Cazenovia Republican Digital Edition, Oct. 19, 2022

Caz resident’s series gets EMMy nomination

Kelli Johnson helps create ‘reading buddies’

By KAtE Hill Staff Writer

In 2020, Cazenovia resident and town councilor Kelli Johnson helped create an educational children’s television show that was recently a contender for a New York Emmy award.

Designed for PreK-3rd grade learners, “The Reading League’s Reading Buddies” is an engaging foundational reading televi sion series that teaches underlying compo nents of skillful word reading, such as pho nological awareness, letter names/sounds, and blending sounds to decode words.

The show features a talking dog named Dusty (Brendan Malafronte), who, with the help of his best human friend, Dott (Andrea Dotto), learns a new trick — how to read.

Malafronte, who is also credited as the show’s head writer/creative producer, and Dotto, who is the showrunner/creative producer, are both Broadway actors who relocated from New York City to Manlius during the COVID pandemic. Now that Broadway has reopened, the pair has re turned to NYC.

Johnson is currently the director of community education and engagement at The Reading League (TRL), a national education nonprofit led by educators and reading experts dedicated to promoting knowledge to improve literacy education and accelerate the global movement toward reading instruction rooted in science.

During the first season of Reading Bud dies, Johnson was the TRL reading coach director and served as the show’s educa tional consultant.

In that role, she provided the actors with background knowledge on how the brain learns to read and curricular resourc es grounded in scientific evidence. As the scripts were being written, she provided feedback on word choices for different segments and coached the actors on the articulation of phonemes or the delivery of content.

The 20-episode first season of Read ing Buddies began airing on WCNY-PBS on Sept. 13, 2021 and ran through March 2022.

According to a TRL press release an nouncing the show’s second season, the first season of Reading Buddies was re leased to rave reviews, and it quickly beat

ratings in Syracuse for PBS’s top shows, “Sesame Street” and “Donkey Hodie.”

Since then, several PBS affiliates have picked up the show, including WSKG in Binghamton, WPBS (online) in Water town, APTV in Alabama, and WQLN in Erie, Pennsylvania. The show is free to

Electric school bus transition plan continues bOE discusses bus garage vehicle charging needs

By KAtE Hill Staff Writer

On Oct. 17, the Cazenovia Central School District Board of Education (CCSD BOE) continued its ongoing conversation regarding New York’s commitment to electrify the state’s entire school bus fleet by 2035.

According to the state mandate, all new school bus purchases must be zero emis sion by 2027 and all school buses on the road must be fully electric by 2035.

BOE member Ronald Luteran intro duced the topic at the meeting by report ing that the facilities committee had a productive discussion on Oct. 11 about what should be done with the bus garage to meet the electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure needs.

“Our bond on the last project retires 2025/26,” Luteran said. “It’s going to allow a $28 drop per $100,000. So, my question was, ‘What does that mean we can build if we keep it tax neutral?’ The answer is about a $5.5 million facility.”

Luteran said the facilities committee ultimately decided that before any more meaningful discussion can be had, the dis trict needs to get some preliminary plans in the works.

According to Luteran, Superintendent Christopher DiFulvio agreed to contact Tetra Tech Architects & Engineers to get initial designs for various bus garage op tions at both Fenner Rd. and the current location on Rt. 20.

“For a school district, these are con cepts because we don’t get permission from the voters to design until we put it up for referendum,” said DiFulvio.

Luteran also reported that although the Village and Town of Cazenovia and the

Search warrant issued at Happy Mart after illegal THC sale investigation

By KAtE Hill Staff Writer

On Thursday, Oct. 13, a search warrant was executed on the Happy Mart convenience store at 63 Albany St. following a threeweek-long investigation into the sale of illegal THC products.

THC, which stands for delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol, is the substance that is primarily re sponsible for the effects of mari juana on a person’s mental state.

The search warrant was issued by Village Justice D. Christian Fis cher and executed by the Village of Cazenovia Police Department.

According to an Oct. 13 press release from the Cazenovia Police, the department received informa tion that “look-alike products” were being sold at the store.

“The look-alike products are products like gummies or cookies that contain high levels of THC and are packaged to look like a safe product,” explained Chief of Police Michael Hayes.

The chief provided the exam ple of Trips Ahoy! cookies, which are packaged to closely resemble the Chips Ahoy! brand.

Happy Mart does not have a license to sell cannabis products. Further, the Village of Cazenovia Board of Trustees voted on July 1, 2021 to opt out of licensing

and establishing cannabis retail dispensaries and cannabis onsite consumption establishments within its boundaries. Therefore, even after New York State begins to issue licenses — which it has not yet done — none will be is sued for the Village of Cazenovia.

“As we’ve said, there are cur rently no legal sales of adult-use cannabis in New York State, and any storefront that jumps ahead of the process will be shut down and risk losing the opportunity to operate in the legal industry,” said Daniel Haughney, director of investigations/enforcement for the New York State Office of Can nabis Management, in the press release. “We’re thankful for our partnership with the Cazenovia Police Department, which shut down the illicit sales at this store front. All others should be on notice: illicit sales by unlicensed stores will not be tolerated.”

Hayes stated that he agrees fully with the Office of Cannabis Management.

“The village board, after much debate and public hearings, made their decision and we are a coun try of laws,” Hayes said. “Those laws need to be followed. I want to thank all of the agencies and the village board for [their] assis tance in this investigation. I be lieve this is the first type of police

action of this kind in New York State.”

The chief reported that Happy Mart was not closed on Oct. 13; it was shut down temporarily to allow for the proper execution of the search warrant. All illegal products were seized, pursuant to the search warrant, and will be processed and sent to the New York State Police Crime Labora tory for testing to determine what criminal charges will be filed.

The Cazenovia Police Depart ment conducted its investigation with assistance from the Office of Cannabis Management, the New York State Liquor Authority, the Madison County Department of Health, and the Madison County District Attorney’s Office, and with full support from Mayor Kurt Wheeler and the village board.

“The chief shared evidence of illegal activity with the board, and we fully support the efforts of our department and all of the oth er involved agencies to keep our community safe,” said Wheeler on Oct. 13. “We were particularly concerned with the presence of products that looked like candy but that may contain dangerous levels of THC. A child could con sume these products by mistake and be endangered. The bottom [line] is that no one in New York

State has been issued a license to sell cannabis products. The suc cess of New York’s cannabis le galization regime depends upon the permit process being strictly enforced to ensure public safety and generate the revenue pre dicted by the legislature. I am hopeful that the state will quickly develop mechanisms to enforce

the law itself, but when illegal activity threatens the safety of lo cal residents, especially children, municipalities may have to take action themselves, as our police department did today.”

For more information on the Village of Cazenovia Police De partment, visit villageofcazen ovia.com/police/

Submitted photoS in June 2022, the Reading league’s “Reading Buddies” was nominated for a New york Emmy award. On Oct. 8, Cazenovia resident and town councilor Kelli Johnson, who helped create the show, attended the 65th Annual New york Emmy Awards gala at the New york Marriott Marquis in New york City.

Kate hill

On thursday, Oct. 13, the Village of Cazenovia Police Department execut ed a search warrant on the Happy Mart convenience store at 63 Albany St. following an investigation into the sale of illegal tHC products.

‘Reading Buddies’ l

Amy Cayen Special education, English teacher

Amy Barnhill Kipping Cayen passed peacefully from this earth on Oct. 7, 2022, in the loving embrace of her only child Emily Grace, after a short but valiant fight against cancer. Born Feb. 17, 1965, Amy was the third child of Mary Emory Barnhill and Richard Barnhill. Growing up primarily in Cazenovia, Amy attended elementary school, middle school and two years of high school in Cazenovia then went on to graduate from Manlius Pebble Hill School in 1983. She at tended Syracuse University, from which she earned a bachelor’s degree in English in 1988 and a master’s degree in special education in 1990. Amy taught in the Syracuse City School District for 28 years as a special education and English teacher at Webster Elementary School and Nottingham High School.

Amy was a fierce and loyal friend, a dedi cated teacher and colleague, and most of all a devoted and loving mother to Emily. She was a talented writer and faithful correspondent, with uniquely perfect penmanship that made

many recipients keep her letters for decades.

In her youth, Amy was a “famous published poet” and as an adult, an incredible source of experience, strength and hope to so many.

Amy loved con certs, movies, travel, skiing, trivia, reading, the ocean and helping others. She leaves be hind a legacy of laughter, loving kindness and a remarkable wit that served her well for 57 years. Amy’s beautiful smile lit up every room she walked into.

Amy is survived by her beloved daughter, Emily Grace Kipping; sister Carter (John) Schwonke; brother Richard “Barney” Barn hill and many, many dear friends and col leagues. She was predeceased by her parents and sister, Mary.

A memorial service and calling hours were held at Carter Funeral Home in Syracuse on Thursday, Oct. 13.

