Star Review digital edition - April 3, 2024

sory structure in excess of 150 square feet.

Popovici last appeared in person at the Nov. 27 planning board meeting and was expected to renew his application early this year, but board Chairman Bob Bradt said they’ve not heard from him.

At their first meeting of the year on Jan. 22, the village

board of trustees approved two new local laws, one amending the village noise ordinance and another that changed the zoning code regarding accessory structures.

That new law means that Popovici will not need a special permit, but will need a zoning variance if he wants to continue with the garage project.

Planning Board Attorney Richard Andino told the planners on March 25 that “He won’t be coming to this board. He needs a variance, and he’ll need to apply for one from the zoning board of appeals.”

So the planning board members – Bradt, Nathan Holliday, Heidi McElwee, Sam Reppi and Jim Rosier – voted unanimously to close Popovici’s permit application.

At a public hearing on Nov. 27 at village hall, several of Popovici’s Oswego Street neighbors angrily protested his plan to build the 50’x50’garage at 717 Oswego St.

submitted photo Liverpool Central School District middle school students participated in classroom workshops with actors from the Rev Theatre.

What does it feel like to see your work come to life on stage?

For a few Liverpool Central School District middle school students that became a reality when the Rev Theatre Co. brought its Echoes Program to Liverpool High School.

Last fall, Chestnut Hill Middle, Liverpool Middle, Morgan Road Middle and Soule Road Middle sixth- through eighthgraders participated in classroom workshops with actors from the Rev Theatre. After the workshops, the students were given the opportunity to submit original writing material to the company for its annual middle school writing competition.

Each submission was reviewed, and from there the actors select dozens of poems, songs, stories and skits that are then weaved into an original 50-minute production. More than 2,000 students from across New York State participated in this year’s writing competition.

In addition to numerous LCSD middle school students receiving recognition for their work appearing in the production, CHM was recognized for the “Best Overall Eighth-Grade Submissions,” and MRM eighthgrader Madalyn Cogan was recognized for the “Best Overall Submission.”

Courtesy of the Village Clerk Plans for the children’s playground at Heid Park include several inventive items such as a sight-n-sound interactive panel, magic ball-popper, chime panel, lucky the ladybug spring rider and a sensory garden wall. The village is applying for a county grant to help fund the renovation.

By RuSS TARBy Contributing Writer

At a special meeting on Monday, March 25, the Village of Liverpool Board of Trustees – Mayor Stacy Finney and trustees Rachel Ciotti and Mike

LaMontagne – unanimously approved the village’s application for a $50,000 Onondaga County Community Development Block Grant to help fund the phase two renovation of a children’s playground at Heid Park.

Baseball l Page 14

Students l Page 14

Elmcrest Elementary students recently went on a journey into the heart of storytelling with two new friends – Dusty and Dott. The pair, who lead the New York Emmy nominated television series “Reading Buddies,” stopped by the school to share submitted photo

Elmcrest Elementary students recently were visited by Dusty and Dott, who lead the New york Emmy nominated television series “Reading Buddies.”

SuBmiTTED By

JEANNiNE CHuBoN salina library direCtor

The following are events and programs at the Salina Library. Visit the events calendar at salinalibrary.org to register for programs online or call 315-454-4524 for more information.

Friday, April 5

Crafts for Seniors

11 a.m. Craft and chat with other seniors. We’re making sunset seascapes out of paper. For adults 50+. Registration is required.

monday, April 8

Solar Eclipse Viewing

2-4 p.m. Everyone is welcome to create pinhole viewers and other activities while we stream the NASA Total Eclipse Broadcast. The library will be closed from 3:003:30 p.m. so staff and patrons can safely view the eclipse totality. Solar eclipse glasses will be handed out, as supplies last. For all ages.

Poetry & Prose

7 p.m. The Salina Writers Group presents an evening of poetry and prose. Listen to select readings from the group, then we’ll open the floor for sharing from the audience. For adults 18+. Please register.

Tuesday, April 9

Let’s Eat

6 p.m. Create your favorite dish made with eggs then bring it to the library with the recipe. Sample everyone’s offerings while you discuss your favorite egg dishes. Bring a container for leftovers! For adults 18+. Registration is required.

Friday, April 12

Trivia Night

6 p.m. Join us for trivia night and your team might win a prize! Teams can be up to 4 people, and if you don’t have a team you can join one. Please bring something for the potluck appetizers & desserts; we’ll

provide the mocktails. For adults 18+. Registration is required. The library will be open to adults from 6:00 pm until 8:30 pm. Circle of Friends

11 a.m. – noon. Adults with disabilities, along with a mentor or family member, can meet up at the library to socialize, play games, and eat lunch together. For adults 18+. Please register.

Tuesday, April 16

Create 6 p.m. Create glass and stone wirewrapped pendants. For adults 18+. Registration is required.

Wednesday, April 17

Tea Circle

3 p.m. Choose a cup from our tea buffet and enjoy it as you circle and chat with each participant. At the end, we’ll all sit together and talk! For adults 18+. Registration is required.

Writers Group

6:30 p.m. Hone your writing skills. Facilitated by Debbie Stack, local author, editor, and TV scriptwriter. Get feedback and share questions and ideas. For adults 18+. Please register.

