C-ns swEEPs MEETs
By PHil BlACkwEll
No one could catch up to Cicero-North Syracuse in either the girls or boys editions of last Friday’s Salt City Athletic Conference Metro division championship meet at SRC Arena.
Picking up 148 points the favored girls Northstars got away from second-place Liverpool , who had 109 points, while the C-NS boys gained 137 points well clear of the 100 from runner-up Baldwinsville.
Anna Eells led C-NS winning three different field events, including the high jump where she topped 5 feet 4 inches, the long jump with a top leap of 18’2” and the
triple jump where her 40’11 1/4” led to another victory, Todd taking third place with 33’6 1/4”.
A 1-2 sweep of the 55-meter dash had Jaydin Mackey, in 7.43 seconds, beat Stephanie Todd’s 7.59, while in the 55 hurdles Aaliyah McDonald won over Mackey by threethousandths of a second, both officially posting 8.13.
No one caught Mackey in the 300-meter dash, though, as her 41.22 seconds edged the 41.34 of Liverpool’s Mia Wright. McDonald took third place in 42.97 and Callie Bednarski (44.08) was fifth. In the 600-meter run Evelyn Maglente prevailed in 1:39.97 to top a field which included Gianna Melfi (1:43.86)
in fifth place.The Northstars were also second in the 4x400 relay in 4:15.26 and fourth in the 4x800.
Sophia Graham went 3:00.29 for third place in the 1,000-meter run matching Cameron Sisk’s third in the 1,500-meter run in 5:03.17, while Kennedy Jones grabbed fourth place in the 3,000meter run in 10:48.04 edging teammate Mya Patti’s 10:48.31.
Sparking C-NS on the boys side, Dante Melfi and Dom Petrera went 1-2 in the 1,000, Melfi winning in 2:44.25 exactly one second ahead of Petrera’s 2:45.25 before Tyler Graham beat the field in the 600 in 1:26.97 as Ben Rose Track l Page 2
lHs musicians named to ensembles
Liverpool High School seniors Ethan King, left, and Austin
tional Association for Music Education (nAfME) with selections
sembles.
Liverpool High School seniors Austin Barnhill and Ethan King have been honored by the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) with selections to All-Eastern Division Honors Ensembles.
Barnhill, who plays the tuba, was named to the All-Eastern Division Honors Orchestra while King, who plays the trumpet, was named to the Eastern Division Honors Con -
cert Band. More than 2,000 student musicians from across the Northeast applied for the Eastern Division Honors Ensembles.
The pair will perform during the Eastern Division Honors Ensembles Festival to be held April 24 to 27 in Hartford, Connecticut. The festival is hosted by the Connecticut Music Educator Association.
Moratorium on multi-family dwellings rejected
By Russ TARBy Contributing Writer
At the Dec. 16 meeting of the Village of Liverpool Board of Trustees, Brow Street resident Lisa Desimone presented a petition signed by 110 villagers requesting a moratorium on any building projects designed for housing three or more family units.
The petitioners are concerned about a developer’s plan to construct a pair of two-story buildings featuring four “townhomes” each, at 103 Vine St.
On Dec. 31, Mayor Stacy Finney sent a letter to Desimone and two of her neighbors acknowledging receipt of the petition.
“The Village Board of Trustees will take no action on this moratoria,” Finney wrote.
“All further approvals or denials will be handled by the Village of Liverpool Planning Board,” she concluded.
Desimone was disappointed with the trustees’ decision.
“At least they could have explained why they took no action,” she said. “No reason was given.”
Noting that the mayor pointed neighbors to the planning board, Desimone characterized the issue as “a hot potato. It’s like they’re passing it back and forth,” Desimone said.
At the planning board’s Dec. 9 meeting, it continued a public hearing about the “townhomes” proposed at the corner of Brow and Vine streets by Michael Dougherty of Park & Vine Holdings and Taber Rowlee of the Rowlee Construction Company.
That hearing was expected to be continued at the board’s next meeting on Jan. 27.
Brow Street residents have repeatedly voiced concerns about anticipated traffic congestion and parking problems.
While the trustees made no mention of the moratorium at their Jan. 22 meeting, they did schedule a public hearing for 6 p.m. on Feb. 10 to consider a proposed new local law decreasing the maximum speed limit on Brow Street to 15miles-an-hour.
The Village of Liverpool Board of Trustees includes Mayor Stacy Finney and trustees Rachel Ciotti and Michael LaMontagne – Trustees Melissa Cassidy Matt Devendorf were absent on Jan. 22.
December police report
At the village board’s meeting on Jan. 22, Police Chief Jerry Unger reported that his officers made 423 traffic stops and issued 352 citations for violations of the state’s vehicle and traffic laws in the month of December.
Officers stopped 21 tractor trailers in the village last month, and issued 22 local law traffic tickets for being overweight.
Thirteen accidents were investigated here in December.
Officers made 21 residential checks and 335 business checks last month, while responding to a total of 1,081 incidents and calls for service, an average of 34.8 calls per day.
The LPD arrested 91 individuals last month on 111 criminal charges.
Lions Club member receives Albany Lions Eye Institute Silver Award
By JAnEllE DAvis
Johana Russell, a dedicated member of the Syracuse Host Lions Club, has been awarded the prestigious Albany Lions Eye Institute Silver Award, recognizing her outstanding contributions to vision care and community service.
Russell’s connection to the Lions Club began in her childhood when she received her first pair of glasses through the organization at age nine, sparking a lifelong commitment to service.
Her journey with the Lions Club has taken her from volunteer work in Panama to becoming an active member of the Syracuse Host Lions Club alongside her husband, Lion Douglas Russell.
Russell’s dedication to vision care programs has been particularly impactful.
She has participated in numerous vision screening initiatives for both children and adults, including campaigns with the Metropolitan Lions Club of Medellin, Colombia, where teams
“What I do every day is passion for me, and to have acknowledgement from the club means the world to me, and keeps my drive going,” Russell said.
evaluated more than 700 children daily.
“These screenings can detect eye diseases as early as six months of age, and the prognosis can be very good if detected before five years of age. By doing this, we have saved many children’s eyesight, which is remarkable,” Russell said.
Her recognition stems particularly from her work promoting the Albany Eyes Institute’s services throughout the region.
Together with her husband, Russell has been instrumental in raising awareness about the institute’s comprehensive eye care services among
local clubs, ensuring that children and adults who cannot access eye care services receive the support they need.
Beyond vision care, Russell is passionate about environmental initiatives, reflecting the Lions Club’s broader mission areas which include diabetes, childhood cancer, hunger, and environmental protection.
At home, she maintains eco-friendly practices through recycling, gardening, composting, and avoiding harmful insecticides.
She plans to propose several projects involving native tree planting to her local club.
Russell’s background in nursing and her early exposure to community service have shaped her approach to humanitarian work.
