Cazenovia Heritage to explore local ‘Equestrian Comforts’
British Blacksmith to give demonstration
By kAtE Hill Staff Writer
On Saturday, Oct. 12, from 2 to 3:30 p.m., Cazenovia Heritage will present a free program titled “For the Horses: Equestrian Comforts” at the Cazenovia Public Library.
According to a press release announcing the event, the program will include presentations on the modes of transportation, public water troughs, hitching posts, and blacksmiths of Cazenovia; an opportunity for high school students to meet their community service requirements; and a live blacksmithing demonstration.
“For over 120 years — long before automobiles dominated our roads — transportation in Cazenovia relied on true horse power,” the press release states. “Horses moved people and goods via buggy, wagon, and sleigh. [In] exchange for this labor, people provided for the care, maintenance, and security of horses.”
Carl Stearns, Cazenovia Heritage board member and noted architect and preservationist, will present on the various means of conveyance and the public water troughs created for the benefit of horses. He will also discuss hitching posts and mounting blocks, many of which can be seen today along village streets and town roads.
“These horse troughs and hitching posts from the 1800s into the 20th century are historic artifacts that form part of our cultural landscape, and they visually call us back to our past,” Stearns said in the press release.
Cazenovia Heritage will offer two opportunities for the public to recognize and document these cultural objects.
High school students will be invited to help inventory the remaining hitching posts and blocks.
“Beyond quantifying these once-
Public library on Saturday, Oct. 12.
common objects, it is important to have a record of their construction, materials, condition, and placement as a reflection of the community at that time,” Cazenovia Heritage board member Mark Smith said in the press release. “All students taking part in creating the inventory will get credit for their community service hours.”
Interested individuals are invited to the library on Wednesday, Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. to collect neighborhood inventory sheets.
During the Equestrian Comforts program, attendees will learn about an opportunity for all Cazenovians to ensure that three public water troughs are preserved as Cazenovia landmarks.
DeWitt resident Jeff McIntyre will also speak at the event, sharing his knowledge of some of Cazenovia’s earliest blacksmiths and the locations of their shops.
McIntyre has spearheaded a research project to discover, preserve, and present the history of the blacksmith trade in the Village of Cazenovia. His goal is to learn as much as possible about all the blacksmiths who served residents of Cazenovia from 1793 through the late 1940s. He has created a website, cazblacksmith.
Nelson to host weekly fall farmers’ market
By kAtE Hill Staff Writer
This fall, the Town of Nelson is introducing a weekly farmers’ market at 4085 Nelson Rd.
The market will be held on Sundays from Sept. 29 through Oct. 27, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
There is no charge to vendors.
“Our new market is a testament to our commitment to helping our community to shop locally,” said Town of Nelson Supervisor Jim Cunningham. “Each purchase supports our local economy, reduces our carbon footprint, and fosters a sense of community. We hope the new farmers’ market will become an important gathering place [and foster] connections between farmers and consumers, neighbors, and families bonding over homemade goods and fresh produce.” Cunningham also thanked the volunteers and past and current town board members who believed in and supported the vision of the farmers’ market.
“Grab your basket, enjoy your time here, and thank you for participating in this new chapter in our community’s story,” he said.
Vendors interested in participating should contact Nelson Town Clerk Christine Jaquez at tnclerk1@windstream.net or 315-655-8582 ex.1.
org, and the “Cazenovia Blacksmith History Center Facebook page to spread the word about the project and share his findings.
Program attendees will then be invited outside to view a demonstration by Mark Teece, “The British Blacksmith,” who will set up shop in the parking lot.
Teece is an artist blacksmith who uses traditional blacksmithing methods and modern techniques to form unique pieces of functional art.
“Years ago, iron was used not only for horseshoes but also for hinges, latches, nails, and a variety of tools,” the Cazenovia Heritage press release states. “Today, it can be forged into tables, art, and custom utilitarian pieces.”
Teece, who came to America from Britain about 25 years ago, started blacksmithing 11 years ago.
“I love the plasticity of hot iron and steel,” he said. “The material is fascinating, and when it’s hot, it can be forged into amazingly beautiful forms. Then, when it cools, it becomes very rigid and strong but holds onto its beautiful organic shape.”
Today, Teece has a forge in Kirkville and conducts classes for beginners and experienced black-
smiths. He is a member of the New York State Designer Blacksmiths, the Artists-Blacksmith’s Association of North America, and the British Artist Blacksmith Association.
“It is important for people to see how things are made and where they come from,” he said. “Craftsmanship and traditional trades are [what] built our society, and their role in our modern lives is important to understand. I love showing the public how iron can be manipulated and used to make so many critical items that we use in our everyday lives.”
During his Oct. 12 demonstration, Teece will forge a colonial-era horse bit and bridle.
Established in 2021, Cazenovia Heritage is a non-profit community
organization that seeks to conserve the area’s cultural resources, including the historic architecture, neighborhoods, sites, and objects that contribute to Cazenovia’s unique sense of place and character.
“The care and maintenance of horses played a large role in the local economy and in the well-being of families throughout the 19th century,” said Stearns. “We hope these programs provide [attendees] with additional insight into their importance to Cazenovia.”
To learn more about Cazenovia Heritage and upcoming events, visit cazheritage.org/programs
For more information about The British Blacksmith, visit thebritishblacksmith.com
The Old Drovers Tavern historical marker unveiled
Submitted photoS
Cazenovia Heritage will present “For the Horses: Equestrian Comforts” at the Cazenovia
Submitted photoS On Sunday, Sept. 29, the town of Nelson, in partnership with the Erieville-Nelson Heritage Society and the Nelson Preservation Associates, unveiled a new historical marker at the Old Drovers tavern on the corner of Route 20 and Nelson Road.
Jack Skoglund, 80 army paratrooper
On Sept. 17, 2024, Jack Phillips Skoglund passed away in Morrisville at age 80.
Jack is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Todd and Nicole Skoglund and their children, Olivia and Ryan of Chittenango, his sister, Jane Stevens-Denny and her husband Arlen Denny, his nieces and nephews, Alison Barnes, Alex Barnes, his wife, Jasmeen, and family, Jack Stevens, his wife, Emily and family and Mark Stevens, his wife Alexis, and family, all of Cazenovia, and Lauren Stevens, of Bluemont, VA.
Jack was born on Feb. 16, 1944 in Staten Island, N.Y.
