Star Review digital edition - May 15, 2024

A K-12 TrEE CAmPus

le, lMs plant trees to celebrate designation

In recognition of its designation as a Tree Campus K-12, Liverpool Elementary and Liverpool Middle students, staff and families recently celebrated the honor by planting three trees on the campus.

TheLiverpoolMiddleGreenWarriorsEnvironmental Club was awarded a grant from the New York State Urban Forestry Council for up to $500 worth of educational materials and trees to be planted.

LMS is the only school in Onondaga County to be awarded the grant this year.

In addition to be designated as a Tree Campus K-12, the grant also establishes a TREE TEAM and an educational forestry program/curriculum, which also run as an extracurricular club through the school.

Leanna Nugent, community forestry and natural resources educator for the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Onondaga County, was on hand to assist with the tree plantings, and showed everyone the proper way to plant trees.

Liverpool Central School District Arborist Justin Kinney was on hand to assist with planting, mulching and watering the trees.

LiverpoolVillageMayorStaceyFinneyand the village’s tree committee donated mulch needed to help students maintain the health of the new trees, and Bartlett Tree Experts donated red tree saplings for everyone to take

home to plant.

Everyone in attendance was asked to sign a poster of a tree, which will be framed and hung at LMS to commemorate the event.

Tree Campus K-12, an Arbor Day Foundation Program, inspires collaboration between schools, students, and communities to facilitate experiences with trees as a learning tool.

The program encourages schools and educators to create purposeful opportunities for students to interact with trees by offering resources as well as a framework for becoming recognized and celebrating their efforts with their community.

The Green Warriors Environmental Club is open to all students who are interested in activism within the community on issues related to environmental conservation and Communications Office 195 Blackberry Road Liverpool, NY 13090 Telephone 315-622-7132 sustainability.

The purpose is to expose students to environmental issues, especially local ones, and engage in local activism and advocacy.

In recognition of this designation, a tree planting ceremony was held at the school on Saturday, May 4.

Will retain 300 jobs, create nearly two dozen

County Executive McMahon last week announced that Clinton’s Ditch Co-Operative Company Inc., located on Pardee Road in the town of Cicero, plans to embark on an expansion of their current facility.

The projected expansion cost is $40,786,706.

The existing facility would expand by approximately 100,000 square feet from its current footprint of 274,000 square feet.

The proposal also calls for the creation of a new 19,520 square foot truck repair facility as well as wastewater improvements.

“Clinton’s Ditch has been a staple in our local business community for nearly 60 years,” McMahon said. “While there is plenty to celebrate with all of the new investments taking place, it is important that we continue to support our local companies such as Clinton’s Ditch.” McMahon thanked Clinton’s Ditch “for their partnership and commitment to Onondaga County and Central New York.”

“This planned expansion will not only allow the company to grow their number of employees, but further build upon their already impressive growth,” he said. Founded in 1967 as a New York State Cooperative, Clinton’s Ditch started as an independent bottler of Pepsi Cola, marked by its groundbreaking in 1968 on the 150th Anniversary of the Erie Canal.

Originally, it was initiated by 18 New York State independent Pepsi-Cola bottlers with the goal of producing Pepsi in aluminum cans, eventually expanding to bottling.

With successive expansions, the plant grew from 47,000 to 274,000 square feet, becoming a major producer of carbonated soft drinks, seltzers, energy drinks and purified water.

Structured as a cooperative, Clinton’s Ditch operates under a unique model where customers are also owners.

All profits, except those necessary for debt obligations, are annually returned to the owners. While four of the owners are multigenerational family businesses, the fifth, Pepsico, maintains no direct affiliation beyond being a supplier, with no potential for assistance from the corporation.

Liverpool, C-NS baseball both beat West Genesee

by Phil blACKwEll

Going into the final week of the regular season, the Liverpool and CiceroNorth Syracuse baseball teams sported strong records but still had the capability of changing their eventual playoff seeding.

Of particular delight for the Warriors was the way it turned things around against West Genesee, grinding out a 3-2 win over the Warriors in Camillus just three days after falling to them 9-2 at home.

Single runs in the first, third and fourth innings built up a 3-0 advantage. WG battled back, scoring in the fourth and fifth innings, but Nate Benjamin blanked the Wildcats the rest of the way, overcoming nine hits and two walks by striking out six while scoring twice and adding an RBI at the plate. Sam Benzinger scored the other run.

Good as this was, it didn’t even carry over for 24 hours as, going to Fayetteville-Manlius a day later, the Warriors

were upended 12-2 by the Hornets.

Dylan Wiggins pitched, going 3 1/3 innings. F-M got a 3-0 lead on him and then lit up Liverpool’s relievers for four runs in the fourth and five runs in the sixth to pull away. Benjamin and Anthony Testone both got RBIs as Anthony Giuffrida led the Hornets with three RBIs.

But Liverpool returned home Thursday and, in the rematch with F-M, won it 7-1, with Tyler Vivacqua surrendering a first-inning run but then blanking the Hornets the rest of the way, striking out eight in his complete-game threehitter.

Three runs in the second put the Warriors ahead for good and it added three more runs in the next two innings. Jameson Stevens had two hits as he joined Vivacqua, Nate Benjamin and Chris Baker in the RBI column.

C-NS, meanwhile, started out its week on a strong note against a pair of SCAC Empire division foes, going to Central Square last Monday and won

9-2, pitching ace Kaden Kalfass striking out 14 and limiting the Redhawks to three hits.

A five-run second inning was all the Northstars needed, though it added three runs in the third as Mason Mingle and Shacory Williams had two RBIs apiece, with Carter King, Andrew Davis, Kyle Gancarz and Battista Wood also driving in runs.

What followed, a day later, against Oswego was a case of C-NS using one big inning to carry itself through the rest of the game on the way to defeating the Buccaneers 14-9.

Up 1-0 going to the bottom of the second, C-NS erupted for 10 runs in that frame, and then reinforced that work with a three-run fourth inning even as Oswego made up half the ground.

Davis led the way with a single, double, triple and four RBIs. Jaden Zimmer, Kenton Cochran and Jeremy Palmer drove in two runs apiece, with Zimmer scoring three times as Mingle, Gancarz, Williams and Ben Watkins also drove in

runs. Then C-NS had its own game with West Genesee on Thursday and prevailed 9-4, breaking out of a 2-2 tie when it plated six runs in the bottom of the fifth off Wildcats starter Colin Crinnin.

Watkins and Cochran both got a pair of RBIs, while Mingle was three-forthree with two runs scored. Davis added two hits and two runs scored as Justin Coyne pitched well, limiting WG to four hits in his complete-game effort.

Liverpool entered the week off a 13-2 win over East Syracuse Minoa on May 4, a game where it scored eight runs in the bottom of the first inning to seize control as Benjamin went three-for-three with two singles, a double, two walks and four runs scored.

