August 2009
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID SYRACUSE, NY Permit # 1672
Clay camp creates inspires historians
Suit settled
After three years and close to $1M, administrators back at work By Sarah Hall
ronmental Conservation, or DEC, which issues all state sporting licenses, is initiating the first fee raise since 2002 in order to generate more revenue for the Conservation Fund. For the past two years, revenue generated from sporting license sales has been insufficient to maintain the fish and wildlife management and law enforcement that the Conservation Fund requires. In order to avoid the raise this year and any future hikes, residents can purchase lifetime packages prior to Oct. 1. A lifetime license includes small/big game, turkey, fishing and a waived application fee for Deer Management Permits. Another change facing hunters involves the Deer Management Permits, which in the past were free with the purchase of either a sportsman or super sportsman license. Starting with the 20092010 season, all Deer Management Permits will cost $10, regardless of what license you’ve purchased and
For nearly three years, the Liverpool Central School District has dominated the headlines with sordid tales of scandal. Now it looks like the district is working to put those days behind it. The district announced last week that it was dropping the 3020a charges against Athletic Director George Mangicaro and Director of Technology Bonnie Ladd. Mangicaro was suspended with pay in September of 2006, Ladd in April of 2007. Disciplinary charges were brought against both in 2007 under Section 3020a of New York State Department of Education law; Mangicaro and Ladd responded by filing a $4 million lawsuit against the district, claiming the charges were retaliation for bringing allegations of impropriety by Superintendent Jan Matousek to light. The suit was settled after the charges were dropped; the district will pay Mangicaro $60,000, Ladd $45,000 and $15,000 to the couple’s attorneys. Mangicaro returned to work July 1 and Ladd will return Aug. 3. So why, after all this time, did the parties finally come to an agreement? “We had reached a stalemate, and it was likely that the dispute would not be resolved for some time,” said former Board of Education President J. Mark Lawson. “So the question before us was not only whether we could prevail, but how much more taxpayer money would we have to spend before we did? We decided that what was best for the district and our community was to end the stalemate and put this matter behind us. We have a new superintendent coming in, and I know he would like for all of us to focus on the future rather than the past.” Mangicaro agreed, noting that his and Ladd’s attorneys had been working with some members of the board since December. “All of us wanted to get this resolved,” he said. “Bonnie and I just wanted to get back to work.” Mangicaro said he believed that the real catalyst was a recent court decision in his lawsuit against the district in which a judge ordered the district to allow Ladd to come back to work and dismiss all charges against her. When asked if he thought it was coincidence that the settlement came just a month before Matousek is to retire, he
Please see Hunting, page 5
Please see Suit Settled, page 6
The 12 campers who attended Clay’s History Camp this summer pose happily with some patriotic artwork. Back row:Brendan Rudd, Noah Kotzin, Jack Phoenix and Chris St. Denny. Middle Row: Sarah Greenia, Molly Kotzin, Grace Murphy and Brandi Feeney. Front Row: Jordan Newman, Ethan Cowburn, Cameron Cowburn and Jacob Lax.
Please see full story, page 10
Hunting costs to rise in New York Date of new prices fast approaching, but there’s still time to beat it By Melissa Renahan Hunting season is fast approaching and with it, the time to purchase or renew licenses. However, residents may be shocked when they arrive at town hall with checkbooks in hand and discover that prices are
increasing by a minimum of $10 in every license category. On Aug. 17 licenses for the 2009-2010 season will go on sale and the new prices will go into effect. The NYS Department of Envi-
In This Issue: At Home Travel Tips.................Pg 2 Unemployment Rise...............Pg 3 An Editor’s Farewell................Pg 4 In Government.......................Pg 5 School News...........................Pg 6 In Business.............................Pg 9 Kids in Summer......................Pg 10 In Good Faith........................Pg 11 Local Calendar....................Pg 13 Vacation Homes..................Pg 14 Classifieds...........................Pg 15
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Contact your editor, Melissa Renahan, at news@clayinsider.com
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Clay Insider, 2
August 2009
Vacation precautions Senator Valesky visits CanTeen keep your home safe By Melissa Renahan August is a popular month for vacation – be it because summer is winding down and you need to cling to the remaining weeks or because it’s the first time everyone is free from camp, school and work. Regardless of the reason, vacation is an exciting prospect and should be enjoyed; but there are some things that need to be taken care of before you ride off into the proverbial sunset (or to Florida). Below are some precautions to take before packing the car or boarding a plane. Though they may seem simple, they are vital for a safe vacation, both away and at home.
setting the lights to go on and off will make your home look lived in. Set up a Motion Detector Light – Making sure the outside of your home is well lit can also discourage thieves. It’s much more difficult to break into a well-lit house than it is to sneak into the window of a dark house. A motion detector light will not waste electricity, but it will light up the outside of your home, if anything or anyone approaches.
Have Your Mail and Newspaper Held – Nothing says “vacant house” more than a mailbox full of mail and a pile of papers in the driveway. Post offices and newspaConsider a House Sitter - This is pers are able to hold your delivertrue, especially if you have pets. ies while you are away and resume Rather than packing your dog off when you return. You can also conto a kennel, you can leave them tact parcel delivery services if you where they are comfortable and are expecting a package. hire someone to stay at your house while you’re away. They can make Lock all doors and windows - The it looked lived in, which will be a one door that many people do not lock regularly is the one leading to deterrent to would-be thieves. the house from the garage. If somePut your Lights on Timers – If one can access your garage, they you can’t line up a house sitter, will then have access to your house. make sure your lights are on timers. Be sure to secure sliding glass doors Timers are not that expensive, and as well.
State Sen. David Valesky recently came by to visit the CanTeen. From left are Sam Weaver, Nick Moore, Joe Jackson, Senator Valesky, Brandon Moore, Sarah Cruse, Katrina Massaro, Jen Vicik, Chelsea Lallas, Danielle White and Ryan VanSlyke.
Don’t Broadcast Your Absence Nowadays, everyone spends their time updating statuses on MySpace, Facebook and Twitter – which could be dangerous if you’re heading out of town. If your page is not private, it is very easy for people gather information about you and seize the opportunity to break into your home.
you’ll be gone. They can keep an eye out for anything out of the ordinary or suspicious.
Contact the Local Police – Often when you are going on an extended vacation, many police departments and sheriff ’s offices will keep an eye on your property and neighborhood by doing an extra patrol. It never Alert Your Neighbors – Make sure hurts to ask and if it is something they those living closest to you are aware aren’t currently doing, suggest it!
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August 2009
What’s up? The jobless rate By Susan Lindsley
Mortages, utilities, car p ay m e n t s … o h my. I n t h i s uncertain economy, finding a job can be as complicated as finding the Emerald City was for Dorothy and her friends. There is no “Yellow Brick Road” to follow. There are ways – but you need to be ready for some hard work and know there are no guarantees. There are people who are qualified, overqualified, have a college degree or Masters degree standing right in line with people with less qualifications and education. As the economy stands right now, there are a lot of people out of work due to companies closing, bankruptcies, downsizing and outsourcing just to name a few. No matter how you end up on the unemployment line (figuratively, since you can file by computer at home), the end result is the same; struggling to make ends meet, pay the bills, and keep the kids fed. So, what are the “hot jobs” for the future? Look up hot jobs on the internet and you will find many “experts” telling which trend is hot and what a great future is waiting for qualified people. On the website about.com they have a “Top 10 list” of jobs with the largest growth which covers many jobs that do not need college educations. Another “Top 10 list” has the fastest growing occupations which include a lot of medical careers.
