bACk TO SChOOl
Caz grad wins conducting competition
by kATE hill Staff Writer
Cazenovia High School graduate
Matthew Abernathy has been named the winner of the inaugural MidAmerica Productions Inc. (MAP) International Choral Conducting Competition at Carnegie Hall.
The prestigious award comes with a $10,000 stipend prize and a guest solo conducting appearance at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
Applications were submitted by conductors from around the world, including the United States, China, Denmark, Germany, Latvia, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom.
Abernathy is the artistic director of the Master Chorale of Tampa Bay — the principal chorus for The Florida Orchestra — and the director of choral studies at the University of Tampa.
According to a MAP press release, his contest submission, which included a conducting video and his reflections on choral music, demonstrated his musicianship, leadership, and dedication to the art of choral conducting.
“Matthew Abernathy’s ability to inspire and elevate his choirs impressed us,” said Peter Tiboris, founder and
Grad l Page 12
Submitted photoS
Cazenovia high School graduate Matthew Abernathy has won the first MidAmerica Productions inc. international Choral Conducting Competition. his award comes with a $10,000 stipend prize and a guest solo conducting appearance at Carnegie hall.
Town to send letter on wetland regulation changes
Village changes part of l yman s treet to one-way
by kATE hill Staff Writer
On Sept. 9, the Cazenovia Town Board authorized the execution and submission of a letter to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) regarding proposed revisions to the Freshwater Wetlands Regulations 6 NYCRR Part 664 that would take effect on effect Jan. 1, 2025.
Under the current regulations, Cazenovia Lake has designated wetlands at its north end only. According to the town board, one potential revision to the state regulations would classify a significant portion of the lake as a wetland.
The DEC has opened a public comment period regarding the proposed statewide changes through Sept. 19, 2024.
In its letter, the town requests that the DEC consider the town board’s concerns regarding the reclassifica-
Submitted
On Sept. 5, the Village of Cazenovia board of Trustees changed the area on the east side of Sullivan Street from Emory to Nickerson to no parking due to safety concerns with school buses making turns from Nickerson to Emory.
tion of wetlands so as not to reverse the generational efforts of local leadership to preserve Cazenovia Lake, a priceless economic, environmental, aesthetic, and recreational resource.
The letter begins by outlining the current ecological
management of the lake.
“The comprehensive plan and supporting studies of lake water quality issues establish a sound justification and framework for protecting the health of the lake,” it states. “The importance of
Town l Page 3
Library commemorates Cazenovia College
by kATE hill Staff Writer
Late last month, the Cazenovia Public Library & Museum (CPL) finished installing a new exhibit featuring a collection from the archives of Cazenovia College, which permanently closed in 2023 due to financial difficulties.
Founded in 1824, Cazenovia College was the eightholdest private, independent college in New York State and the 28th-oldest independent college/university in the United States.
According to CPL Museum Educator Julia Shotzberger, the library was approached about housing the college’s extensive Frederic and Jean Williams Archives shortly after the closure announcement in December 2022.
“Because of the recent renovations that had been done in our archives, we had room to take some of their collection,” said Shotzberger. “Over several months, [CPL Director Elisha Davies] and I took time to look at each box, making sure to choose items that pertained to the history of the college as well as Cazenovia, including any ephemera, [such as] programs, award certificates, etc.; publications; in-
by kATE hill Staff Writer
This fall, the Cazenovia Public Library (CPL) will celebrate the fabric arts by launching a community knitting project in partnership with New York State Fair blue ribbon winner Jennifer Hamlin-Navias. Registration for the project is now open. Participants will each receive a kit with everything needed to create a 12 in. x 12 in. hand-knit square to contribute to the project.
The squares will be collected and made into small lap blankets to be donated to
formation about the buildings and grounds; and some of the thousands of photographs. It was a race against time as we knew the doors would be locked the day after graduation.”
When discussing the transfer of the archival materials to CPL, Shotzberger and Davies acknowledged former Cazenovia College archivist Kasey Sikorsky and her predecessor, longtime faculty member Dr. John Robert “Bob” Greene, for their hard work organizing and systematizing the Frederic and Jean Williams Archives.
a nursing home, senior center, or shelter this winter.
Each kit contains three patterns of varying difficulty levels to choose from, 4 mm knitting needles, and a skein of donated Berroco brand 3.5 oz/100 g yarn.
Participants who plan to follow different square patterns or use different supplies must ensure they are equivalent to those provided in the kits.
The library will not accept crochet squares or extreme size variations in knitting. Registration closes on Sept. 13, and kits will be available for pickup on Sept.
“The fact that their archives were in great shape and had a great database allowed us to be able to bring them here,” Shotzberger said.
Le Moyne College, a private Jesuit college in DeWitt, also stepped in to help preserve Cazenovia College’s nearly 200-year legacy by housing its student records and other documents.
Shotzberger said she suspects there might be many more boxes still sitting in the college archives.
“We are hoping that whoever eventually purchases [the campus] will say, ‘Oh, there
18. Squares must be dropped off at CPL by Nov. 12.
The finished blankets will be displayed at the library during February Winterfest before they are donated.
Community members who want to contribute but do not have knitting experience are invited to sign up for Hamlin-Navias’ Learn to Knit classes on Sept. 19 and 26 at 6 p.m.
Hamlin-Navias learned to knit from her mother when she was 10 years old, and she now has 55 years of experience. She recently earned first place at the NYS Fair in the Arts and Crafts Knitting Division’s Adult
185 Clinton Avenue, Cortland, NY 13045 zfleitz@yaman.com (315) 725-3690
are still boxes here, would you like them?’” she said.
“That would possibly give us a chance to bring more over.”
Intent on sharing Cazenovia College’s story with the public, the library enlisted the help of CPL Museum Committee member and local craftsman Federico Meira, who converted two empty bookcases in the building’s front parlor into lit glass cabinets matching the room’s existing “Cabinet of Curiosities” display.
In the meantime, Shotzberger and Sharon Cooney — a CPL Museum Committee
Cardigan class.
“I love knitting and love introducing something that I love so much to other people,” she said.
Hamlin-Navias will also lead “Community Knit Along” events at CPL on Thursdays from Oct. 3-24 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
“People can come to knit squares or just to knit,” said CPL Adult Programming and Service Coordinator Renee Joseph.
In January, CPL will host an adjudicated show of locally hand-knitted sweaters.
Individuals interested in exhibiting their work are invited to submit photos of their sweaters to the library. Judges will first pick the sweaters they want to evaluate in person and then select the pieces that will hang in the gallery during February Winterfest.
For more information on upcoming library events, visit cazenoviapubliclibrary. org.
member, local historian, and former Lorenzo State Historic Site archivist — worked to identify the items that would best represent the college’s history and role in the community.
“It was a joy to take this incredible collection of the college history and turn it into an exhibit for the enjoyment of the alumni and all museum visitors,” said Shotzberger.
Each section of the display cases offers a glimpse into a different era of Cazenovia College’s rich and storied history.
The exhibit text explains that the college repeatedly adapted to the times, resulting in several name changes and curriculum shifts. For example, the institution was co-ed in 1824 but became a women’s college during World War II. In 1982, men were once again admitted.
The text also notes that for many years, the school served as a junior college, offering two-year degrees with advanced credit options for
Submitted photo
The Cazenovia Public library is launching a community knitting project in partnership with Jennifer Hamlin-Navias, who has 55 years of knitting experience and recently won a blue ribbon at the New york State Fair in the Arts and Crafts Knitting Division’s Adult Cardigan class.