Vivacqua finished with three RBIs, while Baker doubled and drove in two runs. RBIs also went to Stevens, Austin Burch and Chase Refici as Anderson Roden pitched five innings to earn the victory before Ryan Densmore closed it.

Submitted photoS

In recognition of its designation as a Tree Campus K-12, Liverpool Elementary and Liverpool Middle students, staff and families recently celebrated the honor by planting three trees on the campus.

liverpool school district to launch second round of mascot name surveys

The Liverpool Central School District is launching a second round of surveys to help determine Liverpool’s new name.

The Liverpool Mascot Committee has reviewed submissions from the Mascot Suggestion Survey, which took place in January.

Based on the initial community survey, the committee has determined that it will keep the current logo and has narrowed the community’s suggestions to 10 potential names.

These choices speak to the honor, strength and spirit that has always represented the hard work of

Liverpool’s teams, clubs, programs and student body.

The options are:

Centurions

Champions

Commanders

Gladiators

Guardians

Lancers

Legends

Liverpool (No Nickname)

Spartans

Titans

Liverpool CSD students in kindergarten through eighth grade will participate in a student survey the week of May 13.

Liverpool Central School District Director of Fine Arts Adam Shatraw recently announced that six Liverpool High School students were honored with the Senior High All County Jazz honors.

Earning recognition were sophomore Troy Toscano, junior Allie Pastore, junior Ella Culligan, senior Andrew Corrigan, sophomore Makenna Baker and senior Braelee Rheaume.

The 2024 All-County Jazz Festival was held in April at Skaneateles High School.

The Onondaga County Music Educators Association sponsors the festival.

s ix l iverpool h igh s chool students recently received s enior h igh All County Jazz honors. Pictured, from left, are sophomore Troy Toscano, junior Allie Pastore, junior Ella Culligan, senior Andrew Corrigan, sophomore m akenna b aker and senior b raelee r heaume.

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Liverpool High School students (9-12) will participate in the survey on May 16.

A community survey will open on Friday, May 17. To participate in the survey, visit surveymonkey. com/r/G8LRN25. The survey will close on Friday, May 24, at midnight.

In April 2023, the New York State Board of Regents voted unanimously to approve new rules banning the use of Native American culture in schools.

This regulation requires school districts which currently use indigenous team names, logos, and mas -

cots to eliminate the use of all indigenous names, logos, or mascots by the end of the 2024-2025 school year. While the district adopted a Roman Warrior logo 20 years ago, the New York State Education Department determined that the term Warrior is still connected to the Native American culture, and must be replaced.

Learn more about the Mascot Committee’s work by visiting the Liverpool Mascot section of the Liverpool CSD website at liverpool. k12.ny.us/about/liverpool-mascot/ index. North syracuse senior named

Thomas A. Wills II, of Cicero, a senior at North Syracuse High School, was recently named a 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholar

Wills is one of 161 high school seniors from across the country recognized as a Presidential Scholar this year for their accomplishments in academics, the arts, and career and technical education fields.

“The 161 high school seniors selected for the 60th anniversary of the U.S. Presidential Scholars represent the best of our nation’s schools and inspire hope in the bright future of this country,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona.

“On behalf of President Biden, I am delighted to celebrate their accomplish-

ments, and encourage these scholars to continue to aim high, lift up others, and embrace opportunities to lead.”

The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars selects scholars annually based on academic success, excellence in the arts and in technical education, through essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as a demonstrated commitment to community service and leadership. Of the 3.7 million students expected to

LensCrafters opens new store in Cicero

LensCrafters, part of EssilorLuxottica and one of the largest optical retail brands in North America, announces the opening of the company’s newest store in Cicero on May 10. LensCrafters was previously located in Great Northern Mall which closed in December 2022. The new store, located at 38003 Route 11, will reinforce the company as a trusted optical retail leader in the region.

“This latest opening in upstate New York is part of LensCrafters’ continued dedication to serve all communities in North America,” said Alfonso Cerullo,

president of LensCrafters. “The new location in Cicero will make it more convenient to offer customers access to important products and services around eye care and vision solutions.”

The new location will be equipped with high-resolution digital screens and led-walls displaying eyewear and campaigns to allow customers an immersive experience. Interactive applications installed both on iPads and touch screens showing prescription lenses will simulate prescription lens features and effects for better vision.

shimmer holds ribbon cutting

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A ribbon cutting for shimmer spiritual and holistic healing Arts, 1001 Vine s t., l iverpool , was held on March 22. Offerings at Shimmer include Reiki, sound therapy, yoga, breathwork classes, aura readings, tarot card readings, oracle card readings, workshops, emotional freedom technique, original art and a gift shop. For more information call sharon at 680-895-0194.

Elements of health opens in liverpool

Elements of health wellness center, featuring acupuncture and chiropractic services, recently held a ribbon cutting celebrating opening its doors at 205 First St., Liverpool.

Practitioner Dr. Jordan michael maxwell earned his bachelor of science degree in biochemistry from SUNY Oswego and his doctorate of chiropractic and certification in whole foods nutrition at New york Chiropractic College. he earned his second doctorate in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine at Pacific College of Health Sciences in San Diego. For more information visit elementsoh.com.

l From page 2 Scholar

graduate from high school this year, more than 5,700 candidates qualified for the 2024 awards determined by outstanding performance on the College Board SAT or ACT exams or through nominations made by chief state school officers, other partner recognition organizations and YoungArts, the National Foundation for the Advancement of Artists.

As directed by Presidential Executive Order, the 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholars are comprised of two students from each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and U.S. families living abroad, as well as 15 chosen at-large, 20 scholars

in the arts and 20 scholars in career and technical education.

Created in 1964, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program has honored over 8,200 of the nation’s top-performing students. The program was expanded in 1979 to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, literary and performing arts. In 2015, the program was again extended to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields. 2024 is the program’s 60th anniversary.

The Presidential Scholars Class of 2024 will be recognized for their outstanding achievement this summer with an online recognition program.

ese are my thoughts about Chuck… With a few more from people you might know…

When I rst met Chuck Jonick, he was just one of the many people in the golf world I had met along my journey through golf and life. I was trying to convince him to buy a sponsorship on my radio show to promote his driving range. I thought it was going to be easy.

He immediately picked up on my loud, bold, competitive nature and responded with his own style of “negotiating” by using his knowledge, experience and self educated and well deserved “Doctorate in Psychology”, to foil a well meaning plot by a radio jock who was trying to pic his pocket for a few bucks of advertising. By the time I le his Pro-Shop, two hours later, I was waving the white ag of surrender. I had met my match! Every year, for the next 25 years, Chuck has been a guest on my radio show 3-4 times during the golf season because he earned my respect and admiration for the way he treated his customers, conducted his business, his life and expressed his passion for the game of golf.