“Through all these experiences, I have learned to value what I have. Every day I try to practice more empathy and focus more on the solutions than on the problems,” she said.
Drawing inspiration from senior Lions Club members, including those in their 90s and 100s who remain active in service, Russell continues to embody the organization’s spirit of dedication and community impact.
She values being part of what she describes as a “big family” that spans nearly 200 countries, united by a shared commitment to service.
The Albany Lions Eye Institute Silver Award acknowledges not only Russell’s specific contributions to vision care but also her embodiment of the Lions Club’s core values of service, compassion, and community engagement.
Russell’s ongoing work continues to make a significant impact in Syracuse and beyond, inspiring others to join in the mission of serving those in need.
Submitted photo
Barnhill have been honored by the Na-
to All-Eastern Division Honors En-
salina library announces February events
suBMiTTED By JEAnninE CHuBon
Salina library direCtor
For more information or to register for programs, visit the Events Calendar at www.salinalibrary.org or call 315-4544524.
For adults
Chili Cook-Off
Monday, Feb. 10 at 6 p.m.
Is your chili the best? Enter our 2nd annual Chili Cook-Off for the chance to prove it! The Grand Champion wins a medal, bragging rights, and a $25 Tops gift card. Sign up at our front desk or call 315-4544524. Want to taste some great chili and vote for your favorite? Stop by between 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.. Winner will be announced at 7:45 p.m.. For adults 18+.
let’s Eat
Tuesday, Feb. 4 at 6 p.m.
Bring something to add to a charcuterie board, then we’ll enjoy the results. Registration required. Crafts for Seniors
Friday, Feb. 7 at 11 am Craft and chat with other seniors. We’re making teacup candles. For adults 50+.
Community Bingo
Monday, Feb. 10 at noon
Socialize and have fun playing bingo!
Bring a new item under $5 for the prize table; it can be anything from a candy bar to a bar of soap. Use your imagination! For adults 18+. Registration is required.
Mixology
Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 6 p.m.
Learn to craft Midwinter Mocktails! You’ll create the drinks while learning about techniques and substitutions. For adults 18+. Registration required.
Create
Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 6 p.m.
Create icy blue glass votives. For adults 18+. Registration required.
salina writer’s Group
Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 6:30 p.m.
Hone your writing skills. Facilitated by Debbie Stack, local author, editor, and TV scriptwriter. Get feedback and share questions and ideas. For adults 18+. Please register.
in stitches
Monday, Feb. 24 at 6 p.m.
Whether you like to knit, crochet, or do other needlework, it’s more fun to do it together. Bring your projects and work while we chat.
Tech Help
Do you need help with your laptop or tablet, using email, downloading an eBook, or applying for jobs online? Tech help appointments are available for these topics and more. Appointments last up to 1 hour. Check the events calendar or call 315-454-4524 to register.
Games
Game Day
Mondays at noon
Qwirkle, Farkle, Triominos, Rummikub, and more! Bring your games or play one of ours. For adults 18+.
sounds Fishy
Monday, Feb. 3 at 6 p.m.
Play the party game Sounds Fishy: one real answer, a sea of red herrings! For adults 18+. Registration required.
Mah Jongg
Tuesdays at noon
Want to learn mah jongg? Already know how to play? Join us for weekly play. National Mah Jongg rules. Not a tournament. For adults 18+.
Mah Jongg
Thursdays at noon
Are you an experienced player? Join us for weekly play. National Mah Jongg rules. Not a tournament. For adults 18+.
Book Clubs
Monday Mysteries Monday
Feb. 3 at 4 p.m. Meet with other mystery lovers! We’ll discuss The Woman in
the Library by Sulari Gentill. Please register or use the Zoom link on the events page. on the same Page: Aurora’s Café
Saturday, Feb. 15 at 10:30 a.m.
Meet at Aurora’s Café in Northern Lights. Tell us what books you’ve liked, or haven’t liked, lately. Learn about new books and enjoy a tasty treat, too! For adults 18+.
Page Turners Book Club
Tuesday, Feb. 25 at 6:30 p.m.
Take part in our monthly discussion; new members are welcome! In Feb. we’re discussing Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann. Please register or use the Zoom link on the website events page. True Tales: Nonfiction Readers Discussion Group
Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 6 p.m.
Add your voice to our lively and engaging discussion of What the Dead Know by Barbara Butcher. Please register. For children and teens
Craft Swap
Saturday, March 8 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Craft donations needed. Drop off unwanted craft supplies at the library between Monday, Feb. 6 and Friday, March 7. Donations limited to 2 boxes or bags per person. All items should be clean and in new or gently used condition. The library has the right to refuse or recycle and craft items.
Early learners story Time
Tuesday, Feb. 4, 11, and 25 from 11 a.m.
– noon
Make learning fun! Your child will learn important early literacy and social skills with stories, rhymes, and songs. For ages 2-4 years old.
Toddlers Explore
Wednesday, Feb. 5, 12, and 26 from 11 a.m. – noon
What do you do with a wiggly toddler?
Bring them to the library for songs, stories, and activities to explore. For ages 1.5-3 years old.
Friday Crafternoon
Friday, Feb. 8 from 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Families can drop in for crafting fun. For children ages 4-12.
superb owl Party
Saturday, Feb. 8 at 11 a.m.
Join us for snacks, stories, and activities all about our feathered friends: owls. Please register.
salina Teen warriors
Tuesday, Feb. 11 from 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Teens, pick up an application at the front desk to join our Teen Advisory Group. Help brainstorm and create activities for the library.
lego Club
Wednesday, Feb. 12 from 4-5 p.m. Do you love LEGOs®? Join us as we build, build, build! For ages 5-12. Pajama story Time
Thursday, Feb. 13 from 6-7 p.m.
Children ages 3-6, wear your comfiest pajamas for a special night-time story time and craft.
Polar Bear silhouettes
Thursday, Feb. 20 at 6 p.m.
Celebrate National Polar Bear Day with art! Create a picture of a polar bear against the colors of the Northern Lights. For kids ages 5-12. Please register. Happily Ever After Friday, Feb. 21 at 2 p.m.
Celebrate National Fairy Tale Day by creating Cinderella’s carriage. Dress for a mess as we’ll be working with paint. For kids ages 5-12. Please register. Teens silent Book Club
Thursday, Feb. 27 from 6-7:30 p.m.
Liverpool boys break skid, join C-NS in topping F-M SPORTS
By PHil BlACkwEll
or the second time this
Fwinter the Liverpool boys basketball team found itself at a bit of a crossroads.
A narrow 57-55 defeat to archrival Cicero-North Syracuse on Jan. 17 was tough to take, but it would not hurt as much if Liverpool could follow it up with a strong week of games.
Instead, when it hosted Section IV’s Binghamton last Monday afternoon, Liverpool lost yet another close decision, falling to the Patriots by a score of 61-58.