Submitted photo
The Cazenovia Public library & Museum recently completed an exhibit featuring a collection from the archives of Cazenovia College, which permanently closed last year after 199 years. In March 2024, the library installed two new local history panels
certain riparian corridors, which are tributaries to the lake, justify similar protections. The purpose of the Cazenovia Lake Watershed & Riparian Corridor District is to establish strict regulations on land use within these districts. Cazenovia Lake is designated as a Critical Environmental Area, as approved by New York State. A comprehensive lake management plan has been adopted by the town, community organizations, and experts, with academia and engaged citizens working together to monitor and maintain the lake’s health.”
The letter next explains how the town, village, and Cazenovia Lake Association have collaborated to preserve the lake as a valuable community asset. A few listed examples are the establishment of a 20 ft. Critical Environmental Area along the lakeshore with development restricted to allow lake access with minimal impact; the town’s adoption of the Cazenovia Lakefront Development Guidelines to keep the shoreline as natural as possible; and the town code’s restriction of development within the first 20 to 100 ft. of the lakeshore.
The letter also highlights Cazenovia’s effective invasive species control strategy, as well as its management practices aimed at balancing nutrient levels to support a healthy aquatic ecosystem.
“Transitioning to a wetland could disrupt these established practices, exacerbating existing issues, such as nutrient overload and the proliferation of invasive species,” the letter states.
The letter also warns that a decline in the lake’s health would negatively impact the enjoyment and overall well-being of the community. Additionally, redefining the lake as a wetland could be met with significant opposition from residents and stakeholders who appreciate the lake’s current status and benefits.
“This transition could lead to conflict and dissatisfaction among those invested in preserving the lake’s health and usability,” the document states.
Because the lake is a regional destination for boating, fishing, sailing, and swimming, the town board argues that a deterioration in the lake’s condition would lead to a decline in recreational use and enjoyment. It would also lead to decreased visitation and spending, further affecting local businesses and tax revenue dependent on tourism.
The letter also asserts that if the lake becomes overwhelmed by invasive species and its condition deteriorates, property values throughout the town will drop significantly. Additionally, the increase to the current local shore-line setbacks would pose further lakeside property restrictions, potentially diminishing property values and interest in home ownership around the lake.
Finally, the letter addresses the issue of tax revenue, noting that the current total assessed value of the entire town is $863,478,904, and a decrease in property values would lead to reduced property tax revenue, adversely affecting local government budgets, including those of the school district, village, town, and county.
During the board meeting, Supervisor Kyle Reger announced that he and several others planned to meet with NYS Assemblyman Al Stirpe’s office on Sept. 10 to learn more about the town’s next steps.
“They have met with the DEC, so we want to follow up with them to understand what the process is as we are going through this together,” Reger said. “We want to be able to collaborate with the DEC and our state representation because it’s an important issue, and we want to make sure we are staying in front of it as best we can.”
Other town news
The board authorized a request from the DEC concerning fishing activities along Chittenango Creek at the Rippleton Cross Road access point.
According to the adopted resolution, Reger was approached by the DEC with a request for permission from the town to grant anglers access to Chittenango Creek in the town highway right of way on Rippleton Cross Road.
The resolution states that the DEC will install signage to aid anglers in identifying areas
where they are permitted to fish.
Reger was also authorized to grant the Bureau of Fisheries’ request for permission to stock trout each spring at that access point.
Additionally, the board approved an extension of the Town of Cazenovia Consolidated Sewer District known as the “Ten Eyck Avenue Sewer Line Extension;” adopted a local law providing for a tax exemption for people with disabilities; and approved the use of the New Woodstock Softball Field and New Woodstock Heritage Park for the “First Annual New Woodstock Community Fall Fest” on Sept. 28, 2024. The event is sponsored by the New Woodstock Volunteer Fire Department.
Reger will hold his next monthly office hours on Sept. 21 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the town hall. Community members are invited to sit down with him and discuss any town issue.
The Town of Cazenovia Comprehensive Review Special Board will present its draft comprehensive plan to the town board on Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 7 p.m. in the town hall. The draft plan will be formally introduced at the town board’s October regular meeting.
The October town board meeting will be held at the New Woodstock Firehouse at 2632 Mill St. on Monday, Oct. 7.
The town board typically meets on the second Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the Gothic Cottage. For more information, visit townofcazenovia.digitaltowpath.org or call the town office at 315-655-9213.
Village of Cazenovia updates
On Sept. 5, the Village of Cazenovia Board of Trustees adopted a local law changing the
top of Lyman Street — from Lincklaen Street down to Center Street — to one-way with traffic moving from west to east.
The change, which will go into effect later this month, is intended to enhance pedestrian safety by reducing cut-through traffic and total traffic volume.
The bottom or east end of Lyman — from Center Street to Farnham Street — will remain two-way to allow vehicles to access Center from Farnham.
The village’s plan to increase pedestrian safety on Lyman also includes a “vehicle exclusion zone” along the north side of the oneway section of the street, plus stop signs and lines to reduce speed.
The board also passed a local law to provide a 10 percent reduction on village property taxes to active volunteer first responders.
Additionally, the board changed the area on the east side of Sullivan Street from Emory to Nickerson to no parking due to safety concerns with school buses making turns from Nickerson to Emory.
Village leaf and brush pickup will start on Tuesday, Oct. 15, and end on Friday, Nov. 8. Limbs must not be more than 10 feet long and no larger than six inches in diameter. Brush and limbs are to be kept separate from leaves. It is also requested that leaves, brush, and limbs be placed next to the curb and not in the street where they could clog storm sewers.
A village work session is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 23 at 7 p.m.
The village board typically meets on the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m. in the village municipal building at 90 Albany St.
OuR vOicE
You are not alone
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness 75% of all people who die by suicide are male and although more women than men attempt suicide, men are nearly four times more likely to die by suicide.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-34 and the fourth leading cause of death for people 35-54.
The overall suicide rate in the U.S. has increased by 31% since 2001 and 46% of people who die by suicide had a diagnosed mental health condition
While half of individuals who die by suicide have a diagnosed mental health condition, research shows that 90% experienced symptoms.
NAMI.org goes on to report that In 2017, suicide was: the second leading cause of death for American Indian/ Alaska Natives between the ages of 1034, the second leading cause of death for African Americans, ages 15-24, the leading cause of death for Asian Americans, ages 15-24, the second leading cause of death for Hispanic people in the U.S., ages 15-34; American Indian/ Alaska Native adults die by suicide at a rate 20% higher than non-Hispanic white adults; lesbian, gay and bisexual youth are four times more likely to attempt suicide than straight youth; transgender people are 12 times more likely to attempt suicide than the general population and 10% of young adults say they experienced suicidal thoughts in the past year.
These numbers speak volumes, but they are more than numbers, they are people. People who may have had friends, family, children, jobs, people who are no longer with us.
Throughout the month of September, NAMI will be working to shine a light on the people we have lost, sharing their stories, as well as the stories of those who have battled with mental illness and continue to fight.
September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month—a time to share resources and storie s in an effort to shed light on this highly taboo and stigmatized topic.
This month is used to reach out to those affected by suicide, raise awareness and connect individuals with suicidal ideation to treatment services.
