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Madison County Distillery honored By kate Hill Staff Writer
This month, Madison County Distillery (MCD) in Cazenovia was recognized as an outstanding business by both the Central New York Business Journal and the New York State Senate. On Dec. 7, MCD was awarded the 2023 Veteran Owned Family Business of the Year Award by the CNY Business Journal. The award was presented during the annual Family Business Awards ceremony at the SKY Armory, a woman-owned family business in downtown Syracuse. This year’s gathering honored seven family-owned businesses that are headquartered in CNY. MCD was co-founded by Mike Basla, a retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant general. Basla received his commission in 1979 as a distinguished graduate of officer training school. After serving multiple assignments, he retired in 2014 as the chief, information dominance and chief information officer for the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force.
Upon retiring, Basla returned to CNY intending to help grow the local economy, create jobs, and give back to veterans. In 2017, he co-founded MCD on an 80-acre farm known as “The Maples.” Basla has two daughters, Beth Ketchum and Marissa Basla, and one son, Adam, who are all actively involved in the business. Marissa runs all operations. A nephew, Chris Jansen, is also a partner in the business and the master distiller. “The Central New York Business Journal has been recognizing family businesses in Central New York for nine years at an annual breakfast each year,” said Jill Allen, director of BizEventz, a CNY Business Journal partner. “Companies are selected through a nomination process and reviewed by a panel of judges. We salute Madison County Distillery and Mike ‘Coach’ Basla for all he is doing for veterans and his community. Not to mention, Madison County Distillery has some of the best tacos around. They were nominated by Clear Path for Veterans, and it is a great
Police chief: Lock your car doors By kate Hill Staff Writer In the early hours of Saturday, Dec. 16, several unlocked vehicles were ransacked in the Village of Cazenovia and numerous items were taken. According to Michael Hayes, chief of the Cazenovia Police Department, the incidents occurred sometime between midnight and 6 a.m. Hayes said there were additional reports of criminal trespass and larceny in Cazenovia that were outside the village and therefore outside the jurisdiction of the Cazenovia Police Department. “I would ask, as I have numerous times before, for residents to lock [their] vehicles,” Hayes added. “These perpetrators are looking for easy targets. Generally, they do not break into a vehicle because that now raises the charge from a misdemeanor to a felony.” For more information on the Cazenovia Police Department, visit villageofcazenovia.com/police/ .
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On Dec. 7, The Madison County Distillery was awarded the 2023 Veteran Owned Family Business of the Year Award from the CNY Business Journal. On Dec. 14, NYS Senator Joseph A. Griffo presented the business with a NYS Senate Empire Award. honor to be able to recognize them this year.” For a list of the other winners of the 2023 CNY Business Journal Family Business Awards, visit cnybj.com/2023-family-businessawards/. On Thursday, Dec. 14, NYS Senator Joseph A. Griffo stopped by MCD to present the business with a NYS Senate Empire Award. The award recognizes businesses that are leaders in their industry, use innovative methods or products, increase jobs and economic growth, and make significant community contributions. The NYS Senate’s highest honor for small businesses, the Empire Award is presented periodically to local businesses that exemplify a dedication not only to their customers and employees but also to the growth, prosperity, and betterment of their communities and New York State. “It was an honor to present a
New York State Senate Empire Award to retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Mike Basla, his family, and the staff at Madison County Distillery,” Griffo said in a Dec. 15 press release from his office. “This family-owned business has helped to grow the local economy by creating jobs and attracting visitors to Cazenovia, Madison County, and Central New York and has supported veterans and their families. I wish Madison County Distillery continued success.” According to the press release, Griffo has advocated for and supported the needs of business owners and employers throughout his senate district and NYS. To help improve the state’s economic climate and to make it more business-friendly, he has proposed lowering taxes and energy costs and reducing regulations. “My family and the Madison County Distillery staff, whom I also refer to as family, are hum-
bled to recently receive back-toback awards recognizing our efforts,” said Basla. “. . . We were surprised and totally appreciative. In both cases, they noted our entrepreneurship, pursuit of excellence, fun family events, and focus on giving back to the CNY community. We work hard to make each guest’s visit a memorable experience through a welcoming atmosphere, friendly service, and quality products. We thank CNY Business Journal President Marny Nesher and Senator Griffo for these honors and especially all those who support our business. Your recognition and feedback say that we are doing things right, and we plan on continuing to do so for many years to come. Thank you again and please come visit us.” MCD is located at 2412 Rt. 20 E., Cazenovia. For more information, visit madisoncountydistillery.com.
BOE recognizes athlete for participation in state championships By kate hill Staff writer
During the Dec. 18 Cazenovia Central School District Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Christopher DiFulvio presented Cazenovia High School (CHS) boys varsity cross country freshman Jake Woolbert with a certificate in recognition of his participation in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association cross country state championships. According to DiFulvio, Woolbert finished the state championship meet as the fifth-fastest freshman in all of New York. “Jake finished first for our crosscountry team in every race this year,” said DiFulvio. “This is even more remarkable because Jake is a fresh-
man.” DiFulvio added that the athlete is the first ninth grader in history to represent the CHS cross-country team at the state championships. In other news The board received a presentation on the new English language arts curriculum program Wit and Wisdom, the math program Eureka Squared, and the district’s in-house Universal Pre-Kindergarten program, which moved into Burton Street Elementary School this year. During the superintendent’s report, DiFulvio announced that on Dec. 10 and Dec. 17, all three levels of baseball were out on the turf practicing. “I think that’s excellent,” he said. “In the past, our baseball teams have
not been able to be out there shagging balls in December, so that’s pretty cool. . . . Thanks to our coaches for giving up their Sundays to do that.” He also announced that earlier that day, about 40 percent of the district staff participated in a free after-school Narcan training led by BRiDGES - the Madison County Council on Alcoholism & Substance Abuse, Inc. “One of the things we learned in the training that was pretty interesting is that most of the people who end up needing Narcan are not [who] we typically think of,” he said. “They come into contact with fentanyl in accidental circumstances. I was very happy to see how many staff members came to the training.” Later in the meeting, the board acknowledged the upcoming retire-
ments of CHS history and government teacher Kurt Wheeler, effective June 27, 2024, and bus driver Laura Emmons, effective Dec. 19, 2023. Board member Dr. Jan Woodworth congratulated both individuals for their “years and years and years” of service. “Laura has been doing busing since my kids were in kindergarten, if not before,” she said, adding that Wheeler will have been with the district for 28 years at the time of his retirement. The board’s January regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. Meeting dates are listed on the district website and the school calendar. For more information on the school board, visit cazenoviacsd.com.
Volume 214, Number 51 The Cazenovia Republican is published weekly by Eagle News. Office of Publication: 35 Albany St., Second Floor, Cazenovia, NY 13035. Periodical Postage Paid at Cazenovia, NY 13035, USPS 095-260. POSTMASTER: Send change of address to Cazenovia Republican, 2501 James St., Suite 100, Syracuse, NY 13206.
sports news: Cazenovia girls finish third at meet.
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#CNY Strong: Creating lasting change.
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#cnystrong �������������� 13 Editorial ��������������������� 6 history ������������������������ 6 letters ������������������������ 6
Obituaries ������������������ 7 PennySaver ���������������� 8 Sports ������������������ 11-12