Cazenovia Lake Summit Annual Watershed Council Meeting

Saturday, November 5th, 2022

10:30-12:00 PM

Cazenovia Public Library Community Room (lower level, access from the rear parking lot)

The meeting is open to everyone, non-lakefront owners and lakefront owners. We are excited to inform and solicit your feedback.

Cazenovia Lake is a vital resource for our community.

The Watershed Council is a cooperative organization with members that include the Town and Village of Cazenovia and the Cazenovia Lake Association.

The meeting will be accessible by Zoom, more details at cazlake.org

Beverly thorp, 86

Active community volunteer

Beverly Ferstler Thorp, 86, of Cazenovia, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022, at home with her daughters at her side. She was born on March 31, 1936, in Syracuse to Ray mond “Pete” and Leona Stevenson Ferstler. A graduate of Minoa High School in 1953, Beverly married her high school sweetheart Bob on Aug. 14, 1954, together they lived in Cazenovia for over 50 years. Bev enjoyed a career as a bookkeeper, secretary and senior advocate. Beverly was a communicant of St. James Church and participated with several of their ministries. She was an active volun teer within her community and was proudly recognized as “Older New Yorker of the Year 2020.” Bev was a charter and lifetime member of CAVAC, a member of Office of the Aging volunteers, RSVP Bone Builders Program and a driver with CRIS CAT. Beverly also served on the board of directors of CASA and was a member of P.E.O. In her free time, Bev erly would tend to her gardens and delighted in making and sending greeting cards to fam ily and friends.

Beverly is survived by her three daughters, Theresa (Don) Richardson of Chittenango, Cynthia Hirt of New Woodstock and Robin Woodworth of Chittenango; a sister, Midge Herrick of Morrisville; sister-in-law, Alice

Hayes of Minoa; seven grandchildren, Kyle (Lisa) Hirt, Andrew (Nichole) Hirt, Mal lory (Kyle) Polisse, Nichole Richardson, Brett Richardson, Keith Woodworth and Jeffrey Woodworth; 10 great-grandchildren as well as numerous beloved nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by Robert F. Thorp, her husband of 63 years, her sonin-law Fred Hirt and her brother, Warren Ferstler.

A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022 at 11 a.m. in St. James Church, 6 Green St. Cazenovia, a celebration of a life well lived will follow in the church hall. Burial will be at a later date in St. James Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Mrs. Thorp may be made to P.E.O. Chapter B.T. 4787 Lincklaen Rd, Cazenovia, NY 13035, Hospice CNY and of the Finger Lakes, 990 Seventh North St., Liverpool NY 13088, CAVAC, 106 Nelson St., Cazenovia, NY 13035 or St. James Church, 6 Green St., Cazenovia NY 13035. To leave a message of sympathy for Beverly’s family, please visit mi chaelebrownfuneralservices.com

Luminary Memorial Walkway

The First Presbyterian Church of Cazenovia, NY is planning a luminary memorial walkway on All Saint’s Day Eve (Oct. 31, 2022) to remember family members and friends who have gone on before us. The luminaries will be located on the walkway in front of the church.

All are welcome to submit names to be included on the luminaries by clicking on the link at: cazpres.org or by filling out the form below and submitting it to The First Presbyterian Church of Cazenovia, 27 Albany Street, Cazenovia, NY 13035.

Please return this form no later than Wednesday, October 26, 2022.

Names to be included on the Luminary Memorial Walkway:

Submitted by:

Amy Cayen Beverly thorp

Award-winning singers/composers to perform Advent concert at St. James

By KAtE Hill Staff Writer

This coming Advent, St. James Roman Catholic Church in Cazenovia will present several events to engage its parishioners and the community.

Advent is the season encompassing the four Sundays (and weekdays) leading up to the celebration of Christmas. This year, the season begins on Sunday, Nov. 27, and extends through Saturday, Dec. 24.

The Advent events are being organized by Missy Race of the St. James Parish Of fice, Choir Director and Soloist Joan Stok er, parishioner Susan Green, the St. James staff, and other members of the church.

“Advent is the time we use to prepare for the birth of Christ,” said Race. “Some of these events are not new to St. James, like our Advent wreath-making and the Christmas Play. [Others] are events we’re hosting to maybe give some [people] a better experience of Advent, thus making Christmas more meaningful for them.”

St. James will begin the season with its traditional Advent wreath-making event on Sunday, Nov. 27.

On Sunday, Dec. 4, Deacon Nathan Gunn will facilitate an Advent mini-retreat starting at 2 p.m. The retreat will focus on St. Nicholas, whose feast day is Dec. 6.

The annual Christmas Play will be per formed on Sunday, Dec. 11 at 4 p.m. Ear lier that day, St. James will host “Breakfast with St Nick” in the church hall from 10

a.m. to noon.

The Advent events will culminate with a concert on Dec. 18 at 4:30 p.m. featur ing award-winning singers and composers Sarah Hart (sarahhart.com) and Steve An grisano (steveangrisano.com).

“Sarah Hart and Steve Angrisano are prolific Christian composers,” said Stoker. “If you type either of their names into the search bar on YouTube, you will find doz ens of songs that they have either written or co-written with other [Oregon Catholic Press] artists.”

Hart is an award-winning musician and songwriter based in Nashville, Ten nessee. One of the leading figures in con temporary Catholic music today, Hart has written songs that have been recorded by Amy Grant, Celtic Woman, Matt Maher, Laura Story, Jason Crabb, Audrey Assad, and The Newsboys. Grant’s recording of “Better Than a Hallelujah” earned Hart a Best Gospel Song Grammy nomination. Hart has also had several song placements in film and television, and her songs ap pear in hymnals across the world. In Oct. 2013, she was invited to perform for Pope Francis and a crowd of 150,000 in St. Pe ter’s Square.

Angrisano is an internationally recog nized Catholic composer, presenter, and music missionary. Based in Coppell, Texas, he has traveled around the world for over two decades sharing his unique blend of humor, story, song, and interaction.

“Steve is a beloved composer who is

sought out worldwide to perform and work with youth using his music to deepen the faith of people young and old all over the world,” said Stoker.

According to Stoker, the performers have collaborated and co-written several pieces and performed together in the past.

In 2020, Hart, Angrisano, and Curtis Stephan released “Let Us All Rejoice,” which received first place for the Asso ciation of Catholic Publishers 2021 Excel lence in Publishing Award.

Hart and Angrisano will visit St James as part of their “Comfort & Joy” tour. They will share not only their music but also their personal experiences and stories.

The St. James parish has been singing music written by Hart and Angrisano for years.

“They compose beautiful and mov ing pieces, so to hear what they will do for the Advent season will be wonderful,” said Race “. . . “Anyone familiar with their music will be excited to hear and see them perform.”

Stoker said she loves their music and has sung and directed choirs using their compositions for many years. She has also attended online music conferences that they have led.

When she saw an advertisement for the Comfort & Joy tour in the Oregon Catho lic Press Newsletter, Stoker approached Father Kevin Corcoran with the idea of inviting them to St. James to perform.

“He thought that it would be a wonder

St. James Roman Catholic Church in Cazen ovia will present several events this Advent season (Nov. 27 through Dec. 24) to engage its parishioners and the community. A high light of the season will be a Dec. 18 concert featuring award-winning singers and com posers Sarah Hart and Steve Angrisano.

ful idea for us to host them for a concert, so we began the process of booking them,” Stoker recalled. “. . . They are inspiring, creative, and have such a deep devotion to our faith. I am so incredibly excited to meet them and hear their message through music in person. It should be a phenom enal afternoon to connect us all to the true heart of The Advent and Christmas Sea son.”

St. James is located at 6 Green St. For more information, visit stjamescaz.org

Submitted photoS

Mad Tacos sponsors monthly fundraiser to benefit Class of 2024

By KAtE Hill Staff Writer

The Cazenovia High School Class of 2024 is partnering with Mad Tacos at Nel son Corners to present a class fundraiser on Monday, Oct. 24.

For every taco purchased at the restau rant from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Mad Tacos will donate $1 to the class.

The business is sponsoring the taco fundraiser on the 24th day of every month through June 2024.

“Months where we are closed on the 24th, or Christmas/Thanksgiving falls on the 24th/25th, we’re moving it to the 25th or 26th respectively,” explained Jonny Haines, general manager at Mad Tacos.

According to Claire Marris, vice presi dent of the Class of 2024, the funds raised will go towards Junior Prom and some oth er events for the class and high school.

“After reaching out to Mad Tacos for a possible partnership for a fundraiser, we met in person with Jonny to discuss the details,” said Marris. “He came up with the long-term fundraising plan that benefited both our class and Mad Tacos.”

Haines said the business took on the fundraiser to give back to the kids who missed out on the beginning of their high school experiences due to COVID.