It is also important to ensure that individuals, friends and families have access to the resources they need to discuss suicide prevention.
According to NAMI, suicidal thoughts, much like mental health conditions, can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or background.
In fact, suicide is often the result of an untreated mental health condition. Suicidal thoughts, although common, should not be considered normal and often indicate more serious issues.
Every year thousands of individuals die by suicide, leaving behind their friends and family members to navigate the tragedy of loss. In many cases, friends and families affected by a suicide loss, often called “suicide loss survivors”, are left in the dark. Too often the feelings of shame and stigma prevent them from talking openly.
Sept. 10 has been designated as World Suicide Prevention Day.
But this is a vital issue that is well worth being aware of and raising awareness for every day.
Perhaps the greatest show of support is knowing what resources are available to those who may need help.
Whether it is talking to someone or getting directed to resources for treatment, NAMI and other organizations will be putting these resources at the forefront.
If you or someone you know is in an emergency, call 911 immediately.
If you are in crisis or are experiencing difficult or suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273 TALK (8255).
If you’re uncomfortable talking on the phone, you can also text NAMI to 741-741 to be connected to a free, trained crisis counselor on the Crisis Text Line. For more information visit NAMI.org.
WAbI-SAbI AND My pOrCH
My house is my home. It‘s a place where I and my family have lived for more than 50 years. It isn’t fancy, more like “unfancy,” an early 20th century Arts and Crafts bungalow with porches on the back and the front of the house.
If I took you on a tour of our house, I would point out that modifications born of needed repairs as well as those made to meet the needs of a growing family have changed almost every room.
There’s a family room we added in the 1970s, a second bathroom in the ’80’s, a refinished basement in the early ’90’s, etc.
We’ve added another fireplace in the family room; the fireplace in the living room is an oldfashioned wood burning hearth, but the new one burns natural gas logs.
One of the porches, the one in the back of the house, became part of our family room. The front porch remained untouched, except by the weather.
The front porch is not as commodious as those you see on the magazine covers, but it is big enough to allow us to fit a very old and in-great-need-ofrefinishing glider complete with its Naugahyde cushions that have seen better days.
It is surrounded by a green privacy curtain made of from the lush growth afforded by greeneries from a dogwood, a viburnum, a huge rhododendron, two apple trees and a bush with an unknown moniker.
There are four powder coated chairs and a glass topped table that make up the rest of the porch furniture. An assortment of
from the empty nest
ann Ferro
shade-loving flower accents finish my porch décor.
I love sitting on the porch, having a cup of coffee or a glass of a spiritous beverage, a book …or whatever. Friends come, drop in, share this space. I love it.
But it has seen better daysmuch better days.
Changing climate has made the area under the porch damp, and that dampness has led to peeling paint on the sides and floor of my porch. Twenty years ago I would have scraped, sanded and painted it. Back then intention and energy coexisted.
Time and deteriorating physical resources had left me with few options. It is an annoying, no, a frustrating part of getting older when things I easily could accomplish in past years were no longer possible.
So, do I just let things “go”… you know as in the sentence, “Poor thing, look how she let herself go,” or do I take inspiration from a piece that I recently read that really struck home….it goes something like this:
Can’t wash all the windows, wash one. Can’t do all of the laundry, do half a load and fold it tomorrow.
Can’t prepare a four-course meal, boil some eggs…etc.
So, encouraged by this, I thought that I could approach the project in pieces, e.g. do small parts over time.
I did get the floor partially scraped. Then reason prevailed and I stepped away from this delusion of control and accomplishment. Calculating when I would finish the job led me well into a future that is, at my age, very un -
sure. It became clear that someone else would have to finish this job.
I went to the modern-day version of the back fence, the internet, and asked if anyone could recommend someone to paint parts of my house. Anne Temple, a woman who lived five houses away in the 1970s and who now is an accomplished painter of furniture at Annabelle Design, recommended Heidi Dubach.
“She’s excellent,” Anne said.
So I contacted Heidi and last weekend my porch became beautiful again. The peeling paint was scraped and sanded and finished as beautifully as if I had done it myself.
Asking for help, so inimical to my former self, has adapted to reality.
I don’t for one minute denigrate the idea that if you can’t do something perfectly, you should do something less perfectly anyway.
It has become how I approach almost any task from doing the laundry to sweeping up. Eventually it gets done, as close to goal as it can.
Getting help is part of a larger goal which includes your peace of mind and comfort. After I finish this piece, I am going downstairs and clean out one small drawer and boil one egg.
And, after that, it’s porch time with a good book and a cup of tea or maybe something with cranberry juice, Cointreau, lime and vodka.
It’s my place.
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.
Does October belong to Ohtani?
Sept. 3, 2023. Shohei Ohtani plays what turns out to be his final game for the Los Angeles Angels, free agency looming, most in red resigned to the fact that he’s going to play elsewhere when the next season rolls around.
Random Thoughts
Phil blackwell
Sept. 3, 2024. Ohtani returns to Anaheim, only now dressed in Dodger blue. Some cheered. Some booed. Okay, all the Dodgers fans in attendance cheered plenty.
In any context, this calendar symmetry would be wild. But it’s even wilder given what Ohtani has gone through in those 366 days (remember, it’s’ a leap year) between knowing that, once the playoffs roll around, no one will hold more attention, for good reason.
Even though the only modern equivalent to Babe Ruth isn’t back pitching yet, Ohtani is still working toward the first-ever Major League Baseball season of 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases. Only five ever did 40-40 before Shohei came along.
In a season where the Dodgers saw its pitching staff get buried by injuries and Mookie Betts missed a lot of time, too, Ohtani was the constant, from his power – just get a load of when he connects on a pitch – to a speed which often got lost in his incomparable skill set.
Yet the meaning of what Ohtani might do in the post-season goes beyond what he might do on behalf of the Dodgers Japanese players did not regularly come to MLB until the mid-1990s.
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Some flourished –Ichiro Suzuki, Hideo Nomo, Hideki Matsui. Others did okay.
Still others struggled mightily with the transition in cultures and/or facing different competition.
Of them, only Matsui, as part of the 2009 Yankees, ever really made a World Series dent, and in that franchise they had plenty of other legends on hand (Jeter, Rivera, A-Rod) who grabbed most of the attention.
By now, especially with an expanded playoffs that went to 10 teams and then 12, Ohtani may have figured that he’d get one look at post-season pressure in an Angels uniform, especially with Mike Trout as a teammate.
Except that Trout got hurt too often, the front office didn’t put much attention to anything other than their superstars, and year after year the Halos were October spectators.
No wonder that, in a frenzied freeagent season, Ohtani chose the Dodgers, who have owned the top of the NL West even with the recent post-season runs made by San Diego and Arizona.
But just when Ohtani was about to debut in Chavez Ravine…there was that whole thing involving his interpreter and gambling that, for a moment, threatened to engulf his career.
Any connection between baseball and betting evokes the Black Sox and Pete Rose. Yet in this case it was simply a matter of the interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, getting into Ohtani’s bank account and reportedly gambling away $40 million before he was caught and ultimately pled guilty to theft.
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Combine this with getting married (in secret to protect his privacy), and any falloff in Ohtani’s production, however criticized, may feel understandable. Instead, he could be National League MVP and reach that 50-50 milestone which no one might ever get to again.
Back to the whole playoff thing, though. On the one hand, yes, Ohtani has not experienced a best-of-five or best-of-seven MLB series that he might encounter before this season ends.
