REstoRinG histoRy
In the heart of Cicero stands a testament to the community’s rich educational heritage—a 160-year-old one-room schoolhouse.
Located at 6453 Route 31, near the Thompson intersection, this historical gem has been a silent witness to generations of learners since its construction in 1854.
Now, the Cicero Historical Society is rallying the community to preserve this invaluable piece of local history through an ambitious roof restoration project.
The Cicero Historical Society, established in 1978, has been dedicated to preserving and sharing the town’s heritage for over four decades.
Founded by history-conscious citizens, the society focuses on storing historical records, acquiring artifacts, and displaying exhibits that showcase Cicero’s rich past.
Their mission aims to connect contemporary residents with their local history while preserving it for future generations.
Mallory Albert, president of the Cicero Historical Society and town historian, emphasizes the society’s current priorities.
“We’re mostly interested in just getting the word out about our organization in general, but then also our GoFundMe and the fundraising that we’re doing to replace the roof,” she said.
This dual focus underscores the immediate need for the roof restoration while also highlighting the society’s broader mission of historical preservation and education.
It encompasses more than
‘Be a good neighbor’ Planning board member offers advice to american High’s owner
By Russ tARBy Contributing Writer
At its monthly meeting on the evening of Monday, Aug. 26, the village of Liverpool Planning Board welcomed American High owner Jeremy Garelick who wanted to discuss the recently amended special permit his company has to operate a film industry trade school at 800 Fourth St. American High has produced 13 movies here since Garelick purchased the historic school building in 2017. Last year, after directing the Netflix blockbuster, “Murder Mystery 2” – which was not an American High project –Garelick moved his family from Los Angeles to Fayetteville.
“So now I’m here full-time,” Garelick told the planners. A veteran of 25 years in the movie business, Garelick is now spends more time in Liverpool and hopes to iron out American High’s relationship with village government.
Board l Page 2
Bike lane brouhaha
second street neighbors voice worries about dot repaving plan
By Russ tARBy Contributing Writer
At its Aug. 22 meeting, the Village of Liverpool Board of Trustees – Mayor Stacy Finney and trustees Rachel Ciotti and Michael LaMontagne – heard from 12 village residents worried about the state department of transportation’s plan to repave a one-mile stretch of that road.
Because the DOT plans to add bicycle lanes on both sides of the road, the village is considering a prohibition of on-street parking there.
At the trustees July 15 meeting, Finney said she would alert the neighborhood via a letter welcoming public comments on Aug. 22.
Most of the dozen speakers who responded maintained that on-street parking is needed to accommodate elderly relatives, deliveries, lawn services and driveway repairs. Several cited safety concerns and several more complained that vehicles traversing Second Street routinely do so at illegal speeds.
The mayor pointed out that eight letters had been received about the no parking proposal, all but one in opposition.
“About 90 percent of the comments opposed the bike lanes,” she said.
The Karle family, who live in Galeville, favored the DOT plan as a step toward creating a bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly village. Despite their support for bike lanes, the Karles acknowledged that Second Street’s sidewalks should negate the need for a bike lane there.
“If there are sidewalks along Second Street, especially with accessibility ramps at the curbs, then a bike lane is not needed,” they wrote. “Otherwise they are badly needed.”
All seven of the other letters were submitted by village residents who strongly oppose the DOT plan.
Second Street resident Mollie Didio wrote that bike lanes “would negatively impact our daily lives in terms of not being able to park in front of our house, not being able to have visitors park in front of our house struggling even more so to deal with the busy traffic that is a near-constant on Second Street.”
Lisa Wildrick wrote, “I’m not quite certain why there is a need for a bike lane considering that Onondaga Lake Park is literally a street away – which offers fantastic biking, walking and running trails – safely.”
Maureen Wood, who has lived on Second Street for 25 years, argued that adding bike lanes would only “increase the danger of an already dangerous street.”
In her two-page letter, Second Street homeowner Linda Loomis agreed. “Mixed-use traffic is already hazardous on Second,” she wrote.
Loomis described speeding motorcycles and tractor trailers along with countless delivery vans.
“Dog-walkers, stroller-pushers, cane-users and other pedestrians move through, and old ladies like me wait patiently to turn into or pull out of our driveways, watching diligently for traffic moving at several different speeds on road and sidewalk,” Loomis wrote. “A bike lane would add yet one more type of traffic moving at yet another speed.”
JAnEllE DAvis
Submitted photoS the Cicero historical society is working to repair the roof to help preserve the community’s 160-year-old one room schoolhouse.
Schoolhouse
Send your events to adearborn@eaglenewsonline. com. Notices must have the date, time and location of the event. Deadline for submissions is 12 p.m. Friday. No calendar item can be guaranteed for placement in the papers, nor run for multiple weeks, unless it is a paid announcement. All free placement is on a spaceavailable basis. Event information may be subject to change, so be sure to contact the event organizer to confirm the details.
FRIDAY, SEPT. 6
Crafts for Seniors
11 a.m. Salina Free Library. Craft abstract earrings and chat with fellow seniors. Ages 55+. www.salinalibrary.org.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 7
Toddlers Tango
10:30 a.m. Salina Free Library. Join for a fun movement class for toddlers and preschoolers. www.salinalibrary.org.
SUNDAY, SEPT. 8 Arts and Minds: A Showcase of Creative Aging
1 p.m.-3 p.m. The Oaks at Menorah Park, 18 Arbor Ln., Syracuse. The Oaks presents a showcase of elder artists engaged in Syracuse Jewish Family Services’ creative aging programs.