Saturday, April 20 on the Same Page Book Club: Aurora’s Café

11 a.m. Meet up at Aurora’s Café in Northern Lights. Tell us what books you’ve liked, or haven’t liked, lately. Learn about new books and enjoy a tasty treat, too! For adults 18+. Please register.

monday, April 22

Family Puzzle Contest

6 p.m. It’s a race to the finish, and the winner gets a prize! Do you like jigsaw puzzles? Join us for a little competition. Each family team will get the same puzzle; the first to complete theirs is declared the winner! For family groups of 2 or more. Registration is required.

monday, April 29

in Stitches at 6 p.m. Whether you like to knit, crochet, or do other needlework, it’s more fun to do it together! Bring in your projects to show off or work on while we chat. For adults 18+. Please register

Tuesday, April 30

Page Turners Book Club

6:30 p.m. Take part in our monthly discussion; new members are welcome! April’s choice is The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George. Please register or use the Zoom link on our website events page. For adults 18+.

Games

mah Jongg for Beginners

Mondays at 1 p.m. Learn to play Mah Jongg then join a weekly game. National Mah Jongg rules. Not a tournament. For adults 18+. Please register.

Afternoon of Games

Mondays at 3 p.m. Backgammon, cribbage, scrabble, Triominos, Rummikub, and more! Bring your games or play one of ours. For adults 18+. Please register.

mah Jongg

Tuesdays at noon. Already know how to play Mah Jongg? Join us for weekly play. National Mah Jongg rules. Not a tournament. For adults 18+. Please register.

mexican Train Dominoes

Wednesdays at 1 p.m. Meet up for an afternoon of playing Mexican Train. If you don’t know how to play we’ll teach you. For adults 18+. Please register.

Tech Help by Appointment

Tuesdays and Fridays at 10:30 a.m., 1 and 2 p.m.; Wednesdays at 2 and 6:30 p.m. Do you need help with your laptop or tablet, using email, downloading an eBook, or applying for jobs online? Tech help appointments are available for these topics and more. Appointments last up to 1 hour. Registration required.

Children’s and teen programs

Wednesdays, April 3, 10, 17

Early Learners Storytime

11 a.m. Make learning fun! Your child will learn important early literacy and social skills with stories, rhymes, and songs. For children ages 2-4 years old.

monday, April 8

Family Solar Eclipse Science

1 p.m. at (1 hour.)| Join us for crafts and activities all about the power of the sun. Please bring a plain black T-shirt if possible. Solar eclipse glasses will be handed

out at the end of this program. Please preregister.

Tuesday, April 9

Salina Teen Warriors

4:30 p.m. Pick up an application at the circulation desk and join our Teen Advisory Group. Members will brainstorm and help create activities for the library. For grades 6-12.

Wednesday, April 10

Legos Club from 4-5 p.m. Do you love Legos? Join us as we build, build, build! For ages 5-12. Please pre-register.

Thursday, April 11

Pajama Storytime

6 p.m. Children ages 3-6, wear your comfiest pajamas for a special night-time storytime and craft! Please pre-register.

Friday, April 19

Friday Crafternoon

3:30-4:30 p.m. Drop in to make bookmarks for National Library Week. For ages 4-12. Please pre-register.

Spring break events

Please pre-register.

monday, April 22

National Jelly Bean Day

2:30 p.m. (1 hour.) Celebrate with jelly bean slime, painting, and a mystery jelly bean taste test. For ages 6-12.

Tuesday, April 23

American Girl Doll Camp

2:30 p.m. (1.5 hours.) Spring is here, it’s time to get outdoors. Kids ages 6-12 can bring their favorite 18” doll to make accessories for the perfect campout.

Wednesday, April 24

Teddy Bear Picnic

2:30 p.m. (1 hour.)

Bring your teddy bear or other stuffed animal friend for a special storytime and indoor picnic. Ages 3-6.

Thursday, April 25

Hobbit Hole Wreath 6 p.m. (1.5 hours.) Learn how to create a small wreath decoration straight out of a fantasy land. For teens in grades 6-12.

Friday, April 26 Family movie

2:30 p.m. (2 hours.) Enjoy watching a movie on the big screen (PG) and have fun with Wonka-themed activities.

Saturday, April 27

Toddlers’ Tango 10:30 a.m. (1 hour.) Join in the fun at this popular music and movement class for toddlers and preschool-aged children!

mooNA NEEDS A HomE

By DoNNA NEWmAN

moona is a two-year old tortoiseshell cat who was brought to the shelter when her family could no longer care for her. moona’s a very special kitten; she’s playful, friendly, and very pretty. Even though she’s two years old, she weighs only six pounds and looks like a kitten. She’s also special in another way; she has feline leukemia and is considered a special needs cat. Feline leukemia is not cancer, but it leaves the cat with a compromised immune system. The disease can spread to other cats, but not to dogs or people. Because of

this, she needs to be the only cat, or go to a home with other cats with the same condition. She would also do best in a low-stress environment. Cats with feline leukemia can live just as long and happy lives as any other cat. in order to adopt, you must fill out an application, pay an adoption fee, and have your pets up to date on their rabies vaccines. All adopted cats and dogs are spayed or neutered, microchipped, and up-to-date on their vaccinations before they go home. The CNy SPCA is located at 5878 East molloy Road, Syracuse. For more information about adoption, call 315-454-4479, email frontdesk1@cnyspca.org, or visit cnyspca.org.

Baseball goes to 2024

At the commencement of a new Major League Baseball season, the proper thing to do is recognize who won it all a year ago, then proceed.

Random Thoughts

Except it’s doubtful you remember that it’s the Texas Rangers who are World Series champions because the headlines were elsewhere – especially in various parts of California. Shohei Ohtani went from the lackluster L.A. Angels to the oh-sodifferent other team that plays in L.A. That, combined with other big moves, branded the Dodgers as “Superteam” by those who only look at headlines, at least before Ohtani found himself caught up in headlines related to his

one-time interpreter that involved gambling.

You see, it was Arizona that won the National League in 2023, Atlanta who carried the best record, Philadelphia who stopped the Braves again. All must be dealt with again, and as we’ve often seen, 100 wins in six months can be undone in three short games come October.