But the pressure of a big game, a big moment? Absolutely nothing, not even a World Series Game 7, might compare to the end of the 2023 World Baseball Classic, the final, Japan vs. Team USA, ninth inning.
Japan was up 3-2. Ninth inning. Two out. Ohtani was pitching, trying to get the final out for his side, and Mike Trout came to bat for the Americans.
Still teammates at the time, but now squaring off.
Of course it goes to a full count, unbearable tension building with each pitch (two of them triple-digit fastballs) until, with a perfectly placed 87 mph slider that tailed away, Ohtani made Trout swing and miss, ending the game.
If Shohei Ohtani could conquer that situation, with an entire baseballloving nation leaning on his right arm, it only figures that, with a bat, he could do special things for the Dodgers and justify the $400 million they lay out to lure him into that other dugout in Los Angeles.
Phil Blackwell is sports editor at Eagle News. He can be reached at pblackwell@ eaglenewsonline.com.
Ramblings
Appreciation for Vietnam vet
To the editor:
Hello, my name is Mary Jane Carnie. I’m writing on behalf of my brother, Eric Morrow, who is a Vietnam veteran. After years of trying to be included in the Honor Flight to Washington, this is his year.
He’s very excited for the trip but knows seeing the Vietnam Memorial will be very emotional for him.
On the return flight to Syracuse, there is a “surprise” mail call.
My wish is to have as many letters of thanks for his service as possible.
The previous return from Vietnam was stained with many bad feelings as many of the soldiers were treated with disrespect.
Please send a letter to me, Mary Jane Carnie, 85 Chenango Street, Cazenovia NY 13035 and I will mail them directly to the person in charge of the flight. Address the letter Spec.5 Eric Morrow. Correct email is mjera3@gmail.com
Term limits
MARy JANE CARNiE CazeNOVia
To the editor: Congressman Williams and many well-meaning conservatives mistakenly believe that term limits will solve our so-called congressional incumbent problem. But the states which have already imposed term limits on their legislatures have gained no improvement in government. Problems with term limits include:
Voters who are pleased with their congressman’s performance and wish to keep him in office would be denied that capability by term limits. A well behaved and responsive congressman should be rewarded with reelection, but term limits would cancel that reward.
When an elected official is term-limited out of office the voter’s franchise has been curtailed, his right as a citizen to choose the candidate he wants is denied, and the term limit, rather than the voter, will have decided the incumbent’s fate.
Term limits do not play favorites. They punish both “good” and “bad” politicians indiscriminately. All elected officials are forced out of office – “good guys” and “bums.” If a solid conservative was elected to office in one district, he would be term-limited out along with any liberals from other districts.
Term limits would no longer allow people to influence their congressmen through letters, emails, or phone calls. They create no incentives for politicians to listen to their constituents, since the term limit controls the politician’s destiny, not the voters.
Term limits would transform all congressmen into perpetual “lame ducks” during their last term in office, creating continuous lame-duck congressional sessions. Lame duck congressmen would no longer be accountable to their constituents and would be free to pass any favorite bills they wished, without suffering any repercussions from their
constituents. The 22nd Amendment, which limits the president to two terms, has not given us better presidents. Likewise, congressional term limits will not give us better congressmen.
There’s an old saying that “you can’t fight something with nothing,” so I propose a simple yet long term alternative. The American electorate must once again be educated and informed in the principles of Americanism that made our country great. We need to redevelop a reverence for godly morality and virtue, study the Biblical principles in our Constitution, fully embrace the true free market system that made our country prosperous (not the crony capitalism and fascism that rules today), and protect the traditional family and church as the bulwark of society.
This will take time and much effort but in the long run is more permanent and satisfying. A people with virtue will vote for candidates with virtue, thus eliminating any reason for term limits.
MiChAEl T. FRiEND manliuS
LeMoyne concerns
To the editor:
I was at a meeting held by the city the other day.
LeMoyne is buying up houses in the area around the school. There could not be a worse scenario for the neighbors who now live next to a group of kids with maybe five or six cars and no controls. The city does not enforce an ordinance of number of non-related people living in a dwelling. These homes which should go to residents are being taken off the market of possibly affordable housing.
In addition since LeMoyne doesn’t pay taxes on these properties, they are now off the tax roles, and yet they I am sure receive city services. Everyone’s taxes have gone up, so we are actually paying for the services that LeMoyne receives free.
At the meeting by the city about 85% of the people attending were home owners. These are the people most invested in their neighborhood not LeMoyne.
The meeting was about possible city grants for improvement to existing housing. There were a few landlords present, of course interested in money. These grants should go only to home owners as they are the most invested in their neighborhood
LeMoyne has never been a good neighbor with students parking everywhere they shouldn’t. These young people have no supervision, which can only lead to problems.
Stop LeMoyne from buying these houses as they are doing damage to the neighborhood and I would make them sell the ones they have bought. Have the city enforce the law about groups of unrelated living in the one family residence.
bRuCE blOCk SyracuSe
Nelson Church Roast Beef Dinner
Saturday, Sept 14th
Town of Nelson Building Parking Lot, 4085 Nelson Rd
Drive Thru Pick Up and Pay - Begins at 4:30pm
Pre-orders are strongly encouraged and guaranteed!
To place your order Call (315) 655-9844 or CazNelsonChurches@gmail.com
Please have orders in by Thursday, Sept 12th • $15 per dinner
years Ago in History
by CiNDy bEll TObEy
15 years Ago – Sept. 9, 2009
Ginger Golub recently graduated from Cornell University majoring in nutritional sciences and global health.
After graduation she received a Fulbright Scholarship to conduct her proposed research project in Kenya for ten months.
Both the American and Kenyan governments approved this project and the U.S. State Department funds it.
She seeks to study dance as a vehicle of HIV prevention education.
“Dance is much more a part of Kenyan and all African culture than it is in ours,” Golub said. “Talking about AIDS is taboo in formal school settings worldwide. In a context like Kenya, dance can be used as a medium to convey the message of AIDS awareness and prevention.”
11 years Ago – Sept. 11, 2013
The chilly, overcast and wet morning did not dampen the spirit of the spectators, riders – and especially the dogs – for the Limestone Creek Hunt Club’s 75th annual Parade of Hounds on Sunday.
The parade, which started on Emory Avenue and continued right onto Sullivan Street, right onto Albany Street, left onto Rippleton Road and onto the grounds of the Lorenzo State Historic Site, is the official beginning to the hunt club’s season.
“Cheers to a successful hunt!” said LCHC member and Master rider Barbara Anderson as she raised her stirrup cup to the field of 18 riders and about 20 hounds on the Lorenzo field.
The stirrup cup starts the hunt as a token of friendship, said longtime LCHC member Sandy Patrizio.
It is an old fox hunting tradition that the hunters begin the first hunt with a glass of sherry or port (or apple cider for those under 21). The 100 or so spectators who followed the parade through the village to Lorenzo also were invited to take a stirrup cup as well.
Is there enough time for you to shoot your lowest round of the year before October 1, 2024? I say yes! Here’s how…
David Pelz is one of the most recognized “non professional” golf coaches in the world. Golf Digest named him one of the 25 most in uential instructors of the 20th Century. Eleven of his “professional students” have won a total of 21 Major golf championships, including…Phil Mickelson, Colin Montgomerie, Patrick Reed, Payne Stewart, Lee Jansen, Mark Brooks, Tom Kite, Steve Elkington, Andy North, Mike Weir and Vijay Singh. His expertise in the art of putting is envied throughout the globe.