10 Occupations with the Largest Job Growth: 2004 - 2014 • Retail salespersons
• • • • • •
Registered nurses Postsecondary teachers Customer service reps Janitors and cleaners Waiters and waitresses Combined food preparation and serving workers • Home health aides • Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants • General and operations managers
Top 10 Fastest Growing Occupations: 2004 - 2014 • Home health aides • Network systems and data communications analysts • Medical assistants • Physician assistants • Computer software engineers • Physical therapist assistants • Dental hygienists • Computer software engineers • Dental assistants • Personal and home care aides
But what about right here in Central New York? These lists are pretty general. Syracuse’s jobless rate hit 8 percent in May 2009. This is lower than the nation’s jobless rate of 9.1 percent. Yet the last time it was this high was in May 1992 at 7.2 percent, during another recession. But as recent as last May the jobless rate was only 5.21 percent. We have seen what has happened on the news, companies closing or moving their facilities, which results in unemployment for people who have worked at these companies for many years. It sounds depressing, and it
can be, but there are different programs that are trying to help people to find other jobs, other niches, skills, and schooling to get them back to work. Some companies are offering free training or help with job placements for employees that are being displaced. Resources that are available with information about finding employment can be found all over the internet, and if you don’t have access to a computer, the libraries all have computers that can be used. At syracuse.com there is a virtual job fair where you can post your resume. Some other websites for jobs include essentialjobs.com, cnyworks.com, cnylink.com, and cnyjobs.org. The Department of Labor’s website, labor.state. ny.us, has information about benefits and jobs through the job bank. Even B104.7, the country radio station, is trying to help. They will be picking people for a “Radio Resume” program in order to help advertise their skills to potential employers. These are all locally based for people who want to stay in the area. If you are willing to move, there are national websites where you can post your resume, such as monster.com. Will you find your dream job? Maybe. Will you find a job? Probably. Will you end up doing something totally different from the job you lost? Maybe. Unfortunately there is no crystal ball to predict what when the economy will improve, but things always get better when you have options and resources to help.
Keeping pets healthy can be pricey By Melissa Renahan Like Bob Barker always said, and his successor Drew Carey now says, it is important to spay and neuter your pets in order to control the pet population. Those deterred by the cost of these procedures can rest assured that one foundation is eager to help. Guardian of Animals is a local organization that operates under the “there is no excuse not to spay or neuter” proclamation. The process is simple: send a check to Guardian of Animals, P.O. Box 2276, Syracuse, NY 13220, and then they will mail back a certificate valid for one procedure. Just take the certificate into any veterinarian on the approved list and receive the appropriate services. Prices are as follows: female cats, $65; male cats, $51; female dogs, $90; male dogs, $64. For further information, contact Guardian of Animals at 656-7590.
Vaccinations
New York State Public Health Law requires that all puppies and kittens get shots at three months of age. Get a booster shot at one year old and then again every three years thereafter. Ferrets must get a shot every year. The Onondaga County Health Department has announced the following dates and locations as Rabies Vaccination Clinics that are open to the public: • Monday, Aug. 10, 5 – 7 p.m., Skaneateles Fire Dept., 77 W. Genesee St., Skaneateles • Monday, Aug. 17, 5-7 p.m, St. Lucy’s Church,
Clay Insider, 3
Top 10 Resume Writing Tips 1. Know the purpose Some people write a resume as if the purpose of the document was to land a job. As a result they end up with a really long and boring piece that makes them look like desperate job hunters. The objective of your resume is to land an interview, and the interview will land you the job.
2. Back up qualities & strengths Instead of creating a long (and boring) list with all your qualities (e.g., disciplined, creative, problem solver) try to connect them with real life and work experiences. In other words, you need to back these qualities and strengths up, else it will appear that you are just trying to inflate things.
3. Proofread it twice The importance of proofreading your resume cannot be emphasized enough. One small typo and your chances of getting hired could be over. Proofreading it once is not enough, so do it twice, three times or as many as necessary.
4. Use bullet points No employer will have the time (or patience) to read long paragraphs of text. Make sure, therefore, to use bullet points and short sentences to describe your experiences, educational background and professional objectives.
5. Don’t forget the basics The first thing on your resume should be your name. It should be bold and with a larger font than the rest of the text. Make sure that your contact details are clearly listed. Secondly, both the name and contact details should be included on all the pages of the resume (if you have more than one).
6. Avoid negativity Do not include information that might sound negative in the eyes of the employer. This is valid both to your resume and to interviews. You don’t need to include, for instance, things that you hated about your last company or boss.
7. Don’t list all your experiences If you have job experiences that you are not proud of, or that are not relevant to the current opportunity, you should just omit them. Likewise you only need to list work experience for the past 10 to 15 years at most.
8. Don’t include irrelevant info Irrelevant information such as political affiliation, religion and sexual preference will not help you. In fact it might even hurt your chances of landing an interview. Furthermore there is no benefit to listing hobbies on resumes unless they directly impact the job at hand.
9. One or two pages
A healthy pet is a happy pet. Caring for your pet means taking them for vaccinations and having them spayed or neutered if you are not planning on breeding.
432 Gifford St., Syracuse • Tuesday, Sept. 8, 6-8 p.m., SPCA, 5878 E. Molloy Rd., Mattydale • Monday, Spet. 21, 5-7 p.m., Marcellus Fire Dept., 4242 Slate Hill Road, Marcellus • Monday, Oct. 5, 5-7 p.m., Beaver Lake Nature Center, East Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville All vaccinations are free to county residents, but donations are appreciated. Pets must be kept in a carrier or on a leash and past shot records must be shown.
Most employers and recruiting specialists say that it should contain one or two pages at maximum. Just keep in mind that, provided all the necessary information is there, the shorter your resume, the better.
10. Update resumes regularly It is a good idea to update your resume on a regular basis. Add all the new information that you think is relevant, as well as courses, training programs and other academic qualifications that you might receive along the way. This is the best way to keep track of everything and to make sure that you will not end up sending an obsolete document to the employer.
Clay Insider, 4
Feeling such sweet sorrow, I depart By Melissa Renahan I have no trouble saying goodbye, which may be due to the fact I do it more often than most. In fact, my college roommate remarked the other day that I’ve had more ‘going away’ parties thrown for me by age 30 than most folks get in a lifetime. To be honest, I am not sure if she was jealous of the recurring free drinks and spotlight or thankful that she doesn’t have to repeatedly be on the move and leave people behind. I do not procrastinate or prolong saying goodbye; I do not dread it for weeks ahead of time or mislead those around me with stories about how I might not leave. Instead, I accept it as an inevitable part of life, and more specifically in my life as a military spouse. However, that does not mean I like it. What helps is that I do not view goodbye as the end – at least not in the case of moving or switching jobs. I am accomplished at keeping in touch and spend a good amount of time making sure my friends across the country know what is going on in my life and vice versa. Recently I’ve been asked what I will miss about Clay, Syracuse and the sprawling CNY area and admittedly I am stumped. I will miss the job I have created here and this very newspaper that has reached all of you. Likewise, I will miss the connections that have resulted from this endeavor and the many people who took the time to sit with me for an interview. I will miss the co-workers that made me smile with their various methods of ‘hello’ and I will miss the girls that I chose to spend a night on the town with. In the military they celebrate every arrival and departure with a ceremony called a Hail and Farewell.
Announcements & corrections Welcome new sales rep, Steve Porto
Often times I’ve found myself attending so many, scheduled so closely, that I am unsure who is leaving, who is going and where I even am. That being said, I have become accustomed to goodbyes and hope that any lack of emotion on my part is not misconstrued. I am simply looking forward to the Hail and trying not to focus on the Farewell; it is a means of coping. The irony of the entire situation is that I am headed back to another place that I left not so long ago. A place where I’ve already said my goodbyes and departed with the idea in my head that I would never be back, and yet, within the month, I will be there. Washington State was a great place to live but when we moved I thought I’d gotten all I could out of living there. I was wrong. Within months of being back east my
The Clay Insider is currently delivered at no cost to the areas of Clay in the following zip codes: 13041, 13027 and 13090. If you are not in those areas and would like to receive the Insider, please contact the editor at news@clayinsider.com.
5901 Firestone Drive Syracuse, NY 13206 Fax 434-8883 www.clayinsider.com
August 2009
husband and I could’ve made lists of all the things we’d neglected to do and what we wanted to try again. So perhaps I will leave CNY and never think twice about the beauty of the lakes, the buzz of Armory Square or the tenacity of a population that refuses to be slowed by feet upon feet of snow. Or perhaps I will come to miss the things that made me call this home and even venture back for a visit. But until then, I’ll admit to only missing the people I’ve come to know, the friends I’ve chosen to make and the job I’ve come to love. Thank you all for being a part of that.
When people move, they usually don’t stay in the same zip code. But Steve Porto, who has lived in Clay for 16 years, did. “It is funny, but I only moved two miles from my old home when I finally decided to sell. I was looking to remain in the area because I liked the proximity of things from home and the community feel…not to mention the reasonable property taxes,” he said. Before joining Eagle Newspapers, Porto spent over fifteen years selling office supplies and office copier systems. His new position here, as the sales representative for the Clay Insider and the Star-Review, presents a new challenge and a new type of sell. His proximity to the sales district was also a strong selling point for both Eagle and himself. When not working, Porto is an avid sports fan and has been involved with the Pastime Athletic Club in Syracuse for more than a decade as a player and coach. He lives with Caesar, his black Labrador Retriever, and is close to much of his family in Utica, where he is from.