All game long it was tight. Liverpool had the early lead, but saw it get away as Binghamton inched in front 29-28 going into halftime.
They went back and forth the rest of the way, the Patriots answering every Liverpool charge. In defeat, Alex Trombley led with 18
Read whatever you want- print books, eBooks, audiobooks, comic books. Bring a book or pick one from the library. Settle in and read silently. Snacks provided. There will be time to socialize – or just hang out and read. l From page 1
was fifth and Nicola Petrera sixth.
In the 4x800 Melfi, Graham, Dom Petrera and Joe Massett won in 8:38.12 edging Auburn’s 8:40.37, while in the triple jump Anthony Johnson’s top leap of 44’3 1/4” led to another toptwo Northstars sweep as Matt Freeman went 43’2” for second place.
Camron Ingram dominated the 55 hurdles, winning in 7.23 seconds as Xander Provost was third (8.14) and Antwan Maxwell fourth (8.20). Also, Ingram went 6.55 for second place in
points, Giancarlo Gallimi adding 13 points and Freddy Fowler getting 11 points. Jayden Cromwell contributed six points.
With no time to rest, Liverpool had to travel a night later to face a Fayetteville-Manlius side sporting an 8-2 record and a defense which only allowed more than 60 points once in those 10 games.
All of these statistics meant little, though, to a desperate side bent on finding its form again – which Liverpool did, right away, and never let go of it until it had put away the Hornets 66-40.
Jumping out 18-9 in the first quarter helped in a big way, but Liverpool did not let up, constantly finding spaces to work with and knocking down plenty of shots while its defense only let one F-M player, Charlie Schroder (10 points), score in double figures.
Freddy Fowler led with 17 points, but it was Sean Frawley breaking
the 55 sprint to the 6.46 of FayettevilleManlius’ Nick Domashenko, Christian Kahrs went 36.79 seconds in the 300-meter dash for second just behind Domashenko’s 36.73 and helped C-NS get second in the 4x200 relay in 1:34.78. Massett added a third in the 1,600-meter run in 4:40.87 and Provost got third in the shot put tossing it 39’2”.
In the pole vault Colin Daley was second, clearing 11 feet. Johnson went 19’ 1/2” in the long jump earning third place, while C-NS added a third in the 4x400 relay in 3:35.82 and Liam Pierce
Street, Liverpool, New York 13088 (315) 699-3914 shawn.lappin@lappinlaw.com
LANDING
• Attractive apartments for the elderly, 62 years of age or older, the handicapped and disabled, regardless of age.
• Affordable rents/income restrictions apply.
• Rental Assistance may be available.
• CHECK US OUT! Complex is handicap accessible and has accessible apartments.
through earning 13 points which offered the compliment to Trombley’s 11 points as Danny Dunn and Denis Kuzma had six points apiece.
C-NS, as it turned out, would get its own turn against F-M on Thursday night, and after the jolt of an early time-out proceeded to outclass the Hornets on the way to a 66-48 victory to improve its record to 10-1.
Not even a minute had passed when F-M had grabbed a 4-0 lead and the Northstars called time-out. Regrouping, C-NS outscored the Hornets 20-8 the rest of the first quarter and led 36-25 by halftime.
A 19-9 third-quarter push settled matters as Miy’Jon McDowell led the Northstars in scoring for the first time this winter, pouring in 20 points that included a trio of 3-pointers.
Andrew Benedict was right behind McDowell, earning 19 points as Sam Werts hit four 3-pointers
Joss was fifth in the long jump.
The Liverpool girls beat C-NS headto-head in the 4x200 as Wright, Nahla Battle-Crenshaw, Mikayla Greene and Maddie Devendorf went 1:45.70 to top the 1:46.23 from Todd, McDonald, Alexa Belknap and Grace Murray. Ailanees Leon earned her team’s other title clearing 8’6” in the pole vault as C-NS had Natta Luangaphay (7 feet) in third place.
Battle-Crenshaw got third in the 55 sprint in 7.53 seconds, adding a fourth in the 55 hurdles between Devendorf in third place (8.88) and June Piorkowski in fifth place. Kaitlyn Hotaling got third in the 3,000 in 10:39.02, with Liverpool fifth in the 4x400.
In field events, Devendorf was second in the long jump with 17’2 3/4” behind Eells as Taima Tearney was third with 16’9” but moved up to second in the triple jump with 35’2 1/4”.
Audrey Jenkins cleared 5 feet in the high jump, matched by Georgia Jwaskiewicz as they took the two spots behind Eells and Tearney was fifth topping 4’10”. Ariyah Racciatti finished
for most of his 14 points and Nate Francis contributed 13 points.
Friday night brought Liverpool to Henninger where it went through a prolonged mid-game slump but still regrouped late to go back in front and beat the Black Knights 50-41.
Slowing down the game’s tempo, Henninger tracked right with Liverpool, especially in the second and third quarters when the visitors managed just 15 total points.
Entering the final period trailing 28-27, Liverpool finally solved the Black Knights’ defensive riddle and took the lead for good. Trombley’s 20 points included four 3-pointers as Fowler gained 16 points and Dunn finished with 11 points.
C-NS is busy this week with home games against West Genesee, Auburn and Utica Proctor, while Liverpool has its own game Friday against WG after hosting Baldwinsville earlier in the week.
second in the weight throw heaving it 34’6 1/4” as Olivia Kuol (29’4 1/4”) took fifth place. Eseroghene Uloho had a fourth-place shot put toss of 29’2 3/4”.
Liverpool was sixth in the SCAC Metro boys meet, its best finish from Tajkeoni Ryan in the pole vault as he finished third clearing 9 feet, with Jamal Lesperance in fifth place. Trenton Gallup got fourth place in the 1,000 in 2:51.06 and Josh Vang was fourth in the 1,600 in 4:43.24 ahead of Brian Juston in sixth place, while Cameron Bartlett had a fourth-place long jump of 18’6 3/4”. Ade Adefashola, topping 5’8” in the long jump, earned another fourth-place finish. Brady Petrella took fifth and Cooper Kohanski sixth in the 3,200meter run as LHS was fourth in the 4x400 and 4x800. Ryan and Brayden Smith were fifth and sixth, respectively, in the 55 hurdles, with Brayden Smith sixth in the 300 and Ty’Kere Jones adding a fifth in the weight throw (46’1”) plus a sixth in the shot put.
VILLAGE CENTER
456 Main St., Phoenix, N.Y. 13135
• Attractive apartments for families.
• Affordable rents/income restrictions apply.
• Rental Assistance may be available.
• CHECK US OUT! Complex is handicap accessible and has
Roy F. Powers, 92 army veteran, teacher
Roy Franklin Powers, 92, passed away on Jan. 14, 2025. Roy was born to Irene and Llew Powers of DeRuyter, N.Y., on July 23, 1932. He graduated from South Otselic High in 1951, then attended Morrisville State in the Auto Technology program.