A super team can be found in the NL Central, too, if you combined the star power in St. Louis, the pitching in Milwaukee, the youth brigade making baseball fun again in Cincinnati and the Cubs snatching Craig Counsell from the Brewers to manage them.

Baseball l Page 12

photo proVided by the CnyspCa

More than facts and figures

According to the Alzheimer’s Association website, ALZ.org, more than 6.9 million American are living with Alzheimer’s and that number is projected to reach 13million by 2050.

This is a staggering number of people to think about.

There are also some stark facts about the disease and despite years of research, many unknown factors that may contribute to the disease, who does and doesn’t get it, and how the disease will progress.

Currently there is no cure or treatment for Alzheimer’s. Current medications may help address some symptoms of the disease for a period of time but ultimately they do not address the underlying cause of the disease.

There are recommendations that similar activities as those recommended for good heart health, such as exercise and diet as well as staying active mentally as well as physically can help, but beyond this there are no clear cut answers when it comes to Alzheimer’s.

While certain aspects of the pathology are better understood, the root cause remains a mystery.

This condition, especially given its nature, is difficult for the people living with it as well as for those who care for people living with it.

The Alzheimer’s Association strives to shine a light on this condition, offering support for both those living with Alzheimer’s as well as those providing care.

The organization recently shared a study that reflects some of the statistics about Alzheimer’s. But these are more than numbers, they are people, more than facts and figures, who are contending with a difficult situation.

The Alzheimer’s Association 2024 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figure s report revealed that both dementia caregivers and health care workers report difficulties in navigating dementia care within the U.S. health care system. The new report estimates that of 6.9 million people age 65 and older in the U.S. are living with Alzheimer’s dementia, 426,500 are in New York State.

This year, the cost of caring for people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias is projected to reach $360 billion, a $15 billion increase from a year ago. This does not include unpaid care provided by family caregivers and friends, according to the organization.

Last year in New York, there were 543,000 dementia family caregivers, providing 879 million hours of unpaid care valued at nearly $19 billion.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, New York State caregivers and those across the country face significant emotional, physical and health-related challenges as a result of caregiving as well, according to the report dementia caregivers report higher rates of chronic conditions, including stroke, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer compared to other caregivers. In New York, 59% of caregivers reported at least one chronic condition. The prevalence of depression is higher among dementia caregivers when compared to other caregivers. In New York, nearly 25% of caregivers reported depression.

Across the country, 59% of dementia caregivers report high to very high emotional stress due to caregiving and 38% report high to very high physical stress due to caregiving.

“The new Facts and Figures report sheds light on the continued challenges and burdens that many Central New York families are going through as a result of Alzheimer’s and other dementias,” said Jessica DesRosiers, senior director of programs for the Central New York Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. “As the number of individuals living with Alzheimer’s continues to grow, ensuring patients, their caregivers and families have a clear understanding of how to navigate dementia care resources is critical to improving health outcomes.”

The Alzheimer’s Association strives to offer support with tips and information about symptoms and what to look for as well as information on how Alzheimer’s can progress.

It is also works to provide support for people living with Alzheimer’s as well as caregivers.

To learn more visit alz.org.

It has, as the years have accumulated, become elegantly apparent that we miss so much in our task-filled lives. Living intentionally, pursuing goals is a fine attribute, but at what cost? This is a piece I wrote almost 10 years ago that caught my eye this week as I scrolled through my computer’s files. I noticed it and I thought that you might notice it too.

I could tell that his back hurt. It was the way he walked. That semistooped over stance that I affect myself every morning and sometimes further when whatever it is causes the bad days. Or maybe it was his hip. I know that mine, particularly the one that was replaced twice within two weeks, gives me a daily case of the bend-ies.

So, now I am noticing infirmity. How long ago was it that I noticed other things? But then, when I was younger, when I was working, when there were children at home, the world was so busy that noticing was pretty touch and go, mostly the latter. Survival meant that I had to be on schedule, that my “to do” lists drove my days, except … Except for the times, when driven by who knows what impulse, I just drove around, slowly taking in, noticing things that I didn’t see. In Syracuse, I found lovely neighborhoods with green spaces between the streets, old established corner stores that I thought had disappeared from the urban landscape forever, replaced by the mega supermarkets. I found

Ramblings from the empty nest

ann Ferro

tennis courts right in the middle of the city. I found streets paved with bricks, and houses that looked like they came out of a children’s fairy tale.

I found laundry hanging out on lines, the sun whitening the whites and fading the colors just like it did when my mother hung the laundry out. I found young mothers with their babies in strollers talking easily in the shade of long ago planted trees, a community of interest working out its mission while the world revolved around them.

In the country, I found space, rolling hills of corn or other crops surging along the horizon, something you might think you would only see in the movies. And clutches of houses around a brook, in a valley that you didn’t know was there and vistas, so breathtakingly beautiful that you had to stop the car and just look. I found little shops advertising homemade pies or antiques or knives sharpened or hand printed signs for fresh eggs. … noticing. Today I have more time to notice. Kindness is what I noticed in the Emergency Department at St. Joe’s. Everyone, the nurses, the techs, the docs, the housekeeping staff, the transporters are unfailingly kind even when they are met with its opposite.

I notice the elderly couples, devoted to each other, often sitting for hours while tests are done and analyzed, never complaining, always supportive, apologizing for things they didn’t need to apolo-

gize for. And yes, I notice the arrogant, demanding patient or visitor too, but I remember as I had been trained, that often, being in the ED, is one of the worse days in a person’s life, so I take my lessons from them and practice what I’ve noticed. Most of the time it works beautifully. Sometimes it takes more time than others, but most of the time, the fear, the anxiety is diminished and we find a kinder common humanity. Many times it has something to do with a warm blanket or a cup of coffee.