“[We want to] help them make up for lost time in regard to raising the funds for their graduation,” he explained. “It isn’t much, but because we are running the event every month now until graduation, we’re hoping that we can raise a very gen erous amount of money for their cause.”

The first fundraiser in partnership with Mad Tacos was held last month on Sept. 24.

“We kicked it off strong, making $375 our first night,” said Marris. “We loved

10th annual Pumpkin Run planned for Oct. 30

Cazenovia High School will sponsor its annual 5K “Pump kin Run” and half mile “Spooky Sprint” for kids on Sunday, Oct. 30 beginning at 1 p.m.

Proceeds from the race will ben efit the Classes of 2023 and 2025.

The run will begin in front of the high school and wind through the village on a route similar to the annual “Chilly Chili” race. This year’s race will offer on-line reg istration via runsignup.com or on

a traditional paper form from any junior.

To be guaranteed a t-shirt, run ners should pre-register by Oct. 22. Race day sign-up will also be avail able beginning at noon.

The Spooky Sprint is free for children with t-shirts available for $10 with advance registration.

Race registration forms and ad ditional information can be found at: runsignup.com/Race/NY/Ca zenovia/CazPumpkinRun5K

how many teachers and fellow students came out to support us.” Mad Tacos is located at 3264 Route 20

East, Nelson. For more information, visit madcotacos.com

Submitted photo

Runners burst from the starting line during the 2018 Pumpkin Run. this year’s race will be Oct 30 at 1:15 p.m. following the half mile “Spooky Sprint” at 1p.m.

Submitted photo

Mad tacos in Nelson is partnering with the Class of 2024 to present a taco fundraiser on the 24th day of each month through June 2024. For every taco purchased, Mad ta cos will donate $1 to the class. the next fundraiser is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 24.

Clara M. Rogers, 89 Wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother

Clara M. Rogers, 89, of East Syra cuse, passed away Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, with her loving family by her side.

Born in Kingston, N.Y., on Nov. 30, 1932, she was the daughter of the late Guerino and Maria Ruzzo. She was a graduate of St. Ursula Acad emy in Kingston and attended Mary mount College, Tarrytown, N.Y.

Clara worked for Ruzzo Bowla torium in Kingston, N.Y., Town of DeWitt Police Department, the New York State Assembly and CM Rogers Company. She was a communicant of St. Matthews Church, where she was a member of the Altar Rosary Soci ety. Clara was also a member of the

OBITUARIES

Bishop Grimes High School Parent Teacher Organization and the Town of DeWitt Re publican Chair Person.

She was predeceased by her husband, Joseph G. Rogers and son, Stephen M. Rogers.

Surviving are her chil dren, Kimberly (John) Kiefl, Mark (Jenny), Kenneth (Amy) and Andrew (Chris tine) Rogers; sister, Alice Albany; grandchildren, Jennifer (Edward), Lindsey, Nicholas, Sophia, Angela, Anastasia and Vincenzo; great-grandchildren, Kayla, Maver ick and Kingston; and several nieces and nephews.

Clara M. Rogers

East Syracuse. A Mass of Christian burial followed at 11 a.m. at church. A private burial will be held in St. Mary’s DeWitt Cem etery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to Hospice Of Central New York or St. Mat thews Church Food Pantry.

The family would like to thank, Dr. James Longo, Dr. Anthony Scal zo and staff of Hematology Oncology Associates of CNY, Hospice of Central NY and caregivers, Jennifer, Bridget and Rita.

Calling hours were held Tues day, Oct. 18, from 9 to 11 a.m. at St. Matthews Church, 229 W. Yates St.,

For guest book, please visit schep pfamily.com.

Virtual Celebration of HOPE auction set for Nov 5

Proceeds to benefit recipients of Hope for Bereaved’s core services

The Syracuse-based nonprofit organiza tion, Hope for Bereaved (HFB), will hold its largest annual fundraiser the first weekend of November.

This year’s event will begin with a live virtual presenta tion with Syracuse’s Dan Cummings, who for years has been the host during this special evening.

This year’s theme is “Giving more for 44” com memorating Hopes service to the community and be yond since 1978

Therese Schoe neck founded Hope after the death of her daughter, Mary, who died in a car accident. At the time, Cen tral New York did not have support grief groups avail able. Since then, the orga

Silent auction and “Live/Premier” items

Preview wonderful SILENT and “LIVE/PREMIER” items starting Friday, Oct. 28. Visit HOPEFB2022.gives mart.com or text HOPEFB2022 to 76278

Bidding opens Wednesday, Nov. 2 and closes at 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5

Join us virtually on Saturday, Nov. 5 for an evening of fun and excitement!

Item Pick Up

Auction items will be available for pick up between 10 a.m. to noon on Sunday, Nov. 6. The pickup location is 4500 Onondaga Blvd., Syracuse, NY 13219

nization has expanded to include 12 support groups, individual peer counseling and the newsletter—all free of charge to anyone who seeks help.

During Celebration of Hope, HFB will recognize long-time supporters dur ing the evening including

the O’Marah Family, the event’s community cochairs. They have support ed HFB for more than 20 years. They will also honor Ed and Lanie Moses, and Bob and Marcia Hunt who have raised funds for more than 25 years. Learn more about their efforts

by visiting https://hope forbereaved.com/events/ celebration-2022/. Click on the invite.

Sponsorship opportuni ties are still available. Con tact Hope for Bereaved at 315-475-9675 or visit hope forbereved.com for more information.

Founder Therese Schoe neck retired earlier this year though she is still actively involved in the organiza tion. HFB welcomed Alicia Ernest as its new executive director. Alicia has joined the Celebration committee and is a wonderful addition.

Neighbors oppose apart ments at Seven Pines

By DaViD TylER

Neighbors of the Seven Pines office park on Cazen ovia Road, as well as at least one tenant, seem united in their opposition to plans to con vert the second floors of the four office buildings at that location to apartments.

In late May, the town received a zone change request that would convert the property to RM, which is designed as a tran sitional zone between residential and commercial. Currently, the majority of the property is zoned commercial and a portion is zoned restricted agricultural.

The owner of the property, Shashank Bhatt, purchased the property last year. He intends to create up to 14 apartments in the upper floors of the two buildings.

In August, the town planning board reviewed the request for a zone change and recommended the town board grant the request.

The office park, which was built in 1987, backs up to homes along Whetstone Road and several area residents attended a public hearing on Oct. 12 to voice their concerns, citing traffic, a lack of parking for residential use, and privacy.

“Right now we live with what is there already, with a 9 to 5 format, and we have no weekends to worry about,” said Rose ann Lorefice, who has lived on Whetstone Road for 46 years.

Two physicians from the practice of Weiss, Savedoff & Cic cone also attended the meeting and indicated they foresaw seri ous challenges for their practice if they shared a building with apartment dwellers.

“The walls are kind of paper thin,” said Dr. Leonard Saved off. “Our exam rooms are very quiet…It’s going to be difficult if someone’s playing the stereo upstairs.”

The town board tabled the public hearing on the zone change until its next meeting, which is scheduled for Nov. 9.

DaviD Tyler

Neighbors of the Seven Pines office park, which abuts properties along Whetstone Road, are concerned that the proposal to convert portions of the office build ings to apartments will have a negative impact on traffic and their privacy.

Break the cycle

According to the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, Do mestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) evolved from the “Day of Unity” held in October of 1981 and conceived by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violenc e

The goal of creating the initial “Day of Unity” was to connect advo cates across the country who were working to end violence against women and their children.

This concept grew into a week devoted to some key themes such as mourning those who have died because of domestic violence, cel ebrating those who have survived and connecting those who work to end violence.

In 1987 the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month was observed and coincided with the launch of the first national domestic violence toll free hotline.

In 1989, the U.S. Congress passed Public Law 101-112 designating October of that year as National Do mestic Violence Awareness Month.

Such legislation has passed every year since with National Coalition Against Domestic Violence provid ing key leadership in this effort. Each year, the Day of Unity is celebrated the first Monday of Domestic Vio lence Awareness Month, according to the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence.

According to the National Coali tion Against Domestic Violence the statistics on domestic violence are staggering.

The NCAD reports that on aver age, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. During one year, this equates to more than 10 million women and men.

Also according to the same organization 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men experience severe intimate partner physical violence, intimate partner contact sexual violence, and/ or intimate partner stalking with impacts such as injury, fearfulness, post-traumatic stress disorder, use of victim services and contraction of sexually transmitted disease.

The NCAD goes on to report that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner. This includes a range of behaviors such as slapping, shoving and pushing.

In addition it is reported that 1 in 7 women and 1 in 25 men have been injured by an intimate partner and 1 in 10 women have been raped by an intimate partner.

Data on this is unavailable on male victims, according to the NCAD.

On a typical day, there are more than 20,000 phone calls placed to domestic violence hotlines nation wide, the NCAD reports.

Intimate partner violence ac counts for 15% of all violent crime according to the NCAD and domestic victimization is correlated with a higher rate of depression and sui cidal behavior.