1953 was a banner year: he graduated from college, married E. Mae Martin from Norwich, N.Y., and then was drafted into the US Army, serving until 1957, including in the Missile/ Radar battalion.
Returning to Central New York, working at Jones and Allen Chevrolet in Whitney Point, and then at his uncle’s farm in DeRuyter.
By 1962, Roy and Mae and three young sons and moved to Fabius. Roy ran an Ashland service station in town for some time and went to night school to obtain a teaching certificate as the
EATh NOTicES
Kathleen M. Sluzar, 62, of Auburn passed away Jan. 5, 2025. The Bush Funeral Home of Elbridge has the arrangements.
Hildegard E. Gunnip, 88, of Jordan
family had grown by two daughters.
In the1966 school year he worked as a teaching assistant to Robert Ossont at Fabius Central School. He taught auto mechanics and later auto body courses for Cortland-Madison BOCES until taking a position with Fabius Pompey Central School, teaching auto mechanics and welding until his retirement.
Roy and Mae were involved in many antique car clubs which formed lifelong friendships and fun trips during their life together. They led an active church life in the United Methodist and later Fabius Christian Churches. He also served in many capacities on the Fabius Volunteer Fire Department over many years.
Roy taught many young people to build skills in important trades that we all need in life.
No matter where he traveled, he always knew someone, and had the most extraordinary memory and gift
passed away Jan. 17, 2025. The Bush Funeral Home of Elbridge has charge of arrangements.
Daniel P. Davis, 75 , formerly of Jordan-Elbridge, passed away Jan. 3, 2025. The Bush Funeral Home of Elbridge
of gab!
Roy was predeceased by his wife of 62 years, Mae, his brother, Duane Powers, and grandsons Wesley Harridge and Andrew Gosden. He is survived by his brother, Dale (Lorna) Powers of Bradenton, Fla. Children: Steven (Rosie) Powers, Fabius, N.Y. Donald (Susan) Powers, Loveland, CO. David (Laurie Harridge) Powers, Lafayette, N.Y. Mary (Joe) Chovan, Cazenovia. Gwen Powers, Syracuse. Grandchildren: Craig (Megan) Powers, Fabius, N.Y. Melissa (Mark) Wheatley, Lafayette, NY. Jordan (Tara) Conklin, Syracuse, NY. Jonathan (Paige) Powers, DE. Trevor Gosden, Floral Park, NY. Mercury McGraw, Syracuse, NY. Collin McGraw, Syracuse, N.Y. Shannon McGraw, Weedsport, N.Y. Greatgrandchildren: Clint Wheatley, Levi (His birthday buddy!) Wheatley, Christopher Powers, Madison Powers, as well as many cousins, nieces and
has charge of arrangements.
Wendy A. Hockeborn, 47 , of Syracuse, formerly of Elbridge and Weedsport passed away Jan. 18, 2025. The Bush Funeral Home of Elbridge has
nephews. A Celebration of Life will be scheduled in springtime in Fabius. Smith Funeral Home DeRuyter, has arrangements.
Richard L. Foote, 90, formerly of Jordan, passed away Jan. 20, 2025. The Bush Funeral Home of Elbridge has charge of arrangements
Roy F. Powers
OuR vOicE
Be prepared for the cold weather
Winter has made an intense appearance all over the country recently with snow even falling as far south as the panhandle of Florida. In our area we have also seen intensely cold temperatures that in some cases have led to school delays and even closures when temperatures have taken particularly deep dives.
For many of us, when it comes to the cold, the first thing we think about is probably not our vehicles.
We tend to take it for granted that when we go out and start our cars they will respond accordingly.
But AAA is reporting high call volume with 40 percent of requests for battery jump starts given frigid temperatures.
Car batteries lose a third of their power in freezing temperatures because as the air outside cools, the oil in the vehicle thickens, making it harder to turn the engine over, according to AAA.
With this in mind AAA has shared some tips to help drivers be safe and prepared in the event they encounter problems due to the cold temperatures.
Whether is it just getting the car started or something happens once drivers are out on the road, these tips can be helpful.
For those out driving, be prepared and keep an eye on the weather forecast and plan accordingly.
Dress warmly and carry extra clothes including a hat, gloves, mittens and socks.
Make sure your gas tank is full, put at least one blanket in your car as well as a shovel in your trunk with your emergency kit.
Carry bottled water and snacks in case you do get stranded. Ensure that you have your cellphone and a charger.
Be aware that the life of a car battery in this area is 3-5 years.
Avoid traveling alone or let someone know where you are going and keep in touch.
Check your route in advance by using any of the apps available to keep track of changing weather and conditions.
It is also recommended to make sure snow isn’t piling up and blocking a vehicle’s exhaust and to keep sidewalks and driveways as clear as possible in the event of an emergency.
AAA also recommends that if you have access to a garage or a carport, use it. If you park outside, try to avoid parking under tree branches, power lines or other objects where ice could fall and strike the vehicle.
Make sure your wipers are turned off before you exit the vehicle.
Avoid starting a vehicle with wipers turned on that may be frozen in place.
Make sure you have a quality ice scraper to effectively scrape away ice once it begins to soften up. Avoid pounding on the ice and don’t use your scraper on painted surfaces.
Make sure that you have a full supply of winter-quality windshield washer solvent.
There are commercial deicer products that can be used to help melt away ice from your windshield or your locks.
If we have snow it is also highly recommended to make sure it is cleared away from all windows and the roof of the vehicle so that it does not fall down from the roof, obscuring the windshield.
While driving under snowy and icy conditions it is recommended to accelerate and decelerate slowly. Applying the gas slowly to accelerate is the best method for regaining traction and avoiding skids. Don’t try to get moving in a hurry. Remember, it takes longer to slow down on icy roads.
Increase following distances. The normal dry pavement following distance of three to four seconds should be increased to eight to 10 seconds. This increased margin of safety will provide greater distance to stop.
Know your brakes. Whether you have antilock brakes or not, the best way to stop is threshold braking. Keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal. Don’t power up hills. Applying extra gas on snow-covered roads may only result in spinning your wheels. Try to get a little momentum going before you reach the hill and let it carry you to the top. Try to avoid stopping while going up a hill. As you reach the crest of the hill, reduce your speed and proceed downhill as slowly as possible.
HOW CAN WE HELP?
PonDERinG PowER
I just raised the thermostat to 71. It’s cold and our old house has so many ways to let heat out and cold in that it’s a constant battle for comfort.
Sure, we insulated. When we built our family room, the guy who pumped the insulation in told us that we could heat that room with an electric light. We installed an electric heating system. Then, when we received our first winter bill, we unplugged it. That insulation guy lied.