After his early years in Greenwich,
John S. Ferguson, 91 Husband, father, grandfather
John S. Ferguson, 91, of Vero Beach, FL, formerly from Cazenovia, peacefully left this life on Sept. 23, 2024, with his wife and three sons supporting him in presence and spirit. He had sustained a hemorrhagic stroke and was at VNA Hospice House.
John was born in Orange, N.J., March 27, 1933. He grew up in South Orange and graduated from Newark Academy. He then attended and graduated from Amherst College in 1954. After two years in the U.S. Army, much of it stationed in Germany, he returned to
CT, he grew up in Cazenovia. Jack joined the 82nd Airborne Division of the United States Army and became a paratrooper, deployed to the Dominican Republic
He graduated from aviation school and started Skoglund Construction Company in the mid-1970s, where he employed many people who remain close friends of Jack’s today.
He enjoyed many hobbies including photography, mechanics, flying, fishing, hunting, playing the guitar and spending time with his many pals.
Jack (Skog) was an enthusiastic storyteller. He enjoyed sharing his treasured tales of his life with anyone who would listen, but especially with his family.
He was known for his quick wit and humor, but above all, his honesty and
Columbia University from which he obtained his law degree in February, 1960. He subsequently moved to Syracuse, joining the law firm of Bond, Schoeneck & King where he became a partner, specializing in matters of municipal law and zoning.
In 1958 John met his future wife Caroline (Bunty) Benedict. They were married Sept. 12, 1959.
John was an honest man, a very kind man, and he had a wonderful sense of humor. He believed in contributing to his community, holding positions of leadership at many Syracuse area nonprofit organizations, including the Everson Museum of Art and the United
CHAmP NEEDS A HOmE
By DONNA NEwmAN
provided donna neWman
is there anything cuter than a bulldog? Champ came to the shelter as a stray, which is hard to believe, because he doesn’t have much energy and he doesn’t move very fast! we think he’s about seven years old and he weighs sixty-four pounds. He is sweet and sassy, courageous and cuddly, gentle and giant, playful and patient. we think he would make a lovely family dog. He would need to be the only pet, but he’s so sweet, he’s the only one you’ll need! meet Champ for yourself and see what a special guy he is. In order to adopt, you must fill out an application, pay an adoption fee, and have your pets up to date on their rabies vaccines. All adopted cats and dogs are spayed or neutered, microchipped, and up-to-date on their vaccinations before they go home. the CNy SPCA is located at 5878 East molloy Road, Syracuse For more information about adoption, call 315-454-4479, email frontdesk2@cnyspca.org, or visit cnyspca.org
genuine compassion for those around him.
Following a private burial, a memorial gathering will be held at the American Legion Hall at 26 Chenango St., Cazenovia, on Oct. 5, 2024, from 1 to 3 p.m.
Donations may be made to Clear Path For Veterans, 1223 Salt Springs Road, Chittenango, clearpath4vets. co m or The Dementia Society of America, dementiasociety.or g
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Burgess & Tedesco Funeral Home, 31 Cedar St., Morrisville, NY 13408.
To send a condolence online, please visit burgessandtedescofuneralhomes. co m
Jack Skoglund
Way. Besides his work and his family, John had a lifelong love of the outdoors. He spent as much time as he could at his fly-fishing club in the Catskill mountains. His family continues actively engaged in this four generation tradition at the Tuscarora Club.
After retiring from Bond, Schoeneck & King in 1998, John and Bunty spent their winters at Sea Oaks Beach and Tennis Club in Vero Beach, FL. Summers were spent in Cazenovia until 2019 when they became full time Florida residents. For the last eight years, hav -
June C. Egan, 74 Beloved mother, nana, wife and friend
June C. Egan, aged 74, passed away on Sept. 20, 2024. She was a beloved mother and nana, wife and friend who will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
June was born in Boston, where she spent her formative years. She went on to attend SUNY Cortland and later became a health teacher with the Alcohol-Drug Abuse Prevention Education Program (ADAPEP) in the Syracuse City Schools.
Additionally, she and her husband were involved in college ski racing. Throughout her career, she touched the lives of many students over several decades.
ing been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s dementia, John enjoyed his Sea Oaks cottage and patio where he watched the birds, squirrels and rabbits accompanied by his adored dog, Bonaparte. John is survived by his loving wife, Bunty, his sons, Jim, Dick and Ted, as well as five grandchildren.
There will be no services, as per John’s wishes. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the VNA & Hospice House Foundation, or the Alzheimer and Parkinson’s Association of Indian River County.
June is survived by her husband Jeffrey Egan, her children, Christine Haslam and Eric (Allison) Haslam, and her grandchildren, Virgil, Henry and Brooke. Her memory will be cherished by all who knew her. A celebration of life may be held at a later date.
Town of Nelson Building Parking Lot, 4085 Nelson Rd Drive Thru Pick Up and Pay - Begins at 4:30pm Pre-orders are strongly
FARMERS MARKET
During the week of October 7, 2024, the water department will flush hydrants and blow offs within your district. As a result, low pressure and cloudy water may occur. To remedy this, let your cold water run until it clears, also try to avoid doing laundry and using hot water to prevent damage to your hot water tank. We thank you for your cooperation and will continue to supply you with safe and quality drinking water. Town of Cazenovia Water Department Chris Sgouris, Water
photo
June C. Egan
Local law enforcement
K-9 units to be honored
The annual Evening with Kizey Dinner to benefit CNYSPCA will be held on Saturday, Oct. 19, from 5-8 p.m. at Coppertop Event House, 3372 Milton Ave., Syracuse. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased by stopping into the shelter or by phone at 315-454-4479. Tickets can also be purchased at the door. Event is open to the public and all are invited to attend for this special celebration.
The Kizey Dinner is named after the cast iron Newfoundland statue that has stood as sentinel in front of the Central New York SPCA for over 126 years and which until 1991 was unnamed. It was in 1991 that a contest was held with local school students to name the statute and the winning name was Kizey as it meant “stay put.”
This year’s “Evening with Kizey” award will be presented to the K-9 units of the Syracuse Police Department, Onondaga County Sheriff’s Dept. and the NYS Troopers. The proceeds of the “Evening with Kizey” Dinner assist with providing the animals the best medical care, housing and creature comforts before they find their forever homes.