How many times have I witnessed the security guards reaching out to one of the street people who frequent the entry to the ER and take the time to talk with that person who has no one to talk to in his homelessness?

I notice the children in our library, excited to check out the books they’ve found or return the ones they’ve read. Their eyes are full of wonder. What will they find to take home today? What a heartening thing to notice! It’s not all I Pads and smart phones. The library opens doors to worlds and worlds within worlds to explore, to discover.

And I noticed that although most didn’t practice their crocheting stitches between classes at the library, the camaraderie of the learners stitched another kind of garment, far more valuable than a granny square.

And that gentlemen who walked as if his back hurt? I watched him from the bottle return in the front of Nojaims as he grabbed a cart and shopped as I did

A couple weeks ago, Village Historian Joan Cregg and her two assistants – Liz Ahl and Cindy Hibbert – decided to clear out the back closet of the three-room museum inside the Gleason Mansion, 314 Second St.

What they found there was downright explosive.

Joan, who has been historian for just a few months, explains: “My goal this year has been to learn what and where the Liverpool Village Museum collection consists of, so Saturdays when we have four hours in the museum, we – Cindy Hibbert, Liz Ahl and I – have been working through the office cubbies.

“Cindy was pulling out the back closet’s contents, and we were finding other places for those items we wanted and piling unwanted items on the table or the floor. When Cindy got to the back of a shelf, she pulled out a grenade.

“It looked larger than the toy grenades I had seen as a kid,” Joan observed. “It was black.

“We put it back in the closet on the window shelf and left it for me to contact the police.”

That was two weeks ago.

“I completely forgot about it,” Joan admitted.

Bomb Squad called “This past Saturday [March 23], Cindy again brought it to my attention and her husband, John, said we needed to get it to the police. So Monday [March 25] I went over to the police station and asked if

Livin’ in Liverpool

someone could come over to collect a grenade.

Sgt. Dave Sturtz told me that 95 percent of these grenades are not problematic.

“But when he and Officer Joe Ottaviano examined it, Sgt. Sturtz – who has 27 years of military service – said they had to call the Sheriff’s bomb squad to secure the grenade.

“I was promptly told to pack up and leave the premises and to fill out a police report.”

Meanwhile Sturtz and Ottaviano stretched yellow crime scene tape around the mansion and awaited the arrival of the Onondaga Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad. The sheriff’s explosives experts confirmed that it was, indeed, a live grenade. They would transport it to U.S. Army personnel at Fort Drum where it would be detonated.

o rigin undetermined

No paperwork was found to identify who had donated the weapon to the historian’s office, nor when. Former historian Dorianne Elitharp Gutierrez was also clueless. “She was shocked to learn of its existence,” Joan reported.

Somewhat embarrassed by her own “nonchalance” about the grenade, Joan was surprised to learn that it was still “live” and capable of exploding.

“My thanks to the Liverpool Police Department for their knowledge and quick actions,” Joan said.

Jazz Collective in L’pool, B’ville

After a 25-year run of

monthly performances at the Syracuse Suds Factory, the Salt City Jazz Collective continues to perform at regional concert series, theaters, parks, schools and libraries.

russ Tarby Daughter l Page 12

The 17-piece big band will play a free concert at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 6, at the Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St.

The Collective will also play a free show at the Baldwinsville Public Library, 33 E. Genesee St., at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 14; 315-635-6760.

Founded in 1995 by Syracuse University jazz professors to perform music from an extensive big band repertoire. An outlet for live performances was found at the Syracuse Suds Factory, in Syracuse’s Armory Square.

In addition to performing classic big band compositions, the Collective also performs original compositions and arrangements by members Joe Riposo, jazz professor emeritus at Syracuse University; Steve Brown, jazz professor emeritus at Ithaca College; Paul Merrill, jazz professor at Cornell University; and by the Collective’s leader since 2014, trombonist Angelo Candela.

This month’s library concerts are supported by the Music Performance Trust Fund administered by American Federation of Musicians Local 78.

Last word

“The roar of swinging big band music in full flight is one of the most impressive sounds in all of jazz histor y.”

– British jazzman Matt Fripp.

Rodney W. Eldridge, 78

Husband, father, grandfather

Rodney William Eldridge, 78, of Skaneateles, passed away on March 24, 2024.

Rod was born in 1946 in Malone, N.Y., to Norris and Rita (Perry) Eldridge. He graduated from Franklin Academy and was the first in his family to attend college. At Potsdam College, he majored in secondary social studies and played soccer and baseball (as catcher). He tried out for a professional baseball team and was invited to spring training, but he decided to finish college instead, earning his B.A. in 1967.

Rod met Ethel Ann Brockway, “the girl of my dreams and the sweetest girl in the world,” and they were married in August 1967. He began his teaching career at Copenhagen Central School. During 17 years there as a social studies teacher and baseball coach, Rod inspired a love of learning in his students and became a mentor to many. For many years, he and his fellow teacher/best friend Ray O’Brien operated R & R Decorators, painting houses during summers.

In the 1980s, Rod earned his master’s degree in education administration from

Fr. Thomas J. mcGrath, 90 retired pastor

Fr. Thomas J. McGrath passed away peacefully on March 22, 2024 at the age of 90. He was born in Syracuse on Aug. 13, 1933. His home parish was St. Brigid’s in Syracuse, and he graduated from Christian Brothers Academy. He was ordained on May 23, 1959, after attending St. Andrew’s Seminary and St. Bernard’s Seminary, both in Rochester, and the Theological College Seminary at Catholic University in Washington D.C.