We used a different company to insulate the attic. That insulation was done perfectly. Even the door to the attic and the stairs are insulated. That insulation was an effort to stop the snow from turning to ice at the roof’s edges, which would then melt and seep into the walls. Even with all that insulation, we still have seepage.
As I said, it’s a battle.
In the summer, it’s really no different. The insulated attic has a whole house fan that clicks on when the temperature up there reaches 80 degrees. It is supposed to pull cooler air up through the attic and out the window. It may be doing that, however, we do have to use window fans to be able to sleep at night … again, it’s a battle.
I often wonder how our ancestors weathered temperature swings.
My grandmother, born in 1887, lived a good portion of her life without electric power. When we lived with her in the summer at her little bungalow in Lake Carmel, electricity was available. We had lights, one 40-watt bulb in each room. Most of our life revolved around living without modern conveniences.
We swept the rugs that were covered with the wet tea leaves from yesterdays’ teapot to keep the dust down or we hung them on the line to beat with a wire contraption. We cooked on a kerosene stove … which is one of those twoedged sword things since cleaning pots cooked on this
BOE
What the heck is going on with the Liverpool Central School District’s Board of Education?
stove was a daunting use of arm power. We made jam and we canned what we grew in the garden on that stove.
There was a cistern of sorts, a giant tank that collected rainwater off the roof and several smaller rain barrels that provided us with nonpotable water. My grandfather would heat water over a fire in the backyard for things such as washing dishes (and those awful pots blackened by the kerosene) clothes and bathing. The latter two were accomplished with the lye soap that my grandmother made every year. We washed clothing and ourselves in large galvanized tubs which hung on the back porch when not in use.
Fresh potable water came from a spring two roads away. It was a twice weekly chore to pack up the red wagon with glass gallon jugs to fill at the spring where we learned how to negotiate the nastiness of yellow jackets.
If it was cold, we would put on more clothing; if it was really cold my grandfather would hunt for firewood in the woods behind the house and my grandmother would start a fire in the potbellied stove
We had shelter, clean clothing, good food, memories and lessons to last a life time.
There remains a romance of a sort remembering the gentle self-sufficiency of those times as well as a memory of very small bills for electricity and kerosene.
Which got me to thinking about power, modern life and Puerto Rico. For most of us the power is electricity, which can be generated by any number of sources, some renewable, some not so much. Most electricity is dependent on another source of power, and that is fossil fuels.
Fossil fuels are the result of the power of compression of the remains of organic materials deposited during the Mesozoic Era, between 252 and 66 million years ago. These are non-renewable,
These are elected officials –presumably adults – who ought to know better than to act like a clique of spoiled and spiteful freshman freaks.
That’s exactly what BOE President Nick Blaney and V-P Jecenia Bresett looked like in video shot at the district building on Nov. 25, in which they surreptitiously removed the plaque dedicated to former Superintendent Dan Henner and tossed it into a dumpster.
Along the way, the two posed for photographs to document their sophomoric skullduggery.
Henner had departed the district in earlySeptember before being replaced by Interim Superintendent Douglas Lawrence. nov. 25 video surfaces
The Nov. 25 video was obtained and aired by CNYcentral.com (TV channels 3 and 5, WSTM and WTVH respectively). Their reporter, Dale Ostrander, ably reported the story after the BOE’s Jan. 17 meeting.
That meeting was originally called to discuss hiring an outside firm to aid the district’s search for a new superintendent.
Those disturbing November video images remained unseen until CNY Central broadcasted them. But former board member Katie Roberts told Ostrander that other irregularities
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finite resources. I don’t know about you, but I do not have personal access to fossil fuels. I purchase them when I pay my utility bills or fill up at the gas pump. They are developed and controlled by private companies which receive support from government on all levels in various ways, from tax breaks to easements for drilling on specific land or the transport of oil through pipelines across continents. The cost of the electricity that powers our lives is the result of the development and control of fossil fuels by people other than ourselves. The good part of the cost of modern life is a function of the cost of the products that fuel it.
Over the last decades there has been a movement to explore the development of renewable sources of energy - solar, wind power, even the power of waves. It makes sense that solar power is a renewable resource, since without the sun there would be no earth…that’s pretty basic. And as for wind, well, wind comes and goes but there will always be some wind. Some areas, particularly higher elevations, experience a more predictable and stable source of wind. It makes sense to me to explore finding ways to harvest and store that which is forever renewable rather than depend on something that is not. I am not sure about this, but there may be ways for the individual to manipulate acquisition of power from the sun and the wind without having to purchase it from a company. And then it may be possible to have businesses build wind and solar farms from which individuals can purchase power in the same way we purchase power today.
Some administrations have supported the idea of the development of renewable resources as a critical national interest, investigating how to harvest and store power. Some have not. The latter make state -
continue behind the scenes.
Roberts alleged that two meetings were conducted behind closed doors in which resolutions were shared, a violation of open meeting laws.
Board members such as Kimberly Martin went so far as to call for Blaney’s and Bressett’s resignations.
“Communication amongst the board needs to improve,” Martin said, “and last-minute motions made at the board table for vote need to cease.”
Apologies offered
At the BOE’s Jan. 21 meeting, Blaney and Bresett responded to the revelations by apologizing.
“Moving forward,” Bressett said, “I am committed to making better choices and continuing to work hard for this district.”
To his credit, Blaney also apologized for his Nov. 25 actions. He also told Ostrander that the space from which the plaque had been taken was needed to start displaying student achievements.
A surprise resolution appeared before board members on Jan. 17 to approve that change in the use of that space.
“I have no issue with honoring student achievement, faculty or staff achievement, superintendents, past or present, whatever,” board member Dan McKeever said at the time. “I don’t think that is what this resolution
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ments like, “when the wind dies down you won’t be able to watch TV.” Or that wind turbines are killing whales … which is simply not true.
Yes, there are aesthetic concerns, but aesthetics are mutable. I personally don’t find solar arrays or wind turbines as ugly. I do find the pollution of land and water with oil spills to be ugly and deadly for the enormous numbers of wildlife and the acres of ocean and land destroyed.
Now, I am not saying that we should give up our current use of fossil fuels. How we lived in the summers at my grandmother’s was an experience beyond value, but I am a child of my time and need the power that allows me to live my life. Our economic system and the maintenance of fossil fuels billionaires depends on this.
So, what about Puerto Rico?
Puerto Rico, basking in the sun of the Caribbean, imports fossil fuels to power its electrical grid. When storms attack this grid, the island and its services are without power, many times for months. Why not find a way to capture the power of the sun, the tradewinds and the sea to free the island from the necessity to import power? The caution to “follow the money” may have some value in understanding. Today, it’s negative 5 degrees outside and I am still feeling a bit chilly inside. Should I put on another sweater or raise the thermostat? Or buy and install more weatherstripping? I have to deal with the reality of the now.