CNYSPCA is on track to take in over 1,000 animals this year with many of these animals needing spaying/neutering as well as other medical care. The CNYSPCA hopes to be able to build in new shelter in the near future, since we have outgrown the current shelter with need and demand to take in more animals each year About the Central New york SPCA: The Central New York SPCA is a full service animal shelter, rescue and cruelty investigation nonprofit that meets the definition of a no-kill organization. CNY SPCA serves all of
Madison and Oneida Counties as well as most of Onondaga County. CNY SPCA was founded in 1891 with this year marking its 132nd consecutive year of fulfilling its mission to protect and improve the lives of dogs, cats and all animals by providing shelter, care, adoption, rescue, spay and neuter services, community education and cruelty in-
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Fire prevention week coming
This year, Oct. 6 to 12 is marked as Fire Prevention Week with a theme focused on fire alarms and making them work for your benefit and safety.
Going back to the 1920s, this has been a time to raise awareness about measures everyone can take to prevent fires and keep their homes and loved ones as safe as possible in the event of a fire.
If you haven’t done so in a while this might be a good time to check smoke detectors and make sure they are fully functioning and have good batteries or old ones are replaced if needed.
During this time the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York is also putting an emphasis on educating others on the various sounds safety devices can make and be aware of what each one means and in turn how to respond to those sounds.
According to FASNY, many people, instead of taking immediate action when they hear an alarm in their home, they spend valuable time trying to figure out what the sounds mean, rather than responding to them promptly.
FASNY also noted many residents remove the batteries from their alarms when they begin to chirp and end up forgetting to replace them.
Others may think the sounds are a result of a defect.
Unfortunately, by not investigating the situation further, it could present serious risks in the case of a fire or emergency situation. According to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA), three out of every five home fire deaths occur in homes without working smoke alarms or in homes lacking smoke detectors. And a quarter of all smoke alarm failures are caused by dead batteries, according to FASNY.
Working smoke alarms save lives by cutting the risk of dying in a home fire in half. Smoke alarms should be installed and maintained in every dwelling.
FASNY encourages people to know the difference between the sounds of your alarms. Smoke alarms tend to be three beeps while carbon monoxide tend to be four beeps, according to FASNY.
Other tips from FASNY include the following:
When a smoke or carbon monoxide alarm sounds, respond immediately by first exiting your home, calling 911, and staying out of your home.
Test your smoke alarms monthly by holding down the test button.
If your smoke alarm begins to chirp, typically a single chirp every 30 or 60 seconds, it means that the batteries are low and should be replaced.
If your smoke alarm continues chirping after batteries are replaced, it means the alarm is at the end of its life and the unit must be replaced.
Regularly replace your alarm’s batteries once a year.
If your smoke alarm is more than 10 years old, it is time to replace the alarm.
Since 2019, NY State law requires all new or replacement smoke alarms in New York State to be powered by a 10year, sealed, non-removable battery, or hardwired to the home.
Ten year fire alarms still need to be tested monthly, and replaced every 10 years.
Ten year fire alarms will chirp when their battery is low.
Make sure your smoke and CO alarms meet the needs of all your family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.
If there is someone in your household who is deaf or hard of hearing, install a bed shaker and strobe light alarms that will alert that person to fire.
Interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home for the best protection. When one sounds, they all sound. Make sure you can hear the sound of the smoke alarm.
For more information on smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, and other information on fire safety and prevention, visit fasny.com and nfpa.org.
A SwEEt SOlutiON
Carrot cake is overrated. The carrot bits and the lumpy pineapple or whatever ingredients that have been added to its recipe have never impressed me. The icing or frosting was another matter. Cream cheese frosting is without or nearly without equal as the penultimate of cake coatings. Carrot cake is merely the incidental surface for holding cream cheese frosting. Let’s face it, you could cover a saltine with cream cheese frosting and it would be delicious.
I grew up in a household that revered frosted cakes. Idiosyncratic Brits in so many ways, my mother and grandmother used the term icing to describe the filling and covering of layer cakes. In our house butter cream was the icing of choice. My grandmother was the baker in our house. She schooled me in the basics of cake baking and decorating from an early age. I can remember standing on a little stool that had the words “Mary had a little lamb”… only the b in lamb had worn off …and learning the recipe for a two layer cake and butter cream icing. I use the word butter loosely since there was no butter in her recipe. This was the post WWII era when the lessons from the depression and war rationing still guided our cautious use of foods. For example, no cake could have more than two eggs in its ingredients and butter for us was a plastic packet of a slippery white substance that was colored yellow by breaking a bubble containing an orange dye incorporated in the plastic covering. The four kids vied for the honor of hand massaging that little bubble to turn the oleaginous substance into what we called margarine. We lived a much simpler life than kids do today. There were only three ingredients in our icing, margarine, 10X sugar and vanilla. My
Crazy ideas
To the editor:
Ramblings from the empty nest
ann Ferro
grandmother never measured and most of the time the icing was perfect. If it became too stiff to spread, she would add a bit of milk (a mixture of cow’s milk and dried milk and water.) On special occasions, some of the 10X sugar was replaced with cocoa. And, for most of my adult life, this was the recipe that I used.
It was about a month ago that I volunteered to make a cake for the Sunday birthday party for my youngest grandsons. Their preference for frosting required that it be thick and colored yellow, pink and blue. Not a problem. I baked the cake early on a Saturday evening. I waited for it to cool enough to frost and gathered the ingredients. At first, I thought it would be a cream cheese confection, but, alas, I had no cream cheese. My grandmother’s recipe was always good. So, it would be a butter cream, with real butter, vanilla and 10X sugar. That soon became a challenge. There was only about a cup of confectioners’ sugar in the jar and it was now mid-Saturday night. What stores were open then? Did I want to drive to Camillus or Skaneateles to get the sugar? I don’t do well driving at night anymore, so what to do? As my experience for implementing a changed lesson plan taught me, “Monitor and adjust.”
Google directed me to something called Ermine frosting. No 10X sugar needed. It was more like a pudding. At first, I questioned whether it would do the trick but at this hour my options were few. The recipe is as follows:
Mix 2 cups of sugar, ½ cup of flour and a pinch of salt in a medium saucepan.
Add 2 cups of milk mixed with 2 tsp. vanilla. Stir to combine and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly
FROM THE MAILBAG
I’ll admit, I’m one of those dreamers who spend a good part of the day spinning up crazy ideas. It’s not that unusual for me to come up with several in a day. For example, this one -- a column that may or may not get published in the Cazenovia Republican about crazy ideas.