Mr. Pelz knows that PGA Tour Pros make 95% of their 3 . putts and average amateurs only make approximately 80% of them. He also knows that approximately 44% of “all” shots in golf are putts and of those putts, 50% of them are inside of 6 .. One of his research studies concluded “ e Most Dreaded Shot In Golf” is the 2-4 foot putt because of the fear factor more than anything else.
One of his best videos is about conquering the fear of putting the 2-4 footers. In it he demonstrates a simple drill that I am going to adapt into my practice routine.
Part One:
Dave starts the drill by placing 4 balls around a hole on the putting green approximately 1 . away. Start putting them into the hole. If you miss one, you must start over. A er you have successfully made all 4 putts, do it again. e objective of the 1 . drill is to make “12” consecutive putts from 1 .. If you miss anyone one of the 12 attempts, you MUST start over.
Part Two:
Place 8 balls around the hole approximately 2 . away. Start putting them into the hole. If you miss one of your putts, you must start over. e objective of the 2 . drill is to make 8 consecutive putts. When you successfully make 8 in a row from 2 ., you are ready for 3 footers.
Part ree:
Place 10 balls around the hole approximately 3 . away. Start putting. If you miss one, you must start over. e objective is to make 10 consecutive putts from 3 . If you are successful, try to make 20 consecutive putts from 3 . or even 30 before you complete the drill. Dave says Phil Mickelson makes 100 consecutive putts from 3 . before he completes his practice session.
Part Four:
Once you have successfully made 10, 20 or 30 consecutive 3 footers, you can move back to 4, 5 and 6 . putts with 10 balls.
Dave wants us to practice his drills 3 times a week for 30 minutes…that’s it! His objective is to have us hole more putts His ultimate GOAL is to eliminate our “fear” of putting the 2-4 footers. How about it, can you nd 1.5 hours per week for the next 7 weeks?
I like it! I like it! ank you Mr. Pelz. I am looking forward to shooting my lowest round of the year by October 1, 2024. I’m starting this week. Whose going to join me?
PENNY SAVER
Contact Patti Puzzo at 315-434-8889 ext. 321 or ppuzzo@eaglenewsonline.com
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Cazenovia girls volleyball tops J-E in four sets
by Phil blACkwEll
Now, as it was before, the Cazenovia girls volleyball team knows exactly who it has to go through in order to find post-season success in 2024. Westhill made it all the way to the state Class B championship match, but only after it beat the Lakers in the Section III semifinal round, closing out a 10-6 season on Cazenovia’s part. And the Lakers get a shot at Westhill this Thursday night, hoping it is coming off backto-back victories since it would host Marcellus two nights earlier.
by Phil blACkwEll
Before anyone else, it was the boys golf teams of Cazenovia and Chittenango making their way into regular-season action to start the 2024-25 area high school sports season.
And at the tail end of this opening sequence, the Lakers and Bears met head-to-head last Friday afternoon at Cazenovia Country Club, with Cazenovia prevailing by a score of 210-228.
A tight individual race unfolded between two Lakers, with Ben Bianco’s 38 for nine holes just enough to hold off Nico Segall’s 39 and both ahead of the 40 from the Bears’ Anthony Thousand.
All of this was preceded by last Wednesday night’s opener against Jordan-Elbridge at Buckley Gym, where Cazenovia went through some inconsistency before topping the Eagles in four sets.
A 25-13 romp through the opening set
Edmond Richardson’s 43 and Caleb Gilmore’s 44 helped Cazenovia pull away, Shamus Newcomb adding a 46. Sam Martin was second for Chittenango with a 44, with Matt Huckabee and Wyatt Perry both posting 47 and Finnegan Gardner earning a 49.
It all teed off Aug. 29, with the Lakers taking on Westhill at Camillus Golf Club and, in a tight match, taking a 215-222 defeat despiteSegall shooting 38, the only individual total under 40.
Three Westhill golfers – Danny Young (40), Anthony Sampo (41) and Trevor Young (42) –beat out the 43 from Cazenovia’s Paul Mitchell as Bianco added a 44. Jake Hightchew’s 48 was
proved a bit deceptive as the Lakers saw J-E dominate the second and win 25-15, but any concerns quickly dissipated.
By scores of 25-17 and 25-18, Cazenovia maintained control throughout the third and fourth sets, with Olivia Pirkl leading the way as she put up a team-best nine kills and 11 digs. Alyssa Wardell nearly equaled Pirkl on the front line with her eight kills as McKenna Weismore picked up four kills.
just ahead of Gilmore’s 49 and Richardson’s 50.
On its second try, the Lakers got into the win column last Tuesday at Beaver Meadows, defeating Phoenix 224-255.
Competing at the same course where the Section III fall championships will take place in early October, Richardson and Bianco tied for low individual honors, each shooting 42 to beat out the 43 from the Firebirds’ Jack Hayes. Segall finished fourth with a 44, while Gilmore and Hightchew both finished at 47.
Chittenango also began its season Aug. 29, falling to Christian Brothers Academy 199-224 in a match at Rogues Roost, the Bears’ home
Lucy Bliss set up points with her 18 assists, adding three kills and three aces. Caitee Fenton produced eight digs, while Jocelyn Szalach finished with two kills.
Not only is there matches with Westhill and Marcellus, but the Lakers will also compete in Saturday’s Hornet Pride Tournament at Fayetteville-Manlius with Westhill in the field along with the likes of Cicero-North Syracuse and West Genesee.
Cazenovia field hockey blanked by Camden, Oneida Cazenovia boys golfers top Chittenango, start 2-1
by Phil blACkwEll
All the hoopla and excitement about playing on new artificial turf fields at Cazenovia High School is something the field hockey Lakers can view with some detachment.
After all, it was Cazenovia field hockey who, in the middle of the 2023 season, left its longtime home at Burton Street Elementary School and started to practice on the Upper Field long before baseball and softball teams played on it
during the spring.
Through the transition, the Lakers had a strong 11-2-2 record before getting upended by Mount Markham in the Section III Class C semifinals, a defeat which has motivated Cazenovia all through the off-season.
Things did not go well, though, in the 2024 season opener on the Upper Field, Camden arriving and, taking charge in the second quarter, eventually prevailing 4-0 over the Lakers.
Coming off its own run to the sectional Class
course. Perry posted 41 to lead Chittenango, but four CBA golfers matched or bettered it, paced by Zach Cooper’s 36. Alex Pappas put up a 42, with Thousand shooting 43 as Gardner (48) and Martin (50) followed. Returning to Rogues Roost last Wednesday afternoon for its own match against Westhill, Chittenango took a 213-245 defeat. Thousand shot a 43, third behind the Westhill duo of Danny Young (39) and Trevor Young (40). Perry finished with a 45, beating out a 50 from Pappas and 52 from Huckabee as Gardner and Trevor Bentz both posted 55.
B championship last spring, the Blue Devils probed until the second quarter, when it twice put shots past Cazenovia goalie Rae Western. Two more goals followed in the second half as Camden freshman Adrianna Omundsen recorded a three-goal hat trick in her varsity debut, with Camryn Shenk adding a goal and assist and Arianna Fox recording two assists. In the first of back-to-back road games, Cazenovia went to Oneida on Saturday and, again, could not get on the scoreboard, taking a 2-0 defeat to the Express. Most of the first half was scoreless before Oneida got on the board, doubling its margin late thanks to Ryleigh Marsh netting one goal and assisting on Alexis Amuso’s tally. Just as with Camden, Cazenovia’s attack would struggle to generate chances.