His assignments over 65 years included assistant pastor in Syracuse at St. John the Baptist, Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Michael’s, as well as St. Thomas in New Hartford and St. Mary’s in Cortland. He was pastor at St. Paul’s in Norwich, St. Mary of the Assumption in Rome, St. Ann’s in Syracuse, and his most recent was St. Mary’s of the Lake in Skaneateles, an assignment he loved for 15 years. He retired from St. Mary’s of the Lake, and worked part time at Stella Maris Retreat House for

FROM tHe MaILBaG

Very expensive

To the editor:

At Mr.Burtis’ direction, the county legislature has given a $100,000 “deposit” to Hancock Estabrook law firm to plead its case in state supreme court regarding the change in voting dates by the state legislature. Its objection centers around the county’s charter which deals with changes that can or can’t be made.

The county has received no other counties support.

Page 4 section 104 of the County Charter states that laws are in-force until amended, suspended or repealed. I recommend this choice.

The NY Attorney General has over

St. Lawrence University. The family relocated to Binghamton when he became Assistant High School Principal at Chenango Forks. In 1989, Rod and Ann moved to a beautiful Victorian home in Bainbridge when he became junior-senior high school principal at Bainbridge-Guilford.

Rod was an inspiring educator and leader with an unwavering commitment to kids. He was firm but fair – a problem solver with a great sense of humor who garnered the respect of students, parents and colleagues. He spent the last nine years of his education career at Chenango Valley as middle and high school principal. “After 34 years in education it became apparent that I had spent enough time doing what I had always wanted to do. That was to help kids and teach.”

After his retirement, Rod and Ann spent time with family, grew their antiques business, and travelled. Family vacations to Hilton Head, Williamsburg, and the Outer Banks are legendary. He was an avid golfer. To his children and grandchildren, Rod passed along his love of baseball, golf, music and dogs. He enjoyed teaching his grandchildren, taking them on educational outings and trips and showing them how

two years. He then returned to St. Mary’s for another five years. After his second retirement from St. Mary’s, he was part time at St. Michael’s and St. Peter’s Parish in Onondaga Hill and Our Lady of Hope in Syracuse for seven years. He often said he still had more work to do, and he continued to minister to others on an individual basis

He was pre-deceased by his parents Harold and Catherine McGrath, his sister and brother-in-law Mary Jane and Bill DeLaney, brother Bill McGrath, brother and sister-in-law Ed and Kay McGrath, nephews Joseph DeLaney and Tom Magee, and great-nephew John Copeman.

He was much loved and will be greatly missed by his nieces and nephews Christina (Larry) Freeman, Bill (Debbie) DeLaney, Janet DeLaney, Pat DeLaney (Tom) Benedict, Michael DeLaney C.S.C., Kate DeLaney Magee, Tom (Caroline) McGrath, Anne McGrath (Francis) Laba, Karen (Wayne) Copeman, and Daniel McGrath, along with many great nieces and nephews, and cousins.

1,800 employees and a budget of $325 million dollars. A one county challenge will be very expensive.

LAuRANCE PETTERSEN CiCero

Issues that matter

To the editor:

As an elected official, it is my job to advance the interests of the 33,000 people I represent in the Town of Salina. When a policy blatantly hurts the hardworking people of my community, I advocate against it.

I simply cannot wrap my head around the proposal by New York State politicians to roll back common sense consumer protections for natural gas hook-

to do things with their hands. Rod and Ann relocated to the village of Skaneateles in 2022 to be closer to family. Rod was a devoted son and husband, loving father and grandfather, supportive brother and uncle, and loyal friend. His high school yearbook quote characterized him perfectly: “Quiet and well conducted, but always ready for fun.” His wit, wisdom, kindness, and influence will continue to live on in the hearts and memories of all who loved, respected, and admired him.

Several years ago, Rod began a journey toward the sunset of his life. On March 24, 2024, as the sun was setting, his journey ended. Rest now, Rod/Dad/Grampy. You taught us well.

Rod is survived by his wife Ann, of Skaneateles; daughter and son-in-law Janine (Eldridge) and Todd Savage of Skaneateles; son and daughter-in-law Jonathan and Suzanne Eldridge of Owings Mills, MD; grandchildren Krista Savage and Michael Newton of Alden, Adam and Cassandra Savage of Skaneateles, Brock Savage of Endicott, Spencer Eldridge of Dayton, OH, Nathan Eldridge of Owings Mills, MD; and sister and brother-in-law Donna and Leonard Farishian of North Fort Myers, FL.

He is also survived by a lifetime of friends, with a special acknowledgment to Ann Padula and Kurt and Cathy Reilly.

He was well known as an avid New York Yankees fan through good times and bad. He had great memories from his time at Otisco Lake, both from childhood and in more recent years. He also enjoyed visiting with his many friends at the Willow Glen Diner, the Skaneateles Post Office and Kinney’s Drug Store.

Reception of the body will be on Friday, April 5, 2024, at 4 p.m. at the church. Calling hours will follow until 7 p.m., when calling hours will conclude with a vigil service. Bishop Douglas Lucia, of the Diocese of Syracuse, will preside.

A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s of the Lake 10 W. Austin St., Skaneateles. Bishop Emeritus Robert Cunningham, of the Diocese of Syracuse, will be the principal celebrant, and Fr. Louis Vasile, of the Diocese of Rochester, will deliver the homily. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s of the

ups! The “100 foot rule” currently on the chopping block in Albany ensures that consumers who are a reasonable distance from a gas main are provided with a free hookup.