These numbers are overwhelm ing.

According to multiple sources, the reality is domestic violence affects millions, both women and men, of every race, religion, cul ture and status and it’s not just punches and black eyes, it’s yelling, humiliation, stalking, manipulation, coercion, threats and isolation. It’s stealing a paycheck, keeping tabs online, non-stop texting, constant u se of the silent treatment, or calling someone stupid so often they believe it.

Studies have shown that nearly three out of four Americans personally know someone who is or has been a victim of domestic violence and encourages every one to take a stand and support survivors and speak out against domestic violence all month long.

If you need assistance or want to talk to someone about domestic violence, call 1-866-331-9474 to speak with a trained peer advocate.

SkETCHES

The road between Marcel lus and Camillus is ablaze with autumn color. You can’t help but be captivated by the sheer mag nificence of the trees as they say goodbye to summer in a blaze of glory. Silhouetted against the arch of the railroad tunnel or the ever greens, they shout a halleluiah to all they have done, all they have accomplished this year.

“What?” you say? “Trees? Ac complishment?”

Let me explain The decidu ous trees of the temperate zone have added another growth ring, translating the sugars produced in spring and summer, into proteins out of which their yearly growth comes. From this comes the wood with which we have built our homes and warmed our bodies.

Not the least accomplishment is the production of Oxygen. Trees, their leaves reaching up to the light, through the magic of pho tosynthesis, transform Carbon di oxide and water into sugars and, essential to life on earth, Oxygen. The trees clean the environment of our effluent CO2 and give us back, life giving Oxygen.

I remember being an adoles cent with a sketch book, draw

FROM THE MAILBAG

ing the trees in the woods that climbed up the hill behind our house. Maples, black cherries, chestnut oaks and birches, so many birches, like a corps de ballet spread over the hillside … dancers, their limbs raised to the heavens in praise of the sun from which they created life. Interspersed between the pictures of trees, my youthful enthusiasm added snippets from the poems of Elizabeth Barrett Browning. What can I say? I was an adolescent girl, in love with the romance of Browning’s words and the beauty of trees … or was it the beauty of Browning and the romance of trees. I do get the two mixed up.

There is a song of life hidden in the truth of trees, one that sang to me then as the words of Eliza beth Barrett Browning’s poems. There among the trees, I wrote in my young round hand, “How do I love thee..” Both the sketches and the poems, outward evidence of the fierce grasp I had on what I believed to be beautiful, valu able and the need that I had to be a part of that loveliness. Did I capture it in the drawings? In the copying of the poetry? In some

Support Youngs’ campaign

To the editor:

I’m a Democrat and I’m enthusiastically supporting Rhonda Youngs for Madison County Court Judge because she is well quali fied and possesses the character and judgment required for the role.

Brad Moses is the only candidate whose name will appear on the ballot and his behav ior involving illegal drugs and overdoses does not belong behind the bench in the courtroom.

I’m urging fellow Democrats and Madison County residents from all political back grounds to write-in Rhonda Youngs on your ballot to ensure that our justice system retains integrity.

To avoid your ballot from being challenged, be sure to write “Rhonda Youngs” in the writein line at the bottom of the ballot, under the column titled “Madison County Judge-County Surrogate’s and Family Court.”

Bill ZuPaN Cazenovia Town SuperviSor

Genuinely cares

To the editor:

As we have all witnessed, electing govern ment officials who genuinely care about their constituents is vital. We’ve seen the negative impacts of insincere politicians at the national level - and the local level. So many representa tives say they will listen to us and push our voices forward, but then they vote for what they think is best - not what their community tells them.

That’s why I am voting for Alissa Italiano for the Town of Manlius board. Ms. Italiano is not a “party lines” person. She’s a people person. She listens to residents and advocates for our needs.

Having been in the position of town coun cilor for almost a year, we have all seen Ms. Italiano in action. She hit the ground running with curiosity, compassion and a deep respect for our community. She works tirelessly to make our town a safe, welcoming and prosper ous area for all of us.

On Election Day, I encourage all Town of Manlius residents to vote for Alissa Italiano.

aMy kRuSE ManliuS

Theobald supports Barnwell

To the editor:

It is with great enthusiasm that I person ally endorse David Barnwell for the town of Manlius Town Board. Dave is a 40-year resident of the town of Manlius. David and his wife Casey have two sons who currently attend Fayetteville Manlius High School.

Dave’s experience working part-time 29 years for the town highway department has given him an understanding of the workings of this community. Dave is more than aware that the villages are their own entity, as is the town and the town of Manlius does not have jurisdiction over the three villages. He is also aware that there are certain occasions that

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ways, the answer is “yes”, for even know, decades and decades later, I still remember the feelings that compelled me to draw, to appreci ate the emotion of the poetry.

I remember the trees on First Street in Marcellus. The lovely arching, ancient trees that impressed me as a young teacher on her first day at work are, for the most part, gone. The trees are gone, some having stood there for a hundred years or more, far longer than any village residents have been alive. There are no re placements to replicate their maj esty, their circumference, born of years and years of summers, their generous branches, the thousands of leaves that quietly cleaned and refreshed the air. All that remains is the bare facts of their loss and memories such as mine.

Those ancients have been replaced by trees that will never reach the heights and widths of those that were removed. They won’t crack sidewalks or send invading roots into sewer lines. Their branches won’t entangle the power lines. Their more modest size will generate less leaf cover and thus less work in the fall. They won’t attain the breadth

the town and villages do collaborate together. He strongly supports our town of Manlius Police Department and the protection they provide to our communities. He believes in the importance of increasing business as well as responsible growth with our increas ing real estate needs. Dave understands the importance of putting public interest above politics.

Dave volunteers time as a member of the Southern Hills Posse Motorcycle Club. The club annually helps raise funds for Clear Path for Veterans and Fabius-Pompey Outreach and is an involved parishioner belonging to St. Ann’s in Manlius.

These are only a few of the reasons I sup port Dave Barnwell for the town of Manlius Town Board and sincerely ask that you do as well on election day, Tuesday, Nov. 8.

ED THEOBalD ForMer ManliuS SuperviSor

Remembering Wagner

To the editor:

GRIEF never ends but it changes.

It is a passage, not a place to stay.

Grief is not a sign of weakness nor a lack of faith.

Grief is the price of LOVE.

-Author unknown

On Sept. 2, 2020, we lost the most pre cious mother in our world. She was a humble, gentle, beloved lady and wanted no obituary, no services, no accolades of praise or laudatory words of remembrances of how she touched so many lives. She had four children, left in bewil derment, wanting to share what a wonderous mother, neighbor, inspirator and fighter for the Fayetteville community she had devoted her life to.

However, her last wishes of no fanfare were regretfully honored. Two years have passed, and she lives in my heart unconditionally, and I think Fayetteville should know how she loved, gave and endeared the village she made her home, living in the same house for 70 years, in the historic district of Fayetteville, on the main thoroughfare.

Her gardening expertise, one of her many talents, delighted many passers-by and she was always obliging with tours of the lovely, terraced gardens behind the house. She took a ravaged piece of property and magically transformed it (with the assistance of her husband, son and daughters) into a landscape reflective of the likes of House & Garden! Every moment she was not working or involved with others, taking care of her children or at her job, she could be found in her gardens working well beyond sundown.

Among her many accomplishments, she was an excellent seamstress, sewing many of her children’s clothes, draperies, upholstering, made stained glass windows that remain in her kitchen, took art lessons and painted, learned master sailing and had a small sailboat she and her daughter, Sarah, sailed on Cazenovia Lake.

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behind which a child can hide and won’t replicate the green tun nel of branches and stately trunks that gave First Street its signature beauty.

Still they are trees, more di minutive, but trees. Perhaps some youngster, impressed with their beauty will need to capture their essence in a sketch book. She might even discover Elizabeth Barrett Browning and add the lines from one of her poems: How there you sat in summertime, May yet be in your mind; And how you heard the green woods sing

Beneath the freshening wind.

For every breath that stirs the trees, Doth cause a leaf to fall.

I hope that there are such children, who find beauty in words and nature to carry on the sentiment that sustains the threads of meaning beyond that which is expedient.

Ann Ferro is a mother, a grand mother 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.

She ran for public office in Fayetteville, commit ted to the village she loved. She started the Fay etteville Beautification Committee with Karen Harris and was a member of the gardening club. She was a Girl Scout den mother and housed hundreds of boxes of cookies in her hallway many years for annual cookie sales. She opened her doors to Fresh Air children and urged them to pursue education and realize their dreams. She not only gardened, but spent hours canning vegetables and fruits, freezing berries and other foods to indulge during the winter months.

Our mother took us boxwood and pine bough picking and made fresh decorations that complemented our house for every season of the year, manifested at Christmas. Her culinary skills were outstanding, everything made from scratch, nothing store bought. Christmas was magic when she made hundreds of cookies and her homemade Swedish rye bread bestowed upon lucky friends and neighbors.