Whenever I entered the front door (bell ringing) to the Pro Shop and he was there talking to a customer, he immediately looked to see who was coming in and proudly said, in his “Walter Brennen” style voice, “Hi Perry, I want you to meet someone”. His introductions became legendary in CNY, not because he remembered our rst and last names but because he also knew the names of our children and where we worked and played golf. He was a proud man and knew he had a gi for remembering names and couldn’t wait for the opportunities to show o that talent. Chuck Jonick knew who he was, better than the rest of us who thought we did. He was thankful and grateful that he was doing what he loved to do best…teach people how to play golf and respect the game. I have been fortunate to have had Chuck be part of my life. I will cherish every personal conversation I ever had with him.

I visited Chuck at Up-State Hospital on the evening before he passed away..early the following morning. He seemed restful and at peace with himself. I raised my voice to see if I could get his attention and detected a slight twitch in his le eyebrow. I honestly believe he heard me say I was bringing best wishes from all of his customers and friends. I also asked him if he could be a guest on my show on Saturday morning. My show that weekend was all about Chuck’s life and career in CNY teaching about 50,000 people how to play golf. I also had the honor of saying a few words about him at his “Celebration of Life” event on May 4th at his driving range where hundreds of his customers and friends gathered, along with his family, to share their stories about him. You might recognize some of the following names of people who knew Chuck that I asked to share their thoughts about him.

From: Coach, Jim Boehiem

“He was a great guy who loved to teach golf to all!! Young…old…men..women…good or bad golfers. He would work with them. A true teacher”.

From: Jim Yeager, PGA, Callaway Golf

“In the 30 years of working with Chuck, he never tired of seeing new products. He would tap them to listen to the sounds, inspect them from every direction and measure them with gauges while I waited for his thoughts and responses. He’d know in two minutes if we had a strikeout, a bloop single or a home run. When I met Chuck to talk business, he would inevitably want to check an order or ask about the cost of a club. He would li up 14 sheets of paper and instantly nd the post-it-note on the window shade in his o ce that he used as his lling cabinet. I have no idea how he kept everything straight but he never seemed to miss anything”.

From: Mark Larson, Former Sports Director, Spectrum, Channel 10

“Four years ago, in the height of the pandemic, I was looking for a truly unique character to be the subject of a story I was asked to produce for Spectrum News. I called the most unique character I’ve ever known, Perry Noun, to get his advice. Perry told me about this guy named Chuck Jonick who had a golf range out in Cicero and had given lessons to the likes of Jim Boehiem and Rick Pitino. Perry said he was a pretty unique guy…which turned out to be the understatement of the decade. Chuck Jonick was your best friend minutes a er meeting him. Chuck was warm. He was funny. He not only ran the range and shop, he was the place. We’ll all miss Chuck for who he was…An old school, down to Earth, salt of the Earth type guy who made everyone’s day a little better just by being in his presence. RIP, Chuck. And hit them well”.

From: Jim Lerch, Host, e Manchild Show with Boy Green, e Score 1260 “ e biggest reason I came to love the Cicero Driving Range was the presence of Chuck Jonick. Chuck signi ed humility, kindness and warmth. He never missed a chance to say, “Hello Jim”. His passion for teaching the game of golf to anyone and everyone was unmatched. When I went out to the range or inside his golf shop, it just felt like home. Chuck just loved to teach. I am forever in his debt and will always remember hearing him in his raised voice reminding me of the fundamentals he taught…’Jim, don’t bring the club back too far. Jim…don’t forget to nish. Jim…keep that front shoulder closed’. It’s safe to say I will never forget Chuck and neither will the thousands of golfers who were lucky enough to interact with him at the Cicero Driving Range. A place he surly called home.

We all loved you Chuck…May you rest in peace.

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. Share your milestone celebrations!

Submitted photo

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The new store is located at 38003 route 11.

OuR vOicE

Teacher appreciation

For those of us who have completed our years of school, from elementary school on to high school and even through college, it is likely we have some perspective that let’s us look back and think fondly of some of our favorite teachers.

Even for students who are still in the midst of their school days, there are probably teachers they have already created special bonds with or moments where they feel that their teacher has made a difference in their lives.

This influence can make a big difference. It can come in any of the myriad things teachers do that resonate with a student.

Whether it is taking those extra minutes to listen when a young student has a story they are excited to share or taking that extra time to help work through a math problem or listening to a student’s ideas on the meaning of a classic book or showing appreciationforwritingskillsorfanningthe flame for students with a love of the arts or music or encouraging them to go the extra mile on the athletic field, teachers have an influence that resonates.

In some cases it can even be this influence that helps us on our path to follow our passions and study harder, or push ourselves to explore new ideas in college or even helping us find our path in our adult lives with careers that were inspired by those little extra bits of encouragement we got from that teacher that we remember years later.

Needless to say the role teachers play in our lives is not one that is easily confined or defined by the strict parameters of the school day and can have a lasting impact on our lives.

According to pta.org, since 1984, the National PTA has designated one week in May as a special time to honor the men and women who lend their passion and skills to educating our children.

Last week, May 6 to 10, was set aside as that week to stop and think about the educators in our lives and the lives of our children and to show our appreciation.

In recent years teachers have shown an incredible ability to adapt and keep working to offer the best possible education for students.

In 2020 as everything closed there was a great deal of uncertainty about so much, including how schools would function.

Teacher rose to the challenge of teaching remotely and adapting lessons to this new reality.

This was no small task and one that had to come together fairly quickly.

Even as schools returned to normal, teachers had to adapt to split schedules where students were present part of the time and remote other days.

And even now as schools have returned to normal teachers are still working to address the challenges that the past couple of years posed, often going the extra mile to help student who may need a little extra help.

This is all in addition to the many hours teachers put in on evenings, weekends and holidays to grade work, prepare lessons, make evaluations and numerous other tasks that cannot be done during the regular school day.

Many teachers even go above and beyond purchasing supplies and other needed materials for their classes with their own money.

For many of us the pandemic may have given us a little more insight into what it is like to be a teacher and a better sense of the work they put in every day.

For many of us this helped give us a deeper appreciation for the role educators play in the lives of our children and this has carried on even as things returned to normal and we see all the work teachers continue to put in for our children.

While the appreciation week has passed, like any other profession, extending courtesy and appreciation can go a long way. It never hurts to reach out to your children’s teachers and have a conversation, ask questions and let them know the work they do makes a difference.

Or for other ideas visit pta.org to get some thought on ways to show appreciation for local teachers.

HOW CAN WE HELP?

rEAD whAT you loVE

Have I mentioned that I love to read?

I began my career as a reader at the Brooklyn Public Library on 53nd and 4th with Pearl Buck’s “Peony.” I was in the fourth grade and my teacher required that all of her students have a library card.