If in fact it is published, I would like to thank those who have had crazy ideas and actually get them done. The premier example is from this weekend. Someone had the crazy idea to build a new trailhead in the Buyea’s parking lot for the Gorge Trail. Then, whoever it was tasked the Cazenovia Preservation Foundation to get it done. Voila! In a short period of time, we now have a beautiful, landscaped entrance to the Gorge Trail. (And an entrance for the 4800 mile North Country Trail that passes through Cazenovia, another zany idea!). It’s now a showpiece for Cazenovia! Then, roughly down the street someone decided to address some village blight by proposing that the derelict gas station and abandoned auto parts store be torn down and hopefully soon be eplaced by apartments that will better tie in with the village. And then there’s what I like to call the “miracle” on Lincklaen street, where various individuals with crazy ideas have made the street an avenue of boutique shops featuring eyeglasses, sushi, the cutest-ever bookstore, and gourmet breads and other goodies. Applause to the Lincklaen Street dreamers, and may you all thrive! There’s never been a better time for crazy ideas in Cazenovia, especially those that get done. We have a semi-abandoned college campus that needs a permanent use that will make our little village even more special. We have vacant storefronts on Albany (sniff, sniff - I so miss “The Key”) that need new life and businesses that can thrive. So in the spirit of crazy ideas, I have a few to address these. As far as the former Cazenovia College, start up a community fund to buy the campus! We spent 11 million on a football field, so what’s another 11 million! Maybe we can interest “Road Scholar” or “Great Books” to buy the campus and use it for art and educational classes directed at seniors who would spend part of their spring, summer and fall here in the dorms. As far as a use for the vacant storefronts, how about a used sporting goods store/bicycle shop? How about opening a tourism office in one of them (like the old Chamber of Commerce)? A French restaurant. How about some of those
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until it reaches a pudding-like consistency (about 2 minutes).
Pour into a bowl, cover with some plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming and cool to room temperature.
Using a mixer, beat 2 cups of unsalted butter at room temperature on high until pale and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
Add the room temperature pudding mixture 1 Tablespoon at a time while the mixer continues to beat the butter.
Beat after all of the pudding is added for two more minutes until it is smooth and fluffy. I was skeptical. What would this look and taste like? I had a discerning audience to please. I frosted the cake and added the required sprinkles. Grandmothers might run out of confectioner’s sugar but they never run out of sprinkles.
Sure, it took a lot more work than a butter cream, but it did the job well. It looked good and it tasted great. The frosting was delicious. My grandsons, all of them, the 3 year old twins and the two teens, gobbled the cake and its covering down. The left-over cake went home with the older two.
So, what has my life come to?
There are wars in Europe and the Middle East, famine in Sudan, the suspicious shortage of weight loss drugs, the incorrect use of commas and so much more to worry about. While the world is pondering far more important challenges, I find myself satisfied that I was able to frost a cake. There are challenges and there are solutions. Some are sweeter than others.
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.
stores outside the village relocating back to the village - let’s fight suburban sprawl and centralize the village so we don’t need to drive for everything!
As you can see, crazy ideas are endless - but in the end it’s those amazing people who turn their ideas into reality.I hope I’ve at least stirred up some of you with crazy ideas. I suggest you share them in future issues of the Cazenovia Republican. JOHN vON REyN Cazenovia
Disappointed
To the editor:
I was disappointed to hear that the village of Fayetteville is using a Climate Smart Grant from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation for sidewalk maintenance. Don’t get me wrong--we need better sidewalk maintenance. I’ve called the village’s Department of Public Works for the last four years to ask them to repair the sidewalk in front of my house. However, the village should use general tax funds for this kind of routine maintenance, not a special grant designed to decrease local carbon emissions.
The village’s rationale is that improving sidewalks will lead fewer people to drive their cars. I seriously doubt that sidewalk repairs will result in a meaningful decline in carbon emissions. Moreover, the grant money should be used to implement new carbon-reducing initiatives that the village would not otherwise pursue if not for the additional money. For example, the $75,000 grant could have been used to install solar panels on a village building, to plant additional trees in the village, or any number of projects that would have a measurable impact on our local carbon emissions.
SARAH PRAllE fayetteville
We are watching
To the editor:
In the upcoming election this November is a Village of Fayetteville trustee election. I am sure there will be many letters in support of Trustee Rice, what a wonderful person she is and such. I am sure this is true, but please read on.
I am writing to ask voters not to support current appointed incumbent Jane Rice (running on the Democratic Party line) Letters l Page 5
Years Ago in History
By CiNDy BEll tOBEy
110 years Ago – Oct. 1, 1914
At a recent meeting of the directors of the Cazenovia Country Fair, it was voted to hold the fair next year on Sept. 17 at the Point of Pines on the lake shore, the same place at which it was held this year, Mr. J. H. T. E. Burr having again offered the use of the grounds.
Mr. Burr, in addition to having donated the use of the grounds this year, was chairman of the tent committee on arrangement of the grounds and superintended the setting up of all equipment and the transportation of the lumber and tents.
Mr. Brooks, the president of the fair, has received a letter from W. W. Fisk, assistant professor of the cheese making department, Cornell University, that ours was the first fair he ever has visited conducted along such lines.
He said that the Cornell tent was visited by more people and more enthusiasm shown than is usually manifested upon a country fair ground.
due to her vote for the extremely high tax increase in the current 24-25 tax year.
Your Village of Fayetteville taxes increased from 13 to 18 % year over year. Overall village assessments increased 14.5% (all properties). They did not drop the tax rate enough effectively giving us this outrageous increase.
The trustees and Mayor Small (except Trustee Cleary), all supported this tax increase with an effective levy of 12.8% well above the NYS Tax cap of 2%. In attending a meeting to complain about this last spring, they effectively blew me off. No substantiation was provided for this increase.
You can look up your taxes on the Onondaga County tax site, Onondaga County Real Property Tax - Search (go2gov.net)
Anyone who pays their taxes via escrow can look up over 20 years of taxes for all levels of state government. Once you find your property use the “receipts” tab for this to find past years tax amounts and you can figure out your actual increase.
I urge taxpayers who pay via escrow to look up your own taxes. When you see your increase do not get mad vote!
Renters, this tax increase will be passed along to you in your next rent increase for sure. Vote!