Still on the road Monday afternoon, the Lakers would open Onondaga High School League play at Cato-Meridian before returning home Wednesday to face Cortland.
Cazenovia, Chittenango soccer teams open season
by Phil blACkwEll
Each of the Cazenovia and Chittenango boys and girls soccer teams will find themselves on the same turf, toe-to-toe, at some point in September, with the girls sides battling Tuesday night on the Bears’ home turf. For its season opener, the Chittenango girls hosted Hannibal/Cato-Meridian, immediately getting a hat trick from sophomore sensation Abby Scheidelman while rolling to a 6-1 victory.
Scheidelman, who had 21 goals and 14 assists in her freshman campaign to help Chittenango finish 10-7-1, immediately went to work by pouring in three goals and getting equal help from her teammates.
The trio of Abby Baldwin, Taylor Velardi and Hannah Machan each picked up one goal and one assist, while Lis Vonderwolt also picked up an assist. Chittenango’s defense held Hannibal/C-M to just two shots overall.
Chittenango went right into tense, close action on the boys side last Thursday night, making the long road trip north to South Jefferson and going through 80 minutes of regulation and 20 minutes of overtime without a goal.
The 0-0 draw saw the Bears rarely able to generate serious scoring chances, held to just three shots, all stopped by Spartans goalie Jack Porter. Yet SJ also would find itself frustrated, leading to the stalemate.
Moving to boys soccer, Cazenovia roared
out of the gate in last Friday’s opening round off the DeRuyter Tournament against Otselic Valley, displaying plenty of firepower in the course of an 8-0 win over the Vikings.
Trying to improve on last year’s 6-11-1 mark, the Lakers got two goals apiece from Jack Coburn and Nat Gale, with Eliot Comeau and Sebastian Gebers also finding the net.
Eli Royer led Cazenovia with a pair of assists, with Tucker Ives, Alex Coburn, Finn Worthington, Sam Kupinsky, David Millson and Jaden Kaplan also earning assists.
Then the Lakers went to Saturday’s final against host DeRuyter and, claiming the firstplace trophy, earned another shutout, defeating the Rockets 2-0.
A single goal in each half proved enough, Comeau and Basil Sayre finding the net and assists credited to Royer and Gale. Cazenovia’s defense held DeRuyter to three shots, all stopped by Jack Casey.
Chittenango also won its opener on Saturday afternoon, keeping Fulton off the board in a 3-0 decision where all of the Bears’ goals were scored in the second half courtesy of Gavin Karwoski.
Three different times, Karwoski put the ball in the net, the hat trick a result of assists from Jake Wagner, Solomon Mullin and Cohen Touchette as Logan Bronner worked hard in goal for his shutout, stopping all eight of Fulton’s shots.
Cazenovia girls tennis gets season-opening victories
by Phil blACkwEll
Though not quite matching the dominant efforts of their spring counterparts on the boys side, the Cazenovia girls tennis team is among the best in the Onondaga High School League Liberty division.
And the Lakers’ 2024 season started with an impressive victory against Homer, keyed by claiming all of the singles points on the way to defeating the Trojans 5-2.
Leah Bell’s 6-4, 6-0 win over Mackenzie Skodzinsky got it rolling, while Madden Cobb battled in two sets past Ginny Park 7-5, 7-5 and, in third singles, Nora Berg turned back Sunny Park in a pair of 6-3 sets.
Library
l From page 2
transferring to larger institutions.
“Changing curriculum to specialize in marketable degrees as well as providing state of the art programs in the equestrian and art fields, the college always provided a quality education,” the exhibit states.
According to Shotzberger, the items currently displayed in the cases could eventually be replaced with materials representing other
History
l From page 5
Master rider John Anderson welcomed the spectators to the morning’s event. “Seventy-five years – isn’t that amazing” he said, wondering if the hunt founder, Edward Hunt, would have guessed his club would have endured for so many years.
7 years Ago – Sept. 13, 2017
Kids of all ages are invited to learn about local fish, amphibians, aquatic plants and invertebrates during a “BioBlitz” event at Lakeside Park.
Cazenovia College students in three courses, “Wetland Ecology,” “Environ -
Claire Vaccaro and Katie Williams dominated in doubles against Isabelle Brown and Aubrey McGrath 6-1, 6-1, with Bailey Burns and Claire Henry handling Lucy Goodwin and Emma Dart 6-3, 6-2. Ava Galton and Emma Campagna lost in straight sets as, in three sets, Audrey Henry and Annabelle Spinelli fell to Elizabeth McCloy and Cathelijne Van der Plujm 1-6, 6-0, 7-6 (11-9).
In the Lakers’ second match of the season on Friday, it faced Mexico and improved on what it did against Homer, earning a 7-0 shutout over the Tigers. Cobb, in first singles, roared past Jessica Hill 6-0, 6-2, with Lila Campagna handling Morgan Benton 6-1, 6-2 and, in third singles,
eras of the college’s past.
local history panels
In March 2024, CPL installed two new panels in the museum’s local history space.
Designed by Kevin Mann, owner of Campdesign, and researched and planned by Shotzberger and Cooney, the exhibits explore Cazenovia’s early agriculture and industry.
“Our local history panels are snapshots into our past,” said Shotzberger. “The goal is to highlight the self-sufficiency and interconnec-
mental Science” and “Life in and on the Lake,” will have several stations organized lakeside and under the pavilion where participations will learn about organisms commonly found in local lakes and ponds.
Waders will be available for those who want to try netting fish or sampling plants with a rake-toss.
A temporary “mini-pond” is planned to show fish too large for a 10-gallon aquarium.
Additional students from the environmental programs will be available to help young biologists keep track of their “BioBlitz Passport” and guide them around the stations.
Please wear boots and don’t wear anything white.
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Galton winning 6-0, 6-1 over Addison LaRue. Burns and Henry played the closest doubles match, beating Gabrielle Bickford and Kylee Seymour 6-3, 6-4 as Bell and Berg paired up to win 6-4, 6-1 over Kinzy Laffan and Nataleigh Smith. Vaccaro and Williams made it two in a row topping Isabella Ladd and Mackenzie Hopp 6-3, 6-0, while Willa Jubelt and Charlotta Rushing got a turn, earning a point by beating Kassondra Nuzzo and Lillian Haynes 6-2, 6-1.
A big week of three matches looms for the Lakers, taking on Christian Brothers Academy Wednesday in between facing Westhill and Cortland, all of them on the road.
Chittenango also got underway last Wednesday afternoon, against Manlius Pebble
tion of local agriculture and businesses, as well as the incredible innovation that turned local enterprises into successful industries.”
The new panels are part of an ongoing effort to revamp the library museum’s entire local history section. In addition to the agriculture and industry panels, the exhibit also features updated panels dedicated to the Haudenosaunee and Cazenovia’s early settlers, including founder John Lincklaen.
CPL’s next project will involve producing a panel focused on transportation and its impact
3 years Ago – Sept. 8, 2021
The Cazenovia community is invited to join CazArts for the grand opening of the renewed Carpenter’s Barn.