MONDAY, SEPT. 9
Monday Mysteries
4 p.m. Salina Free Library. Meet to discuss Catering to Nobody by Diane Mott Davidson. Art Exhibit and Reception
7 p.m. Salina Free Library. Suzanne Masters’ “Peaceful Places” will be on display through September.
TUESDAY, SEPT. 10
Early Readers Story Time
11 a.m. Salina Free Library. Make learning fun! Children will learn important early literacy and social skills. www.salinafreelibrary.org.
Let’s Eat
6 p.m. Salina Free Library. Create your favorite apple dish and sample all the offerings! Registration required. www.salinalibrary.org.
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 11
Legos Club
4 p.m.-5 p.m. Salina Free Library. Ages 5-12 are invited to build with Legos!
FRIDAY, SEPT. 13
After Hours
6 p.m.-10 p.m. Salina Free Library. The library turns into a social place for the night! Join for a movie, games, crafts, and more.
SEPT. 14-22
Mattydale Hinsdale Seniors Trip to New Orleans
$1444 per person. Contact Susan at 315-243-1581 for information.
TUESDAY, SEPT. 17
Early Readers Story Time
11 a.m. Salina Free Library. Make learning fun! Chil-
l From page 1 Board
Over its years here, American High has grappled with code enforcement and with complaints from neighbors about noise, lights, diesel trucks and crowds.
In reviewing the recently amended special permit, Garelick listed a few things he’d like amended even further, including lengthening the time allowable for filming, allowing the presence of four more school buses and expanding the number of students to be enrolled at the Academy at Syracuse Studios.
Village Attorney Richard Andino told him that such changes were possible but
just the schoolhouse.
It also includes a museum and log house, each offering unique insights into Cicero’s past.
dren will learn important early literacy and social skills. www.salinafreelibrary.org.
TUESDAY, SEPT. 24
Early Readers Story Time
11 a.m. Salina Free Library. Make learning fun! Children will learn important early literacy and social skills. www.salinafreelibrary.org.
SEPT. 30-OCT. 6
Branson Missouri Bus Trip
Sponsored by the Cicero United Methodist Church. $1500 per person (double, or $1947 (single). $300 deposit. Includes transportation and lodging with six breakfasts, show boat lunch cruise, and more. Call Mary at 315-699-7181.
OCTOBER 21-26
Pigeon Forge and Smoky Mountains Show Trip
$950 due August 14. Price includes transportation, lodging, three shows, tour of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, admission to Dollywood, and more. www. grouptrips.com/kathyssmokymountaingroup.
ONGOING EVENTS
THURSDAYS
Family Storytime
10 a.m. NOPL Cicero, 8686 Knowledge Lane. Join Miss Raena for Thursday morning storytime to enjoy stories, songs, and fun! Registration is required; call 315-699-2032 or visit nopl.org.
Adult Exercise: Chair Yoga
9:15 a.m.-10:15 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Marcellus Free Library. $25 for 8-week session. Register at 315-673-3269.
Read, Sing, Play Story Time
10:30 a.m. Skaneateles Library, 49 E. Genesee St. Can’t sit still? No problem! Join us for stories, songs and movement. For ages 18 months to 4 years.
Bingo
4 p.m. Fingerlakes Mall Conference Center, 1570
Clark Street Rd., Aurelius.
Yoga with Becca 6 p.m.-7 p.m. Brewerton Center for the Arts, Rt. 11.
Registration and information: 315-920-8121 or www. yogosnacks.org. All levels welcome.
Baldwinsville Rod & Gun Club
7 p.m. First Thursday of each month. 1405 Kingdom Road, Baldwinsville. Learn about the workings of the club and help us run the organization. For more information, visit bvillerodandgun.com.
FRIDAYS
B’ville Cardio Ball Drumming
9:30 a.m. Canton Woods Senior Center, 76 Canton St., Baldwinsville. Onondaga County Healthy Schools and Communities has provided cardio ball drumming kits for workout classes led by senior volunteer Arlette Folckemer. This fun cardio workout is set to upbeat music and folks can participate and enjoy the class seated or standing. For more information, call Canton Woods at 315-638-4536.
would necessitate a new application to be filed with public hearings to follow.
Planning Board Chairman Bob Bradt said he was satisfied with American High’s response to the board’s concerns over the years.
“You guys have corrected everything we’ve recommended,” Bradt said. “And I’m glad you live [in Central NY] now. That’s going to solve a lot of things.”
Garelick introduced American High’s new director of operations, Vince Walker, an Ithaca native now living in Liverpool.
Also appearing at the Aug. 26 meeting was Andie Schlenker, American High’s bookkeeper and director of development
These structures house both temporary and permanent exhibits, providing visitors with a comprehensive view of the area’s history.
The schoolhouse, which served as an educational institution until 1951, has maintained its original one-room layout.
Its authenticity has sparked renewed interest among locals and tourists alike, with many visiting to see where their grandparents once studied.
Clay Cardio Ball Drumming
10:30 a.m. Clay Senior Center, 4948 Route 31. Gwen McCarroll leads this one-hour class. Free with a Town of Clay Senior Center Membership and Safety ID badge for admission. Drop-in; no entry after the day’s class begins. Equipment provided on a first-come, first-served basis for ball and basket setup.For more information or to sign up for a membership and ID badge, contact Chrissy Clancy at 315-6523800 ext. 137 or cclancy@townofclay.org.
Acoustic Music Jam
7 p.m. Marcellus American Legion, 13 E. Main St. Bluegrass,country and gospel music. All acoustic musicians welcome. $2 donation for free coffee and cookies. For info call 315-673-2329.