Attention Residents! There is a Lost & Found box in town hall, located by the clerk’s desk. All items left behind in the building or during a town meeting are collected and held. If you have reason to believe you lost something there, please stop by and check the box, M-F 8:30am-4:30pm!
Insider Babysitter List Melissa Renahan Editor
news@clayinsider.com 434-8889 ext 318
Rachel Shipley 699-6296 or 515-1432 16 years old, $5/hour Available Mon-Fri 3 p.m. - 9 p.m., Sat 10 a.m.- 9 p.m. and Sun 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. Elea Barker 935-6492 25 years old and attending Bryant and Stratton. Mon & Wed 3- 9 p.m., Tues & Thurs 11 a.m.- 11 p.m., Fri all day Denise Sakran 451-8586 Over 18 and Red Cross certified Can care for 2-3 children in my home.
Steve Porto
Sales Rep 434-8889 ext 313 sporto@cnylink.com
Paul Nagle
Sales Rep 434-8889 ext 308 pnagle@cnylink.com
To be on the list you must be at least 14 years of age and Red Cross certified. You may not own a child care business or operate a daycare service. If you are under 18 years of age we recommend that a parent be present when meeting the family looking to hire you. If you are interested please send your name, phone number, availability and rates to news@clayinsider.com. We will publish and add to the list each month. There is no charge for this listing.
August 2009
In
government
‘I’m a lucky man’ After 26 years, Kraft won’t seek reelection By Sarah Hall For nearly three decades, Bernie Kraft has been a fixture on the county legislature. But after Dec. 31, 2009, he won’t be anymore. Kraft has decided not to run for reelection to the second district seat in November for health reasons. He has been in and out of the hospital with a leg infection and heart troubles since the beginning of May. “My doctors tell me I don’t have the stamina for it anymore,” he said. “They said I shouldn’t put myself through another campaign. So it’s with great sorrow that I tell people I’m not running again.” Longtime public servant This will be the first time Kraft’s name hasn’t been on the ballot in the second district since 1981, when he lost the election to incumbent Caryl Frawley. That run came after an unsuccessful bid for the Clay town board in 1975. Kraft said he first decided to run for office when the government started to take more and more of his money. “I worked for a number of years, and I was starting to make some money,” he said. “I wanted to use that money to take care of my family. But every time I started to move up, the government wanted more and more from me. So I started to frequent the places where government was exercised. Eventually I saw a door open and an opportunity to get become more involved.” Though he lost in 1981, Kraft ran again two years later, defeating Ed Szczesniak for the legislature seat. He has since mounted 12 successful campaigns. Even this time, though he hasn’t been actively campaigning, Kraft, 71, believes people would still have elected him to the legislature. “In order to get on the ballot, you have to collect 255 signatures,” he said. “I had nothing to do with it because I’ve been in the hospital, but my friends and supporters have been out there, and they collected 700 signatures to support my candidacy for reelection. It’s just awesome.” Kraft is heartbroken that he will no longer be able to serve for the community he loves. “I’m so sad,” he said. “I had wanted to always be in office. I’m so sad that I won’t be a part of it anymore. The legislature is in my mind, it’s in my body, it’s in my soul, but most of all, it’s in my
Longtime legislaturer Kraft was always a man of action in the county.
heart.” But Kraft will complete his current term, meaning he’ll be around to help County Executive Joanie Mahoney and the legislature put together one more budget, something on which he’s widely considered to be an expert. “I made it my work to know more about it than anybody else,” he said. “I used my 46 years of experience in the insurance industry to try to reduce that budget and to make it more manageable for my community.” And he believes he was successful in that endeavor. “Everyone will tell you that the county budget is less today as a result of my efforts than it would be if I wasn’t there,” he said. A family man While the legislature is near and dear to his heart, nothing is more important to Kraft than his family, his children and wife of 25 years, Eileen. “I call her Saint Eileen,” Kraft said. The nickname was first coined seven years ago, when Kraft had heart surgery in Rochester. He was on a ventilator for 10 days after the surgery, and his wife was by his side every day. At night, she went back and forth from Kraft’s son’s house to a hotel, essentially living out of her trunk. “I wanted to tell her how much I loved her and how much I appreciated her being there, but I had a tube down my throat and I couldn’t talk,” Kraft said. “So I got the idea that I was going to write it down.” Kraft said he took a pad and wrote the only thing he could think of to express all of his feelings of love and appreciation: “Saint Eileen.” “She is my saint,” he said. “I’m so lucky to have her.” The legacy he leaves It’s with his loved ones in mind that Kraft reflects on his life. Please see Kraft, page 13
Hunting from page 1
whether or not you win your lottery pick. The lifetime license fees increase as well on Oct. 1, but any lifetime license purchased prior to that date would be charged the current fee. The new fees for lifetime sportsman’s are as follows: ages up to four, $380; ages five to eleven, $535; ages 12 to 69, $765; and age 70 and older, $65. Though those prices may seem steep, they offer considerable savings when compared to annual fees of $88 for a sportsman license per year. Also important to note is that the criteria for senior citizens is also changing; New York State is adding five years to the age bracket for seniors – so those under 70 are no longer eligible for the discounted rate. Town Clerk Jill HagemanClark wants to make sure that Clay seniors are aware that there’s still time to avoid the raise by taking advantage of a loophole. “Up until now, seniors were con-
Clay Insider, 5
sidered to be anyone over the age of 65 and always paid $5 for an annual license. But starting this year, a fishing license for example, will cost anyone under the age of 70 $29. Which is quite a difference!” Hageman-Clark explained. So her solution is to tell those falling within the newly created gap of 65 to 69 years of age, to purchase a lifetime senior sportsman license for $50 by Oct. 1. After Oct. 1 of this year they will no longer qualify for a senior license and will then have to pay a regular license fee of $47 a year until they turn 70. Hageman-Clark, along with deputy town clerks Gloria Wetmore and Patty Coates, are anticipating confusion and even a little stickershock when the new licenses are being purchased and wallets are being strained. “We just want them to be aware of it. There’s not much we can do…but we do sympathize with the hunters,” said Wetmore. For further information or if you have questions, please contact the clerks at 652-3800.
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Clay Insider, 6
Suit Settled from page 1
simply said, “No, I don’t.” But new board President Patricia Mouton disagreed. “This is complete coincidence,” Mouton said. “This settlement has been in the works for quite some time.” The timing notwithstanding, both sides are eager to get back to the business of educating children. “I think this means that the district will keep moving f o r w a r d ,” Mouton said. “We are making every effort to wield a steady course, perhaps even making improvement in several areas. We have the staff to accomplish this improvement and to monitor its progress.” Mangicaro said he will be working closely with Mark Potter, who filled in as acting athletic director during his suspension, on the upcoming stadium renovation. “Several meetings are scheduled with Mark, myself and other support staff to make sure everything is up to the highest standards,” Mangicaro said. “As part of the agreement, I asked to keep Mark Potter as the lead agent on the stadium project. This will enable us to keep moving forward and get the stadium fixed ASAP.” Potter will continue to work for the district even after the project is completed, having been originally hired as director of secondary education but serving as athletic director during Mangicaro’s absence. In addition, Scott Krell, who filled Ladd’s position, has been appointed as a principal on special assignment. Mouton said he will serve as a curriculum mapping coordinator, as a support administrator during the renovation of Liverpool Elementary and Liverpool Middle School and as a coordinator of seven through 12 business and technology. Mangicaro, while glad to get back to work, did indicate that there was still some tension. “Mark Lawson needs to go,” he said. “He jumped on Jan’s band wagon without attempting to hear both side of the issues…The district has had no leadership from the BOE presidents for the past six to seven years. The only time there was any leadership is when Dave Savlov took over in October and November of 2008.”