My mother, who also likes to read, was not what you might call excited about my acquisition of a library card because she believed that library books carried germs. With four children who spent a good portion of any given time period in bed, sick, I can appreciate her anxiety, however mistaken she was. I became a regular in the children’s section located on the right-hand side of the first floor at the library. My joy at this access was only exceeded by obtaining a stack pass when I was a junior at Syracuse University.

I really am passionate about reading both well written fiction and non-fiction. Authors that I admire are my heroes, creating a pantheon of names that have trailed along with me over the years. Admittedly, those who were heroes when I was younger sometimes don’t easily withstand the scrutiny of the years. What I enjoyed when I

was less experienced in life is often not what I would select when I reread it now, but they were perfect for who I was then.

My house is filled with books, many left-over from college and teaching, dear in a way that is difficult to explain. I should get rid of them, but I can always find something else to do when the idea pops into my mind. Yes, I have given many books away to friends, to charitable groups, to the library, and still many remain, waiting to be read, fortunately for me. To me, that is like having a freezer full of cheesecake and vanilla ice cream. What a glorious situation.

There was a book club in my life. There were serious book lovers in that group and we looked at the books in ways that you wouldn’t normally examine something that you were reading. I miss that a lot. Because we scrutinized the book club selections from so many different angles, I found out that there was more than one way to get into a book.

Some of my fellow book club members underlined, wrote in the margins, took notes and devoured the texts. I haven’t done that since I was in college or when I was

teaching. I’ve limited my interaction to simply reading for my own pleasure and, in doing so, I’ve also discovered that it is not necessary to read every book that comes into your hands. Some just don’t pass my mind’s filter. I guess that I used to think of reading books in the same way that my mother urged me to eat all of the stuff on my plate … those “starving children” somewhere! Are there starving readers out there in need of books that I don’t want to finish? Failing to finish a book doesn’t go on my permanent record, either.

Right now I have a deliciouslyfabulous favorite author. In fact you might say that I have a crush on him, though I doubt if I could pick him out at a cocktail party, not that I attend many of such affairs or he would entertain attending any that would have me as a guest. Who is it? It is the superb historian, David McCullough, whose enormous tomes can capture my attention for weeks. I’ve finished “The Great Bridge” and “John Adams” and I am half way through “Truman,” but have stopped for a bit because my sister gave me a bag of Janet Evanovich books … the Stephanie Plum novels.

The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind

For 18 days in a row, I’ve strolled by 612 Oswego St., the site of a new village business called thc – The Herbal Center, a cannabis dispensary which opened on April 20. I’ve stopped in a few times and signed up for a membership so I can browse the inventory of smokables and edibles.

Even on days when I didn’t actually visit the center, I’d scope out the sandwich sign which is placed daily in front of the shop, announcing that the Herbal Center is, in fact, open for business.

Then on the 18th day after the shop opened, the sign was nowhere to be seen.

A stiff breeze

I wondered if the local police had closed down the store for violating a 2021 village ordinance prohibiting cannabis dispensaries here. Upon closer examination, however, I discovered that the sandwich sign had simply been blown over by a stiff breeze.

So I lifted the flattened sign from the ground and set it back up on its feet so it could continue to proudly proclaim that the Herbal

Like skipping Christmas

Center still stands open for business.

Both recreational and medical marijuana are now legal in New York state. On March 31, 2021, Albany passed cannabis reform with the signing of the Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act.

Cemetery plantings saturday

You’ve got to give credit to Dr. Mike Romano for his stick-to-itiveness

In 2015, the Village Cemetery Committee which he chaired officially secured listings for the cemetery on both national and state Registers of Historic Places.

Then the committee hired a consultant to study renovations at the memorial park that dates back to 1846. A few improvements were made including a sidewalk climbing the cemetery central hill and the planting of creeping junipers along the steep slopes along Tulip and Sixth streets.

Well, Dr. Romano and his committee are still doing what they can to beautify the old graveyard, and you’re invited to help out this coming Saturday, May 18. At 9

To the editor: Last week’s front page article by Russ Tarby on the May 1 Star Review entitled ‘Memorial Day parade canceled’, reported that this year’s event was removed from the local calendar due primarily to a lack of police staffing.

The village of Liverpool, covers about onesquare mile. One! Surely the Liverpool Police Department (LPD) can spare a few patrol cars for a 2-hour parade, sandwiched between two vitally important ceremonies, encompassing almost the entire village along its route. Namely, Second, Oswego, Tulip and Fifth streets, and back.

When I was growing up here in the 1960s, the LPD consisted of Chief Floyd Harrison and a handful of full and part-time officers operating out of the back of the old Village Hall. They were perfectly capable of providing an adequate police presence for the Memorial Day ceremony and parade, year after year, unabated. Canceling Memorial Day in this village is like somehow skipping Christmas, or some other cherished holiday. Surely the mayor’s office could have taken a step back and tried to remedy the situation before canceling this year’s event outright. Why not, for example, approach the chamber of commerce and obtain last year’s Memorial Day operational plan and re-run it? While difficult, it’s certainly not impossible for

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from the empty nest

ann Ferro

“Read these,” she said, “and be prepared to laugh.” I like laughing but I put them aside until Norma, my endodontist’s mother, who only reads scholarly books about European history, confessed that she devours Evanovich. “Read them,” she said, “You’ll laugh out loud.” So I am reading them and laughing…out loud.

And then … there is the long list of books recommended by a little catalog, Bas Bleu. These are not great literature but the kind of books that substitute for therapy in a world where you are sometimes judged harshly for not reading tomes that examine weighty, often exhaustingly depressing topics. I buy most of them every year and then give them to my sister for Christmas with the hope that she will give them to me. It’s a win-win. We both love to read.

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.

a.m. that day the committee is hosting a “planting party” at the cemetery. Bring your spades and rakes and pitch in!

Another bridge strike

The second crash this year of a truck into the notorious Onondaga Lake Parkway railroad bridge occurred Friday, April 26. A box truck heading southeast from Liverpool smacked into the low bridge at about 8 a.m. that day.

surprise visit

Former Liverpool Mayor Jim Farrell made a surprise visit to the Village of Liverpool Board of Trustees at their April 29 meeting at which they passed next year’s village budget. Farrell applauded Mayor Stacy Finney and the trustees for the way they’re running the local government. Recalling his years in office, 1997 to 2001, Farrell recalled that his administration most appreciated the work of two longtime village staffers, Village Clerk Mary Ellen Sims and former Police Chief Don Morris. Farrell and his wife, Christine, now live in a duplex in Denver

sitting Village officials to accomplish. We owe it to our valiant war dead; deceased family and friends; the public at large; and the two brave police officers who were gunned down in the line of duty only miles from here a few short weeks ago. In short, Memorial Day is far too ingrained in our community mindset to cancel -- for any reason.

