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Week of June 8, 2022 Home of The Cherciu Family
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PENNY SAVER: CNY’S BEST BUSINESS SERVICE DIRECTORY INSIDE!
WORK BUY SELL TRADE GET IT DONE
small business of the year 20|EAST celebrates five years on Albany Street
By kate Hill Staff Writer
Submitted photo
The Small Business Development Center at Onondaga Community College (SBDC) recently named Cazenovia’s 20|EAST farm store “Madison County Small Business of the Year.” Pictured: SBDC Regional Director Bob Griffin, Certified Business Advisor Paul Brooks, 20|EAST owner McKenzie Houseman, and Houseman’s support network. ers. I will continue to be a ‘Collector of Stories’ for all the food and gifts that are made by talented artists and makers. These stories are what make us special and make the buyer so excited to give their gift or keep it for themselves.” Houseman also said she is excited to continue to be part of the local business community. “We have all gotten together to create ‘The pulse of Caz’ page on Instagram and Facebook,” she said. “It is called Eat Shop Play Caz. Our goal is to encourage people to come spend a day or weekend checking out everything we have to offer. There is so much.” SBDC Regional Director Bob Griffin and Paul Brooks, a certified business advisor for SBDC, presented the Madison County Small Business of the Year award to Houseman at her shop on May 3. “I was completely blown away [by the news]” Houseman recalled. “I did not even know I was being considered. It seemed extra special as it is my five-year anniversary on Main Street. I have also been receiving treatment for my second go around with breast cancer since November 2021. I have not been able to work as much as I would like, and receiving the award meant so much.”
According to Brooks, SBDC based its decision on the business’ growth and sustainability, as well as its impact on the community. “Five years in business and [20|EAST] has become the go-to business in the community for almost whatever you need,” said Brooks. “We were also impressed with McKenzie’s outstanding use of social media and digital resources to promote.” All the 2022 Small Business of The Year honorees have, at some point, been assisted by the SBDC to start or grow their small businesses. Brooks’ predecessor, Melissa Davis — who now serves as an agriculture economic development specialist with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Madison County — advised Houseman early on when she started the business on Route 20. Houseman described SBDC as a wonderful resource. “They helped me create a business plan years ago to secure a government grant through NY state,” she said. “That can be a very daunting task, and they helped me all the way through.” To learn more about 20|EAST and Cazenovia Cut Block, visit 20-east.com. Business l Page 2
CazCares Turns 40, invites community to celebrate It was with great enthusiasm that CazCares celebrated its 40th anniversary with an event at the Madison County Distillery. Community residents joined CazCares Board members, Director Gigi Redmond, and Assistant Director Casey Frazee for a reception. Outgoing board member Julie Shotzberger was thanked for her many years of service and Joline Hemminger and Jack Stevens were welcomed as new board members. The Gigi Award for Exceptional Dedication to CazCares was presented to Nancy Sellers. CazCares began in the spring of 1982, when the pastors from six Cazenovia churches came together after identify-
ing the need to provide food and clothing for area residents who were having difficulties providing for their families. Using a model from the United Methodist Church “Bread and Soup Program,” the initial program was a Lenten soup supper. Soon after a food cupboard with donations from church collections was set up in the basement of the Atwell Mill. CazCares stayed in the Atwell Mill until 2007 when it moved to its current location on Route 20. “The need for our services remains today,” Redmond said. “Many of our neighbors struggle to keep their cupboards full and feed their families. The COVID-19 pandemic was especially dif-
ficult for low-income families. We saw an increase in the number of families needing food. Fortunately, CazCares was able to stay open and meet this need. This summer new challenges are anticipated as the prices for food, gasoline, and home fuel oil rise. CazCares will continue to offer assistance through the Food Pantry, Clothing Closet, and Back to School programs. These programs, along with other support and referral services offered, will help ease the worries families have to make ends meet as prices rise.” CazCares is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday mornings or by appointment.
Volume 213, Number 23 The Cazenovia Republican is published weekly by Eagle News. Office of Publication: 35 Albany St., Second Floor, Cazenovia, NY 13035. Periodical Postage Paid at Cazenovia, NY 13035, USPS 095-260. POSTMASTER: Send change of address to Cazenovia Republican, 2501 James St., Suite 100, Syracuse, NY 13206.
Sports news: Boys, girls track win sectional Class B-2 meets.
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school news: Caz College’s Inclusive Education unit reaccredited.