This is not the first time that special interests in our state government have sacrificed everyday New Yorkers’ cost of living in favor of overreaching climate policy. At the same time Albany considers slashing funding for rural schools, local districts are being mandated to purchase expensive electric school buses and build infrastructure needed to support them.

As our Central New York region is projecting population growth from the Micron project, Albany is banning gas infrastructure in the new homes starting

Rodney W. Eldridge

Services in Skaneateles will be private. A celebration of life mass will be held at a future date in Fort Covington, N.Y.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Rodney W. Eldridge college scholarship fund at Copenhagen Central School – PO Box 30, Copenhagen, NY 13626, Attention: Business Office.

To send condolences, visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

Fr. Thomas J. mcGrath

Lake Cemetery in Skaneateles. Donations in his memory may go to: The Priest’s Clerical Fund Diocese of Syracuse, 240 E. Onondaga St. Syracuse NY 13202 or the Human Development Fund at St. Mary’s of the Lake. To send condolences, visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

as soon as 2026. And let’s not ignore the fact that these downstate politicians aren’t mandating it for the skyscrapers in the big apple…they’re sticking the burden squarely on us upstate by giving an exception to any buildings taller than seven stories!

This state government is not just out of touch with our community, they are adversarial to our community. As your next state senator in District 50, I will fight hard to restore our voice in Albany and fight for the common sense kitchen table issues that matter.

Together We Win. NiCk PARo toWn of salina superVisor, Candidate for state senate

FROM tHe MaILBaG

John H. Mosher, 74, of Cicero, passed away March 7, 2024. The Bush Funeral Home of Elbridge has charge of arrangements.

Julianne M. Ganem, 67, of Cicero, passed away March 21, 2024. Fergerson Funeral Home, North Syracuse, has arrangements.

Norma L. Panciera, 91, of North Syracuse, passed away March 19, 2024. Fergerson Funeral Home, North Syracuse, has arrangements.

Frances D. Meinking, 88, of Clay, passed away March 22, 2024. Fergerson Funeral Home, North Syracuse, has arrangements.

Karen G. Addley, 67, of Wolcott, passed away March 19, 2024. Fergerson Funeral Home, North Syracuse, has arrangements.

Even Pittsburgh has shown signs of progress, if not giant steps.

Climbing the hill in the NL East and West is far tougher. Closer to here, the Mets swapped managers but may not prove able to improve on mediocrity, while the problem in Florida is (always) scoring enough runs and Washington, much like the Pirates, has a plan but still needs more time to turn it around.

Without attention, the Diamondbacks might have a better team than the one who surprised us all last fall. San Diego shed some of its star power and might do better with more modest expectations. And Colorado – well, any attempt to change its fortunes runs into the small problem of pitch-

ing at high altitude.

In many ways, the American League resembles the NL scene, with an undervalued reigning champion chased by more famous sides in two divisions while the Central lags far behind.

What might help the Rangers even more is it’s a young group compared to the Houston side it dethroned, and has far more depth than Seattle despite the wondrous presence of Julio Rodriguez.

Sadness prevails in California, Mike Trout having wasted his prime with the Angels and the A’s possessing an owner bent on going to Vegas, logic notwithstanding.

The AL Central could use a surprise. Is it Detroit, moving along in its rebuilding phase? Or Kansas City, who spent actual

free-agent money on Bobby Witt Jr. because he’s worth it? Otherwise, it’s Minnesota by default, the Twins benefiting from having actual bats that Cleveland wishes it could replicate to go with all of its fine pitching. Oh, and the White Sox are in the midst of a total teardown.

Baltimore’s 101 wins brought muchneeded variety to an AL East long defined by the Yankees and Red Sox. The Orioles should also spend more with a new ownership group to counter things like the Yankees trading for Juan Soto. As usual, Tampa Bay will contend on a budget in front of small crowds and Toronto will strive to graduate from good to great. And what exactly are the Red Sox doing to avoid last place?

All of this is easier to digest thanks to rules that sped up games (at least in the regular season) and led to far more action on the base paths in 2023.

Wouldn’t it be fun if the analytics crowd realized that, you know, it’s actually a good thing to hit for average instead of swinging all out for home runs? And that it’s okay to pitch something other than 95-plus heat that breaks down too many young arms?

Despite all its paeans to the past, baseball always changes and evolves. What nev-

er changes, though, is the optimism, rational or otherwise, that fans express in April when hope actually exists for most of the 30 teams on hand.

As we saw a season ago in Arlington and in Phoenix, irrational hope in the early spring can, sometimes, lead to celebrations in late autumn no one saw coming. So what will surprise us in 2024?

Phil Blackwell is sports editor at Eagle News. He can be reached at pblackwell@ eaglenewsonline.com.

Daughter

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that day. I knew that the shopping cart probably relieved his discomfort as it does mine. Kindred spirits in pain? We left at the same time as we headed to our cars. I got into my Honda Fit. I noticed him get into his car. He got into his bright red Mercedes sports car with a spoiler on the back. I noticed that too.

Ann Ferro is a mother, a grandmother and a retired social studies teacher. While still figuring out what she wants to be when she grows up, she lives in Marcellus with lots of books, a spouse and a large orange cat.