Elmcrest Elementary, Long Branch Elementary pen pals meet after year of writing Writer and New York Times book critic Anatole Broyard once said, “In an age like ours, which is not given to letter-writing, we forget what an important part it used to play in people’s lives.” Elmcrest Elementary and Long Branch Elementary second-graders recently learned just how important… and fun… writing letters could be when they became pen pals. Students in LBE second-grade teacher Susan Popoff ’s class kicked off the project earlier this school year by writing letters to EE second-grade teacher Laurel Pesarek’s students. Pesarek then read the letters and paired each author with one of her second-graders. The students wrote each other eight to 10 letters during the school year featuring topics such as school, family, pets and favorite things. In addition to getting to know their new friends through letters, the second-graders also had the chance to visit each classroom during the school year. EE second-graders stopped by Popoff ’s classroom when both schools participated in the same ACES (All Children Exercise Simultaneously) Walk in May. LBE second-graders then visited Pesarek’s classroom a few weeks later when the pen pals
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met to interview each other. Pesarek and Popoff thought a letter writing and interview project would be a nice way for their students to connect socially, while also meeting New York state’s English Language Arts standards in reading, writing,
Mary Jo Cerqua, head coach of Baldwinsville Central School District’s girls’ varsity volleyball team, has been named a Coach of the Year finalist by the National High School Athletic Coaches Association. With her is (left) Bruce Quimby, the district’s athletic director, and Ron Woodruff, President of the New York State Athletic Coaches Association.
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Long Branch Elementary second-grader Emily Cullen, left, and Elmcrest Elementary second-grader Hanna Dombroski interview each other during a meeting between their classes at EE. The students were pen pals during the 2008-2009 school year.
Baldwinsville coach named Coach of the Year finalist
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listening and speaking. “It’s a great motivator to get the kids writing,” Pesarek said. Popoff added that she encouraged her students to continue writing letters to friends and family during the summer months.
Mary Jo Cerqua, head coach of Baldwinsville Central School District’s varsity girls’ volleyball team, was named a Coach of the Year finalist by the National High School Athletic Coaches Association. She was selected for the national honor on the basis of her coaching record and her service to the sport of volleyball. Cerqua’s record is as follows: 12 league championships; 11 Section III sectional titles; 9 state regional titles; Fall 2006 – state runner-up; and Fall 2008 – state semi-finalist, top 3rd AA team in New York State. She has coached the girls’ varsity team for 19 years and has an overall record of 369 – 33. On July 1, Ron Woodruff, President of the New York State Athletic Coaches Association, presented her with a plaque to commemorate her achievements.
REAL ESTATE MATTERS by Donna Rausch
The Job loss proTecTion program RealtyUSA is proud to be the only participant in the Job Loss Protection Program (JLPP). You can call any one of our offices statewide to receive a full explanation of the benefits and criteria to qualify for this timely program. The JJLP is funded through the Rainy Day Foundation. If you elect to offer this coverage to a Buyer when you are selling your current home, it is part of your closing costs. As a Buyer, if you want this coverage, negotiate
the cost as part of your purchase contract. Keep in mind, you must currently list your home for sale or buy with a RealtyUSA agent to take advantage of this offer. This is similar to other programs being offered around the country with regard to auto, appliance, and yes, even clothing purchases. Think about it...your Buyer can now purchase with confidence. Donna Rausch is the Branch Manager of the Liverpool office of RealtyUSA. Donna is an Associate Broker, holds the prestigious Certified Residential Specialist designation as well as the Seniors Real Estate designation. Donna and her 37 experienced associates can be reached at 622-2111 x124 or donnarausch@ realtyusa.com for additional information regarding any Real Estate Matter.
August 2009
Clay Insider, 7
MRE Fun Run honors soldiers, retiring teacher Morgan Road Elementary’s last fun run of the 2008-2009 school year will hold a lot of memories for the students, parents, teachers and staff members who participated. The MRE community used the “Mustang Mile” as an opportunity to honor those serving in the military after fourth-grader Peter Belgrader’s father, Gunny Sgt. Daniel Belgrader, left for Northern Iraq in March. Belgrader is a U.S. Marines Reservist based out of Mattydale. As part of the fun run, Peter and several of his friends ran the last lap carrying an American flag. The flag was then sent to Daniel and his infantry with a letter from Peter, asking his father to fly the flag over their base “in hopes of a safe return for all.” Many MRE students who participated in the run also signed the letter before it was sent toIraq. “The students were very understanding
of what was going on,” said MRE teacher aide/teaching assistant Elizabeth Meany, who helps physical education teacher Bruce Wilkie organize the school’s Running/Walking Club. The “Mustang Mile” also gave the MRE community the opportunity to recognize Wilkie, who retired at the end of this school year, by renaming the fun run series in his honor. When Wilkie, who participates in the runs with his students, made the final turn to complete his mile, a “Finish Line” banner featuring the words “Mr. Wilkie’s Fun Run Series” greeted him. The banner will be used for all future fun run events. “I was overwhelmed,” he said of the honor, adding that the nicest part is knowing that the Running/Walking Club and fun runs, which began during the 20072008 school year, will continue. Wilkie said he plans to help out with both activities next school year.
LCSD Transportation Department celebrates successful year The Liverpool Central School District Transportation Department celebrated another successful year during its 11th annual awards breakfast, held in June. This school year, members of the department transported more than 7,000 students to and from school each day. They also transported students on field trips, athletic shuttles and late runs. In all, Liverpool buses traveled more than 1,000,000 miles this year. Transportation Department employees were honored in several categories, including perfect attendance and consecutive years of safe driving. Receiving perfect attendance honors were: Sam Bella (2 years in a row), Imogene Brown (2 years in a row), Mary Campbell (14 years in a row), Dennis Daly, Grace DeJohn, Victoria Evans, Mike Hafner, Jennifer Irwin (2 years in a row), Paul Jen-
nings (2 years in a row), Dianne Judge (5 years in a row), Ray Knickerbocker, Linda Lane (9 years in a row), Karen Matott, Cheryl Milazzo, Kathy Rawlins, Steve Wilm (3 years in a row), Shelley Wlodarczyk, Bob Duquette (2 years in a row), Dan Elderbroom (7 years in a row) and John Muldoon (2 years in a row). Receiving safe driving awards were: Dawn Ehman, Tony Gugliuzza and Shannon Owens (five years), Linda Bonn and Karl Strattman (10 years), Mary Campbell (15 years), Kathy Wenman (20 years), Carla Ciaramella and Sharon Gilbert (21 years), Sharon Carrow (22 years), Maryann Ehman (27 years), Kathy Rawlins and Connie Ross (28 years), Joanne Yarwood (29 years) and Therese Wilmer (32 years). There were also seven retirees with a combined 191 years of service: Mary Palmisano (37 years), Bob Damewood (31 years), Donna Damewood (31 years), Ethan Gluck (27 years), Anna Nelson (24 years), Sharon Gilbert (26 years) and Tom Harte (15 years).
Niedzwiecki Honored by the American Red Cross Wetzel Road Elementary art teacher Clint Niedzwiecki recently was recognized by the OnondagaOswego Chapter of the American Red Cross with its Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year Award for 2009. He was honored for his efforts to raise money for the organization’s National Disaster Relief Fund. Fo r t h e l a s t f o u r y e a r s , Niedzwiecki’s students at the Liverpool High School Annex and WRE have participated in the Red Cross Partnership Project, which has students creating watercolor, pastel and collage artwork. Twelve pieces of artwork are then chosen and transformed into postcards that are sold at school and in the community. In addition to the artwork, Niedzwiecki uses the project to teach students about geography and culture, as well as world events, such as the Indian Ocean
Tsunami in 2004, Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and Hurricane Ike in 2008. He noted that the award really belongs to the students who participate in the project each year. “I just organize it…the kids do all the work,” Niedzwiecki said, adding that the most important thing he hopes the project teaches students is the concept of giving, even at a young age. “Not everyone can be an artist, but they can be lifetime givers,” Niedzwiecki said. The 2008 edition of the project is “Plant Life in Louisiana.” Postcards featuring wildflowers and trees from the Bayou State are still available, and can be purchased when school starts in September by contacting Niedzwiecki by e-mail at Clint_Niedzwiecki@liverpool. k12.ny.us.
Several MRE students carry an American flag during the final lap of the run. Holding the flag are fourth-graders Austin Aiello, left, and Peter Belgrader. Belgrader’s father, Gunny Sgt. Daniel Belgrader, is a Marines Reservist currently serving in Iraq. Running with them, from left, are fourth-graders Taylor Race, Mike Terpening, Owen Valentine, James Hunter, Steven Kozikoski and Riley McLaughlin.
The Insider is looking for more student writers! If you live in the LCSD, NSCSD or BCSD and would like to submit a piece about a local event, issues affecting your school or life from a student’s perspective please email it to news@clayinsider.com.