Oh well, maybe I’ll take Mayor Finney up on her invitation to attend a Memorial Day celebration in a surrounding community, but somehow it won’t be the same.

PAUL CONDON, FORMER vILLAgE OF liVErPool rEsiDENT SyracuSe

Memorial Day

To the editor:

As Liverpool village residents, my family and I have been among the many people who have enjoyed the annual Memorial Day ceremonies and parade. This year I learned that in order for the parade to continue, the Village of Liverpool would need to take on this responsibility, which had been thoughtfully planned, organized, and funded by the American Legion up until recently. We did not learn of our role until mid-March, and like so many others, I did not realize the time and resources needed to pull off such a large public event. Given our tight timeline, Chief Unger and I leaned toward

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and a summer home on the St. Lawrence in Massena.

Wings fly at Inner Harbor

Several festivals will be hosted at Syracuse’s Inner Harbor this summer, each benefiting a different local non-profit. The 5th Annual Battle of the Wings at Syracuse’s Inner Harbor will take place this weekend, May 17-18. Festivalgoers will Indulge in delectable Buffalo-style chicken wings from numerous local restaurants, savor craft beers, enjoy live music and witness a breathtaking fireworks display. Sponsored by Dan-O’s Seasoning, proceeds support the Jim & Juli Boeheim Foundation and Griffin’s Guardians. last word

“Keep that skillet good and greasy all the time.” – Grand Ol’ Opry entertainer Uncle Dave Macon.

the side of safety for all and made the difficult decision to put a pause on the parade for this year. Now that we are aware of what is needed, we are prepared both logistically and financially to resume the parade next year.

In the media interviews that I did, I spoke of the need for younger people to join the VFW and American Legion. It was unfortunate that this message was edited out. But, I cannot stress enough how vital these organizations are to this and so many other community events. Their membership has decreased drastically, in large part because so few know how to become members and some of the many benefits of membership. I urge anyone that had a family member that served to look into it. I also urge all to reach out to neighbors who are veterans and offer a hand: help with yard work, shoveling, running errands or sharing a cup of coffee and conversation. Doing these things would be another way to honor the men and women that gave so much.

The Liverpool Memorial Day Parade has been a valued tradition, and I share in the disappointment that it will not be happening this year. But, I urge everyone to attend the two events that will take place in the Village of Liverpool that are expressions of the meaningful and honorable tributes associated with Memorial Day: the placement of flags at the Liverpool

Ramblings

Livin’ in Liverpool russ tarby

FROM THE MAILBAG

Kathy l lutz Kaelin, 95 lived for her family

Kathy L. Lutz, 95, of Baldwinsville, passed away Saturday, May 4, 2024, at Menorah Park. Born in Amsteg, Switzerland, she lived in Milwaukee, WI, before moving to Baldwinsville in 1971.

Kathy had an amazing green thumb and loved to spend time in her garden. She enjoyed cooking, spending time with her family, and was a member of St. Mary’s Church in Baldwinsville.

libby rubenstein, 86 trailblaze for women in the workplace

Libby Rubenstein, 86, died with her family by her side in the comfort of her home on Monday, May 6, 2024.

Born on Aug. 27 in Corning, N.Y., to Morton and Ethel Rosenbloom, she had been a resident of Syracuse since 1962.

Libby was a graduate of Buffalo University. After she and Arnie were married in 1961 they lived in Germany for a year before returning to Syracuse. She taught French and English at Liverpool High School. She was also fluent in German. Once her children Phil and Mara were born she stopped teaching and became a full time mom.

She returned to the family business, United Radio, once the children were independent enough to manage without her being home.

Libby was the warrantee manager of the

mary l. scott, 77 retired elementary school teacher

Mary Louise Scott, 77, of Skaneateles, passed away at home surrounded by her family on May 7, 2024, following a courageous three-year battle with ovarian cancer.

She was born Mary Louise DeLilli on May 18, 1946, in Gloversville, N.Y., to Commie and Connie DeLilli.

She was blessed to grow up with her brother, Nicholas DeLilli (Gail) and enjoyed the Italian American family upbringing that cultivated lifelong relationships with numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Mary graduated from Gloversville High School in 1964 and then attended college at SUNY Brockport, where she graduated with a degree in early childhood education. She earned her New York state teaching certification and enriched the lives of children as an elementary school teacher

Kathy was predeceased by her husband Ernst almost 25 years ago; and four brothers. Ernst met her in Switzerland and was so taken with her, that he followed her to Milwaukee where they settled down and started a family. Surviving are her sons, Carl (Deborah), of Clay, Eric (Zita) of Vilters, Switzerland, and Marcel (Mary) of Bladwinsville; daughters, Erika (Markus) Graf of Interlaken, Switzerland and Monica Endenburg of Woodside, Australia; 12 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She will be remembered as a woman

automotive division. More importantly, she was greatly influential in developing the culture of United Radio. She set the bar for the many women employees who were so fortunate to work under her supervision. She was a true trailblazer and coach for women in the workplace.

Libby was a past president of the Women’s Division of Syracuse Jewish Federation and received an award for her outstanding leadership; was a lion of Judah and a life time member of Hadassah.

Libby and Arnie were well travelledthey visited all 50 states and around the world.

Her family includes her beloved husband Arnie of 62 year, their children Phil (Cami) and Mara (Mark) Charlamb; and grandchildren Brian, Jacob, Elle and Peter. Funeral services were at Temple Adath Yeshurun, burial was in Adath Yeshurun Cemetery. Visit sisskindfuneralservice. com

in the Cazenovia Central School District in Cazenovia and at Ogdensburg Elementary School in Ogdensburg, N.Y. After retirement, Mary Louise dedicated her time to the Head Start Program in Madison County where she continued to enhance the lives of young children.

In 1964 Mary Louise met her beloved husband, John Scott. They met at college and have been married for 56 years. She is survived by her husband as well as their three children: Keli Scott, Keri O’Connor (Pete) and Kevin Scott and four grandchildren: Sydney Ciota, Noah O’Connor, Julia O’Connor and Jackson Scott. Mary Louise’s heart was so full of boundless love for her family, including so many nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and cherished friends.

Mary Louise was blessed with good health until her cancer diagnosis. She and John cherished time with family and friends above all. She enjoyed both domes-

dedicated to her family. With her children and grandchildren spread all over the world, she was the matriarch that kept them all connected. Her strength, independence, kindness, love for her family and selfless nature are things that made Kathy so admirable to all.

Family and friends were invited to pay their respects during calling hours last Friday, May 10 at the Falardeau Funeral Home, Baldwinsville. A graveside service was held Monday, May 13 at Riverview Cemetery in Baldwinsville.