“Golf’s Ironman”… Coming to Syracuse

Senior Open in 2019. His greatest golf accomplishments however, have come from participating in Marathon Endurance Golf where he rst drew attention from the golf world when he played 1,850 holes of golf at the Quail Creek Country Club in Hartsdlle, Alabama…”IN ONE WEEK”…setting a Guinness World Records mark. Ledgendary sports writer Forman Bisher of the Atlanta Journal Constitution said this about his feat: “ at’s like playing 72 holes of golf in one day, then going out and adding another 200 holes in the same day, and doing it for “SEVEN DAYS IN A ROW”. He went on to say, “Bob Kurtz is a Man of Steel, but that title is already taken, so, Kurtz is the Ironman of Golf”. Hence, a title was born. Ripleys Believe It Or Not, also recognized the record and added…”Bob Kurtz (70 years old) shot an average score of just over 74 and scored better than his age four times”. Mr. Kurtz is also credited with “Seven World Records of Golf Skill and Endurance” but one of his records is so special, he believes, “It’s a record I don’t think will ever be broken”. It happened in July 2012 when he shot his age SEVEN TIMESIN ONE DAY!!! When he competes for records and participates in multiple golf challenges, he has the same purpose and mission…to raise money for those who are less fortunate, especially children and families facing homelessness.

I met Bob Kurtz over 10 years ago at the driving range of the Shingle Creek Golf Club in Orlando, Florida. It was during the week of the annual PGA Merchandise Show. I was putting my clubs back on the cart a er hitting some balls before our tee time. My brother Bill came over to me and said, “Per, there is someone I met at the range who you should interview on your Radio Show”. I told him it was close to our tee time and I didn’t want to be late. He was persistent and kept referring to him as “Golf’s Ironman”. I wasn’t happy with his persistence but, as he had done many times previously, I knew he wouldn’t insist unless he could produce the “real deal”. Bill was right…again. It was the beginning of a wonderful relationship with Bob Kurtz that has withstood the test of time. Bob visited Bill and I in Oswego, NY for a week one Summer that just happened to produce one of the most beautiful weather patterns I can remember. e week was special. Bob has continued to be a guest on my radio show over the years and has kept the CNY audience well informed about his next e ort

to break another Guinness World Record or to challenge the next endurance record.

My brother Bill established a wonderful relationship with the game of golf that I shared with him from the rst day he played his rst round when he was 50 years old. Bill’s passing during the Spring of 2021, le a big void in my life as well as my family’s and anyone else who had the privilege of being a friend, one of his students at Oswego High School, playing golf with him, or simply listening to him sing songs while playing his ukulele at school events, weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, grand openings parties, hospitals, or anywhere he was asked to perform.

THEREFORE, I HEREBY PROCLAIM…

ON JUNE 24, 2024, BOB KURTZ, GOLF’S IRONMAN, HAS ACCEPTED AN INVITATION TO BE A PARTICIPANT AND FEATURED SPEAKER FOR THE “BREAK THE BANK SHOOT-OUT” AT THE LAKESHORE GOLF CLUB IN CICERO, NY. CO-CHAIRS…PERRY NOUN JR. & JOE CONVERTINO JR.

GOLF EXHIBITION BY BOB KURTZ BEFORE THE “SHOOT-OUT”.

DINNER TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. ALL “SENIOR” PARTICIPANTS WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WIN CASH.

BOB KURTZ WILL PRESENT THE BILL NOUN AWARD TITLE SPONSORS... CH INSURANCE & TEE TIME WITH THE PRONOUN.

LOCAL CHARITIES WILL BENEFIT.

BOB KURTZ WILL BE A GUEST ON: I HEART RADIO-570AM-WSYR AT 7:45AM, SATURDAY, APRIL 6, 2024.

MORE INFORMATION TO COME IN THE WEEKS AHEAD…

By PHiL BLACkWELL

What unites the Liverpool and Cicero-North Syracuse boys lacrosse teams more than at any point in their histories is their joint desire to take down the reigning two-time state Class A champions from Baldwinsville.

The opportunity to do so in 2024 is a great one, with B’ville having to replace a strong senior class and both the Warriors and Northstars returning several key players.

While having to wait for their games with the Bees, there was plenty of action

in the waning days of March, with C-NS getting underway last Tuesday with a strong 18-10 win at General Brown.

Showing that it might have significantly improved from last season’s 6-9 mark, the Northstars were relentless in its attack while working its way to an 11-5 halftime advantage.

And it kept going, with Donovan Chaney, Adrian Sweeney and Rocco Villano at the forefront. Chaney scored five times and added an assist as Sweeney got three assists to go with his four goals and Villano had three goals and two assists.

Otherwise, the production was spread around, Cy Liberman earning three assists and Tanner Long getting a goal and two assists as he, combined with Nick Capece and Emmit Porter, won 16 of the 25 face-offs they took.

Porter and Joe Malecki both got one goal and one assist, with Tyler Milewski and Luke Deinhart adding goals and Karsen Pritchard contributing an assist.

C-NS then made it two wins in as many games on Saturday afternoon against Section II’s Guilderland, prevailing 11-5 in large part because it jumped

out to a 4-0 advantage on the Dutchmen by the end of the first quarter.

Eventually the margin grew to 9-3 by the final period, Chaney getting three goals and one assist as Long and Connor Bednarski both scored twice. Long added two assists, Liberman earning a goal and three assists. Single tallies also went to Villano, Sweeney and Quinn Empey.

After a week to rest, the Northstars faces Webster Schroeder this Saturday, just as Liverpool takes on Marcellus, who went to the state Class D finals a year ago.

Boys lacrosse Northstars off to 2-0 start C-NS, Liverpool girls lax splits with Westhill

By PHiL BLACkWELL

A combination of weather and scheduling meant that the Cicero-North Syracuse and Liverpool girls lacrosse teams would have the same opposition for their respective 2024 season openers. Liverpool was supposed to begin March 22 against New Hartford, but a winter snowstorm forced a postponement, so the Warriors would have to wait nine days before it took the field

for game action.

In the meantime, C-NS would get underway last Wednesday night, welcoming Westhill to Bragman Stadium, and proved steady and strong in a 14-7 victory over the Warriors.