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August 2009
In
Clay Insider, 9
business
Hudson & Mowins gives cars its heart & soul By Melissa Renahan When Hudson & Mowins was founded in 1946, there was one car bay, a very small shop and the hurdles of being a new business to overcome. 63 years later the business, which has remained in the Hudson family through three generations, has more than doubled in both size and clientele, with eight bays, a two-story shop and office space and an ever-expanding customer base. Owner Greg Hudson, grandson of the founder, describes it as a “premiere shop” and from the looks of things, he’s right. For six years running, they have been awarded the AAA Top Shop award. “We run a one-stop shop. From brakes to tires to emissions, we can handle it,” said Hudson, who has run the shop with his wife Cathy since 2002. “It offers our customers a convenience that is often hard to find.” The level and variety of service they provide means customers can get a nationwide warranty through Hudson & Mowins or maintain their new car warranty, despite not taking the vehicle to a dealership. Hudson feels that in recent years, dealerships have seemingly increased their prices but lowered the quality of service they’re providing. “We’re trying to do the opposite here,” he explained. The small business aspect means customers get a lot of hands-on treatment from the eight Automotive Service Excellence certified technicians. Whoever works on your car is whom you deal with throughout the repair process. There are no middlemen at Hudson & Mowins, so there is
Besides fixing both domestic and foreign cars, the shop is also a licensed NAPA Auto Care center with a parts shop right next door.
usually no breakdown in the communication process. They’ve even been known to literally go the extra mile and drive to personally pick up a part if the shipment won’t be delivered soon enough. That means that about 19 out of 20 cars get repaired in a single day. The only thing that the shop doesn’t do is bodywork, though they can recommend some local venues for that. On a daily basis, about 30 cars are serviced and owners are able to get them in and out the same day. They also adhere to a tight schedule and provide oil changes and inspections on a 30-minute rotation throughout the day. Not that waiting would be painful since the waiting room is equipped with wireless internet, a television and a computer open to anyone. A shuttle service runs daily to anywhere in the village and a rental car service is available through the office. In addition to guaranteeing
Time Warner Cable opens retail store in Great Northern Mall Time Warner Cable’s customers in Clay will now be able to take advantage of the convenience provided by the company’s new retail store opening at the Great Northern Mall on Route 31. Time Warner Cable’s store, which held its grand opening in late July, is located near the mall’s Food Court (next to Carlton Cards). Store hours will reflect regular mall hours; Monday – Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m, and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. At this new location, customers can pick up new or upgraded equipment, sign up to receive new services and schedule installation or service appointments, make payments to their accounts, learn more about Time Warner Cable’s services – which include Digital
Cable, Road Runner high-speed data, Digital Phone and Time Warner Cable Security – and check out the more than 100 HD channels now offered by Time Warner Cable on its Central New York lineup. The company also plans to use the retail space for special promotions and events with its cable network partners. Time Warner Cable’s Northeast President of Residential Services John Keib said, “The fast-growing northern suburbs and the popularity of Great Northern Mall provided us with a great opportunity to deliver our award-winning customer service right in our customers’ own backyards, and this location allows us to serve our customers even better while demonstrating the latest and greatest in cable programming and technology.”
customers fast service, the staff is adamant that every person who walks through the door gets the best service possible. “We make sure the experience is a good one…so customers are happy to come back!” said Cathy. Hudson & Mowins does more than just make their clients happy though. They are constantly involved in the community, where they have both lived their entire
lives, through local sports sponsorships, participation in fundraisers and even providing a yearly scholarship in honor of Greg’s late grandfather. Cathy was formerly with the Chamber of Commerce and Greg is currently serving on the school board. They are also the annual sponsors of the fireworks during Seneca River Days. But it always comes back to the cars and their drivers. The When asked if they’ve ever been unable to fix a car, Hudson paused to think. “No. I mean, we’ve been stumped and sometimes it may take awhile to diagnose the problem, but we always solve it. Probably because none of us give up! Our motto should be if you can drive it here, we can fix it,” Hudson added with a laugh. “But that might be misleading…since sometimes we have to tow it here ourselves.” Rest assured, however you get the car to Hudson & Mowins, they will take care of you and your car. The shop, located on 63 East Genesee Street in Baldwinsville, is open Monday thru Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 pm., and closed on weekends.
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Clay Insider, 10
August 2009
Summer flies by, kids are kept busy
Lessons taught at Clay History Camp are plentiful & fun (from pg 1) By Dorothy Heller, Town Historian
Front row l to r: seniors Chelsea Dunay and Casshandrala Colin; junior Anesha Hall; seniors Alicia Smith, Heather Brown and Vicki Ryder; back row l to r: Syracuse VA Medical Center Human Resource Assistant, Mr. Ray Simmons; seniors Stacy Markell and Evan Danas; Syracuse VA Medical Center Human Resource Officer, Mr. Mark Antinelli; junior Dylan Bitz; senior Tanya Lesinski and C-NS Career Education Teacher/Coordinator, Mrs. Ellie Peavey.
C-NS students have shadowed anesthesiologists, cardiologists, clinical nurse specialists, microbiologists, nurse practitioners, phlebotomists, physical therapists, physicians, physician assistants, radiologic technologists, respiratory therapists and surgeons among many other medical occupations. The Syracuse Ve t e ra n s Administration Hospital has been the gracious host of the program, while
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The Syracuse Children’s Theatre holds a camp where students can become accustomed to the spotlight and the stage. Students practice for two weeks all day long and finish with their performance. This brief foray into the theater gives the children a chance to have fun performing and to try it out and see if they like it. Mary Beth Demar of Clay will perform in “Disco Knights” this month.
cious vanilla ice cream.) Day four focused on the history of the local Haudenosaunee Indians and the six nations in this area. The kids each created rain stick and a God’s Eye. The last day was built around a history of our American flag and the making of a paper flag. Old fashioned games were played, and a camper talent show was put on for the visiting parents. Everyday they had a fun time with games of the past and without any technology! In fact, the camp favorite seemed to be the time spent with a hula hoop. Since everyone had such a wonderful time, plans are already underway for History Camp next year. Can’t wait!
Budding actress and soon-to-be seventh grader Mary Beth DeMar attended the Syracuse Children’s Theatre Camp this summer. She will perform in “Disco Knights”.
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the students have been welcomed by Crouse Hospital, Greg Sweeney, DMD, Harrison Surgery Center, Iroquois Nursing Home, Laboratory Alliance of CNY, Orthopedic Medical Services Group, Madison Irving Surgery Center, PACE, CNY, ProActive Physical Therapy, Prompt Care, St. Joseph’s Imaging Associates, University Hospital, University Hospital Health Care Center, and West Taft Family Care.
Twelve youngsters from our area, ages 8 to 12, attended the five-day History Camp at the Historic Park in Clay during the second weekend in July. On the first day they learned all about local plants and planted a bean seed. Happily all of them sprouted by the end of the week! There was also a hands-on lesson about the history of candle making. During the second day we moved on from plants to the many birds that are seen in Clay. Their project was to build a bird house and pine cone bird feeder. Day three we learned the history of the train station at the park and saw the making of home-made ice cream by cranking. (Of course the snack was many helpings of deli-
At Palmer Elementary School, teaching assistant Sue Kratochwill leads students in an exercise to reinforce their reading skills. The boys are (clockwise) Zachary Moore, Davis Weakley, Evan Bohman, Aaron Sprague, and Keaton Spindler.
For the twelfth year, Baldwinsville students who will be entering the second and third grades in the fall had the opportunity to attend the district’s Literacy for Young Learners Reading and Writing Camp in July. The camp, made possible because of a donation from M&T Bank, was held in two daily sessions for a week at each of the district’s elementary schools. The annual program provides students with reinforcement and enrichment in reading and writing.