SUNDAYS
Cicero UMC Services
8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Cicero UMC, 8416 Brewerton Road. The church is returning to two Sunday services (contemporary 8:30 a.m. and traditional 10:30 a.m.). All are welcome to enjoy worship and fellowship. The church is fully accessible. For more information, visit ciceroumchurch.org.
MONDAYS
Drop-In Tech Help
10 a.m. to noon. Skaneateles Library, 49 E. Genesee St. Let us help with your tech questions: computers and mobile devices, downloading e-content from the library’s catalog, using Google Drive and social media platforms. Bring your device and drop in during a Tech Help session to get started. Appointments are also available; please give us a call at 315685-5135 or email andrea@skanlibrary.org to schedule.
Game Day
1 p.m. Salina Free Library. Bring your own game or play one of the library’s. 18+. Cruisin’ with Vets
4-7 p.m. VFW Post 3146, 2000 Lemoyne Ave., Mattydale. Check out classic cars and bikes while enjoying food, 50-50 raffles and live music from Roadhouse Prophets. Sponsored by Hungers for Hope, InFocus Insurance, Microbore and Dynamax Digital Printing.
MONDAYS, TUESDAYS & WEDNESDAYS
Thrift Shop
9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Elbridge Community Church, 109 E. Main St. No consignments, but donations accepted. For more information, call 315-689-3797.
MONDAY & FRIDAYS
Senior Exercise Class
9 a.m.-10 a.m. Marcellus Free Library. Taught by dance instructor Mary Jo Pelc. 315-673-3269.
MONDAYS, THURSDAYS AND FRIDAYS
OCRRA’s Household Toxics Drop-Off Appointment required. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Miller Environmental, 532 State Fair Blvd., Syracuse (off Hiawatha Boulevard). Business materials are not accepted. Residents of the town and village of Skaneateles are not eligible for this program as these municipalities are not part of the OCRRA service area. Visit OCRRA.org to make an appointment and see the full list of what is and is not accepted.
Calendar l Page 12
at its Academy at Syracuse Studios.
Over her first full year with American High, Schlenker maintained that her staff has developed a good working relationship with village Codes Officer Bill Reagan.
“We’re on the same page,” Schlenker said. “We’ve learned a lot over this past year.”
Bradt assured her and Garelick that Reagan will be “flexible” with them.
“We all want you to be successful here,” Bradt said.
While such positive attitudes dominated the meeting, one board member had some harsh words for Garelick.
Board member Sam Reppi pointed out
William Meyer, a dedicated volunteer, shared an inspiring perspective on the current situation with the roof.
“The good news has been that we’ve made lemonade out of the lemons, and we’ve had fantastic community support,” he said. “Folks are saying that’s the school that grandma went to back in the day, and people are coming by for their kids or grandkids so they can go see this one-room schoolhouse.”
However, the passage of time has taken its toll on the structure.
The original wooden roof has deteriorated, allowing water to seep in and damage the interior walls and the historical collection housed within.
The community and local businesses are rallying to show their support.
The Bottle and Can Retrieval Center has included the historical society in their charitable donation program.
“You can donate your bottles and cans, then choose us as your charity,” Albert said.
To boost awareness, a special event is planned for Sept. 4 at 4 p.m. at the Cicero location on Route 31.
Society members will meet with the center’s management for promotional photos featuring their mascot and the
Former village trustee Nick Kochan, who lives on Hiawatha Trail, remembered frustrating negotiations with the DOT over the years.
“The DOT lives in a world in which they only have two jobs –move the vehicles and be safe,” he said.
Although he agreed with others who urged “traffic calming” along Second Street, Kochan insisted that “Vehicles will not slow down after these repairs.”
Several speakers thanked the trustees for inviting comments.
“The active engagement of residents is needed,” said Karen Bambacht, a resident of the 800 block of Second. “Transparency matters.”
Last November, DOT project director Paul Lo Gallo outlined the proposed reconstruction of Second Street easterly from the Liverpool Elementary School entrance to the intersection at Heid’s corner.
Scheduled to begin in April 2025, the work will include removal of the road’s existing pavement, reconstruction of the roadway base, upgrades to traffic signals, updating the drainage system and installation of handicapped-accessible curb ramps.
Trustees Melissa Cassidy and Matt Devendorf were absent on Aug. 22. trucks ticketed: 16
At the village board’s monthly meeting on Aug. 22, Police Chief Jerry Unger reported via memo that his officers made 236 traffic stops and issued 172 citations for violations of the state’s vehicle and traffic laws in the month of July.
Officers stopped 19 tractor trailers in the village last month, and ticketed 16 of them for being overweight.
Nine accidents were investigated here last month. Officers made 26 residential checks and 197 business checks in July, while responding to a total of 722 incidents and calls for service.
The LPD arrested 51 individuals last month on 64 criminal charges.
that since American High was established here in 2017, the village has received 24 complaints from neighbors.
“That’s not good,” Reppi said. “You haven’t been a good neighbor, and that’s really all we’re looking for. Those are your neighbors who are upset and those are the people we’re trying to protect.”
Reppi recommended that Garelick “get the neighbors on your side.”
Reppi complimented the movie-maker on his communicative skills.
“You present yourself very well,” Reppi observed. “Get out and meet your neighbors. You can win these people over.”
society’s fundraising poster.
This collaboration aims to promote the GoFundMe campaign and the roof replacement project.
For those interested in exploring this historical treasure, the complex is open and staffed by volunteers on the second Sunday of each month from April through December (except May, which is the third Sunday) between the hours noon and 3 p.m.