Voters, we need to send a clear message to candidate Rice and the other trustees and Mayor, that these large tax increases are unacceptable and fiscally irresponsible!
To quote Harry Truman,” You have a chance to remedy(this), If you do not vote against this, I will not have any sympathy with you. You will get what you deserve.”
Vote to show our village elected trustees and mayor that we are watching, and they are accountable to all village taxpayers. Time to stop this runaway bus.
BOB wEBBER fayetteville
Supporting Mannion
To the editor:
I recently read an editorial by Congressman Brandon Williams (NY22) published by the Syracuse Post Standard and Syracuse.com on Sept. 5, 2024. It’s entitled “Where I Stand on Abortion.”
This, he said, he believed to be due to the fact that the Cazenovia Fair does not have the usual practically worthless attractions which are upon most fairgrounds.
90 years Ago – Oct. 4, 1934
Seventeen two-men crews are working through Orange, Albany, Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Putnam, Ulster and Renssalaer counties, following a rigid and systematic plan, searching for any possible case of Dutch elm disease.
The picket lines thrown about the metropolitan district during the past summer have been extended in order to take every precaution against any spread of the “brown plague.”
An infected tree was discovered recently at Stony Pond, Rockland County, marking the northern limit of known infection.
Two scouting crews have been established at Poughkeepsie and are thoroughly searching the surrounding area.
Cazenovians should be on the lookout for this disease and report suspected cases to the
Talk about trying to take a middle road on an issue which he knows where the majority of Americans stand i.e. that of a woman’s right to makes choices about her own health care and her right to privacy with that choice.
This is his italicized statement: “I am personally pro-life, with exceptions, I do not support a national abortion ban, and I think we can be doing more to help women and working families.”
I took a look at his voting record and although he purports to “doing more to help women and working families”, he consistently voted against any legislation which would provide that help.
For instance, H.R.7 (congress.gov/ bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7) would codify a ban on abortion coverage in health programs like Medicaid and effectively end private insurance coverage of abortion.
Williams cosponsored this bill. Does this “help women and working families”?
Another example is H.R.26 (congress. gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/26) which would politicize abortion and criminalize doctors for failing to comply with vague and unnecessary requirements. This bill was deliberately misleading and offensive to pregnant people and the doctors and nurses who provide their care.
Williams voted for this bill. Does this “help women and working families”?
One more example is H.Amdt.989 to H.R.8070 (congress.gov/ amendment/118th-congress/houseamendment/989?s=a&r=8). This was a Department of Defense policy supporting access to abortion for military servicemembers and their families by reimbursing expenses for those forced to travel to access reproductive healthcare.
Williams voted to overturn this policy. Does this “help women and working families”?
There are many more examples.
Briefly, he refuses to support either the Right to Contraception Act or the Right to IVF Act, or either of their discharge petitions. Please note that four other NY Republicans are cosponsors of these bills.
Do these examples “help women and working families”?
The answer of course is no. Brandon Williams is not pro-family. Even though
New York State College of Forestry at Syracuse.
70 years Ago – Sept. 30, 1954
The Cazenovia Central School football squad unleashed its single wing attack against Canastota’s T-formation last Saturday afternoon coming up with a 13-7 win in the football lid opener.
Showing lots of spirit throughout the game, the Cornhuskers proved that they meant business from the start.
With only a few minutes of the first quarter gone the Cazenovians broke Dick Butler loose for a 55-yard touchdown through the middle of Canastota’s rugged line.
The Cazenovia cleatmen, performing in front of a good crowd, again proved that they could score against Canastota when Teddy Clarke slashed off-tackle for 25 yards and Cazenovia’s second touchdown.
50 years Ago – Oct. 2, 1974
Movies are coming back to Cazenovia! CinHistory l Page 11
he and his wife, exercised their choice to maintain their pregnancy, he does not support the same choice for other Ameri-
It’s time to… take advantage
the rules of golf
Ok, Ok… You have always believed the Rules of Golf were established to punish you and your playing buddies and that is why you remain part of the 80% of golfers who practically ignore them when you play your buddies for a few bucks on the weekends. Furthermore, you don’t care that you don’t don’t know the rules when you play your $2 Nassau’s with automatic presses, greenies, up and downs from bunkers, birdies, eagles and closet to pin “side bets” that ends up being a $100 pay day for someone a er arguing all day about the rules.
What if I told you there are at least “six”USGA Rules of Golf you probably still don’t know but you should, because they might save you a few strokes and a few dollars when you play for money. I found this list on the website of thegol andit.com. that will save you strokes.
Removing Loose Impediments From a Bunker…
* ere is no longer a penalty for removing loose impediments when your ball lands in a bunker. is is a great new rule because you can usually nd a variety of rocks, sticks, leaves, twigs, loose blades of grass or pebbles when you land in one. It feels good to be able to pick up these impediments directly behind the ball without penalty. Just remember that you can’t move your ball while removing a loose impediment or you will incur a penalty.
* Accidentally Moving Your Ball on the Green…
In the past, we have all accidentally moved our ball on a green and have been penalized. If this happens now, there is no penalty. Simply place your ball back to its original position and let your playing partners know what you are doing.
* Hitting a Ball Twice During One Swing… ere is no longer a penalty. I have hit my ball twice from a bunker or the rough with one swing several times over the years and felt not only foolish for making a bad swing but worse because I also had to take a penalty.
* Repairing Almost Any Damage on the Green…
Previously, the Rules of Golf were restrictive about the type of damage to the green you
could repair. You could only repair ball marks. Now, you can repair a wide range of damage, including spike marks, ball marks and animal damage.
* e Pin Can Stay In the Hole When You Putt..
You have the option. Rather than receiving a penalty for hitting the pin ( ag stick) in the past while putting, you can now simply smile and tap your ball in the hole without a penalty. ere are now PGA Tour players who are leaving the pin in the hole when they putt… including Bryson DeChambeau. ey are probably paying attention to the independent tests conducted by MyGolfSpy and Todays Golfer that both say we are foolish if we don’t leave the pin ( ag) in the hole when we putt. You will make more putts.
* ere is no Longer a Penalty for a Ball Moving by Natural Forces…
On those windy days when the wind is strong enough to move a ball on the green from a few inches to several feet and sometimes causes the ball to roll o the green, as I once observed in a very competitive amateur tournament, simply pick up the ball and place it back to its original position on the green. Incidentally, the amateur whose ball rolled o the green ended up making a double bogey on the hole. He lost the tournament by 1 stroke. e above new Rules of Golf were written in “plain English” so a 1st grader can understand them. ey are not written as you would see them in the o cial 2024
JuDy
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By PHil BlACkwEll
Consistency is turning into a hallmark for the Cazenovia girls cross country team in the early portion of its OHSL Liberty National division slate.