After 30 years in medical research, mom ob tained her BSN and MA in nursing at age 62.

The most eloquent tribute bestowed upon our mother was by William D. Coplin, PhD, au thor of “How You Can Help,” Chapter 6 – Good Citizens and Watchdogs. Thank you, professor, for a tribute so truly deserved.

BRENDA WAgNER REDMOND SyraCuSe

In support of Porter

To the editor:

Annaleigh Porter is running to pre side as Onondaga County Court Judge. If elected she would become the first female in the history of Onondaga County on this bench. Annaleigh would be following in the footsteps of her mentors; Syracuse attorney

Karen DeCrow, a National Historical figure who championed personal rights, as well as Ed Menkin and Jim McGraw both of whom excelled as a high profile defense attorneys. Those attorneys recognized Annaleigh as having exceptional talents representing defendants in criminal court and took her under wing.

In my 20 years of working in the legal community I watched Annaleigh with her clients working in city court. This is a gritty environment. She was always grace under fire. Always in control of any situation. She spread her valuable time in multiple direc tions; President of the CNY Women’s Bar Association, volunteering for PEACE Inc and serving on the Downtown YMCA Board.

The cases she would be hearing in Onon daga Court are intense, dealing with criminal issues where lives are at stake at all levels of concern. Annaleigh is not only up to the challenge but will make decisions to lead her courtroom in fair judicial process.

To vote for Annaleigh Porter s a vote you will never ever regret, you will only to be proud to say you supported her.

DEBORaH O’SHEa FayeTTeville Letters

LETTER & ADVERTISING POLICY

Ramblings from the empty nest Ann Ferro

Pompey voters

To the editor:

Diana Carpenter has served the Pompey community for all of her adult life while she raised her family. I have known her for 27 years, and have stood shoulder to shoulder with her at all hours of the day and night, caring for those in our town in need. In the fire service we become a family, not only caring for others, but caring for each other. During her time with the department, Diana has served as a New York State Certified Fire Fighter, an emergency medical technician, the chairman of the board, a board member and most importantly, our Treasurer. In her role as Treasurer she is respon sible for the oversight of all of our finances. Year after year she is elected to that position by the members because we trust her. Let me tell you, she takes that role very seriously and has guided us through the building of our new department, the purchase of our new equip ment, as well as keeping us informed about our day to day finances. When she says, “Don’t buy that,” we listen! Diana will take care of Pompey because that is what she has been doing for 30 years. She has my vote.

kEViN COuRSEN POMPEy

Lack of integrity, character

To the editor:

Now that Election Day is just around the corner Brad Moses has decided that on July 30th maybe he did snort illegal drugs, but he just can’t remember.

For the past two months plus, Brad Moses has denied overdosing on illegal opiods and has even blamed the sheriff’s department and local political leaders for falsely accusing him.

These denials have occurred in spite of sworn statements made by friends who were with him the night he overdosed and a toxicology report that proves he had illegal opiods in his system. Brad’s explanation is that he was just too drunk to know if he consumed illegal drugs.

That is quite a bizarre argument for electing him county judge!

Voters need to consider that the bar associa tion in Madison County has found that Brad Moses is unfit to be county judge. These are lawyers who know and have worked with him.

The simple fact is that Brad Moses does not have the integrity or the character to serve in the judiciary at any level.

NEal ROSE, ESq., FORMER MaDiSON COuNTy DiSTRiCT aTTORNEy oneiDa

Supports Italiano

To the editor:

When I met Alissa Italiano, the first thing that struck me about her as a candidate for Manlius town councilor is her desire to connect with and know constituents. She is dedicated to learning the concerns of Manlius residents and is doing so by knocking on hundreds of doors herself to get our input. As a researcher myself, I am in awe of her relentless pursuit of data collection to inform her views on policy and governance. When my husband and I hosted a house party for Alissa, we met members of her family who spoke about Alissa’s passion for public policy, and as a lifelong resident of Manlius, her love for our community is authentic. Alissa is motivated to get as many citizens as possible engaged with the town’s comprehensive plan because she firmly believes the future should be mapped out by residents. I have heard her encourage everyone at her speaking events to engage with the survey on the Town of Manlius website (townofmanlius. org), and she welcomes everyone to attend an open house so that they can comment on draft sections of the plan. It is my hope that my letter be published in time for individuals to read and attend the sessions at the Minoa Library from 11 to 4 p.m. on Oct. 20 and Oct. 21.

I am confident Alissa has our best interest at heart. She is an advocate for all and she is someone who isn’t afraid to roll up her sleeves and do the hard work herself. I am impressed

by her tireless efforts for continuous improve ment and trust her to follow through on her commitment to guide the future of our community through the development of the comprehensive plan—she will be a faithful steward for Manlius.

CARRiE iNgERSOLL-WOOD ManliuS

Support for Conole

To the editor:

For Congress in NY22. I will enthusiastical ly vote for veteran Francis Conole, the earnest, hard working life long CNY native. I believe Francis’ ideas and sound judgement align with Central NY. His opponent, multi-millionaire Brandon Williams, does not live in NY22 and cannot vote for himself. We should not vote for him either.

In August, WRVO’s “Campbell Conversa tions” conducted a lengthy interview with Wil liams. The transcript is available on WRVOs website. The wealthy Mr. Williams appears to have more cents than sense.

Williams has focused on the cost of living but paradoxically clearly states in his WRVO interview he “certainly would not have sup ported” passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, which became law in mid-August. Williams position is odd because the law establishes for the first time a cap for out-of-pocket costs for Medicare recipients and a $35 cap for a month’s supply of insulin. Passage enables Medicare to negotiate prices for high-cost drugs for the first time ever. We all need medical care at some point. Francis Conole was supportive of this Administration effort to provide relief to taxpayers. Brandon Williams was not.

Williams was similarly out of step with CNY concerning the bi-partisan effort to bring semiconductor manufacturing here. Williams opposed the bi-partisan Chips Act of 2022, which provided incentives to semiconduc tor companies to manufacture in the US. not China. Within a month, Micron agreed to invest 100 billion to build a chip manufactur ing plant. 50,000 high-paying jobs will be cre ated here. Francis Conole joined John Katko, County Executive Ryan and Governor Hochul to support passage when it counted. Williams lacked the vision to do so.

Williams says he is concerned about crime but lacks concern about the insurrection when hundreds of City and Capitol police officers were assaulted. He told WRVO “You know, people love talking about January 6th and, you know, 2021. I tell you, when I think about January 6th, 2021, what comes to mind is you know, milk was $2.50 a gallon, gas was $2.50 a gallon.” Later he says, of the President’s efforts to overturn the election “I’m not critical of the president in the aftermath of November leading up to Jan. 6.”

The full WRVO interview is worth a close read. Williams stated he supports an abortion ban except in cases of rape and incest but, as to saving the life of the mother, he is ambivalent.

He said “And certainly, you know, the life of the mother, you know, is critical, but it’s not the only part of the conversation.” Williams ap parently wants to have a “conversation” when a mother’s health is at risk. Francis Conole sup ports the passage a Federal law which protects a woman’s right to make her own healthcare decisions.

Williamschidedhisprimaryopponentcalling him “Katko 2.0” but we elected John Katko to Congress four times from this area. CNY needs a moderate, like Conole, not a firebrand. I urge you to vote for Francis Conole for Congress in early voting Oct. 29 to Nov. 6 or on Election Day Nov. 8. Thank you.

MiCHaEl SMiTH ManliuS

Right background required

To the editor:

The Town of Manlius encompasses three villages. In their 10.12.22 letter to the editor, the three Mayors of the villages, Olson, Brazill and Whorrall, endorse David Barnwell for town council in part because he thinks increasing business is a good idea. I have spoken with candidate Alissa Italiano, at great length on this very topic. Ms. Italiano, who currently serves as

a town councilor, has stated that a focus on in creasing town connectivity through sidewalks, bike lanes, etc, would increase accessibility be tween the town, villages and businesses. Which in turn benefits business through improved foot traffic around our centers of commerce.

One thing I think both the town and village boards require, a person with true community planning background. With the development of the Micron Facility in Clay. The town of Manlius is sure to attract Micron employees to our communities. Ms. Italiano brings this experience to the town board to meet this chal lenge. She currently serves with the Syracuse Housing Authority, assisting to plan communi ties and develop accessibility options for local business in underdeveloped communities. We need this experience, to not only improve community planning, but provide greater con nectivity for our small businesses. Ms. Italiano brings the needed skillset to do this. From her experience working in the Syracuse Housing Authority, she understands how to navigate the government bureaucracy that can bog down community improvements and planning. Her experience will allow her to be able to garner needed support from both the county and state level in securing funding to improve our town and its three villages.