Additionally, the society offers the flexibility of visits by appointment.
As the community rallies around this restoration project, the Cicero Historical Society remains optimistic about the future.
For those interested in supporting this vital restoration project or learning more about Cicero’s history, visit cicerohistorical.org or plan a visit during the regular open hours.
The Historical Society has launched a GoFundMe which you can find on their Facebook page and will soon be accessible through their website, ciceronyhistorical.org.
OCC announces initiative to boost student
OuR vOicE
Back to school
Summer seems to always go by all too fast. This is probably especially true for students, and parents of students, who are heading back to class this fall.
After the long days of summer, it often takes students a little while to get back into the swing of things, the schedules and routines of the school day, including getting up earlier and heading to school.
This also means the rest of us have to make some changes as well.
During morning and afternoon commutes the roads will now be shared with buses, walkers and more people on bikes too.
According to the National Safety Council there are a number of steps that we can all follow to help avoid accidents and keep everyone safe.
School days bring congestion. School buses are picking up their passengers, kids on bikes are hurrying to get to school before the bell rings, harried parents are trying to drop their kids off before work. It’s never more important for drivers to slow down and pay attention than when kids are present – especially before and after school.
When dropping students off be aware schools often have very specific drop-off procedures for the school year. Make sure you know them for the safety of all kids. The following apply to all school zones: Don’t double park; it blocks visibility for other children and vehicles, don’t load or unload children across the street from the school, carpool to reduce the number of vehicles at the schools.
According to research by the National Safety Council, most of the children who lose their lives in busrelated incidents are 4 to 7 years old, and they’re walking. They are hit by the bus, or by a motorist illegally passing a stopped bus.
A few precautions go a long way toward keeping children safe. Don’t block the crosswalk when stopped at a red light or waiting to make a turn, forcing pedestrians to go around you; this could put them in the path of moving traffic.
In a school zone when flashers are blinking, stop and yield to pedestrians crossing the crosswalk or intersection.
Always stop for a school patrol officer or crossing guard holding up a stop sign.
Take extra care to look out for children in school zones, near playgrounds and parks, and in all residential areas.
Don’t honk or rev your engine to scare a pedestrian, even if you have the right of way.
Never pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians.
Always use extreme caution to avoid striking pedestrians wherever they may be, no matter who has the right of way.
If you’re driving behind a bus, allow a greater following distance than if you were driving behind a car. It will give you more time to stop once the yellow lights start flashing. It is illegal in all 50 states to pass a school bus that is stopped to load or unload children.
Never pass a bus from behind – or from either direction if you’re on an undivided road – if it is stopped to load or unload children.
If the yellow or red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended, traffic must stop.
The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children; stop far enough back to allow them space to safely enter and exit the bus.
Be alert; children often are unpredictable, and they tend to ignore hazards and take risks.
By exercising a little extra care and caution, drivers and pedestrians can co-exist safely in school zones.
unsunG hERoEs
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t’s an exciting time, the opening of school … crisp new folders, notebooks, backpacks … new clothes, new teachers …and new students. I loved going back to school as a student, even more so when I was a teacher.
Ramblings from the empty nest ann
he faced in certain types of classes. It was only last month that I sent him a book about American history that I thought would catch his interest. It was wonderful to hear that he was blossoming under the tutelage of these teachers.
There is a verisimilitude encompassing the excitement and the opportunity to start anew. How often to you get a chance at a fresh start?
There is a texture, a fulfilling challenge to the profession of teaching that begins again every year. I miss it.
The following is a piece that I wrote in 2008. I could have written it this morning.
I was the first appointment on that Friday. By 9:45 I was comfortably seated, hot coffee in hand, waiting for the chemicals to turn back the hands of time. I’d brought some work along with me, but being the weak-minded person that I am, I was easily distracted by the assortment of gossipy magazines and the conversations in the salon
My stylist’s second appointment arrived. Slowly and inexorably my attention was drawn to the conversation initiated by the new client. My stylist was enthusiastically telling her about the superb skills of two of her son’s teachers. Her son, early on diagnosed with learning difficulties, had struggled in high school until he had the good fortune to be assigned to these gals. We knew this boy from his visits to the salon and from his mother’s stories. We watched him grow from the bump in his mother’s belly to the handsome young man he is today. We learned about his love of nature and art and the challenges
“Teachers are paid way too much for what they do,” the woman in the chair said. My attention was riveted.
The hairdresser, one of my favorite people in the world, countered, “But they inspire and lead young minds. They prepare them for success in later life.” You could hear the anxiety in her voice. I wondered how sage it was for the client to dispute the assessment of the person who was working on her hair with sharp objects in hand.
“Yeah, and they work from 9 to 2. What a rip off! And all that homework? … just a way to get out of work.” The woman continued with a caustic series of condemnatory comments about teachers and education in general.
I knew that my stylist, my long-time friend, was exercising great restraint. She glanced my way. Did she want me to enter the conversation? Ask the woman to step outside? She was at least five inches shorter than me. If nothing else worked, I could sit on her.
It took me only a second to decide that the critic in the stylist’s chair wasn’t worth the effort. She was one of those negators (I made up that word,) someone who finds joy in criticism, any criticism which makes her seem knowledgeable. She was, I thought, one of those who find delight in blowing out your candle so hers seems brighter. So, discretion in mind and with a mantra that I find
comes in handy in such situations (“I am an adult, I am an adult,”) I changed the subject by interjecting my observations about dry indoor air and allergies.
“Mary Beth, do you have a tissue? I just can’t seem to find the right medicine for my allergies. I’ve tried so many of those medicines. They work for a while and then they don’t.”