August 2009
In
Clay Insider, 11
good faith
Each month the Insider will run an article about faith submitted by a Clay resident. It can be about anything related to your faith and is not limited to the religious aspects of faith. If you are interested in submitting an article, please contact the editor at news@clayinsider.com. This month’s article was submitted by Clay resident Sarah Alamond who attends Liverpool 1st Presbyterian Church. On June 23, 2006, I gave birth to my second child, a daughter, who was born at 2 lbs. 8 oz., 8 weeks early and extremely weak. She looked different, wasn’t growing and even the best doctors didn’t know if she would survive, not to mention that she was so tiny you could fit my husband’s wedding ring around her thigh. After my delivery, amidst all the visible worry on other’s faces, I somehow felt that things would be okay. I felt a strange peace, which for someone with self-diagnosed minor OCD, is not something I have felt often. For a long time I would wonder if it was the pain medication after my c-section, or in fact God and my faith in Him that kept me feeling like everything was going to work out fine. To this day, I am assured that it was not the pain medication, but rather, my faith. My daughter left the hospital at only 3 ½ lbs, after two months spent in the NICU. She was severely hypotonic (low muscle tone) and was not strong enough to do anything but sleep. Feeding was a problem, bonding was a problem, and most of all, growing was a problem. Thus began the search for why she was the way she was. Doctor after doctor was stumped as to the exact cause of all of our daughter’s problems. Why was she so weak? Why couldn’t she grow? Why didn’t she cry? Or smile? Or even respond to our ac-
tions? Why wasn’t she “regular” like our son, or so many other children we would see daily? Would we ever know what it was that caused our daughter to have such a difficult road ahead? The pain of not knowing was often the most heartwrenching part of this journey that we had begun when she was born. It just seemed so unfair. But through it all, people would always ask if I was okay, and I would always respond “I am good,” because I actually felt okay, despite the frustrations. That was God. I often had little reason to feel good, but I relied on Him, and he made it possible. At seven months and approximately 6 ½ lbs. she was admitted into the hospital (the first of many, many hospital stays) for breathing issues and evaluations of her heart. During that hospital stay the search for the cause began. It was no longer acceptable to believe that she was just “born too early, and to give her time”. It somehow fell upon me to start researching her case. That began a long 18 months of doctors visits, hospital stays, traveling out of town to see specialists, genetic testing, therapy, frustrations, emotional breakdowns and more, until we finally found her diagnosis. After two skin biopsies (and other various tests), our daughter was finally diagnosed with a very rare chromosomal disorder known as “Mosaic Triploi-
Clay resident Brauchle completes Army training
Army Pfc. Anthony J. Brauchle has graduated from the Infantryman One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga. The training consists of Basic Infantry Training and Advanced Individual Training. During the nine weeks of basic combat training, the soldier received training in drill and ceremonies, weapons employment, map reading, tactics, military
courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid skills, and Army history, core values and traditions. Additional training included development of basic combat skills and battlefield operations and tactics, and experienced use of various weapons and weapons defenses available to the infantry crewman. The Advanced Individual Training course is designed to train infantry soldiers to perform reconnaissance operations; employ, fire and recover anti-personnel and antitank mines; locate and neutralize land mines and operate target and sight equipment; operate and maintain communications equipment and radio networks; construct field firing aids for infantry weapons; and perform infantry combat exercises and dismounted battle drills, which includes survival procedures in a nuclear, biological or chemical contaminated area. Brauchle is the son of Robert and Toni Brauchle of Mantova Drive, Clay. He is a 2007 graduate of Cicero-North Syracuse High School.
dy”, or Diploid/Triploid Mosaicism (I will not go into details because it would take up the entire newspaper!). From what I am aware of, she is one of approximately 12 people in the country, and approximately 40 in the world that has this syndrome. Almost all triploidy babies do not survive, yet my daughter did. That led to more “Whys.” Why me? Why were we chosen as her parents? Why did she survive and the others so often do not? Why was she able to shed some of the bad triploid cells (69xxx) and grow “good” diploid cells (46xx), thus allowing her to survive a miscarriage? Those questions I will never know the answer to. All I can trust is that God has placed her here with us for a reason. To teach my family something. To teach me something.
To show others what is possible. To inspire those who know her. God has also showed me what I am capable of. He has helped me learn to be much more grateful than I may have been before. He has helped me see that things can always be much more difficult than they are in the moment. He has reminded me of the important things in life. He has shown me how lucky and blessed I truly am. God has kept me believing, hoping, and comforted beyond my wildest expectations. While everyday life with a five year-old son and a three year-old girl with special needs is crazy, busy, stressful and filled with worries about the future for both my daughter and my family as a whole, I feel His hand on my shoulder, and at the end of the day, I am strong.
Worship Listings Congregation Ner Tamid 5061 West Taft Rd., N. Syracuse 315-461-9226 Sabbath services Friday night at 8 p.m.
Northminster Presbyterian Church 7444 Buckley Road, North Syracuse 315-458-0393 Sunday Worship: 10 a.m.
Trinity Assembly of God 4398 Route 31, Clay 315-652-4996 Sunday Services: 10:15 a.m. & 6 p.m.
Liverpool 1st Presbyterian Church 603 Tulip St., Liverpool 315-457-3161 Sunday Service: 10:15 a.m.
Trinity United Methodist Church 8396 Morgan Rd., Clay 315-652-9186 Sunday Services: 9 and 11 a.m.
United Church of Christ in Bayberry 215 Blackberry Road, Clay 315-652-6789 Thurs Worship: 7:30 p.m. Sun. Worship: 9:30 a.m.
Grace Covenant Church Stearns Rd. and Route 31, Clay Sunday Services: 8:30 and 11 a.m.
Community Christian Reformed Church 7823 Hicks Rd., Baldwinsville 315-638-1664
North Central Assembly of God 7463 Buckley Rd., N. Syracuse 315-458-0896 Sunday Worship: 10 a.m.
King of Kings Lutheran Church 8278 Oswego Rd., Liverpool 315-622-2077 Sunday Services: 9:30 a.m. & 6 p.m.
Liverpool First United Methodist Church 604 Oswego Street, Liverpool 315 457-5180 Sunday Services: 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 4889 Bear Rd., Liverpool Sunday Service: 9:30 a.m.
Our Lady of Walsingham Parish (Catholic, Western Rite) 8573 Van Heusen Rd,. Clay Sunday Service: 10 a.m. St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church 904 Vine St., Liverpool 315-457-4633 Sunday Service: 8:00 a.m. & 10:15 a.m. Messiah’s Church (Reformed Presbyterian) 8181 Stearns Rd., Clay 315-451-2148 Sunday Service: 10 a.m. Calvary Chapel Syracuse 103 Grampian Rd., Liverpool 315-451-1556 Sunday Services: 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Wetzel Road Church Of Christ 4268 Wetzel Road, Liverpool, 315-652-3195 Worship is at 8:30 & 11 a.m. Cross of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church Route 57 and Soule Rd., Clay 315-622-2843 Sunday Service: 10:15 a.m.
Liverpool Community Church 800 4th St., Liverpool 315-701-0857 Sunday Services: 9:30 & 11 a.m. Trinity Evangelical Presbyterian Church Driver’s Village Conv. Ctr., E Circle Dr., Clay 315-652-5379 Sunday Services: 10 a.m. Beacon Baptist Church 4800 Route 31, Clay 315-699-5900 Family Worship Center 8480 Morgan Rd., Clay, 315-652-3491 Sunday Services: 9 & 11 a.m. Grace Baptist Church 17 Oneida River Rd., Pennellville 315-695-2341 Sunday Service: 10:30 a.m. Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church 4947 Route 31, Clay 315-699-7268 Blessed Hope Church 8791 Oswego Rd., Clay 315-695-6710
Is your church, synagogue or place of worship in Clay missing? Send us the information at news@clayinsider.com and we will include it next month.
Clay Insider, 12
August 2009
The girls of summer and their (baseball) diamonds
The Hayden Jewelers’ team, from the Junior Division of Seneca Softball, happily pose with their trophies and proud coaches. The team came in second overall for the 2009 season.