Anyone who has driven through the Village of Manlius sees the numerous empty store fronts. The village needs to attract businesses, improve accessibility, modernize the current playground and other facilities that will attract families and commerce into the village. I have read meeting minutes of the various planning committees of the town and villages about possible collaborations. In every case it is the villages that continually push back and create resistance. The best way to create an environ ment in which businesses will succeed, is by the villages and town working together col laboratively to fund these projects.

Ms. Italiano continually emphasizes the importance of collaboration across our com munities to improve connectivity for those who need it most – seniors, those with disabilities, and families with young children. As a person with a disability with a son who is diagnosed with autism, these initiatives are important to me. Ms. Italiano continually makes references to other New York communities which have secured state and federal funding to improve their downtowns, creating greater accessibility. She believes the Town of Manlius should be looking at those models to select the ideas that best fit our town to improve walkability and ac cessibility, benefiting our local business’s ability to generate profit.

CHRiS MCkEE ManliuS

Support for Stirpe

To the editor:

Al Stirpe represents the 127th NYS Assem bly District, which includes the town of Cicero, Clay, Manlius, Tully, Fabius and Pompey.

Starting Jan. 1, redistricting changes some of that…and adds Cazenovia to the district.

With those changes Cazenovia will have the opportunity to be represented in Albany by someone with a great deal of experience in the Assembly (7 terms!) and who has lived in the district for over four decades.

He knows Central New York and its issues.

In the Assembly he has been a strong advo cate for the environment, small business, and education, from pre-k to higher education.

We would be well served to have Al Stirpe as our representative in the NYS Assembly. Please consider voting for him on Nov. 8 (or, of course, via early voting!).

MauREEN ZuPaN Cazenovia

Do you understand… The “20” laws of golf?

I recently received an e-mail from Steve Panos, a close family friend and gentlemen golfer identifying the existence of twenty laws that apply to the game of golf. Heck, I never realized there were “20” LAWS OF GOLF…did you? Because I have not been able to identify the author, I will simply list all twenty and wait for your reviews and comment’s in order to evaluate how valuable they might be to improve your golf game. Some of them seem silly, funny or just plain stupid but I suggest you read each of them very carefully and identify how many of them currently apply to you. Please give each of them your undivided attention…

LAW 1: No matter how bad your last shot was, the worst is yet to come. is law does not expire on the 18th hole, since it has the supernatural tendency to extend over the course of a tournament, a summer, and, eventually, a lifetime.

LAW 2: Your best round of golf will be followed almost immediately by your worst round ever. e probability of the latter increases with the number of people you tell about the former.

LAW 3: Brand new golf balls are watermagnetic. ough this cannot be proven in the lab, it is a known fact that the more expensive the golf ball, the greater its attraction to water.

LAW 4: Golf balls never bounce o of trees back into play. If one does, the tree is breaking a law of the universe and should be cut down.

LAW 5: No matter what causes a golfer to mu a shot, all his playing partners must solemnly chant “You looked up,” or invoke the wrath of the universe.

LAW 6: e higher a golfer’s handicap, the more quali ed he deems himself as an instructor.

LAW 7: Every par-three hole in the world has a secret desire to humiliate golfers. e shorter the hole, the greater its desire.

LAW 8: Topping a 3-iron is the most painful torture known to man.

LAW 9: Palm trees eat golf balls.

LAW 10: Sand is alive. If it isn’t, how do you explain the way it works against you?

LAW 11: Golf carts always run out of juice at the farthest point from the clubhouse.

LAW 12: A golfer hitting your group will always be bigger than anyone in your group. Likewise, a group you accidentally hit into will consist of a football player, a professional wrestler, a convicted murderer, and an IRS agent -- or some similar combination.

LAW 13: All 3-woods are demon-possessed.

LAW 14: Golf balls from the same “sleeve” tend to follow one another, particularly out of bounds or into the water (See Law three).

LAW 15: A severe slice is a thing of awesome power and beauty.

LAW 16: “Nice lag” can usually be translated to “lousy putt.” Similarly, “tough break” can usually be translated as “way to miss an easy one, sucker.”

LAW 17: e person you would most hate to lose to will always be the one who beats you.

LAW 18: e last three holes of a round will automatically adjust your score to what it really should be.

LAW 19: Golf should be given up at least twice per month.

LAW 20: All vows taken on a golf course shall be valid only until sunset.

If you did not identify each LAW as it might apply to: golf etiquette, course management, pre round preparation, post round re ection, applying mental skills during your round, learning how to control your emotions or identifying tips that will help you play better golf, you missed an opportunity to improve your skills and relationship with the wonderful game of golf.

SILLY?…FUNNY?…STUPID?…MAYBE! WORTHLESS?…NOT ON MY WATCH !!!

Perry Noun is the former executive director of the

as well as a competitive

and

of

and 106.9FM.

GU

By PHil BlACKWEll

For the second consecutive Fri day night, the Cazenovia football team found itself pushed hard on the road by an opponent determined to make its season by upending the side ranked at no. 3 in the state in Class C.

Again, though, the Lakers met that challenge, getting timely big plays from quarterback J.P. Hoak that helped the visitors fend off Ver non-Verona-Sherrill and earn a 34-20 victory over the Red Devils.

No doubt, VVS, with a 3-3 record entering the game, had noticed how,

a week earlier, Cazenovia had to come back from deficits of 14-0 and 21-14 to pull out a 28-21 win at Marcellus, and would get off to its own strong start in front of an enthusiastic home crowd.

Keeping the Lakers off the board in the first quarter, the Red Devils put together the only scoring drive of the period, capping it when James Wheeler scored on a two-yard run.

Cazenovia would roar back in the second period, helped in no small part by a defense that forced a pair of turnovers as Alex Kuper earned an interception and Brad Gagnon

recovered a fumble.

Those extra possessions led to 20 unanswered points. Hoak twice found Jack Byrnes for touchdown passes, one of eight yards, the other a deeper 51-yard strike, with a fouryard scoring dash in between.

VVS, trailing 20-7 at the break, would cut into the deficit in the third quarter, getting the only points when Wheeler caught a 24-yard scoring pass from James Ward.

All game long, Wheeler caused problems for Cazenovia, carrying the ball 28 times for 212 yards, by far the most anyone has gained against

Cazenovia girls top league foes, place second at tully meet

By KuRt WHEElER

The Cazenovia girls cross country team swept Westhill (15-47) and Christian Broth ers Academy (15-48) last Wednesday to wrap up its On ondaga High School League season.

Having already clinched the Liberty-National Division title, the crossover match vic tory with the Liberty-Ameri can rivals raised the Lakers’ record to 11-0.

Three days later, the girls ran to a second-place finish among 24 teams at the Tully Invitational.

Against Westhill and CBA, Cazenovia earned perfect to tals of 15 points against both opponents as they captured the first five places in the race. Olivia Ruddy led the entire field with a blistering 18:33 pace on the 2.8 mile course at Santaro Park. One minute lat er, the Cazenovia pack sealed

the win with an impressive team performance, capturing the next four places in 22 sec onds.

Dinah Gifford was second in 19:36 followed quickly by Faith Wheeler (19:47), Maeve McGreevy (19:51) and Zoey Gagne (19:58), who all beat the 20-minute mark.

Westhill and CBA each managed one finisher before rapidly-improving freshman Haylee Stearn crossed in 21:12. Senior captain Bonnie Pittman was next for the Lak ers at 21:29, displacing most of the opposing scorers.

Ilsa Denton had her best race of the season, finishing in 22:28. Sedona Millard (23:42) and Emma O’Shea (26:37) also ran well for Cazenovia.

Cazenovia entered Sat urday’s meet at Tully shorthanded due to a spate of lateseason injuries and illnesses, but the eight competitors on the starting line each ran

‘Reading Buddies’

PBS affiliates.

The New York Chapter of the National Acad emy of Television Arts & Sciences announced the 2022 New York Emmy Award nominees in June 2022.

Reading Buddies was one of five shows nominated in the category of “Children/Youth (12 and under) – Long Form Content (Longer than 10 Minutes).”

Johnson said the nomination felt surreal.

“Given that our organization has no expe rience with creating a television show and had no plans in the works to do so, it really is one of those silver linings [of] COVID,” Johnson said. “It was truly a labor of love, and I am so thankful we had such wonderful partners in WCNY, our creatives — Andrea Dotto and Brendan Mala

Town of Nelson have expressed interest in exploring a shared bus/highway garage and EV charging infrastructure, they have not been “pursuing it aggressively.”

“We really feel like we need to get mov ing,” he said. “. . . We are very interested to get something down on paper and see what kind of money we are talking about.”

According to DiFulvio, once Tetra Tech provides the initial bus garage proposals for the Fenner Rd. and Rt. 20 locations, the district will reach out to the local gov ernment entities to see if they would be in terested in the architect producing mockups of a possible shared facility at their highway garage sites.