The critic then started a diatribe against pharmacists, doctors and the medical profession in general. Geesh!
But what could I have said to convince that woman that she was so wrong? Could I have said that when I was teaching, my days started at 8 a.m. and continued until late at night? I could have told her how long it takes to write a functioning lesson plan; to modify that plan based on changes in what happened in class, on the evolving needs of the children within the framework of the curriculum. I could have pointed out that marking papers for 150 students takes hours and hours of work outside the classroom; that there were many days that ended after midnight; that homework is the same as practice, whether for the piano, soccer, football or drama.
I could have described the red-haired boy standing in front of my desk, tears streaming down his cheeks, as he handed me his text book. His foster parents, who he had believed were to become his adoptive parents, were divorcing and they were sending him “back.”
I could have told her about the 12-year-old who begged to sit up front, close to my desk, whose 28-year-old mother was often not home, and whose only friends were a pair of hermit crabs
l Page 9
Porch Fest music will spice this weekend’s yard sale
The second of the twice-annual village-wide yard sales will be Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 6, 7 and 8. To run a public sale on your property, no permit is necessary on those days.
Meanwhile, Gwen and Patrick McCarroll – two of the prime movers behind the summer concert series at Johnson Park – are organizing a village-wide Porch Festival for Saturday, Sept. 7, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The McCarroll’s duo, Power of Two, will kick things off at 11 a.m. in front of the Gleason Mansion, 314 Second St.
At the same time, Dann will play at 406 Cypress. Michelle will hold forth on her porch at 12:30 p.m. at 304 Alder St. while Elaine does the same at 419 First St.
Guitarist Carl Lovell of Blue Green Dream band, will plug in that afternoon on the First United Methodist Church porch at 604 Oswego St. And a lively ukulele group led by Patty Doherty will play at 2 p.m. at the Freedom of Espresso coffeehouse at the corner of First and Tulip streets.
n ew back-up judge
Former DeWitt town justice David Gideon will serve as acting judge in the village of Liverpool, for one year starting this month.
Gideon, who is president of the Onondaga County Magistrates Association, will serve as a back-up to
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longtime Village Justice Anthony LaValle. LaValle explained, “Since David is no longer judge in DeWitt, I asked if he’d like to be our acting judge in Liverpool to cover at my request when I am not available.”
Gideon, a Republican as is LaValle, first became a town justice in 2000 and has also worked in the regional administrative judicial office providing special counsel – or assistance – to justices throughout Onondaga, Oneida, Herkimer, Oswego, Jefferson and Lewis counties.
Ten years ago, Gideon was named Magistrate of the Year by the association.
C
ny Community Bands Jubilee
A handful of local community orchestras in Central New York continue to offer opportunities for amateur musicians to perform a wide array of American music.
These dedicated community-based combos rehearse regularly and provide its instrumentalists the opportunity to develop as ensemble players and individual artists.
Unfortunately, these bands – often featuring several dozen musicians each – book just a few public performances annually.
Liverpool Is The Place wants to properly showcase three of these bands at its outdoor amphitheater, so they’re hosting the first-ever CNY Commu -
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nity Bands Jubilee at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at Johnson Park. The Liverpool Community Concert Band will take the stage at 1 p.m. that day, followed by the larger Lyncourt Community Band at about 2 p.m. In case of rain on Saturday, the program will be moved to 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15.
Bears roam n orth s ide
On the morning of Tuesday, Aug. 27, Galeville residents received a reverse 911 call warning that a bear and two cubs were wandering the North Side of the city, somewhere off Park Street. The police and animal control people were hunting them, and they advised everyone else to stay out of the way. In June, a black bear was spotted roaming yards and a busy intersection on Onondaga Hill.
Other sightings were noted at the St. Agnes Cemetery on South Avenue and in woods near the Van Duyn Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing on West Seneca Turnpike.
l ast word
“Beware / The Bear’s in town / Somebody’s money says the Bear’s going down / Yeah, the Bear never smiles.” – Dire Straits frontman Mark Knopfler.
Contact the columnist at russtarby@ aol.co m
Ferro
Livin’ in Liverpool russ tarby Heroes
KAnsAs City AGAinst thE 31
Right from the very moment Mecole Hardman caught the ball in the end zone in Las Vegas back in February, the course and narrative of the 2024-25 National Football League season was set.
Random Thoughts
Phil blackwell
why K.C. is great, especially an improving defense anchored by Chris Jones. You might even hear about them a few times in between ubiquitous commercials with numbers 17 and 87.
There’s a chance, nearly six decades into the Super Bowl era, that a team will rise all the way to the top. And the fact that it’s the Kansas City Chiefs makes the other 31 teams, and their fans, doubly determined to stop them.
Not a day or hour will pass between now and at least January without hearing about either (1) the singular greatness of Patrick Mahomes,(2) the genius of Andy Reid or (3) Travis Kelce has a rather public dating life. Often the third point will eclipse the previous two.
Oh, there’s many other reasons
nancy Edinger, 100 Mother, grandmother, greatgrandmother
The year 1924 was notable in many respects. Lenin died and Marlon Brando was born. The first Winter Olympics took place in France, Calvin Coolidge was elected U.S. President, and Caesar Cardini created the first-ever Caesar salad at his restaurant in Tijuana, Mexico. A baby destined to become president, Jimmy Carter, came into the world on Oct. 1.
Nancy Edinger began her own earthly journey that year as well, on May 5. Nancy (Muench) Edinger, 100, of Syracuse, passed away on Aug. 24, 2024, with family at her side and in the loving care of Francis House near where she spent her first five years on Syracuse’s Northside.