CazArts is an alliance of area arts organizations, individual artists, and the public that works to promote the creation and appreciation of arts in the greater Cazenovia area.
Originally built in 1889 as a carriage house for the former Lakeland estate (now Lakeland Park), Carpenter’s Barn has been partially repurposed to serve as a dynamic arts hub and “welcoming gateway” to the Village of Cazenovia.
The building’s interior was re -
Hill, with the Bears picking off points in both singles and doubles but still falling to the Trojans in another 5-2 decision. Natalie Fox won in singles 6-0, 6-3 over Audrey Arnold, but Evelyn Keville and Molly Uryniak both fell in two sets – Keville 6-1, 6-0 to Amitees Fazelli, Uryniak 6-0, 6-2 to Jenny He. Margaret Geer and Jeannie Gomez kept MPH from a doubles sweep with a 6-0, 6-0 shutout of Eleanor Spak and Sarah Ma, and Chittenango nearly got a third point but saw Campbell Reed and Hope Rock fall to Sophia Dowhy and Nia Lewis 6-4, 1-6, 10-3. In its trio of matches this week, the Bears took on Oneida Monday before getting Skaneateles and Marcellus.
on the previously isolated Cazenovia community. Work on that panel will begin in the late fall.
The library plans to host an opening reception for its new exhibits on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 1 p.m.
“We hope to see many Caz alumni and hear some of their stories,” said Davies. To learn more about CPL and its museum exhibits, visit cazenoviapubliclibrary.org.
furbished and repurposed using a $62,000 beginning grant from the Madison County Capital Resource Corporation, which was secured cooperatively by CazArts, the Village of Cazenovia, Cazenovia College, and the Cazenovia Area Community Development Association (CACDA) in July 2020.
“Work has continued throughout this past year, funded by generous gifts from members of the community,” said CazArts Board President Geoffrey Navias.
“A [$9,953] grant from the Central New York Community Foundation was just received to help with furnishing the Community Arts Room and the Artists Studio Space.”
John w. Medbury, 73
loved the outdoors
John William Medbury of Worcester, MA, formerly of Cazenovia, died on Sept. 21, 2023, after a long illness.
John was born on Jan. 16, 1950. He was the oldest son of Vincent and Mary Medbury. He was the husband of Linda Cavaioli.
John had six siblings. He graduated from Cazenovia High School in 1968. Then he enlisted in the Navy, served as petty officer second class store keeper from 1971-1975. He was honorably discharged.
He earned his Bachelor of Science in business administration from Denver University. Continuing his education, he earned a Master of Science in business administration from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
John was a professional firm manager for his entire career, culminating in a 13 year tenure as director of administration for the Bowditch & Dewey Law Farm in Worcester, MA. He was also a professor of law office management
France Verley born in Prague
The family of France Verley, of Cazenovia, wishes to share their joy in the rebirth of their mother to eternal life on Aug. 29, 2024. France Renée Marie Louise was born in Prague, Czech Republic, of French parents, René and Renée Bouffard, on the feast of the Epiphany, 1926. She was the eldest of 12 children and since the death of her parents in 1980, has been the beloved matriarch of this vast family, which numbers over 500 descendants. At the beginning of WWII, France’s parents returned to France, where at the end of the war, she met a dashing young architect, Alain Verley. They married in 1945 and, with their firstborn in tow, left for a grand U.S. adventure. After time spent in Lincoln, Nebraska and Syracuse, they settled in Cazenovia in 1964.
France is survived by her nine children, their
at Anna Maria College in Paxton.
John loved the outdoors, hiking, camping and mountain climbing throughout the United States. He loved to travel, meeting new people in and out of the U.S. Throughout his life, John was devoted to the Boy Scouts, joining Troop 18 in Cazenovia, and was a leader and friend to all the young people he met. He was elected to the Order of the Arrow and was an Eagle Scout.
John came from a large immediate and extended family in Upstate New York. He raised a family of his own, with five children and 10 grandchildren. John was deeply
spouses, 25 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren: Christine Redmond; Didier (Sharon) Verley; Thierry (BetheAnne) DeLuca-Verley; Eric (Mirielle) Verley; Daphné Verley (Christophe Reboul-Salze); Cyril DeLuca-Verley (Michele); Thérèse Verley Strodel (Joseph Strodel, Jr.); Marie Bénédicte Verley (Anurag Spatzenegger); and Elizabeth Godwin (Frank Shaw). Her siblings and their spouses, all of whom reside in France: + Christiane (+ Claude) Reboul-Salze; Marguerite (+ Leopold) Caux; + Alain (Agnès) Bouffard; Anne (+ Rob-
involved in the Worcester community, where he lived for 38 years. He was active as a professional member of the community whre he lived.
In the midst of these many commitments and challenges he always remained calm and pleasant. He supported and encouraged all he met.
In addition to his wife Linda, he was survived by his daughter Kyla (husband Shane Davis) and his son Evan (wife Missy), a daughter Jennifer Fields (husband Anthony) and his sons Paul and Ben as well as 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He is also survived by sisters Margaret Waldeck, Susan Escobedo-Villaluazo, Roth Medbury, Ann Barrows and Jeanne Medbury Connely. He was predeceased by his parents, Vincent and Mary, and his brother, Charles.
There will be a celebration of life in his honor at the American Legion Post 88 in Cazenovia on Sept. 15, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. All are welcome. If you would like to make a donation in his name, please donate to Troop 18 of Cazenovia or CAVAC.
ert) Fournier-Montgieux; + Odile (+ Daniel) Verley; Denise (Pierre) Crosille; Henri (Marie Thérèse) Bouffard; Philippe (Armelle) Bouffard; Loïc (Marie France) Bouffard; François (+ Marie France) Bouffard; and Noël (Brigitte) Bouffard.
A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, at St. James Church in Cazenovia. The mass can be viewed online at youtube.com@ st.jameschurchcazenoviany 2292. A private burial will be held at Mount Savior Monastery.
France and Alain were oblates, or lay members of the Benedictine Order.
In lieu of flowers, many thanks for kindly making a donation to the Mustard Seed, c/o St. James Church, 6 Green St., Cazenovia, NY 13035 or online at stjamescaz.org/our-ministries/outreach/. Condolences for the Verley family may be left at michaelebrownfuneralservices.com.
Frances lamb avid golfer
Frances “Fran” Lamb passed away peacefully on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024, surrounded by her family. Fran was born on June 5, 1940, in Fabius, N.Y., to the late Joseph Shawl and Harriett Burdick. Fran is predeceased by her husband, Fordyce “Ford” Lamb. Surviving are her sister, Elizabeth (Donald) Smith; her children, Mary (Kevin) Lamb DeMayo, Michael (Anne) and Steven (Sandra) Lamb; her grandchildren, Matthew (Sarah) Saucier, Heather (Jim) Walsh, Derek (Corine) Lamb and Jonathan Lamb; her greatgrandchildren Jack and Charlie Walsh, and Ford Joseph Lamb, cousins and many nieces and nephews.
After graduating from Fayetteville-Manlius High School, Fran worked as a teller at Marine Midland Bank, and subsequently at General Electric in Syracuse. She married Ford in 1962 and moved to Cazenovia. She left the full-time work force to become a mother who never missed supporting and cheering on her children at all their events.
