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Volume 181, No. 9 March 2 to 8, 2011
See a team picture, page 15
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Home of many Charlie Majors
The Bantam Team (14 and under) won the New York State Central Section Championship on Sunday by beating the Syracuse Blazers 6-5 in double overtime. Coach John Miller praised the Bantam team’s heart and character for coming from behind to tie the game with 14 seconds left in regulation and eventually winning the game in the second sudden death overtime. The team moves on to the State Championships being held in Clifton Park, near Albany March 11to13. The Pee Wee Team (12 and under) also won the New York State Central Section Championship by beating the Syracuse Blazers 2-1. Coach Mike Major praised the team’s ability to hold off a relentless attack by the Blazers in the final period and for a total team effort in winning five games played in three days. The team is hosting the State Championships at the Allyn Arena in Skaneateles March 11to 13. This is a first for the Skaneateles Youth Hockey Association with both Pee Wee and Bantam teams winning the Sectionals in the same year.
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SYHA names local judge ‘Hockey Hero’ during annual celebration During Fire fight in Kunar Province Sgt. Blessing,center, covers his men with an M4 grenade launcher.
Bronze Blessings Skaneateles soldier and family engaged in battles By Dwayne Houghton Tour of Duty, Iraq, October 2008 In a split second of horrific thunder, the IED, Improvised Explosive Device exploded just as the humvee rolled over it. Instantly the air was a thick combination of road rubble and blinding dust. The force of the blast tore at the vehicle carrying Army Specialist and Skaneateles native Bill Blessing Jr. Blessing was in the humvee’s gun turret manning a .50 caliber machine gun when he realized the men outside were still in trouble. He jumped from the vehicle, exposing himself to enemy fire and assisted his fellow soldiers getting them to a safe spot. Specialist Blessing was wounded in the initial blast YANKEE FAN: Blessing of Skaneateles in Afghanistan. and earned the honor of a Purple Heart, a medal awarded to those wounded in battle. lurking in the hillside trees behind their Believing his wounds didn’t warrant the Franklin Street home. Bill Jr.’s enlistment decoration, Blessing turned it down. seemed a forgone conclusion. His patriotism Bill Blessing Jr., son of Bill Sr. and his and ambition to serve were solidified by the wife, Sue, was still in high school when he Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the World didn’t tell his parents about meeting with an Trade Center. By the time Bill Jr. graduArmy recruiter. When he did tell them, they ated Skaneateles High School in 2006, he’d weren’t terribly shocked. From an early age, already chalked up time at Fort Drum with Bill Jr. was a natural outdoor kid. Always the Army’s early entry program. playing soldier with younger brother, Chris, See Blessings, page 8 they fought and defeated imaginary enemies
By Miranda L. Pennock miranda.pennock@ gmail.com Each year, the Skaneateles Youth Hockey Association dubs a community member its “Local Hockey Hero.” Usually, the guy taking photos is town Justice Charlie Major, but this year as he readied himself to
photograph the honoree, his camera was taken from him and Major was told he was the 2011 Local Hockey Hero award recipient. Generally the one doing the tricking, Major said this time he was tricked and totally unaware he would be receiving the award. “We told him he was just going to be taking photos,” said SYHA Board President Bill Marquardt. “He showed up to take the photos and it was great to pull the wool over him a bit.” “I knew nothing about this,” Major said. Major joins an elite group of people who have been named local hockey heroes, including Bill Allyn and Chuck Gridley, who See Major, page 3
Elbridge Village Board drops Fire Volunteer shortage leads board to consolidation By Ned Campbell Editor@eagle-observer.com The Elbridge Village Board declared a state of emergency at a special meeting last Monday, voting to terminate its contract with the Elbridge Fire Department. The village plans to contract with the Jordan Village Fire Department, but will first hold a public hearing on the issue. All calls have been turned over to the Jordan VFD. Village officials said the decision was made due to shortage of staff. The low number of volunteers responding to calls led to slow response times and heightened risk for the firefighters. The Elbridge FD has around 40 volunteers, but only six to eight have been responding as of late, said Elbridge Mayor Hank Doerr. See Elbridge Fire, page 8
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