Predeceased by her husband of 59 years, Roger Edinger, and her grandson, Eric Edinger, she is survived by her daughters Betsy Edinger of South Onondaga and Sue Edinger (Bob Lotkowictz) of Skaneateles; three sons, Dan Edinger (Pam Field) of Marco Island, FL, John Edinger (Maria Niedos) of Chicago, and David Edinger (Amy Edinger) of Denver; 14 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren, and her sister Marilyn Bittner.
Her father, Norbert Muench, coowned the Muench-Kreutzer Candle Company, which was nearby Francis House as well as the original MacArthur Baseball Stadium. Nancy recalled watching games from the upper windows of the factory.
When she was six, her family moved to the Strathmore neighborhood.
She graduated from Onondaga Valley Academy in 1943, then attended Katherine Gibbs School in New York
Still, the Chiefs are composed of many human beings who’ve played the equivalent of six seasons in the last five. Combine that with enormous pressure, internal and external, and it’s still more likely someone else is grabbing the silver in New Orleans six months from now.
But who?
Forget about Arizona, Carolina, Denver, Vegas, New England, Tennessee, Washington and (sorry to many of you) the Giants. Those eight are the furthest away from real contention and can use this season to build toward the fall of 2025.
Long shots are found in Atlanta, Chicago, Indianapolis,
Jacksonville, Minnesota, New Orleans and Seattle. There are paths to the playoffs for all, but they involve a whole lot of good injury luck and peak seasons from top players.
Now it gets more complicated. Cincinnati (with great offense), Pittsburgh and Cleveland (with great defense) all have the same problem – a loaded AFC North where the other side of the ball must prove competent in order to get to the top where Baltimore got Derrick Henry to help Lamar Jackson, who doesn’t need much help.
Both teams in L.A. exude optimism for different reasons. The Rams revived but moves on without the irreplaceable Aaron Donald, while the Chargers snared Jim Harbaugh who, for all his quirks, has won a lot everywhere he’s coached.
Mysteries abound with both Tampa Bay and that green-colored team in New York. The
Bucs might still be the class of the NFC South by default, while you might have heard that the Jets have an old guy under center named Rodgers who could be Moses or a false prophet.
Both conferences have upstarts who made huge breakthroughs and now are thinking bigger.
Houston has the goods to get to a first-ever conference title game with just a bit of improvement.
Detroit, so long bad and so long denied, will take everyone’s best shots but, if they withstand them, long-awaited glory is quite possible.
Three consistent NFC winners offer different viewpoints. Green Bay got younger, more harmonious and could ride a Jordan Love-in a long way.
Philadelphia figures to bounce back after a late-season meltdown, and Dallas – well, the regular season isn’t a problem with
City and Hobart and William Smith Colleges, followed by serving as an executive secretary at Merchants Bank before marriage.
Nancy considered her greatest lifetime achievement to be the five children she and husband, Roger, raised in the same house on Twin Hills Drive where she grew up.
Dan, Betsy, John, Sue and David attended city schools, where Nancy was an active volunteer including serving as president of the John T. Roberts Mothers’ Club.
“I can’t take much credit,” Nancy claimed. “Their father and I gave them the tools to succeed, but they did it themselves. I was lucky that my parenting style — my daughters call it ‘benign neglect’ — matched the safety of the time.”
The Edinger family remains close, spending summers on Skaneateles Lake and celebrating major holidays together.
Today the cottage is shared by all five families, with grandchildren and great-grandchildren enjoying it just as their parents did – and still do.
Hobbies filled Nancy’s life with creativity and friendships.
Knitting, playing bridge, reading as a member of the Strathmore Book Club and teaching her children various lawn games were some of her favorite activities.
She was a devout Catholic, spending many of those years at Most Holy Rosary Church in Syracuse. Despite church teachings on the subject of mercy, she showed none to novices at croquet or card games.
Later in life she took up jigsaw puzzles and computer card games, as well as serving as a volunteer with CONTACT Community Services, Rescue
Mission, and the Syracuse City Schools as a reading tutor.
Before her move to Francis House, Nancy spent several of her most cherished years living with her daughter Betsy in South Onondaga, never failing to remind Betsy to make sure the cats were in for the night.
A memorial mass will be held on Thursday, Oct. 17, at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s of the Lake in Skaneateles.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Francis House in Nancy’s honor.
Their mission is to provide a family and a home to people with terminal illnesses so they can die with dignity and experience the unconditional love of God. That was certainly Nancy’s experience.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.
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given to him by one of his mother’s boyfriends.
Would she have understood about a teenage girl’s bad behavior in class and her pain because her grandmother died, the grandmother who cared for her while her mother dealt with severe clinical depression?
Would she count the hundreds of ordinary, good kids who tried their best or who needed a bit more to
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the Cowboys. The post-season, on the other hand…. Does the top of the AFC East change hands?
try their best? I wonder if she could have understood how wonderful it feels to find a way to integrate the learning strengths of a student who had been struggling, as my hairdresser’s child struggled, with learning disabilities, into classroom successes.
I wonder if she would believe that the teachers with whom I worked lost sleep at night worrying about their students who were having difficulties, how they sought counsel
If the Jets don’t do it, Miami very well could, if it can figure out how to beat great teams on a consistent basis. Especially the one based in Western New York. For all the concerns about the free agents on both sides of the ball who left, the Bills still have Josh Allen and the division throne until proven otherwise, though all the scar
and help to find ways to reach them?