By Susan E. Lindsley Whether it’s a game at Yankee Stadium against the Boston Red Sox or a tee ball game with your own children, there is just something about the game of baseball, and I’m including softball in this statement. When I was a youngster, Sally League (Little League for girls) was just getting organized. It was a time when most boys would still pick girls last even if they were
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better than some of the boys. But the times they are a changin’. Girls’ softball games can be an exciting and nail biting experience. In Clay, the Seneca Girls’ Softball League has been around for over 30 years. This year they had 300 girls in four divisions ranging from kindergarteners to college freshman. The season just concluded with playoff games and
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By M elissa Re n a h or Cla an y, Y “Para being chose e pa ge 4 n to h de of H deta o only b o m ils es” this st the e desc ribed a year e cake s the ic . First in came th g ine art e icle th at liste Money best d U.S., th small place Clay to live en cam Mary e the p round in o Office Thompson, erger w g the contro sitive r of th versial ith the e Hom Executive R e m ode now th sh e is. Cla eriff ’s ofing th lers of CNY Builders & y ge of h e ’s been , ost giv to “cele event will giv says that ho stbrate a ould b ing an annu en e a com ri nd sell Clay a chan a m ple on ng as many l HBRC unity.” To fu themselves a ce to Cau as s ghden N rt o the to oy munit Y will be h her that, th y o e e alrea wn, showin 10, in Night on W sting a Com g dy kno order e d w–C n esday, to pro itself a lay Sept mo s homeb a commodit te the town y to po uyers. ork Sta largest tow T ti te vely lo hings ntial te n and de , Clay is good sc w taxes, nom like the rela ve nues to loped as its govern hool districts inal crime ra m te , o the c grow each of that ent will be and solid lo s, ensus a c p t al re the fore fro on wa Lando sentation. front s 58,8 m w n ers Gro 05; opmen er that up t numb tion b spearheade One DevelJMG er is Custo d y mH for the allocating lo the site selec ome s tak abilitie ts P a to be u es th s than th rade. But e cre sed builde and talents it dit fo a rs. Cla of man r this HBRC t to secure takes more he tow 2 y R th y 0 Town N 08 P owle loca n and arad est and Y actually e event – th e ho is the lo y’s hopes are Supervisor l m e “One me. Jim ng m by the developmen easures inte has alw piece of the hostin -term benefi ore focused a m ount o t in the to rg, such puzzle on ays be ts gain fi le d w f b n in e b for Cla velo uil ed n tryin as usiness ving, ra that d the past yea ding permit pidly in pments tha reviving hou from Route es along the g to attract y ata r. s t have sing d const s3 c builde , the HBRC By analyzin stoppe ruction or e either slow e- The co 1 and 57,” orridors of rs th at there NY can a g ed says R ven co nstruc d. th e ir ss owley. ure tion o ho mplete on Ro is f th u ly of that mes in the a a market for town a te 31 is a big e new Low n e’s must process, the rea. Indepen d boom” d may indic eal to the dent be HB builde ate rs (wh RCNY is on th good st o m e way. that “anoth side To er and a anding) sub embers in wn H mit ap re cho a se ll p ........ licatio n by th rage Page n Sale F e s associa 5 inds.. tion to ......Pa Please g
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At a Coun news c By Sa o ty rah H anno Executiv nference all u e Clay nced tha Joanie M today, a t she ahon Supe nd re ey as he wa s n centl rviso o y r fisca pick for r James aming - f school b earned h the l offi usine Ro is cert a ss ifi The p cer pos county’s wley wa nd time in pu administr cate s es chief Joe M osition is ition. blic o a pecia th a b e r ffice. tion e ll e ing v y im way ane, a job She a p h c w m r ate e es ho in e Maho Tompkin has acc d by ye r g e r p r o handled sed with e th a n s p p r. e e po osal Coun ted y said for h li ty e ce s is co a r li e . “I ha sect r th mbin he chose d kn bu o is Rowle o been r e x p e r ation of y u t I n e ve r w n o f J ie p C n im befor Liver FO at P n c e - h rivate g til Janua got to wo olaris e, pool r r e o k y t ,” w h to M it s a an M BA fr ince 200 Systems s was v see him ahoney h him om S s 3 yracu , posses in he h ery impre in action aid. “I se andle s , and se Un d a v sed with ivers s I th ery c ity ontro e way versia l Please
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championship games in the Junior (grades 5-7) and Senior (grades 813) Divisions. They play at various schools and at Clay Park Central fields on Wetzel Road. The younger divisions work on introducing the game and building skill and technique before it gets competitive in the older divisions. Katie Bradley has been playing
in the league herself for six years, but cheered on her older cousins for years before and now a younger sister too. She knows the benefits of the league. “I have been able to work on my skills in softball and I even got to hit a grand slam and a triple in a game a few weeks ago. It was awesome,” Bradley said. Though individual games may be forgotten, the skills, camaraderie and good old-fashioned teamwork can last a lifetime. This year in the Junior Division, the team sponsored by Hayden Jewelers won their game against B&T Sports with a score of 26-16. This score shows what the girls are made of, which is much more than sugar and spice and everything nice. Their team placed second overall for the season. The Junior Division had two teams tied for first place. They were the teams sponsored by William A. Raineri, DDS and A&P Auto Parts. In the Senior Division, the first place team was sponsored by MG Insulation and the second place team was sponsored by A&P Auto Parts. Now the softball season is over and other sports will take its place…temporarily. Most likely next year these same girls will be back, along new ones too, looking for their chance to take the field. But this time it’s not the “Boys of Summer” as Don Henley sang, it’s the “Girls of Summer”. ‘Bout time.
Do you want your advertisment in every single-family home in Clay?
Then you need to be in the
The Clay Insider will be mailed each month to 14,535 single-family homes in the town of Clay.
-That’s every single-family home in ClayThousands of copies will also be distributed to apartment complexes throughout Clay.
For advertising information, email the editor at news@clayinsider.com
August 2009
Calling boys from Kindergarten to 6th grade. Area Cub Packs will be hosting a community Den Meeting. At the Liverpool Library Aug. 17, Monday 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.. Visit with different packs and cubs scouts. Participate or view some of our Cub activities. Cub Scouts are constantly learning about our world, our community, our family and themselves. Come find out how to join a cub scouting pack near you. In the Clay, Liverpool, North Syracuse, Cicero and Bridgeport areas.
Friends of the CanTeen would like to announce the sale of Grounds Admission tickets for the Turning Stone Resort Championship at Atunyote Golf Club. The actual tournament runs Sept. 28 to Oct. 4, but the tickets can be used any day, the 30th through the 4th. Each ticket is $25, of which 100 percent will be donated back to the Friends of the CanTeen. What a great way to view some professional golf and support a local charity. For more information regarding purchasing tickets, please call Vinny Hollopeter at 727-2623 or The CanTeen, 699-1391 and leave a message.
Kraft from page 5
Kids’ Bowling Program
A fun supervised open bowling program to promote healthy exercise, fun and sharpen your bowling skills in a State-of-the-Art Automatic Scoring 40-lane bowling alley. Bumpers available on all lanes. At Flamingo Bowl, 7239 Oswego Road, in Liverpool. 457-7470. Tuesdays, starting June 30 thru Aug. 11, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Open to ages six through 14. Fee is $7 and includes three fun hours of bowling, bowling shoes and lunch (slice of pizza or hot dog and a drink). Payment direct to Flamingo Bowl. Registration is done onsite Tuesdays with Clay staff each date at Flamingo Bowl.
Chaos for Teens
A teen traveling theatre troupe trains for stage productions as well as festival and street theatre performances. Limited space. Meets Tuesdays from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Director permission for entry in troupe. If you are interested, contact Chrissy Clancy at 652-3800 x 137 or email cclancy@townofclay.org.
Pre-K Music and Movement Program
The village of North Syracuse is sponsoring a program designed for children between the ages of 2 and 5 to encourage exploration, imagination and play time. Classes will be held from 10 to 10:45 a.m. on Wednesday mornings beginning July 8 through Aug. 19 at the Lonergan Park Gazebo on Route 11. Equipment and activities will be featured to challenge youngsters to participate more freely. Participant will experience singing and playing instruments as well. Registration is limited. The cost is $20 for village residents and $30 for non-village residents. Register through the parks and recreation department by calling 458-8050.
One Week Tennis Clinic
These clinics are for all age junior players and are held at Liverpool High School. By using skill builders, lead up drills and fun games students learn and play tennis throughout the week. All players are encouraged to bring recreational clothing and their own tennis racket. If you need a racket or might want to borrow or try out a racket, contact Tennis Director, Steve Cary at 479-5808. The clinic runs Monday through Friday, Aug. 24 through Aug. 28. Groups require a minimum of 6 players. Shot Takers - ages 4-6, 1 to-2 p.m.; Shot Makers - ages 6-8, 2 to 3 p.m.; Level I - ages 8-12, 3 to 4 p.m; Level II - ages 12 or older, 44 to 5 p.m. Fee is $60.
Weight Loss Group
T.O.P.S. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) is meeting at the United Church of Christ, 215 Blackberry Road in Bayberry on Wednesdays at 6:15 p.m. Join us as we learn to Take Off Pounds Sensibly. Come see how we manage our weight goals while having some fun. For more information call Doris @ 457-2643 or Phil at 622-3750 or visit tops.org.