From the control of draws to steadily converting its scoring chances, the Northstars worked its way to an 8-4 advantage and then nearly doubled that advantage, with Mackenzie Prentice at the forefront.

Prentice finished with five goals and

submitted photos

DDE students.

DDE is one of only 13 New York State schools to receive this recognition. Of those 13 schools, only five are elementary schools.

PLCs are schools and districts in which educators recognize the key to improved learning for students is on-going, job-embedded learning for the adults who serve those students. PLCs call on educators to

one assist, Sophia Nesci adding a threegoal hat trick of her own to go with an assist and Liz Smith finding the net twice.

Brooke Molchanoff and Gabby Putman each got a pair of assists. Molchanoff, Marissa Doty, Bella Gates and Natalie Wilson had one goal apiece as Jilly Howell, in goal, recorded five saves.

Then it was Liverpool’s turn against Westhill on Saturday afternoon. It proved closer, and led by Kara Rosenberger, Westhill was able to prevail by

an 11-9 margin. Try as it could, Liverpool could not contain Rosenberger, who netted six goals after she had three against C-NS, helped by two goals apiece from Rosie Mahoney and Sophia Lasher.

Leading Liverpool’s attack, Addyson Graham and Caitlyn Guilfoil each scored three times. Mia Berthoff, Lilia Hertweck and Addison Sullivan had single goals as Hertwick added an assist.

focus on learning, build a collaborative culture and create a results orientation.

“As a community, we have worked systematically and collaboratively to ensure all students achieve at a maximum level,” said DDE Principal Heather Silvia. “We are honored to be recognized for the dedication to this commitment of continuous growth and achievement.”

Schools are recognized based on strict

Screenwriter, director and producer Jeremy Garelick recently stopped by Liverpool High School to share his insights regarding the movie industry with communication arts students.

Garelick, co-founder of movie production company American High, spoke about his career and answered questions from students and staff.

Most recently, Garelick directed “Murder Mys-

criteria, including demonstration of a commitment to PLC concepts, implementation of these concepts for at least three years, and clear evidence of improved student learning over that period. Once measurable results can be seen, the school must explain its practices, structures, and culture and submit its application for consideration by the PLC Review Committee.

tery 2” with Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston, and spoke of working in collaboration with them and others on the set of the Netflix film. In particular, he spoke about coordinating the Indian wedding dance scene which had many moving parts, including the actors, crew, music, choreography, set design, costuming and CGI work. When asked by a student if he had to start his career over, what he would do differently. Garelick noted that the industry is quite different today. He encouraged students to explore Artificial Intelligence more, noting it will become an important part of the film industry over the next few years. He then demonstrated by working with students to generate a movie synopsis with the help of ChatGPT, creating a detailed outline of a movie in just 10 minutes.

Pictured are the Donlin Drive Elementary teachers and staff.

Pictured are members of the Donlin Drive Elementary Guiding Coalition Leadership Team.

Playground

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Heid Park is the small, triangle-shaped park bounded by Balsam, Birch and Sixth streets, a block west of Oswego Street.

If the grant is awarded, the village would pay $39,490, its share of the $83,490 project.

The trustees conducted public hearings regarding the block grant request and also its publication of the village’s Five-Year Consolidated Plan for Capital Improvement Projects. However, no members of the public attended the special 4 p.m. meeting. Trustees Melissa Cassidy and Matt Devendorf were absent.

Phase one of the playground project completed last fall replaced outdated equipment with a new swing set and a “generation” swing that allows riders to face each other. Hardened pathways and benches were also added.

Phase two calls for the installation of several inventive items including a sight-n-sound interactive panel, magic ball-popper, chime panel, lucky the ladybug spring rider and a sensory garden wall.

Two small shelters with benches and trash receptacles will also be added, but the project’s most ambitious element is the proposed creation of a rain garden located on the park’s southern end. Utilizing green technology, the rain garden should assist with park drainage and to capture new runoff from the resurfaced play area.

A future capital project, phase three of the playground makeover, will likely add a large, 16square-feet covered shelter with picnic tables.

Other anticipated projects listed in the village’s

608/608 1/2 Sunflower Dr LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 3/15/2024. Cty: Onondaga. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be

Five-Year Consolidated Plan for Capital Improvement Projects include First Street and Birch Street sidewalks, and First Street, Salina Street and Pearl Street streetscape improvements.

Students

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the art of crafting narratives that captivate and resonate. Through engaging storytelling, interactive games, humor and puppetry, they empower aspiring storytellers to unleash their creativity, embrace their individuality, and share their unique voice as part of a great tale.

Andrea Dotto (Dott) and Brendan Malafronte (Dusty), both Broadway actors, created the Dusty and Dott Company

to blend magical realism into children’s programming.

The Reading League, a national non-profit whose mission is to advance the awareness, understanding and use of evidence-aligned reading instruction, recruited the pair to create and produce “Reading Buddies.” The show incorporates the science of reading with puppetry, music, comedy and movement to educate and inspire. It is distributed through PBS’ WCNY & is available on Youtube.

608/608 1/2

610/610 1/2 Sunflower Dr LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 3/15/2024. Cty: Onondaga. SSNY desig as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to Orange Door, LLC, 110 Brookhaven Rd, North Syracuse, NY 13212. General Purpose. SR-328567

616/616

of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on January 2, 2024. Office is located in the County of Onondaga. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to INC Authority RA 42 Broadway, FL. 12200, New York, NY 10004. SR-327360

Notice of Formation of Vacay Rentals Unlimited LLC, a Domestic Limited Liability Company (LLC). Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 11/17/2023. Office location: County of Onondaga. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to: 8128 Rizzo Drive, Clay NY 13041. Purpose: any lawful purpose. SR-327156