Would she comprehend the passionate power of teachers working together for the benefit of the students? How would she critique the effort of a group of teachers who, despite scheduling difficulties and a dearth of material, were able to teach the Civil War across the curriculum, engaging middle school children through math, English, art and social studies at the same time?
Would she be able to
conceive how fabulous it is to give a child the tools to learn on their own?
I had visions of assigning this malcontent to teach 150 different students every day; hold her responsible for their success in mastering a program of study working with children whose home lives were challenging at best, listening to parents denigrate their own children and trying to make sense of the latest flavor of the year handed down from the state education department,
often thought to be staffed by relatives of the flying monkeys.
I also wondered what this woman’s hair would look like if I were to change places with the stylist. And I wonder if she could understand the joy.
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.
tissue of all the close calls might start to hurt. Which leaves us with San Francisco. Getting close is one thing. Taking the lead in the Super Bowl in overtime and still seeing it slip away will either drive the Niners to despair or drive them to finally getting the conclusion right. It’s likely setting up to be a season where some kind of breakthrough is made, either by a long-time contender, a non-champion or by the one side in bright Kansas City red with the opportunity to reach heights most NFL fans have never seen, with their ascension or downfall the main story as we kick off again.
Phil Blackwell is sports editor at Eagle News. He can be reached at pblackwell@ eaglenewsonline.com.
ment in student retention, which increased from 48% in 2020 to 53% in 2022.
InsideTrack is a mission-driven nonprofit
that fuels positive change by empowering and advancing all learners to achieve their educational and career goals through the transformative power of coaching.
The organizations helps people get the edu-
Are you a Par 3 “Killer” or “Groaner”?
For over 40 years I have experienced and preached that winning an “individual” golf tournament, as an amateur, is “almost” guaranteed when your scores are “under par” for the Par “5’s” and “Even Par” for the par “3’s”. I have been waiting for 40 years to have somebody refute my claim by giving me an example of someone who won a tournament with scores over par on both the par “3” and par “5” holes. It just hasn’t happened and I would be surprised if it does happen during the next 40 years. It is simply a basic “Rule for Winning Golf” that I discovered by studying the statistics of PGA Tour Players over the years who are the “Leading Money Winners” at the end of the Tour season. e validity of my claim is indisputable. e di erence between PGA Tour players and elite amateurs with a handicap of 2-4, or, good to average golfers with handicaps of 10 and above is obviously the number of birdies that are recorded during the rounds for each category.
Let’s not forget another truism… Although the par “3’s” are usually about the same yardage as the average approach shot to a green, most average golfers struggle with them. Even PGA Tour players average 3.06 strokes on par “3’s”. e biggest problem for mid to high handicap golfers is that when their ball lands on the green, it usually runs o the green into the rough because they don’t hit their tee shots high enough. If this is your problem, it is time to change your strategy and it starts with the height of your tee. According to Derek Swoboda, one of GOLF MAGAZINE’S “Teacher’s to Watch”, Derek says, “It makes sense because this allows the ball to be closer to the low point of the club at impact. As a result, this is going to allow the golf ball to hit higher on the club face” and create a higher ‘launch angle’ as well as a steeper ‘angle of decent’ on the green”. His advice is not universally accepted by other golf teachers around the country but he believes that the changes to current golf equipment doesn’t allow the ball to spin as much as it used to coming o the face of certain clubs.
“Whatever your normal tee height, tee it higher”, Swoboda says. “ is is going to allow the golf ball to hit higher on the club face , while also allowing the club to work upward onto the golf ball a little more than usual”. Swoboda is absolutely correct. Teeing the ball higher is a great way to increase the “launch angle” and therefore allow the ball to have a much steeper “angle of decent” onto the green.
Many of you already know how I feel about the strategy for average golfers playing par “3’s”…”Aim for the center of the green 100% of the time instead of targeting the ag that is usually positioned some where other than in the center”. When you hit your tee shot on the green and it comes to rest near the center, you will have an excellent opportunity to two-putt because the ag will always be more accessible.
Final thoughts… I have been fortunate throughout my golf career to be able to make par on par “3’s” at a high percentage. When I started teeing the ball higher, the percentage increased.
If you decide to try teeing your ball higher on par “3’s”, make sure you try the tee’s that are about 1 to 1.25 inches long as well as the standard “short tees” (1.75 inches) that are designed speci cally for par “3’s”. Try di erent heights until you feel con dent you can hit the ball higher and with a steeper “angle of decent”. Be patient, it will happen. When you nally experience the success of hitting the golf ball higher and come down steeper, you will hopefully become a “Killer” when you play par “3’s” rather than a “Groaner”.
cation they need to enhance well-being, create opportunity and secure meaningful employment — ultimately facilitating economic and social mobility.
Since 2001, InsideTrack has served over 3.5 million learners, partnering with more than 350 institutions and organizations to directly improve enrollment, retention, completion, and career advancement — tailoring our coaching outcomes to fit the needs of our partners and the learners they support.
“To make good on the promise of higher education for the students we serve, it’s critical that we identify and scale support services that help our students achieve their college and career aspirations—and overcome the many obstacles which can interrupt their pathway to finishing their degree,” said Dr. Warren Hilton, president of Onondaga Community College. “These results reflect our long-term commitment to removing barriers to college access, completion and upward mobility for students from underserved backgrounds by ensuring that students feel supported each step of the way.”
At a time when improving student retention and completion has been an ongoing challenge for institutions across the country, the OCC leadership team launched a long-term academic advising initiative focused on more effective approaches to helping its students stay in school and graduate. In 2018, Onondaga launched a five-year initiative primarily focused on Guided Pathways for Success (GPS), which included the creation of program pathway maps to help create clear paths to completion for its diverse student population.