When the Lakers went to Mexico and defeated Phoenix 17-46 last Wednesday afternoon, it equaled, by the exact score, the margin of Cazenovia’s win over JordanElbridge in the Sept. 18 league opener.
Lily Kogut led Cazenovia, claiming the individual race in 22 minutes, 13 seconds, just ahead of Abbie Comeau, who got to second place in 22:28. Maeve McGreevy got third place, joining Kogut and Comeau ranked in the top 20 of the state Class C individual rankings.
Gwen Livingston went 25:20 for fifth place and Haylee Stearns, sixth in 25:21, rounded out the Lakers’ scoring column. Avery Cashatt (26:05) and Izzy StromerGalley (26:20) followed.
Another league meet for Chittenango proved successful last Wednesday afternoon with each of the Bears’ sides able to defeat Homer.
In the boys race, Chittenango’s 22-35 margin featured Bryce Edwards taking the individual race, his time of 17:06 nearly half a minute ahead of the Trojans’ Chris Boylan in 17:34.
Then the Bears claimed the next three spots, led by Zach Driscoll getting third place in 17:39. Gavin Roach ran to fourth place in 18:16 and Logan Rogers went 18:37 for fifth place.
Meanwhile, in the girls race Chittenango prevailed 24-37, even though the
By PHil BlACkwEll
Dealing with a string of defeats was a unique enough experience for a Cazenovia football team long accustomed to winning seasons and imposing its will on others.
And what happened last Friday night at Hyatt Stadium only added to the strange feelings, Cazenovia toppled 28-14 by the other group of Lakers from Skaneateles with a very familiar face leading them.
Not long ago, Jay Steinhorst was a cornerstone of the Cazenovia program, first as an assistant coach to Tom Neidl, then as head coach for the program’s finest mo -
By PHil BlACkwEll
Given the way they had both started, the Cazenovia and Chittenango boys soccer teams geared themselves up for a classic when they went head-to-head last Tuesday afternoon on the Bears’ home turf.
And for more than 90 minutes the battle continued until the Lakers, in overtime, got the scoring play it needed to prevail 2-1, handing Chittenango its first defeat of the season.
Rarely had these two Madison County neighbors met with such good records on both sides, Cazenovia at 6-1 and Chittenango at 5-0-1, and it was the Lakers seizing an early lead on Nat Gale’s goal.
To hold that 1-0 advantage Cazenovia’s
By PHil BlACkwEll
In a span of four days the Cazenovia boys golf team would play three matches and win all of them, culminating last Thursday afternoon with a second win this season over its neighbors from Chittenango Playing this time at Rogues Roost, the Lakers put away the Bears 203-229, a result more lopsided than the 210-228 decision when they first met at Cazenovia Country Club three weeks earlier. Ben Bianco’s nine-hole 38 led a topfour Cazenovia sweep. Edmond Richardson was close behind, posting 39, with Nico Segall getting a 40 and Jake Hightchew earning a 41. Shamus Newcomb finished with a 45.
finished
20:31 to take second place. Ani McCarthy got to fourth place running together with Emily Judd and Ava McLean,
ment as, in 20215, it won its first-ever state Class C championship.
After leaving Cazenovia, Steinhorst returned to the head coaching ranks at Skaneateles two seasons ago, steadily building that team to contender status in 2023, and to a 3-0 start this September that produced a state Class C no. 6 ranking.
Ideally, Cazenovia would stop all of it, but it could not fully recover from a first quarter where Skaneateles delighted the home fans and bolted to a 14-0 lead.
Twice, Skaneateles quarterback Hugh Carroll, who missed most of the 2023 season with an injury (including a narrow 14-
defense went to work, players taking turns keeping an eye on Bears forward Gavin Karwoski, who had netted 14 goals in his team’s first five games.
Led by the quartet of Sebastian Gebers, Eliot Conway, Basil Sayer and Braden Carnahan the Lakers’ plan mostly worked - “a team effort”, as coach Adam Reynolds put it – in front of Jack Casey, who contributed a big stop himself when he denied Chittenango on a first-half penalty kick.
Karwoski was held scoreless, but his timely second-half pass set up teammate Ryan Thousand to put in the goal that tied it 1-1 and ultimately forced overtime.
Neither team cold end it in the first 10minute extra period but in the second OT the Lakers won it and, again, Gale was in
To lead Chittenango, Anthony Thousand shot 43, while Alex Pappas had a 45 to equal Newcomb. Dylan Brownson posted a 46, just ahead of Trevor Bentz’s 47 as Matt Huckabee and Wyatt Perry both shot 48.
Wet conditions last Monday at CCC did not deter the Lakers, who met Phoenix and pulled away to defeat the Firebirds 204-243.
Each of the top four scores went to Cazenovia starting with Richardson’s 39. Bianco put up a 40, with Segall and Caleb Gilmore ach posting 41. Paul Mitchell’s 43 matched the low Phoenix round from Cameron Dryer.
Facing Cortland a day later at CCC, the Lakers won this clash of 7-3 teams by a score of 201-216 with steady efforts from
12 defeat to Cazenovia), led early scoring drives than led to his own touchdown runs from one and eight yards.
In the opening seconds of the second quarter Cazenovia made up some ground when Bobby Livingston threw deep and found Paul Mitchell for a 65-yard touchdown and then scored himself on a twopoint conversion.
Right before halftime, though, Skaneateles restored its cushion with a drive to the Cazenovia 17, from where Carroll found Reid Danforth in the end zone.
They traded third-quarter scoring drives, Cazenovia getting a nine-yard TD
the middle of it.
Open near the Bears’ net, Gale drew a foul inside the 18-yard box. Taking the ensuing penalty kick, Jack Coburn put it past Logan Bronner to give Cazenovia the victory. Prior to that, Bronner had made 15 saves, a total Casey equaled.
What was perhaps the best part of this win on Cazenovia’s part was that it didn’t let down when facing a different opponent two days later, recording a 4-0 shutout over Cortland.
In fact, the Lakers sped to a 3-0 advantage by halftime led again by Gale, who notched a pair of assists to go with his goal as part of a well-balanced attack.