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On June 6, the Village of Cazenovia Board of Trustees received its final report from Trustee/Deputy Mayor Dave Porter who is stepping down after twelve years of service. During his tenure, Porter took on multiple roles, including fire commissioner, water & sewer commissioner, parks & recreation commissioner, and leader of the village’s sustainability initiatives. In honor of Porter’s continued dedication to the village and its residents, the board adopted a resolution of appreciation. “[The] village will enjoy enduring benefits from his many years of service, from our wellequipped and trained fire department, to our well-maintained water and sewer infrastructure, to investments in green energy and efficiency that make us a leader among communities in New York State,” the resolution states. Proposed by Mayor Kurt Wheeler, the resolution also commends Porter for carrying out each of his roles with integrity and enthusiasm, for giving selflessly of his time, talents, and energies, and for his attention to detail, probing questions, good will and devotion. Porter said it has been an honor and pleasure to serve the village. “It was really eye-opening to see how the municipal sausage gets made,” he said. “I had no idea. . . It takes a while to kind of figure it out. It took me at least two years to get into the groove. I did have a lot of fun. I enjoyed working with everybody in the village, I really did.”
Village elections
The village elections will be held on Tuesday, June 21, from noon to 9 p.m. at the Cazenovia American Legion, 26 Chenango St. Village Justice D. Christian Fischer is seeking reelection to his position. Fischer is running unopposed on the Republican and Conservative lines. Two candidates — Maureen Fellows and Kathy Wooster Hahn — are running for two seats on the board of trustees. Both candidates are running unopposed on both the Democratic line and the Strong Community Party line. Fellows is seeking reelection while Hahn is running to replace Porter. A trustee since 2016, Fellows currently serves as the village police commissioner and the court liaison. She has lived on Lincklaen Street for 30 years with her husband Jonathan and their three children. Fellows grew up in Cooperstown and graduated from Cooperstown Central Schools. She received her bachelor’s degree from Hamilton College, her master’s degree from Cornell University,andherPh.D.fromtheMaxwellSchoolat Syracuse University. She retired from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) in 2021 as vice president for government and external relations, and then worked for the Onondaga Community College Foundation until 2022. Currently, she is district director for NY Assemblyman Albert A. Stirpe, Jr. in the 127th Assembly District. She has served on the boards of Cazenovia Children’s House, Common Grounds, and St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, where she also served on the Vestry. Hahn has lived in the community for over 40 years and is a graduate of Cazenovia High School (CHS). She holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Bates College in Maine and a master’s degree in environmental science from ESF. She is currently a senior manager for corporate environmental health, and safety at Curia Global, Inc., Board l Page 18
Calendar ������������������ 15 history ������������������������ 7 Editorial ��������������������� 6 letters ������������������������ 6
Obituaries ������������������ 7 PennySaver ���������������� 8 Sports ������������������ 16-17
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By kate Hill Staff Writer This spring, Cazenovia’s 20|EAST farm store at 85 Albany St. was named “Madison County Small Business of the Year” by the Small Business Development Center at Onondaga Community College (SBDC). The SBDC offers no-cost, confidential business advisement services to individuals and companies throughout Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga, Oswego, and Seneca counties. In celebration of National Small Business Week (May 1-7), the center presented “Small Business of The Year” awards to one business in each of the six counties it serves. 20|EAST is owned and operated by McKenzie Houseman, who also runs her family business, Cazenovia Cut Block, out of the same space. Houseman and her late brother, self-taught woodworker Tim Hughes, launched Cazenovia Cut Block at the local farmers’ market in 2009. Soon, customers started calling in the middle of the week to order items for pick-up at the market. They also began requesting expanded offerings, such as custom countertops, tables, and butcher block islands. In 2010, the Cazenovia Cut Block showroom opened at 4157 Midstate Lane, just off Route 20 East, and in 2015, production moved to a warehouse at the same location. In addition to selling cutting boards, bowls, wood islands, countertops, tables, and other custom pieces, the showroom also started carrying other items produced by local artisans and craftsmen. When Houseman opened 20|EAST on Albany Street in 2017, she further expanded her offerings to include Cazenovia Cut Block wood items, gifts, art, artisan products, fresh flowers, and numerous food items from all over Central New York. “My vision for 20|EAST and Cazenovia Cut Block is to continue to support as many local businesses as I can,” said Houseman. “I want to continue to find new and interesting items to always have something exciting for my custom-
Village board bids farewell to trustee/ deputy mayor