To redesign its coaching and advising supports to help students stay on track to completion, Onondaga engaged student success nonprofit InsideTrack in 2019 through funding from a U.S. Department of Education Title III Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP) Grant. The college identified student success coaching as a key strategy to create a personalized support system for all learners with an emphasis on underrepresented student support.
InsideTrack coaches began working with students in January 2020 and produced striking results despite the tumult caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The partnership started as a pilot program to provide coaching to improve retention among 400 students who were academically at-risk , members of historically underserved groups, and were randomly selected to receive
coaching. By 2021, OCC staff received training and certification in coaching and took over the work full-time.
With key staff now capable of certifying new coaches and ensuring quality control, OCC has established a sustainable coaching system that will continue to operate after the original grant funding ends.
Onondaga commissioned a longitudinal five-year study conducted by Social Policy Research Associates (SPRA) to evaluate the second half of the grant period. Students who received at least one coaching session successfully completed the English gateway course at a rate of 54% as compared to 46% of those students who did not receive coaching. The personalized success coaching work is a cornerstone strategy within a broader overhaul of student support services with the goal of meeting students where they are and increasing utilization of on-campus services.
The reform efforts have begun to pay off. From fall 2020 for fall 2022, among all firsttime, full-time students, completion rates for the English gateway course increased from 59% to 64%.
Average total credits earned grew from 14.7 to 15.8, with Black students (from 8.5 to 11.8 credits) and first-generation students (from 12.8 to 13.6 credits) showing noteworthy gains.
The percentage of first-time full-time students who earned at least 15 credits per semester increased from 50% to 55%.
Fall-to-fall retention rates for these students who took the English gateway course increased from 48% to 53%. For students enrolled in first-year English composition courses, the fallto-spring retention rate increased by 4 percentage points (from 72% to 76%) while the fall-tofall retention rate grew by 6 percentage points (from 47% to 53%).
“As a former community college student, I saw firsthand the challenges that many of my fellow students faced as they balanced the complex demands of work, family, financial and academic commitments,” said Ruth Bauer White, president of InsideTrack. “During a period of uncertainty and change for community colleges across the country, forward-thinking institutional leaders can double down on student success by making strategic investments in student support that can meet the needs of the whole student and unlock their full education and career potential.” To learn more visit insidetrack.org.
who enjoy longer books, this story time includes multiple stories, songs, and ends with hands-on play. For ages 2-5. Preschool Story Time
10:30 a.m. Skaneateles Library, 49 E. Genesee
St. Grab a blanket or lawn chair and join us as we read, sing, and play together on the Library Lawn. For ages 3 to 5 years. Registration required; visit skanlibrary.org or call 315-685-5135.
Fun for all Story Time
11 a.m. Salina Free Library. Weekly story time for ages 3-6. Bring lawn chairs or blankets for sunny days.
JE Seniors Lunch Noon. JE Community Center, 1 Route 31, Jordan. The town of Elbridge hosts PEACE, Inc., Senior Nutrition lunches every Tuesday and Friday. Reservations required; $3.75 suggested donation. Lunch is followed by a guest speaker or activity on the first Tuesday of the month. Special events are $10. Call 315-378-8004 or visit townofelbridge.com to confirm registration dates and times.
Mah Jongg
12 p.m. Salina Library, 100 Belmont St., Mattydale. Mah Jongg is a fascinating rummy-like game you play with tiles rather than cards. Instruction is available for beginners. Do you have experience? You can help to teach others. Please register.
Dominoes
3 p.m. Salina Free Library. Play Mexican Train, Chicken Foot, and other domino games. Caring for Persons with Alzheimer’s and Dementia 5:30 p.m. Liverpool Public Library. Presented by the Onondaga County Office for Aging in collaboration with Alzheimer’s Association of CNY. Registration required. 315-435-2362 ext: 4693.
History and Genealogy Club
6 to 7 p.m. First Tuesday of the month. Elbridge Free Library, 241 E. Main St. The club plans to help its members with their personal history and genealogy pursuits, as well as share projects and collective lessons learned. Additionally, the club will discuss future meeting topics, potential speakers and potential field trips. The club will have access to the library’s research databases as well. The club’s focus will be on local history. For more information, call 315-689-7111.
TUESDAYS, WEDNESDAYS & FRIDAYS
Tech Help by Appointment
10:30 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays; 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Salina Free Library, 100 Belmont St., Mattydale. Do you need help getting around your laptop or tablet? Would you like to set up an email account? Do you want to download an e-book? Need help searching for and applying for jobs? One-on-one technology help appointments are now available. Appointments last up to 1 hour. Please register; onlibsalina.evanced.info/signup. Masks are
required. This program is supported by federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds allocated to the New York State Library by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS Canton Woods Aerobics Exercise
9:15 a.m. Canton Woods Senior Center, 76 Canton St., Baldwinsville. Aerobics workout designed especially for seniors! Fun, upbeat music that will start your day off right! Charges payable to the instructor. Falls Prevention Class 10 a.m. Canton Woods Senior Center, 76 Canton St., Baldwinsville. This class is taught by retired physical therapist Julie Hall and is free! The class works on your core and balance. You will feel the benefit of this class in your daily activities.
WEDNESDAYS Baby Bounce & Rhyme
9:15 a.m. Skaneateles Library, 49 E. Genesee St. Bond with your baby during this program featuring nursery rhymes, books, movement and fingerplays, followed by playtime. For babies up to 18 months.