Kathy l lutz

George randall air Force veteran, ob/GyN oncologist

George Randall, a lifelong resident of Skaneateles, passed away on May 6, 2024. Born in 1933 to Ethan and Jane Randall, George graduated from Skaneateles High School class of 1951, and continued his education at Syracuse University where he met his future wife. George attended Upstate Medical School followed by an OB/GYN residency and eventually a fellowship in GYN Oncology at M.D. Anderson in Houston.

George served honorably in the USAF for 21 years before returning to Skaneateles where he continued to practice OB/GYN Oncology for 18 years. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, fixing things around the house (he could fix anything), and spending time playing his clarinet in the Auburn Civic Band.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Sydney; his daughters, Sharon, Cindy Taylor (Chris), Margie and Pam; and his

tic and international travel, hiking, gardening, winters in St. George Island, FL, bird watching, quilting, painting, drawing, writing, yoga, cooking and, above all, making the world a better place. Her compassion, kindness and ability to make everyone feel loved is a gift that all who knew her will forever hold close in their hearts.

Services for Mary Louise will be held on Saturday, May 25, 2024 at 11 a.m. at St. James Episcopal Church, 96 E Genesee St., Skaneateles, NY 13152. Services will be immediately followed by a visitation and lunch reception in the beautiful church hall overlooking Skaneateles Lake.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made, in Mary’s name, to St. James Episcopal Church in Skaneateles, Hospice of CNY or the American Cancer Society/Ovarian Cancer Donation.

Support: St. James - St. James’ Skaneateles (stjamesskan.org)

To send condolences, visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

Donate Today - The American Cancer Society Donate - Hospice of Central New York & Hospice of the Finger Lakes (hospicecny.org)

To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

granddaughter Courtney Carlile (Alex). Services are private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Presbyterian Church of Skaneateles or the Finger Lakes SPCA of CNY in Auburn.

George randall

mary l scott

Cemetery on Saturday, May 25 at 9 a.m., and the Johnson Park Ceremony on Monday, May 27 at 9 a.m. These events, along with supporting the VFW and American Legion, are how we can also pay homage to our fallen heroes.

I hope to see many of our wonderful community members there.

MAYOR STACY L. FINNEY Village of liVerpool

All are welcome

To the editor:

Many residents in the Village of Liverpool and beyond have been contacting my office with concerns regarding the cancellation of the 100+ year old tradition of honoring our fallen heroes with a Memorial Day parade.

With the village’s cancellation of their parade, I would love to remind residents of the Town of Salina’s second annual Veterans Outreach Memorial Weekend Car Show.

The car show will take place right at the Mattydale VFW Post 3146 on Le Moyne Avenue from noon to 3 p.m. and will raise funds to benefit the CNY Chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America, which advocates for veterans right here in our community.

I am incredibly proud of the strong sup-

port my Salina team and I are able to provide to veterans in our town. With the buy-in of the town board, we remain the only town in Onondaga County that has a full-time veterans outreach coordinator in place. Our excellent coordinator, Mike Hart, works to ensure all those who dedicated their lives to our country and our community are aware of and able to take advantage of various veterans resources at all levels of government.

Whether you’re from the Village of Liverpool, the Town of Salina, or anywhere in Central New York, come join us at the Town of Salina Veterans Outreach Memorial Weekend Car Show as we honor our fallen, enjoy good times, and support a great cause.

NiCK PAro town of Salina SuperViSor Memorial Day memories

To the editor:

I’ve lived in Liverpool my entire life and participated in Memorial Day parades in the village since childhood. At most of those parades, I saw with my Dad, Garrey Curry, as the parade marshall worked hard putting the parade together, he started not long after he hung up his red Santa suit.

On the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, you would find Dad and other members

of the American Legion Post #188 placing flags on every veteran’s grave. The last few years have found fewer Legionnaires and more Boy Scouts, as the legionnaires have aged and physically been unable to continue the tradition on their own.

Like the cemetery, the ceremony in Johnson Park on Memorial Day morning has always held a special place in my heart. Dad passed away May 25, 2019. Even that year, in our grief, we went to Johnson Park, because that was our Memorial Day tradition. We didn’t stay for the parade, but we absolutely stayed for the service.

While a parade brings a community together, it does not necessarily honor our veterans. Last year I watched as parade coordinators struggled at the last minute to find a place for our veterans to be in the parade.

I watched in disappointment as veterans were divided up and placed in different political candidates’ cars, nothing to distinguish the honored passengers. It was then I realized the community had forgotten the real reason for the day. Memorial Day tradition isn’t only about parades. It’s about the flags carefully placed at every gravestone. It’s the dinging of the bell, as the name of each departed is read. It’s listening to the reading of In “Flanders Fields” by John McRae.

The American Legion Post 188 organized the parade for 70 plus years. It was in the later years that their members began to age and were physically unable to organize it, and the chamber of commerce took over. This year, while some of us were willing to help, none of us were able to chair, and there was simply not enough time to plan a parade.

Next year, there will be a parade organized by community members for the community, and the tradition will continue. It will be done thoughtfully, and carefully, ensuring we don’t forget about the same people we gather to cherish. If you want to pay homage this year, you still can.

There will still be flags placed at graves starting at 9 a.m. on May 25 in the village cemetery and there will still be a moving ceremony at 9 a.m. in Johnson Park on May 27. What better tribute to our veterans than to show up and honor those who gave everything for our freedom?

As a community, Liverpool is better than finger pointing and grandstanding. Let’s rise to the occasion and support our local veterans this Memorial Day weekend, and step up to volunteer our time to plan next year’s celebration. After all, it takes a village!

Liverpool girls golf gains win over C-NS Green

by Phil blACKwEll

Firmly entrenched in second place in the Salt City Athletic Conference Metro division behind Fayetteville-Manlius Green, the Cicero-North Syracuse Blue girls golf team wanted to, at the very least, make sure it stayed there.

The key to it for the Northstars was knocking off F-M’s other team. F-M White hosted last Monday’s match at Green Lakes, and C-NS Blue got the best of those Hornets 194-209.

Pulling away for individual honors, Is-

abella Borte shot a 41 for nine holes, well clear of the 48 from Abby Hildreth. Lindsey Kubala added a 51 behind the 50 from F-M White’s Emma Li as Chloe Tice contributed a 56.

C-NS Green was 2-6 on the season but added to its win total last Monday at Greens at Beaumont by taking out Baldwinsville’s younger White squad 221-245.

Jessica Barnes, shooting 47, was eight strokes ahead of the low total of 55 by the Bees’ Kate McManus. Three other Northstars – Meghan Spink, Bethany Brandt (57 each) and Grace DiOrio (60) – beat out Mia

Cummings’ 61 as Mariah Wanken had a 63 and Mija Beganovic added a 66.