She volunteered at the church and in the commu-
Paul D. bobbette, 78
Vietnam veteran
Paul D. Bobbette, 78, of Cazenovia, formerly of California and Florida, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024. He was born Aug. 6, 1946 in Syracuse to Charles Albert and Mary Ethel Thompson Bobbette and was a graduate of Cazenovia High School, class of 1964. Paul enlisted into the U.S. Air Force in 1965 and was a veteran of the Vietnam War. After being honorably discharged in 1973, Paul moved to California where he held several jobs including the first male switchboard operator at NBC Studios in Burbank. Upon his retirement, Paul moved to Sarasota, FL, and returned to Cazenovia in 2022. Paul was a very social person
nity, was a talented woodworker and amateur photographer for family and friends’ parties. When her children were older, she resumed her career as a bookkeeper for Willow Bank Yacht Club in Cazenovia, United Radio Service/BeepCall, and finally for Johnny Appleseed Furniture in Erieville, where she worked for over 20 years.
Fran was an avid golfer who belonged to the Cazenovia Golf Club with Ford for over 50 years. She was a member of the SWDGA, CGC women’s club champion multiple times and instituted a women’s Tuesday night league. She was a strong advocate for women’s rights on the golf course and lobbied for, and won, the right for women to tee off before noon on weekends and was the first woman elected to the board
and made friends wherever he went. He enjoyed playing cards, singing and expressing his faith in God. Paul was a member of the Cazenovia American Legion Post #88, the Summit Church and the Cazenovia United Methodist Church. Paul is survived by his siblings, Dorothy Jacobs of Cazenovia, Betty Ann Bobbette of San Antonio, TX, Bill Bobbette of Tavares,
of directors. She also spent countless volunteer hours beautifying the golf course with flowers, flower beds and planters.
Fran is remembered by family and friends as the life of the party and most often the party organizer. She made friends wherever she went, and people often commented that she always had a smile and lively conversation. Her final wishes are for all to attend a party after her funeral mass and reminisce about the good times.
A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 10 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, at St. James Catholic Church, 6 Green St., Cazenovia, and can be viewed online at youtube.com@ st.jameschurchcazenoviany 2292.
Private burial will be in White Chapel Memory Gardens at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association CNY Chapter, 5015 Campuswood Drive, Suite 102, East Syracuse, NY 13057 or Cazenovia Volunteer Ambulance Corp. (CAVAC), 106 Nelson St., Cazenovia, NY 13035.
Condolences for the family may be left at michaelebrownfuneralservices.com.
and his
He is also survived by several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Paul was predeceased by his brother, Charles E. “Bud” Bobbette and by his sister, Marie McMahon. A memorial service will be held at noon, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, at the Cazenovia United Methodist Church with a reception to follow in the fellowship hall of the church. Contributions in Paul’s memory may be made to the Cazenovia United Methodist Church, 23 Lincklaen St., Cazenovia, NY 13035. Condolences for the family may be left at michaelebrownfuneralservices.com.
FL, Nancy Crowell of Otto, N.Y., Carol “Cookie” Link of Cazenovia
twin brother, Peter Bobbette of Chittenango.
John w. Medbury
France Verley
Paul D. bobbette
Frances lamb
general music director of MAP and chair of the judging panel. “His understanding of musical expression and his thoughtful and passionate conducting style made him the choice for this award by the international jury.”
The competition, which will resume in 2027, seeks to recognize outstanding choral conductors between the ages of 25 and 35.
“The establishment of this competition is a significant step toward supporting and advancing the careers of young choral conductors,” Matthew Harden, one of the judges, said in the press release. “2024 Winner Matthew Abernathy exemplifies the future of choral music.”
Abernathy is a 2009 graduate of Cazenovia High School.
“My first time conducting was actually with the Cazenovia High School band,” Abernathy said. “I liked the idea of seeing the ‘big picture’ and thinking about how you interpret a piece, which is basically what a conductor does. Ever since then, it’s been my musical goal. . . . I’ve been in-
spired by a lot of great musicians, but I’d be remiss not to particularly single out Teresa Campbell and Kathy DiNardo, who were my high school choir and jazz band teachers. Getting to Carnegie Hall starts with public schools that offer great arts experiences. I know that the music opportunities I had at Caz enabled me to get where I am today.”
After high school, Abernathy earned a bachelor of music degree from SUNY Potsdam-Crane School of Music, a master of music degree from the University of Michigan, and a doctor of musical arts degree from the University of Minnesota.
As artistic director for the Master Chorale of Tampa Bay, Abernathy leads a 130-voice symphonic chorus that performs major choral-orchestral works in collaboration with The Florida Orchestra. In that role, he has also commissioned music by living composers and oversees a comprehensive community engagement program reaching all ages throughout Tampa Bay.
In 2022, Abernathy was a semifinalist and the only American admitted to the
Fosco Corti International Competition for Choral Conductors in Turin, Italy.
From 2016 to 2022, he was on staff at Minnesota Opera, where he was guest chorus master in 2019 and 2022, children’s chorus director from 2016 to 2022, and music director of the Project Opera youth program from 2016 to 2022. He also played an integral role in the creation and success of Minnesota Opera’s adult community chorus, Voices of Opera, and he was a teaching artist for Minnesota Opera’s after-school music program, Music Out Loud.
He also served as chorus master for the Lakes Area Music Festival from 2018 to 2022 and as an assistant conductor/section leader with the Minnesota Chorale in 2019 and 2022.
Other conducting appearances include The Florida Orchestra, Wintergreen Music Festival, Bach Society of Minnesota, Dakota Valley Symphony Chorus, Oratorio Society of Minnesota, Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, The Summer Singers, Opera MODO, Arbor Opera Theater, 113 Composer Collective, and the Norfolk Chamber
Choir. Additionally, he has prepared choruses for numerous notable conductors.
“Conducting looks like a flashy profession, and it certainly can be, but a great conductor is really there to enable their ensemble to perform as well as they can,” Abernathy said. “They know their music extremely well and put aside any ego to make sure that the music and the musicians who perform it can shine.”
In his current position at the University of Tampa, Abernathy teaches the undergraduate aural skills course sequence and conducts the Chamber Singers and Camerata, a select chamber choir for treble voices. He has also been a faculty member at the University of St. Thomas and the University of Minnesota. His
academic research focuses on aural skills, musicianship, and leadership for conductors.
Founded by Tiboris over 40 years ago, MAP has brought together conductors, choirs, soloists, and orchestral musicians for performances at some of the world’s greatest venues, most notably the Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall.
As part of his MAP award, Abernathy will make his debut performance conducting the New England Symphonic Ensemble in Boulanger’s Psalm 130 “Du fond de l’abîme” at the Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage on June 6, 2026, at 8 p.m.
“Honestly, I never expected to be here and certainly never to conduct at Carnegie Hall,” Abernathy said. “It’s
been surprisingly overwhelming to process this honor.” His program, which was selected in collaboration with Tiboris, will feature a choir of 125 voices.
“Lili Boulanger is definitely not a household name, but she is one of the most extraordinary composers from the early 20th century,” noted Abernathy. “She was extremely gifted but chronically ill for much of her short life, so her music is very passionate and emotional. This particular piece is thrilling from beginning to end and does a brilliant job of showing off the choir and orchestra. It’s been on my bucket list for a long time!” For more information on MAP, visit midamerica-music.com.
Cazenovia
Submitted photoS
Cazenovia High School graduate Matthew Abernathy has won the first MidAmerica productions inc. international Choral Conducting Competition.