I have four grandchildren and I can’t pass on the verisimilitude of my summers with my grandmother, but, for their future, it does seem ultimately reasonable to be researching how to harness and store the power of the sun, wind and tides, if not for now, then
is designed to do. I think this was put forward under false pretenses.”
Board member Stacey Chilbert agreed with McKeever. Chilbert described the vote on the resolution as “very shady.”
Mark your calendars
Here’s a handy list of some upcoming event in our neighborhood: Irish Road Bowling March 16, at Onondaga Lake Park hosted by the Friends of Historic Onondaga Lake. Annual First United Methodist Church Flower Sale at Johnson Park, on May 10. Liverpool Is The Place Summer Concerts begin June 9 at Johnson Park with the Stan Colella Orchestra, followed by the DoyleWhiting Band on June 11.
The 37th annual Syracuse Workforce Run takes place at Onondaga Lake Park Tuesday, June 10.
The Syracuse Vintage Raceboat Regatta is scheduled June 21 and 22 on Onondaga Lake at Willow Bay.
Village Porchfest concerts will be heard on the afternoon of Sept. 7.
last word
“I think if I were to vote yes to this it would amount to lying to the public. I am not comfortable lying to the public, it was not what I was elected to do.”
–LCSD Board of Education Member Dan McKeever.
Ramblings from the empty nest
ann Ferro
Livin’ in Liverpool russ Tarby
Morgan Road school
By JEFF snow toWn of Clay hiStorian Clay hiStoriCal aSSoCiation member
As many of us that drive on Morgan Road during our commutes, I want to share one of the houses along the road that use to be a schoolhouse. Most would think it’s just a small house, but it taught neighborhood children up into the 1950s.
The house at 8048 Morgan Road was called #2 school or Morgan Road School. The current owner, Andrea Scarpelli, fell in love with the house when she was looking for a home to buy in the area.
She loved the rich history and the charm of the house when she bought it in August 2023.
Andrea is currently looking for a historical marker for the former schoolhouse and has put in an application for this.
One thing that Andrea mentioned on the property was related to the school was a concrete slab out back with two holes through it.
That was the location of the outhouse for the
boys and girls. The outhouse can be seen in one of the pictures out back from the school.
Past Town of Clay Historian Dorothy Heller wrote a piece on the same school house back in 2020. It can still be read on townofclay.org then departments/historian/ page6. The article was on the Frank Brown family who came to the Clay area from Virginia.
The Browns came to work on the farm of Captain William Weller after the Civil War. The school picture with the names on the bottom show children in front of the school house in 1906.
Many of the children lived their whole life in the local area like the Schuelke, Plummer, Moore and Hamlin families.
Hopefully Andrea lives a long time in her “school” home and it gets the recognition of being a historical home.
For more information,
suggestions or article requests, please visit the Clay Historical Association’s Google page. Any questions can be directed to historian@townofclay. org.
The Clay Historical Association meets on the second Wednesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at the Clay Historical Park. Those interested in attending, inviting others to join, or sharing any historical photographs are encouraged to reach out.
e answer is a resounding YES, but it takes Courage….
For those of you who do not know the de nition of the term “Sandbagger”, I found a few that are written in plain English that a 3rd grader should be able to understand. ese are my favorites…
Good: “A Sandbagger intentionally plays worse or records higher scores than they actually shoot, to claim a higher handicap (get more strokes) in bets or tournaments”.
Better: “A Sandbagger is e ectively a gol ng cheat, but also someone who does it via the slightly less obvious means of protecting and manipulating their golf handicap to keep it arti cially high, rather than golf’s more obvious forms of cheating, such as moving or kicking their golf ball into a better lie.
Best: “ e Sandbagger maneuvers the GHIN system like a NASCAR driver navigating the Daytona “500” Speedway, knowing when to throttle back and when to hit the gas”.
I am of the opinion that only approximately 4% of golfers who have an established Golf Handicap & Information Network (GHIN) handicap are Sandbaggers, but they create 96% of the problems Golf Handicap Chairpeople have at their clubs and leagues. It is simply a fact that prior, during and a er a “handicap” competitive tournament, the chatter at the 19th hole cocktail lounge, locker room, or drive back home is focused on the winners gross scores that were were career lows and their handicaps too high. Whether this is true or false, someone needs to step up and settle the concerns…with facts. It won’t be easy. Nothing is easy when you are trying to protect the vast
majority of golfers who have legitimate handicaps, but it is absolutely necessary and something should be done to avoid, and yes, prevent someone from winning several events during a golf season or multiple seasons.
I have a recommendation…
When a male or female golfer wins “two” consecutive handicap events, their handicap should be immediately reduced by “two” shots. If they win a third consecutive event, they should be disquali ed (DQ) from the tournament. Why do I say that? George urner gured it out. Go to... gthurner@cappatrol.com
Final oughts:
No golfer should be winning multiple golf events (2-4) in the same season, unless it is at “scratch”..with NO HANDICAP! ere should be an automatic reduction of handicap when a golfer wins their rst event of the season and additional reductions if they win 2-4 events in the same season or multiple seasons. e worst thing a Handicap Chairperson can hear from their constituents is, “I am not playing in your event because “so and so” is playing and I know their handicap is not accurate”.
Do you have the courage to stop the Top “4”% of Sandbaggers at your club or in your league.
Good! Now do something about it.
8 Jan 29, 2025
Jacqueline i sheridan, 82
Loved her family, knitting and traveling
Jacqueline Inez Sheridan, 82, a beloved wife, mother, Baba and sister, passed away peacefully in the mid-morning of Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at her home in Skaneateles. She was surrounded by her family. She was born in Ogdensburg, N.Y., on Dec. 16, 1942, and spent her adolescent years there before moving to the Syracuse area. She was a graduate of Central High School in Syracuse and began her professional career at the Syracuse Post Standard
She continued her professional life in education at North Syracuse Central Schools and then worked at United Parcel Service. Later, she moved to Florida where she devoted herself to caring for her parents during their golden years. While there, she returned to a career in education and worked at South Seminole Central School in Casselberry, FL.
Beyond her professional life, Jackie lived life to the fullest. She made friends easily and never met a stranger. She also found joy in the simple things: she loved knitting, camping, traveling, cruising, dancing and, most of all, cherished moments with
her family. She also had a beautiful voice and loved to sing. Jackie was a member of the Red Hats Society, Altamonte Springs Women’s Club, Oviedo YMCA, Casselberry Auxiliary Inc. and the American Legion Auxiliary Post 183.
Jackie was predeceased by her son, Thomas George, in 1992; husband, Philip J. in 1996; parents, George and Odile Wood; and sisters, Judith and Barbara; and brother, William.
She is survived by her son, Timothy J.; daughter Tracy L.; beloved granddaughter Khali R.; sister, Theresa Volles; daughterin-law Debbie; son-in-law Jeff, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Jackie will be laid to rest in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Dewitt. There will be a celebration of life for her in the summer.