Free Concerts in the Park
“I have a visual image of my life as a mountain,” he said. “I see myself having spent all of this time climbing that mountain. I’ve worked and played and raised a family on that mountain. Now, for the first time, I’ve stepped off the mountain, and I’m resting in the meadow below, and it’s very peaceful. I’m looking at the mountain, and it’s full of lights. I come to realize that those lights are my many, many friends, the people I love, and I look at all of those lights, and I realize that I’m a very lucky man.” In addition to his many friends
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Wii Wednesdays at Clay Senior Center
The Center for Town of Clay Seniors will host Wii Wednesdays on the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month. Enjoy virtual games of bowling and tennis, as well as ladderball, board games, knitting and bocce ball. Games and snacks start at 9:30 a.m. Lunch is provided by Catholic Charities and served at noon. No need to register for games; you must register by the previous Monday to stay for lunch. Call 652-3800 ext. 137. The 45th reunion for the 1964 Baker High School Class will be held the weekend of Aug. 14 through 16 beginning with a meet and greet at Fireside Inn Friday, dinner at Mohegan Manor Saturday and a catered lunch at noon Sunday at Mercer Park. In addition, a tour of the high school is planned for 10 a.m. Saturday followed by a walking tour of downtown Baldwinsville. For more information, call Dick Clarke at 638-8946.
Save a lot
CookouT SEASon IS HErE!
Liverpool Is The Place Committee is continuing their events in Johnson Park from 7 to 9 p.m. every Monday and Wednesday evening through Aug. 19. For more information visit liverpoolistheplace.com, or call the Greater Liverpool Chamber of Commerce at 457-3895.
Baker HS Reunion
and loved ones, Kraft also believes he leaves a legacy of impassioned service to his community. In order to illustrate that legacy, Kraft shared a story. “There’s a lady by the name of Anita Letgab, who’s the branch manager at the Chase Bank on Route 57,” he said. “I have some accounts there, and so I’d talk to her once or twice a year – nothing social, just business stuff. One day, I was in the bank and she called me over and asked if I was still on the legislature, and I said yes. She said, and this is a direct quote, ‘We all know you’re down there fighting for us.’ “That was the best reward I ever got.”
Rt. 481
Cub Scouting Recruiting
CanTeen to sell golf tickets
Rt. 48
Upcoming Events
Clay Insider, 13
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Clay Insider, 14
August 2009
Buying a second property Yes, even during a recession By Christina Lackey It seems counter-intuitive to spend extra money at a time when headlines center around the gloom and doom of a struggling economy. Tips seem to be everywhere about how to pare down, tighten up and save money for a rainy day. There are many families making good use of those tips to aid a changing economic outlook, but there are also many families that have not seen a change in pay and do not feel threatened by the current recessionary trend. For those families, opportunity knocks. For people who need to liquidate funds to pay for other expenses, one of the first casualties can be an extra piece of property or vacation home. As a result, many places are seeing a large amount of those types of properties on the market. This includes timeshares, condominiums, waterfront homes and vacant properties being held in reserve for future plans. All of these types of properties are being cast away on the tide of the recession to help their owners hold on to primary homes, cars and other necessities. This opens a window for people who would like to acquire these types of holdings and are in a position to purchase. The most expensive of these properties are those that have seen and will continue to suffer
the largest reduction in price, and therefore offer the largest savings potential. Condos and waterfront homes in many parts of the country have seen price adjustments in the face of a glut on the market, but these types of sales are not common here in Central New York. For area residents who have been waiting for an opportunity to grab a condo in Florida or a villa in Arizona, this is an excellent time to reinvestigate that option. Many people do not realize that your trusted, local Realtor can facilitate this type of transaction by ordering materials and setting up a referral for you. This can really make a difference in making sure that your purchase goes smoothly. A much more attainable way to capitalize on the trend is to look at unimproved land. Our local market has not seen the drastic price reduction that many have, but it will almost certainly follow the upturn as it spreads in the wake of tax credits and healing in the economy. Land can be an excellent option for investment that costs little to maintain and will be available for future plans. Locally, there are riverfront and lakefront lots available that could be scooped up for a good price. Then, if the desire for a
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vacation home abounds, but the finances do not allow, the lot could be used for a travel trailer, tenting, or perhaps docking a boat. This would be a great way to use the land without making improvements that would change the tax rate and therefore make it more expensive to keep. Vacant land that is not near water is also popular for hunting camps or wooded retreats. This land is often the lowest priced, but there are special considerations here as well. In order to be improved upon at some point in the future, the land should have at least some part of it that is flat and buildable. It should also be checked for the potential to add a septic system and a well if public sewer and water are not present
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at that location. Other factors include proximity to your primary home, fuel costs traveling to and from the area, and availability of groceries, utilities, and emergency services in outlying areas. For those who need to sell, the loss of these extra properties is saddening, but for those who are willing, ready and able to buy, a smart investment can be made at a time when few can afford to buy. Choosing a property carefully and doing all the research ahead of time are a must, though, to make sure that the investment will pay off in the long run or serve it’s intended purpose when the time comes to build. Choose wisely, and happy vacationing! - Christina Lackey is a Clay resident and a licensed real estate agent.
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Clay Insider, 15
Give P.E.A.C.E. a chance and a helping hand The Onondaga Community Action Agency assists many By Melissa Renahan “We’re here to help – especially in this economy and people need to know that,� said Ellen Stevens, County West coordinator for the community action group P.E.A.C.E., Inc., which is located in Baldwinsville. P.E.A.C.E., which stands for People’s Equal Action & Community Effort, is tasked with assessing and addressing the needs of those less fortunate in Onondaga County. Every county in New York State has a Community Action Agency that is federally designated as part of the national network. Under that umbrella, there are centers designated as Family Resource Centers (like the one in Baldwinsville.) that focus only on family issues. This involves anything from referrals to food pantries, crisis intervention, advocacy, offering informal support groups for parenting and referrals for Head Start and Early Head Start program for children. Additionally, they provide an elementary age after-school program twice a week during the school year called Kidz Rule. The program provides homework assistance, games and positive role models for the students. Snacks are often donated in bulk by food vendors. They also keep an emergency food pantry onsite in case a family cannot get to a local church’s food pantry or the Food Bank of CNY. The P.E.A.C.E. pantry even includes toiletry items that are often excluded
Julia Bliven of Baldwinsville gets help unloading all the “treasures� she is donating from a P.E.A.C.E. volunteer.
when shopping with food stamps but can be just as necessary. A huge attraction at the Baldwinsville site is the Treasure-GoRound, a pseudo-thrift shop run entirely by volunteers, which accepts donations but gives away the items at no profit. Families can choose what they want and take it home. There is no money exchanged and also no limit on how much a family can take. Drop-offs for the Treasure-Go-Round are accepted at the back entrance Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Stevens’ favorite project is the Christmas closet, which she strives
to fill each year with unopened gifts for children whose parents are unable to play Santa. Sometimes the donations come from individuals, other times major retail outlets. Standing among the shrink-wrapped board games and new toys, she recalled how last year proved to her how generous people could be. “The economy was getting tough and I really thought that people would only be taking care of their own families, so I was worried we’d be short on gifts. But the stuff kept coming in‌and coming in. No matter what else was going on, people were still donating to provide these children with a Christ-
mas. I was just so happy to have been proven wrong!� In these situations, children are frequently forced to go without more than just presents. Other privileges granted to their peers, like family vacations, are just not possible. Something that often gets overlooked is the embarrassment kids can face when they return to school in September and have no answer for the question “What did you do this summer?� The P.E.A.C.E. site is making sure that those children have an answer, by holding events in August, including a trip to the Strong Museum, a large family picnic and a visit to Seabreeze Amusement Park in Rochester. Their small amount of funding comes from a combination of federal, state and local government budgets, as well as through grants and donations. Despite having only two paid staff members, P.E.A.C.E. is far from short-handed. On a monthly basis they have about 50 volunteers working in the office, and they are always looking for more. To volunteer, please call 6381051, or stop by 93 Syracuse Street, Suite 700, in Baldwinsville during business hours. “We want to assist as many folks as we can, so we need as many volunteers as possible!� said Stevens. “Our mission is to help people become self-sufficient, but people can’t be afraid to ask for help,� Stevens said. “I’d prefer to help them be self-reliant because everyone needs someone.�
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