During the superintendent’s report, Di Fulvio expressed his concern that the state mandate requires local districts to make purchases, but the current aid rate CCSD receives on buses and facilities/infrastruc ture will not cover the entire purchase price. That cost is passed onto the local taxpayer.

A few months ago, the district met with Lauren Lines, executive director of the Cazenovia Area Community Development Association, to review grant opportuni ties.

DiFulvio explained that if the grant monies that are currently available through the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority were split evenly between the state’s 700-plus school dis tricts, each would receive roughly $50,000. Even if the price of electric buses comes

the Lakers’ defense this season, and he would score on a 60-yard run in the fourth quarter to keep his team close.

Yet Hoak made sure the Red Dev ils didn’t catch up. Early in the final period, he broke free from midfield on a 53-yard scoring dash and, after Wheeler cut it to 26-20, delivered the decisive blow when he scrambled from his own 39, found another lane and went 61 yards for his third TD of the night.

Most of Hoak’s 199 rushing yards came in the fourth quarter, to go with completing seven of 12 passes for 99

yards. Jack Donlin added 64 yards on nine carries.

Defensively, Cazenovia allowed 373 yards to VVS. Aside from the turnovers, Jed Olkowski picked up seven tackles (two for losses) and eight assists, with Kuper adding six tackles. Donlin and Evan Rice both got five tackles, with Rice earning a pair of sacks.

All that Cazenovia needs to do to complete an undefeated regular sea son is prevail next Saturday against visiting Canastota at Buckley-Volo Field. Kickoff is at 1:30.

gutsy performances to secure a second-place finish among all 24 teams in the combined small and large school divi sions.

Only South Jefferson (44 points), who appears to be the Lakers’ primary rival for the Section III Class C title this season, finished ahead of Ca zenovia, who finished with 70 points.

Ruddy had her best race of the season, completing the 5,000 meter course in 20:42 for a “speed rating” of 101 despite persistently powerful winds throughout the contest. She was fourth overall in the 118-runner field and second among small school competi tors.

Wheeler also had her best race ever, finishing in 22:04 (12th place) for a speed rating of 74. Gifford (16th, 22:20) and Gagne (17th, 22:23) also ran superb races for the team.

Stearns stepped up to fill

fronte — and generous funders.”

On Oct. 8, 2022, Johnson attended the 65th Annual New York Emmy Awards gala at the New York Marriott Marquis in New York City. She was accompanied by Dotto, Malafronte, and WCNY President Mitch Gelman, who is also a resident of Cazenovia.

The Emmy went to “MUScienceTM – Ex plore and Discover Science While Singing and Dancing.”

“MUScience was the winner, but consider ing we have no TV experience whatsoever, we were happy just to be nominated,” said John son.

The 20-episode second season of Reading Buddies began airing on WCNY-PBS on Sept. 12, 2022. Full episodes are available MondayFriday at 12:30 p.m. and on the show’s YouTube channel at no cost.

Johnson said that with the reduced COVID restrictions, the show was able to add six chil

down by 2027 and evens out with what the district is currently paying for buses, the money would still not be enough to cover the gaps in the infrastructure. Additional ly, he noted that it is not clear at this point whether the district even qualifies for the funding.

As a result of the meeting with Lines, the district decided to apply for a shared bus/highway garage exploratory grant. CCSD has not been notified yet whether the grant has been awarded.

The district has also consulted its BOC ES grant-writing service, which is working with 23 other districts to explore grant op portunities. According to the superinten dent, BOCES has not informed the district of any other grants available at this time.

“In listening to people from the commu nity, I’ve heard two things: fiscal responsi bility is important, and the environment is important,” DiFulvio said. “So, how do we balance those two things? That’s some of what I’m working on.”

Later in the meeting, Assistant Superin tendent/School Business Official Thomas Finnerty informed the board that Tetra Tech has begun working on an evaluation of the district’s facilities/electric infrastruc ture. He also said National Grid conducted an initial evaluation and recommended that the district determine its routing needs that could be satisfied by electric buses.

Finnerty reiterated a point made earlier by the superintendent that some of the dis trict’s buses drive 100 miles per day, and that if they were replaced with electric bus es, the charging time would prevent them

the gaps in the Lakers’ lineup, taking more than a minute off her time on the same course just 10 days before to secure the team’s final scoring posi tion in 23:22 (33rd place, speed rating of 48). The Lakers’ two strong performances were the latest indicators that they will be competitors for th sectional

title come November.

Two articles published on ny.milesplit.com last week raised Cazenovia’s stock in the New York running world.

The first cited the team as the no. 2 finisher among all the Class C teams in the state at the Oct. Manhattan Invita tional while the second raised

dren to the second season cast who are known collectively as “The Alphabotteers.”

The young actors are Landon Nicholas (“Cosmo”), Inri Stitt (“Kitt”), Jampa Mastriano (“Jampa”), Greyson Merrick (“Reggie”), Emma Mollapour (“Maya”), and Maxwell Elmer (“Zig gy”).

Garden gnomes Mary and Marty also joined the cast.

“Their segment adds vocabulary instruction to the curricular content,” said Johnson.

The second season also introduces an out door set to accompany “The Reading Room” set.

According to Johnson, Fayetteville-Man lius High School graduate Chad Healy serves as the show’s art director and scenic designer, and Dotto’s father, Marty Doto, and Peter Daley oversaw carpentry. Dotto’s mother, Mary Doto, wrote poetry for season one.

Dr. Maria Murray, TRL’s president and chief

from completing their routes.

“These buses are rated for 100 miles a day, [so] we may not have the time to recharge a bus during the day in order to have it fully charged for the afternoon run, especially if we had an early closure due to weather,” Finnerty said. “The buses would never be charged if we dismissed at noon. Holy cow, what do we do? We’ve got to get kids home, and the bus has three more hours of charg ing before we get anybody home. There are obstacles to be overcome that we will cer tainly be looking at . . . There are lots of things to be considered.”

Finnerty added that rapid chargers are currently available, but he believes they cost about $30,000 a piece versus $5,000 for a normal speed charger.

“It’s really a matter of determining our needs — precisely what our needs are,” he said.

Finnerty concluded by reporting that District Transportation Supervisor Karen Cowherd plans to reach out to an organi zation that conducts those types of evalua tions.

“That’s our next step in addition to Tet ra Tech looking further at our infrastruc ture,” he said. in other news

At the beginning of the meeting, the BOE members, DiFulvio, and Burton Street Elementary School Principal Kara May received glazed ceramic pencil hold ers created by student artists in recogni tion of Board Appreciation Week.

DiFulvio announced that New York State Senator Joseph Griffo would be visit

their overall ranking to no. 9 in the state.

The girls will host their Se nior Meet Wednesday against Cincinnatus and DeRuyter to wrap up thei regular season before setting their sights on the OHSL Liberty champi onships on Oct. 26.

executive officer, took on the role of curriculum supervisor for season two and the upcoming third season.

Johnson explained that her role on the show has changed from the first season to the second and third seasons.

“My role as director of community education and engagement has shifted to working with early childhood professionals, parents, caregiv ers, libraries, and educational professionals at PBS stations to share the intentional design of the show as it relates to what we know about how the brain learns to read from decades of re search in fields such as neuroscience, linguistics, and cognitive psychology,” she said.

According to Johnson, the season three scripts have already been drafted and edits will begin soon.

For more information on The Reading League’s Reading Buddies, visit thereadin gleague.org/reading-buddies/

ing the district on Wednesday, Oct. 19.

He remarked that he thinks anytime a local official who could potentially have a positive impact on the district offers to see it firsthand, it’s important to take them up on it.

The board accepted a donation from the Cazenovia Athletic Association (CAA) for the improvement of the signage at the Sean Googin Athletic Fields on Fenner Rd.

The CAA will purchase and install four 30” x 29.5” single-sided Dibond sign panels and one 50” x 600” mesh banner. The total cost of the signs to be donated is $1978.56.

According to an Oct. 7 letter from CAA President Tara Bubble to the superinten dent and BOE, the four single-sided Di bond sign panels will be installed on either end of the building that houses the con cession stand and one on each of the score booths. The banner will be attached to the bleachers.

The BOE also accepted a donation of tennis equipment valued at over $500 from the United States Tennis Association (USTA). The donation to Cazenovia Mid dle School includes access to a free digital school tennis curriculum, 30 youth rac quets, 36 red tennis balls (foam and felt), barrier (net) tape, chalk, and a roller bag.

CCSD BOE meetings are usually held at 6:30 p.m. on the third Monday of each month. Meeting dates are listed on the district website and the school calendar. For more information, visit cazenoviacsd. com/board-of-education

photo by meSi StevenS)

The Cazenovia girls cross country team sets off during its meet last Wednesday against Westhill and Christian Brothers Academy. the lakers swept this meet and were second at the tully in vitational three days later.