Eagle Newspapers is here to help readers share their milestone celebrations, including birth announcements, engagements, weddings, anniversaries and milestone birthdays. The deadline to submit an announcement is 10 a.m. the Friday before publication. Announcements of up to 250 words with a photo cost just $50, with an additional 15 cents per word over 250 words. Announcements will be posted to eaglenewsonline.com within 24 hours of receipt of payment. To submit a milestone announcement, email Alyssa Dearborn at adearborn@eaglenewsonline.com, or call 315.434.8889 ext. 305.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the Ronald McDonald House Charities Central New York
and/or Hospice of Central New York and the Finger Lakes. To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.
Jacqueline i sheridan
C-NS girls hoops goes 2-0 in home tournament
By PHil BlACkwEll
While it remained the case that the Liverpool girls basketball team had the upper hand on Cicero-North Syracuse based on head-to-head results, it remained subject to change.
For when these two rivals gathered again at C-NS for the “Best Of New York” event on Jan. 18 and 19, it was the Northstars going 2-0 and Liverpool settling for a 1-1 split.
The difference was that C-NS was able to do what Liverpool could not – beat Section II’s Shenendehowa, which it did on the second day of the tournament with a sensational fourth-quarter comeback to prevail 64-59.
All looked grim in the first quarter when the cold-shooting Northstars fell behind 21-5. Despite vast improvement over the next two periods, Shen remained in control, taking a 48-36 advantage to the final frame.
Then it all changed.
Cranking up defensive pressure and turning it into baskets on the other end, C-NS went on a late-game tear, erasing the deficit, catching Shen and then moving out in front to stay.
Keying this 28-11 outburst was the duo of Grace Villnave and Leah Benedict, who hit a combined seven 3-pointers between them for the game as Villnave set a career mark with 21 points and Benedict got 14 points. Alexis Gasparini helped with eight points and Kylah Bednar added six points.
Liverpool had fallen to Shen 59-46 the day before largely because its top player, A’briyah Cunningham, was held to a season-low seven points while returning to action following an illness.
To its credit, LHS would recover against Buffalo’s Cardinal O’Hara less than 24 hours later, getting off to the start it wanted and then answering everything the rest of the way to beat the Hawks 55-
46.
Hot early shooting keyed a 21-12 advantage through one period, one that Liverpool would mostly maintain through the game’s middle stages even though it only scored 18 total points in the second and third periods.
Finding her game rhythm again, Cunningham managed 15 points and the attack remained well-balanced behind her. Gia Kinsey managed 13 points, with Gianna Washington getting 11 points and Angie Kohler putting in nine points.
Having fallen to no. 14 in the state Class AAA rankings after the Shen defeat behind C-NS at no. 11, Liverpool got back on the court Friday night against West Genesee and roaring past the Wildcats 69-37.
With WG missing its top scorer, Bella Quinones, Liverpool shut down the Wildcats throughout the first half and did not let up until it had established a 42-12 advantage that kept growing in the third
quarter, too. Cunningham worked her way to 20 points followed closely by Kinsey earning 18 points as Washington (11 points) also hit double figures. Brynlee Elkins paced the Wildcats with 11 points. As this went on, C-NS was just as dominant taking out Fayetteville-Manlius 7228, peaking in the third quarter when it held the Hornets to a single free throw after it already had a 36-19 halftime advantage.
Benedict kept getting open and kept making outside shots, ultimately converting seven 3-pointers on her way to a season-best 27 points. Villnave earned 12 points, with Gasparini contributing nine points.
Liverpool meets Henninger in its only game this week before a closing stretch that includes C-NS after back-to-back games against Baldwinsville, while the Norhstars have its own game against West Genesee that same Wednesday night.
Liverpool swimmers take defeat to Baldwinsville
By PHil BlACkwEll
One of the big meets of the 2024-25 season for the Liverpool boys swim team would involve challenging its neighbors from Baldwinsville, the reigning Section III Class A champions. Yet even with another standout effort from Jack Cavallerano with wins in four different events, it was the Bees prevailing 50-44.
Starting out in the 200-yard medley relay Liverpool’s time of one minute 49.30 seconds won over B’ville’s 1:57.78 and Cavallerano, part of that event, also helped the 200 freestyle relay side get first place in 1:37.65. In the 200 freestyle Cavallerano’s 1:54.14 was more than five seconds clear of the 1:59.21 of the Bees’ Marco VanCour, who beat out Ryan Vann
(1:59.39) in third place. He then rolled to first in the 100 butterfly in 52.61 seconds beating the field by more than seven seconds.
Sean O’Neil, who specializes in the sprints, won the 50 freestyle in 23.69 well clear of the 25.21 of B’ville’s Owen Nizar, but in the 100 freestyle O’Neil’s 52.22 trailed the Bees’ Alex Nicita going 49.81.
James Hayden went 59.01 seconds to win the 100 backstroke and was second in the 200 individual medley in 2:07.48 to the 2:04.78 of he Bees’ Alex Nicita as Bryce Shutts was third in 2:15.52. Vann added a third in the 500 freestyle in 5:35.43 and Shutts a second in the 100 breaststroke in 1:11.32. Liverpool tuned up for this meet with an impressive effort in its Jan. 17 meet at West Genesee where Cavallerano, O’Neil and Shutts both won two
individual events with quick times.
Cavallerano tore through the 100 butterfly in 51.83 seconds after he had gone 1:49.72 in the 200 freestyle to beat the 1:53.66 from the Wildcats’ Gavin Flanagan, who later won the 500 freestyle.
O’Neil swept the sprints, his 23.65 seconds in the 50 freestyle nearly two seconds ahead of WG’s Jacob Skardinski (25.46) before he claimed the 100 freestyle in 51.58 beating the field by more than five seconds.
Early in the meet Shutts posted 2:12.79 to hold off Hayden (2:15.70) in the 200 IM,following this up in the 100 breaststroke with a victory in 1:10.35 as Jake Knapp (1:15.58) was just behind Skardinski (1:13.51).
Hayden would nearly match his season mark winning the 100 backstroke in 58.67 seconds as Ryan Vann’s 5:38.26
put him second in the 500 freestyle as Flanagan won in 5:08.48. A tight 200 freestyle relay had Liverpool, in 1:38.72, hold off WG (1:38.80) by eight-hundredths of a second as it won the 200 medley relay in 1:50.05 comfortably clear of the Wildcats’ 1:57.35.
Cicero-North Syracuse diver Nate Ornoski would duel again with B’ville’s Nick Pompo last Saturday in the Burgos Diving Invitational. Earning 489.55 points, Ornoski beat everyone except Pompo, who continued his season-long win streak earning 533.20 points. More important for the Northstars was Chris Koegel taking fifth earning 440.75 points and Carter Canastra (437.80 points) in sixth place, each of them just missing the state qualifying standard of 450.00 points.