Alex Coburn, Chase Shepard and Alex Dolly all took turns finding the net, while
all its top players to counter the top individual score of 38 from the Purple Tigers’ Cooper Coheno.
Bianco shot 38, just as he would against Chittenango, while Richardson and Segall both posted 39. Tying for fifth place and clinching team honors, Bianco and Gilmore both shot 40 to equal the secondbest Cortland total from Owen Michales.
Back on Monday, Chittenango faced Westhill at Camillus Golf Club, taking a 205-231 defeat to the Warriors.
Thousand shot 39, tied for second with Westhill’s Tripp Sauer but behind the 37 from Danny Young. Three others – Trevor Young (40), Anthony Sampo (44) and Jack Carruth (45) – bettered Pappas shooting 47 for the Bears. Finnegan Gardner and Sam Martin both posted 48 and Nick Parsons got a 49.
pass from Livingston to Carter Bowden but Skaneateles finding the end zone on a two-yard Brady Ellis run.
All through the final period the visiting Lakers found itself unable to make up any ground, and it would have to wait until this Saturday’s home game against Southern Hills to get into the win column in 2024. Livingston was eight-for-14 for 158 yards, running for 70 yards, but Cazenovia as a whole had just 222 yards of total offense. Bryce Enders paced the defense with eight tackles and 10 assists.
Gebers and Sam Kupinsky both got credited with assists and Casey stopped all five Purple Tigers shots he faced.
In a non-league game Saturday at Manlius Pebble Hill, Cazenovia was tested by the Trojans but emerged with a 2-1 victory.
Helped by Nick Lurvey’s goal assisted by Andy Lurvey, MPH went to halftime tied 1-1, but Cazenovia moved in front in the second half and stayed there, the goals coming from Dolly and Eli Royer as Gale contributed an assist.
Having moved to 9-1, the Lakers would take on Jordan-Elbridge/Cato-Meridian and Canastota this week as Chittenango goes to Homer before a Saturday game with Oneida.
A day later, the Bears turned it around beating LaFayette 215-223 at Orchard Vali. Thousand continued to lead the way with a season-best 35 ahead of a 38 from Perry. The Lancers had the next four finishers, led by Beauden McElhannon’s 42, but Chittenango held on with a 46 from Pappas and 47s from Gardner and Logan Higgins.
Right after facing Cazenovia, Chittenango got right back in the win column on Friday afternoon at Rogues Roost, rolling past Pheonix by a score of 217-255. Matching par by shooting 36, Thousand was eight shots ahead of the chasing pack led by Perry and Ryan Skoglund both shooting 44. Martin posted a 46, one better than the 47s from Pappas and Gardner.
Trojans’ Ingrid Aagaard won in 19:10 and Anna Aldrich was third in 22:08. In between them, Natalie DiGennaro
in
each posting 23:13, with Kyra Congden, in 24:51, just ahead of Karlee Paone’s 24:52.
Cazenovia girls cross country runners lily kogut, Abbie Comeau and maeve mcGreevey are all ranked in the individual state Class C top 20 while leading the lakers to a 2-0 start.
Cazenovia girls soccer tops unbeaten Hamilton
By PHil BlACkwEll
It was more a reflection of the tough competition it faced than any lack of quality on its part that the Cazenovia girls soccer team found itself mired at 0-4 going into last week’s action.
In theory, 7-0 Hamilton should have handled the Lakers last Monday at Colgate University’s soccer complex, but the state Class D no. 7-ranked Emerald Knights, accustomed to facing small schools in the Center State Conference, was kept off the board and Cazenovia won 2-0.
In both the first and second half, the
pressure which the Lakers applied led to scramble situations in front of the Hamilton net and the Lakers capitalizing with goals.
Both senior Ava Vanetti and junior Quinn Holdren netted their first goals of the fall, while the Lakers’ defense smothered the Emerald Knights to the point that goalie Becca Brooks only had to make three saves.
So began a stretch where the Lakers would play five games in nine days culminating in Monday’s match against Chittenango, who prevailed 3-1 when the two
sides first met Sept. 10.
Not having a letdown following the win at Hamilton, Cazenovia topped Hannibal/Cato-Meridian 3-1 a day later, a game where it netted the only goal in the first half and then doubled the margin despite Amber Clarke’s tally.
Ella Baker led the way for the Lakers, scoring twice as the other goal went to Caitlin Dolan. Vanetti earned an assist as Skye Stanford stopped five of the six shots she faced.
This brief win streak halted Thursday night in a tough 1-0 defeat to Homer, Ca-
zenovia getting all kinds of chances yet unable to put any of its 10 shots past Trojans goalie Kennadie Taylor. The Lakers’ own defense stood up well, too, not letting Homer control the flow of play. Stanford made seven saves, but the goal she surrendered to the Trojans’ Emily Petrella proved the difference.
In Saturday’s game against Phoenix, Cazenovia cooled off a bit and lost, 3-0, to the Firebirds, who got two goals from Lauryn Lape and a goal from Paige Pinkley as it pulled away in the late going. Stanford finished with seven saves.
Cazenovia field hockey team goes 1-2, routs Cortland
By PHil BlACkwEll
Game after game, the Cazenovia field hockey’s dilemma is the same – just trying to generate opportunities and put a scare into the opposing defense.
The Lakers’ first six games included five defeats, four of them shutouts, a trend that continued last Monday against visiting Whitesboro, who prevailed by a 4-0 margin.
All through the first three periods, Whitesboro built up its winning margin
led by Addison Cook, who had two goals and one assist as Gianna Ross and Brianna McKeever also found the net, Ava Thorngren and Savannah Ferguson getting assists.
Still at home Wednesday to face Port Byron/Union Springs, the exact same thing happened, at least in terms of a score with Cazenovia taking another 4-0 defeat.
Once it got on the scoreboard in the first quarter the Panthers controlled the contest, and didn’t let up until Ella Jorgensen
had picked up a thee-goal hat trick.
This, along with Cameryn Brundage’s goal and Raelee McDowell’s pair of assists, helped Port Byron/Union Springs pull clear, dropping the Lakers’ overall record to 1-6.
Then, in Friday’s game at Cortland, Cazenovia had a long-awaited breakout performance, taking out a month’s worth of frustration on the Purple Tigers while recording a 5-0 victory.