Cazenovia girls soccer beats Marcellus, Chittenango

By PHil BlACKWEll

Given what it had done throughout the regular season, the Cazenovia girls soccer team had to feel good about its ability to make a deep run in the Section III Class B playoffs.

And that confidence only had to in crease in the wake of the Lakers going to Marcellus last Tuesday night and putting together a 2-1 victory over the Mustangs.

Long a Class B power, Marcellus had, after an uneven start, played well in recent weeks, but that didn’t faze Cazenovia, who battled its way through a scoreless first half, patiently waiting for a breakthrough.

It arrived in the 52nd minute when Ka tie Rajkowski sent a long, hard shot past

JoJo Leubner. The Lakers then made it 2-0 when Ella Baker took advantage of a mis play on a corner kick to convert.

Battling to the end, the Mustangs cut it to one on Janie Powell’s goal with 1:35 left, but it proved too late. Leubner finished with eight saves as Marcellus saw six of seven shots stopped by Skye Stanford.

Great as this was, Cazenovia did not want to have a letdown when it visited Chittenango two nights later, but there wasn’t anything close as the Lakers bashed the Bears 5-1.

Julia Reff’s goal got Cazenovia on the board, assisted by Rajkowski. Then Riley Knapp converted, Ava Vanetti getting the assist on what proved to be the game-win ner.

Far from done, Vanetti would hit on back-to-back goals to spread out the Lak ers’ margin, converting off a corner kick from Raeanne Thompson and then assist ed by Baker.

Reff then topped off the scoring as Thompson, Dinah Gifford and Sami Carnahan all had strong defensive show ings All that Chittenango could manage was a goal by Brooke Walters, assisted by Abby Scheidelman. Rebecca Bald win, busy in the net, recorded 15 saves.

Playing again on Saturday, Cazenovia blanked Canastota 4-0, led by Reff’s pair of goals. Riley Knapp had one goal and one assist, with Caitlyn Smithers also convert ing as the Lakers finished its regular sea son at 12-3-1.

All this led to the Lakers having the no. 6 seed for the sectional tournament –and a rematch with Marcellus, the no. 11 seed, in Tuesday’s opening round, the winner to get Lowville or Phoenix in the quarterfinals.

Before this, Chittenango saw its postseason hopes take a hit last Tuesday when it lost, 3–0, to Mexico, its record falling to 4-9-1 overall.

The Bears also took a 2-1 defeat to Cor tland in Saturday’s regular-season finale, Scheidelman’s goal negated when Lily Call and Mallory Turner scored for the Purple Tigers. Baldwin finished with seven saves.

Cazenovia volleyball team takes loss to Skaneateles

By PHil BlACKWEll

Perhaps the most im portant match of the season awaited the Cazenovia girls volleyball team when it hosted Skaneateles last Thursday at Buckley Gym. In each of the first two sets, Cazenovia had sizable leads and a chance to establish itself, only to have the visiting Lakers rally and claim both of those sets by two-point margins, 25-23 and 27-25.

When Sknaeateles won the third set 25-21, the match was over, but Cazenovia went away from it encouraged by the signs of progress it had showed led by Maren Smith’s 10 kills, seven digs, two aces and four blocks.

Zoe McLean added five kills to go with her 15 digs as Becca Ziemba and Lucy Bliss each had 10 assists, combin ing for 18 digs. Ziemba also had two aces and three kills as

Corinne Albicker earned nine digs.

For Skaneateles, Ayla Pas’cal, with 10 kills, and Bella Shoenborn, with nine kills, led the front line, Kate Raddant adding six kills, eight blocks and 10 digs.

On the Skaneateles back line, Maddy Bender earned 29 assists and 11 digs, with Alice Bender earning 23 digs and three aces, Katie Combs contributing 17 digs and four

kills.

Gearing up for Skanetae les, Cazenovia met Phoenix last Tuesday night at Buckley Gym. After it won each of the first two sets by 25-18 margins, the Lakers saw the Firebirds win the third 25-21.

Then, nearly pushed to a fifth set, Cazenovia was able to claim the fourth 27-25 and end the match as Smith amassed 12 kills, six aces and 14 digs, while McLean had nine kills

Caz field hockey humbled by C-NS, Clinton

By PHil BlACKWEll

For all the strides it had made this fall, the Cazenovia field hockey team knew quite well that it didn’t rise up to the level of some of its opposition – one largeschool opponent in particular.

When the Lakers went up against undefeated Cicero-North Syracuse last Tuesday night at Bragman Stadium, the talent and skill of the Northstars proved too much as Cazenovia took a 7-0 defeat.

All game long, the Lakers’ defense tried to repel what C-NS authored, and goalie Madison Rothfeld did pick up 13

saves by night’s end.

Still, the Northstars got a three-goal hat trick from Shannon Brown as Gabby Wameling earned a goal and two assists.

Chrissy Wagner, Addie Esce and Camryn Jacobs each had one goal and one assist.

Ironically, C-NS’s unbeaten run came to an end a night later when it lost, 1-0, to Liverpool, but Cazenovia had to face another strong opponent when it played Clinton on a wet Thursday afternoon.

Cementing its status as the Class C favorites and winning its 12th in a row, the Warriors prevailed 6-0, earning its seventh shutout in its last eight games.

Gretchen Grimm notched a three-goal hat trick to lead Clinton, adding an as sist. Elise Pape scored twice, with Gracen Grimm getting one goal and one assist. Rothfeld, in defeat, recorded five saves.

Cazenovia was supposed to play again Friday against New York Mills, but the Marauders’ need to reschedule a league game before the post-season led to a can cellation. Instead, the Lakers had to wait for the Section III Class C playoffs, where as the no. 5 seed it meets no. 4 seed Little Falls Wednesday, the winner to get top seed Clinton in the Oct. 25 semifinal at Vernon-Verona-Sherrill.

Caz soccer falls to state no 2-ranked Marcellus

By PHil BlACKWEll

Once more, the Cazenovia boys soccer team found itself staring at the realization that the best Class B soccer in New York State is played right here. For the Lakers put up a val iant, tough effort in last Tues day’s game against state no. 2-ranked Marcellus at the Sean Googin Sports Complex, yet

still lost 3-1 to the Mustangs.

Cazenovia had its fair share of opportunities, and even converted them into a goal when Alex Dolly converted off a feed from Jaden Kaplan.

Jacob Szalach was busy in the net, earning eight saves, yet he could not keep everything out as Landon Kelly had two of the Mustangs’ three goals, the other going to Ryan Con

stable.

Against Phoenix in Thurs day’s regular-season finale the Lakers lost, 3-1, to the Fire birds. A pair of first-half goals had Phoenix in front 2-0. Ca zenovia made up some of the ground thanks to J.D. Dolly’s second-half goal, but though Szalach had eight saves, Ty ler Darcy (two goals), Owen Champion (two assist) had

helped Phoenix, at 6-8 going into the game, lock up its own post-season berth.

and 20 digs.

Mya Skeele picked up six kills, while Ziemba had 15 assists and seven digs. Bliss helped Ziemba on the back line with seven assists and 10 digs. Anna Bjork had four as

sists, with Albicker and Olivia Pryki both earning five digs.

Cazenovia takes on JordanElbridge Wednesday and then goes to Saturday’s Onondaga High School League tourna ment at Phoenix.

Caz boys cross country falls to Westhill, 27-29

By PHil BlACKWEll

Only a couple of points ended up keeping the Cazenovia boys cross country team from an undefeated run through the Onondaga High School League Liberty National division.

During last Wednesday’s meet against Westhill and Chris tian Brothers Academy, the Lakers prevailed 21-37 over the Brothers, but dropped a 27-29 decision to the Warriors.

Cazenovia had four of the top seven finishers, but Westhill went 1-2 as Drew O’Reilly won in 15 minutes, 11 seconds and Teddy Popp pulled away for seconds place in 16:13.

Behind them, Branden McColm gave the Lakers a thirdplace clocking of 17:08, with Will Austin fourth in 17:16.

Eddie Comeau finished in 17:26, sixth behind the Warriors’ Bryce Burdick (17:19), while Jake Woolbert was seventh in 17:34 as Westhill’ sCarlos Ramos, in 17:45, earned eighth place.

Cazenovia went from here to compete in Saturday’s Tully In vitational, where it finished seventh among 16 teams with 187 points, led again by McColm.

In a time of 18:26.4, McColm made his way to ninth place, less than a minute from the winning 17:31.6 posted by Chris tian Brothers Acaedemy’s Charles Raymond.

Austin was 27th among team runners (29th overall) in 19:32.4, with Woolbert 35th in the team standings in 19:51.1 as Gar rett Lounsbury, in 20:35.9, beat out the 20:41.1 from Kooper Wilmot.

payment. To submit a milestone announcement, email Alyssa Dearborn at adearborn@eaglenewsonline.com, or call 315.434.8889 ext. 305.

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