A day later, though, C-NS Green lost to F-M Green, who set a team record in a 162-215 decision. Barnes shot 49, which all six Hornets players equaled or bettered, led by 40s from Gabby Dardis and Lizzy Noel. Brandt shot 52, with Spink’s 56 beating out a 58 from Sofia Normanly.

Then it was Liverpool’s turn to face C-NS Green on Wednesday afternoon at Hickory Hills, where the Warriors were able to defeat the Northstars 179-189.

Harper Foriero and Maddie Turck went

1-2 for the Warriors, Foriero shooting 39 and Turck 41 ahead of the 45 from Barnes. Chloe Jaquin’s 49 and Sophia Puccia’s 50 helped Liverpool hang on as the Northstars saw Spink, with a 47, beat out rounds from Normanly (48) and Katie Bouziden (49).

Earlier in the week, Liverpool took a 163-197 defeat to West Genesee at Hickory Hills. Foriero shot a 43, beaten by the WG duo of Sophia Simiele (36) and Maddie Barstow (39), while Turck had a 45.Jaquin (54) and Naiah Lyons (55) were behind Wildcats Hollis Pfeiffer and Madalyn Lauricella (44 each).

C-NS girls lacrosse takes 9-8 defeat to Penfield

by Phil blACKwEll

No New York State opponent had defeated the Cicero-North Syracuse girls lacrosse team in 2024 – until last week, anyway.

When it did happen, it was Penfield, from Section V, who pulled it off, proving that its no. 8 state ranking was far from a fluke as it held off the visiting Northstars 8-7 in last Monday night’s action.

Holding an 11-1 record and no. 3 state ranking, C-NS found itself in just the kind of game it does not want, one where the tempo is slowed down and the opposition possesses a capable, consistent defense.

Accustomed to having multiple players with multiple goals, the Northstars had just one player, Mackenzie Prentice, score twice. Five others – Natalie Wilson, Sophia Nesci, Brooke Molchanoff, Marissa Doty and Miabella Gates – had goals.

Emma Alexander’s three goals paced Penfield, with Regan Sercu adding two goals and the Patriots only allowing 12 shots overall.

Tough as this defeat was, it also fired up C-NS, for when it returned to action three nights later at Mike Messere Field it took apart state Class B no. 5-ranked West Genesee in a 16-7 win nearly identical to the 15-4 romp it had over the Wildcats earlier this season.

All of it started with Gabby Putman, who struggled with draws against Penfield, but here grabbed 14 of them, which led to more possessions and to Putman herself netting a game-high four goals.

Molchanoff notched four assists and scored twice, with Elizabeth Smith and Ella Grotto also converting twice. Nesci had a goal and two assists, with Prentice and Gates both earning one goal and one assist.

Wilson, Doty and Graham added goals. Liverpool, who has taken two regularseason defeats to C-NS, nearly upended West Genese, taking a 7-6 defeat to the Wildcats two days before C-NS met them.

Having gained confidence from playing WG close in an 11-8 loss in April, the Warriors took more shots during the game, only to have Wildcats goalie Allie Hanlon stop 11 of 17, ultimately the difference-maker amid a tough defensive battle.

Mia Berthoff led the Warriors with three goals and one assist. Maura Woods converted twice, the other goal going to Lauren Sacco. For the Wildcats, Ashleigh Blanding scored three goals, helped by two goals from Maddie Ryder.

Another close game followed at Fayetteville-Manlius on Thursday night, again decided by one goal – and again going against the Warriors as it fell to the Hornets 12-11.

Between Berthoff’s three goals and four assists and Gianna Carbone’s four goals, Liverpool produced well as Sacco and Woods both scored twice, assists going to Cali Brancato and Isabelle Akley. F-M was led by Taylor Novack and Kathryn McNany getting four goals apiece as Julianna Cogliandro, with a goal and four assists, surpassed 200 career points.

In Saturday’s action, Liverpool again lost a close one, this time 13-11 to Section V’s Webster Thomas, who doubled up the Warriors 8-4 in the first half and then held on in the late going.

Berthoff nearly carried Liverpool (5-9) to victory, pouring in seven goals and assisting on three others. Sacco scored twice, with Woods getting a goal and two assists as Kara Baroody had the other goal and Gianna Tantalo finished with 10 saves.

Track Northstars sweep to titles at B’ville meet

by Phil blACKwEll

Together again, the Cicero-North Syracuse and Liverpool rack and field teams would go to the top of the standings at last Friday’s rain-soaked John Arcaro Coed Classic at Baldwinsville.

And the boys Northstars would join the girls as team champions, earning 64 points to runner-up East Syracuse Minoa’s 45, while the C-NS girls would require 80 points to fend off Liverpool (73) for the top spot. Joe Main gained 18 of those C-NS points. In the discus, his throw of 141 feet 8 inches beat out Skaneateles standout Will Feeney’s 139’9” and, in the shot put, Main’s 48’6 1/2” only trailed Feeney’s 49’4”.

A key win late in the meet came in the 4x400 relay when C-NS’s quartet of Dante Melfi, Dan Henry, Sean Bombard and Tyler Graham went three minutes, 31.58 seconds to hold off the 3:32.86 from Whitesboro.

Graham also took second in the 3,000meter steeplechase in 10:17.39, with Nolan Zinsmeyer third in 10:48.92 as Liverpool

had Davis Farrell sixth and Brian Juston seventh.

Melfi made his way to third place at 1,600 meters in 4:33.50, with Rhett Andrews third at 3,200 meters in 9:44.83. Andrew Potter was fifth in the 110 hurdles in 16.67 seconds and Henry sixth (51.96) in the 400-meter dash.

Finishing fourth on the team side, Liverpool’s boys dominated the 4x800 when Nate Aurello, Roman Murray, Brady Ruediger and Ian Sherlock finished in 8:27.85, more than 20 seconds clear of the field.

Ny’Quez Madison prevailed in the long jump, his 21’7” beating the 21’2 1/4” from ESM’s Jay-Neil McDuffie as Zuriel Dickerson was sixth (19’8”) for C-NS. Madison also had a second-place triple jump of 41’9” to the 41’11 1/2” from Syracuse ITC’s Tristan Bey, with Dickerson fifth at 39’2” as Madison tied for sixth in the high jump, clearing 5’6”.

In the 800-meter run, Murray was second in 2:01.64 to Skaneateles’ Tritan Boucher (2:01.27) as Aurello was fifth (2:05.16) behind the fourth-place 2:05.07 from C-NS’s Dom Petrera. Ruediger later

got sixth place in the 3,200 in 10:03.92. Josh Vang got sixth in the 1,600 in 4:41.55, while Brayden Smith added an eighth in the 400 hurdles in 1:02.25.