In the first quarter alone the Lakers
went in front 3-0, later tacking on single tallies in the second and fourth periods as Eliza Huftalen earned her first two goals of the season. Hayden Bubble picked up a pair of assists, with single goals going to Sidney Thompson, Alayna Berson and Carlysle Ducey as Cazenovia looked ahead to three more games this week in a four-day stretch against Cato-Meridian, Weedsport and Oneida, all on the Upper Turf Field.
Volleyball Lakers get wins over Indian River, Mexico
By PHil BlACkwEll
On back-to-back nights at Buckley Gym the Cazenovia girls volleyball team picked up high-quality victories that, put together, improved the Lakers’ overall record to 6-1.
Indian River first visited for a nonleague match last Tuesday, and put Cazenovia in trouble when it won the first set by a comfortable 25-14 margin.
However, once the Lakers won the second set 25-20 it gained much-needed confidence that carried over into a decisive third set that was close and tense.
l From page 5
ema-less for about three years since Cazenovia College abandoned its film showings, the College Playhouse will be opened in mid-October as the Cazenovia Theater, with two shows nightly and a new movie every week.
The building, owned by the college, has been rented by Sam Mitchell, former general manager of the Kallet theater chain.
Mr. Mitchell will show 35 mm films with stereophonic sound in the almost
Cazenovia won that third set 25-22 and then dominated the fourth, closing out IR 25-10 led by Olivia Pirkl, who put away 14 kills and also got 15 digs to go with three assists.
Alyssa Wardell partnered with Pirkl on the back line and earned 12 kills, adding two blocks, with Caitee Fenton getting eight kills as Lucy Bliss fed all of them with 26 assists, adding eight digs. McKenzie Warman stepped up and earned seven digs.
Even though Cazenovia had to turn around and face Mexico 24 hours later, it turned out to be quite a lopsided match,
300-seat theater.
Mr. Mitchell, who has began his movie theater career as an usher, has been in the business for 26 years.
He managed his first theater in the Catskills when he was 17.
The movies to be shown in Cazenovia won’t be the old turkeys that turn up on the late late television shows.
“Our movies will be those that have just been shown in Syracuse,” Mr. Mitchell said. “I hope people will get to know that and that they’ll find that by waiting a week, the same show will be here.”
the Lakers wasting little time putting away the Tigers in a 25-8, 25-9, 25-13 sweep.
Seven different players came up with 15 aces, with Bliss leading the way by earning three to go with 17 assists. Nine Lakers picked up at least one kill on a deep front line where Sofie Reger led with five kills and Jocelyn Szalach got four
kills. Olivia Ruddy matched Pirkl’s total of three kills.
Cazenovia faces two tough matches this week, going to Phoenix on Monday and then meeting Homer at Buckley Gym Thursday night, the Trojans and Firebirds sitting first and second in the OHSL Liberty National division standings.
HAil AND FAREwEll, OAklAND A’S
Oh sure, in the next month baseball will go through its most important part of the season in New York and L.A., in Philadelphia and Houston, in Milwaukee and Cleveland and in other places that will ride the roller coaster with every pitch of every inning.
And none of them will have the emotion and pathos of a late September afternoon in the East Bay where the Oakland Athletics took one final bow.
They came out, 46,889 strong, to a Coliseum which had seen better decades from a structural standpoint and much better teams in the half century-plus it served as home to the A’s.
Most were cheerful in their green and gold, but some still vented their justifiable anger at John Fisher, an owner reluctant to negotiate with Oakland but all too eager to bow down to what Nevada politicians could give him. Old and young, they
Thoughts Phil Blackwell
had seen so much. Older types could chuckle at the eccentric Charles O. Finley, perhaps remember that MC Hammer broadcast games or that Tom Hanks sold hot dogs as a teenage vendor.
Yet they also saw Reggie Jackson, Vida Blue, Sal Bando, Joe Rudi, Caftish Hunter, Rollie Fingers and friends win three World Series in a row, something only the Yankees have other accomplished, the last of them exactly 50 years ago.
As for the next generation, well, they had Billyball to brag about and Rickey Henderson breaking every stolen base record headfirst, followed by the Bash Brothers, Dave Stewart and his forkball and Dennis Eckersley closing them out in front of packed crowds that often witnessed October glory.
Those who only became
fans in the 21 st century never saw a Fall Classic but did see the small-market A’s constantly finish ahead of richer competition, first with “Moneyball” and then with sheer grit and determination that perfectly matched a fan base more blue-collar (or was that green collar?) than those San Francisco types across the Bay.
In short, from the team that played there to great players – think Rickey and Stewart, but also Joe Morgan and Jimmy Rollins –that were raised in or near Oakland, this was, and is, a great baseball location.
Which has made the saga of the A’s shuffling off for a few years to Sacramento in the hopes of maybe settling into a brand-new ballpark on the crowded Vegas Strip so sad, and the last of a triple blow to Oakland sports.
Just a decade ago the A’s were joined by the Raiders and, across the parking lot, the Golden State Warriors, all of them franchises
which could claim dynastic eras cheered on by fans as loud and as passionate as anyone anywhere.
They’ve all left now. Vegas already lured the Silver and Black out of the realm which put Oakland on the sports map. San Francisco built a palace of an arena and took away the Warriors. Now this.
Billionaires who consider pro sports franchises their expensive toys feel entitled to having everything they want, whether through their own means or through lobbying federal, state and city leaders to use taxpayer dollars to fund their enterprises.
The only problem is that people cheer on these teams and, like it or not, shape them into public entities beloved more for the emotional value they provide than for any economic reasoning.
For much of the last two years as the A’s plans were made clear the great Oakland fans mostly steered clear of the Coliseum, only
showing up in big numbers to protest Fisher’s greed as much as cheer on their diamond favorites. It should never have taken the end to bring out the nearly 47.000 for this final afternoon in the sun where, clad in bright green jerseys with “Oakland” on the front (of course) the A’s fought off the Texas Rangers 3-2.
One more time “Celebration” blared on the PA system for a victory. Players posed for a team photo on the mound. Manager Mark Kotsay emotionally led one more “Let’s Go Oakland!” chant. A few sour notes were struck by smoke bombs and fans on the field, but nothing big. Just like that, the A’s left the field, and in doing so baseball left behind another small part of its big and beautiful soul which might never be replaced.
Phil Blackwell is sports editor at Eagle News. He can be reached at pblackwell@ eaglenewsonline.com.
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