused on the education of women. In the 1940s, the trustees decided to add a junior college. Displeased, the Methodists withdrew church sponsorship in 1942, and “community leaders stepped in to form a new non-church-related board for Cazenovia Junior College.” The institution then became Cazenovia College for Women in 1961. In 1982, it returned to being co-educational and adopted the name Cazenovia College; however, it was not recognized as a bachelor’s degree-granting institution until 1988. In 2019 it began its first graduate program, a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

For more information, visit cazenovia.edu