C-NS wrestlers third at Canandaigua tournament
By PHil BlACkwEll
The Cicero-North Syracuse boys wrestling team was among the top sides in the Jan. 17 Robert Bradshaw Invitational at Canandaigua, picking up 135.5 points for third place in a field of nearly 30 teams trailing only Webster Schroeder (175) and Pittsford (145.5).
Kennedy Thomas was victorious at 152 pounds, beating Wyatt Opferbeck (Pioneer) 9-3 in the semifinals before a 79-second pin of Pittsford’s Zach Gerby in the
title bout.
Three others – Grady Ellsworth (101 pounds), Kasey Kalfass (124 pounds) and Kaydin Welch (190 pounds) – reached the finals only to take defeats either in lopsided decisions or, in Welch’s case, a pin by Trumansburg’s Dikota Hamilton.
Sean Aldrich took fourth place at 145 pounds and Michael Pease did the same at 215 pounds, which were C-NS’s only other top-four finishes.
A day later, Liverpool made a strong return to tournament action with its fourth-
place finish in a 16-team field during the Red Devils Duals at Vernon-Verona-Sherrill. Three LHS wrestlers finished fourth – Aiden Adams-Bovenzi at 116 pounds, Lantz Herrera at 138 and Samir Amiri at 145. Will Cowin got fifth at 160 pounds pinning Fayeteville-Manlius’ Jacob Pavlov in the final seconds as Jon Underwood, at 170, bashed Jamesville-DeWitt/CBA’s Braeden Hennessey 15-3 to match that effort. Terrell Bonner finished sixth at 285 pounds.
The CNS girls wrestling team took a 3918 defeat to Phoenix last Wednesday night, largely because it had to forfeit four bouts, three of them in the lightest weight classes from 94 to 107 pounds. Elise English, at 145 pounds, pinned Lily Amidon in 53 seconds, and Chloe Tice (185 pounds) got a third-period fall over Bailey Edwards as Aniyah Burton (165 pounds) blanked Kensley Kurtz 10-0 and Zoe Patton, at 235 pounds, earned a 16-5 technical fall over Saydee Miner.
C-NS ice hockey ties West Genesee a second time
By PHil BlACkwEll
Parked at no. 14 in last week’s state Division I rankings, the Cicero-North Syracuse ice hockey team would get back-to-back games against the area’s top two large-school teams.
It started last Saturday at the Syracuse War Memorial as the Northstars faced state no. 1-ranked West Genesee, the team it tied 3-3 late in December at Shove Park largely on the basis of Trevor Smith’s 40 saves.
Remarkably, the result of the rematch would exactly match the original, ending 3-3, and the way it got to this tie had to encourage every C-NS fan.
They traded first-period goals, but the Wildcats inched in front 3-2 during the second, determined to finally get
an upper hand.
However, with Smith turning back everything in the late stages, the Northstars only needed to convert once in the third period to catch up – which it did, leading to a second tie between the league rivals.
This led to Tuesday night’s game, C-NS taking on 15-0-1 Rome Free Academy at Kennedy Arena, the Black Knights’ only blemish its 2-2 tie with WG last week in their first encounter since the 2024 sectional final the Wildcats won in overtime.
Before all this, the Northstars hit a snag in last Tuesday’s game against Fayetteville-Manlius, one always carrying intensity because of the fact that they share the same facility at Cicero Twin Rinks.
C-NS lost, 5-4, to the Hornets in a game which would go back and forth from the outset, the main difference the fact that F-M would inch into a 2-1 lead by the end of the first period.
In both the second and third periods, the Northstars would convert, only to have the Hornets answer, especially Jack Lalik, who notched a three-goal hat trick and added an assist as Drew Mayne and Henry Dougherty each got one goal and one assist.
More spread out with its production, C-NS saw Emmit Porter, David Cooley and Dylan Ling each gain one goal and one assist. Alex Kirkby also scored as Gabe Springer, Andrew Gabor, Nate Bustin and Austin Benkoski earned assists and Trevor Smith, in goal, recorded 27 saves.
With little time to fret about it, the
Northstars turned around 24 hours later and, against CNY Fusion, had its most lopsided victory of the season, prevailing by a score of 8-1 with hat tricks from both Bustin and Porter. Tied 1-1 after one period thanks to Jack Hayes’ goal for Fusion, C-NS took over in the second with three unanswered goals and kept adding to the margin late. No one on Fusion’s defense could contain Bustin, whose four goals set a single-game career mark, or Porter, who scored three times to run his season total to 19 while also earning his 17 th and 18 th assists. Cam Walker put in the Northstars’ other goal, while Gabor, Parker Cook, Austin Clarke and Calen Brown all found the assist column.
C-NS boys bowlers get season sweep of Liverpool
B y P H il Bl AC kw E ll
Already the post-season is here for the area’s high school bowling teams, with the boys Section III team championships pegged for this Sunday at Strike-N-Spare Lanes.
Cicero-North Syracuse will be a favorite in the Division I sectional tournament on its home lanes, and once again got the best of Liverpool when they went head-to-head at Flamingo Bowl last Thursday afternoon.
The 7-0 Northstars victory was another showcase for Garrett Arnold, who had a season-best 762 series from
games of 266, 238 and 258, well clear of the best Liverpool series of 614 from Mykey Hatherill who had games of 225 and 234.
Steady otherwise, C-NS got a 579 series from Cameron Miller (212 high game) and 577 series from Terry Miller (high game 217) as Nehemiah Bachmann and Hunter Baciuska had matching 552 totals. Kyle Lake gave Liverpool a 594 series and 223 high game as Kaden Lake (535 series) beat a 512 series from Tanner Gist and 511 series from Jahkir Jackson.
The girls match between C-NS and Liverpool also went 7-0 in the North -
stars’ favor. Trinity Short had a 516 series and 207 high game ahead of Jennifer Draper’s 460 set as Sara Conover led the hosts with two 166 games and a 170 for a 502 total.
Prior to this, C-NS earned a 5-2 win over Fayetteville-Manlius last Tuesday led by Arnold, who shot a 10-strike 278 in his opener, adding a 247 and 191 for a three-game total of 716 which was his season mark until the Liverpool match.
Terry Miller was steady with 228, 219 and 220 for a 667 total, Cameron Miller shooting a 209 in his 572 series and Jayson Gilchrist a 211 in his 568
series as Baciuska closed with a 203 in his 556 series. This happened as C-NS lost 7-0 to F-M on the girls side. Short led the Northstars with a steady 502 series, with Draper’s 446 series the only other one above 400 as Samantha Geiss led the Hornets with games of 205 and 190 which were part of a 548 series helped by Ashlynn Yonge’s 495 set. Liverpool’s bowlers would get matches against F-M and Baldwinsville this week to help tune up for the sectional tournaments, both the boys one on Sunday and the girls version on Feb. 9 at Flamingo.