Leading the C-NS girls again, Anna Eells tore to victory in the 100 hurdles in 14.92 seconds as Morgan Hayes (15.50) was third, but would top the field in the triple jump by going 36’8 3/4” as Samantha Moreno was fourth with 32’6 3/4”. ‘

Eells later cleared 5’4” in the high jump, second to the 5’5” From ESM’s Akuot Kuany, while Grace Murray won the 400 hurdles, her 1:05.36 more than three seconds clear of the field as Aaliyah McDonald finished seventh.

Jaydin Mackey went 12.53 seconds for second in the 100 sprint behind South Jefferson’s Kennady Billman (12.45). Kennedy Jones took third in the 3,000-meter run in 10:40.45 Camilla MacNaught take fifth in the 2,000-meter steeplechase in 8:02.69.

Liverpool’s Mikayla Greene won 400 sprint, her time of 59.73 seconds beating out the 1:00.90 from C-NS’s Alexa Bellknap, while Maddie Devendorf went

17’4” in the long jump to win over Hayes’ second-place jump of 17 feet. Then Greene would pair with Mia Wright, Maddie Devendorf and Nahla Battle-Crenshaw to win the 4x100 in a quick 48.91, no one else breaking the 51second mark.

Layla Pearl Collins won the pole vault, the only competitor to clear 9’6” as CNS’s Natta Luangaphay (Nahla BattleCrenshaw added a fourth (12.93) in the 100 sprint. Taylor Page added a title in the 800 in 2:17.33, well clear of a field where the Northstars’ Cameron Sisk (2:25.40) was fifth.

Also, the Warriors won the 4x800 as part of a girls/boys sweep. Paige Baker, Kaitlyn Hotaling, Charlotte Warner and Addison Ziegler went 10:02.15 to pull away from runner-up Chittenango (10:10.89).

Wright, in 26.28 seconds was second to Billman (25.57) in the 200-meter dash. Hotaling finished third in the 1,500-meter run in 4:57.13 as Warner (5:06.14) got fourth place, with Paige Baker sixth in the 3,000.

C-NS softball gets second win over Baldwinsville

by Phil blACKwEll

An exciting week of softball brought plenty of action for the Liverpool and Cicero-North Syracuse as they both faced their neighbors from Baldwinsville and ended up with very different results.

In the Northsrars’ case, it involved rallying last Tuesday at the Gillette Road complex and, in eight innings, knocking off the Bees 3-2, the second time this spring C-NS has got the best of B’ville.

Having won 3-0 at B’ville in April, the Northstars leaned heavily on sophomore pitcher Kiyara Bentley, who went 7 1/3 innings and matched the effort of Bees ace Bella Hotchkiss.

Aubrey Coyle’s fourth-inning RBI single scored Sydney Puttkamer and put the Northstars up 1-0. There it stayed until the seventh, when B’ville tied it and then added a run in the top of the eighth for a 2-1 advantage.

Hotchkiss could not get the final three outs, though, allowing Sydney Rockwell

and Eva Farone to reach base and Coyle double both of them home to win it. Bembry struck out nine before Lillian Hotaling earned the final two outs.

Two days later, it was Liverpool’s turn, the first time it had encountered B’ville since last spring’s Section III Class AA title game. Now, as then, it was the Bees getting the best of it, prevailing 6-1.

Mackenzie Frani’s RBI single gave the Warriors an early 1-0 advantage, but from there it could not get on the board against Hotchkiss, who got tremendous defense behind her which limited Liverpool to three hits overall.

After the Bees tied it 1-1 in the second, it stayed that way until the fifth, when a dropped fly ball led to a two-run rally, both of them scoring on Layla Trendowski’s bloop single.

Three insurance runs followed in the sixth, two of them getting home on runscoring hits from Jenna Martin and Marissa McCloud, Frani having these late struggles despite accumulating 10 strikeouts.

Before this, Liverpool had to hold on to beat West Genesee 4-3, the second time this spring these two sides had engaged in a close one, the Warriors having prevailed 6-4 in Camillus back in mid-April.

A first-inning Liverpool run held up until WG tied it, 1-1, in the top of the fourth. It stayed that way until the bottom of the fifth, when the Warriors solved Wildcats pitcher Maria Brandt for three runs.

Brooke Tyler’s clutch single drove home a pair of runs. Katia Flavin set the tone, going three-for-three and scoring twice. Joelle Wike added a single, double and RBI.

Still, WG made it interesting, scoring twice in the top of the sixth to move within a run, only to Frani get the final three outs to complete a game where she got 12 strikeouts against three hits and three walks allowed.

After the loss to B’ville, Liverpool got back in the win column on Saturday afternoon with a sweep of Section V foes, starting with an 8-2 win over Rush-Henrietta.

Lexi Goodfellow pitched and went all seven innings, holding the Royal Comets to six hits and earning six strikeouts. Still, Liverpool trailed 1-0 until it tied the game in the fourth and erupted with a six-run fifth inning.

Emily Nestor’s three-run home run was the big blow, with Frani adding a double, single and two RBIs. Wike and Luciana Deuel also drove in runs.

In the other game, the Warriors battled past Section V’s Webster Thomas in a 6-4 decision. Despite allowing single runs in each of the first four innings, Liverpool, with a run in the first and three runs in the second, were tied 4-4, where it stayed until a two-run rally in the seventh inning decided matters. Frani not only pitched another complete game, she got three hits at the plate, all singles, and scored twice. Ava Falvo drove in two runs as Alexis Mathers doubled twice and joined Tyler and Nestor in the RBI column.

C-NS flag football team shuts out Liverpool, 19-0

by Phil blACKwEll

For the second time this spring, the Liverpool and Cicero-North Syracuse flag football teams were together squaring off on a Friday night, with a result far different from when they first met April 19. Back then, it was all Warriors in a 26-6 victory, but the second encounter at a rainsoaked Bragman Stadium would see the Northstars, on home turf, shut down Liverpool.

The resulting 19-0 victory, featuring a trio of C-NS touchdowns, improved that team’s overall record to 6-5-1, nearly identical to Liverpool’s 6-5 as the inaugural Section III flag football playoffs loom late this week. What made the Northstars’ performance even more impressive was that Liverpool was coming off, arguably, its best win of the season, achieved two days earlier against

Baldwinsville at LHS Stadium.

Boasting a 7-1 record and the confidence from blanking the Warriors 26-0 when they first met in April, B’ville could not have imagined just how much Liverpool had improved in the three weeks since.

Solving the Bees’ defense for four touchdowns, the Warriors upended B’ville 25-12 for its sixth win in a row, the fifth having come back on Monday when it edged Syracuse East 32-30.

As that took place, C-NS had its own game, against Syracuse Academy of Science, and zoomed past the Atoms 53-7 to get back above the .500 mark just in times for a showdown with Syracuse West, only to take a 19-14 defeat in that latter contest. This flurry of results leads to the sectional playoffs, with all the latter rounds set for late this week and the championship game set for Friday night.