Star Review digital edition - Oct. 4, 2023

FAll FEst cominG to cl Ay

By JAnEllE DAvis

It’s that time of year, fall, the season when you can break out your comfy sweaters, go apple picking, and look forward to dressing up for Halloween.

With a variety of activities to en-

joy, fall festivals are often events many look forward to attending.

The Clay Community Fall Fest and Community Fireworks will take place on Saturday, Oct. 7.

This is a fun and family-oriented day full of activities for all ages. The

event is free and open to the public.

This will mark the festival’s third year.

After a short hiatus, the town brought it back in 2021 to get the community and families back together af-

Teacher travels to Kenya, raises awareness

By JAnEllE DAvis

Lauren Miter, special education teacher at Elmcrest Elementary, began a journey to Kenya, Africa for the Global Autism Project on Oct. 4.

Her time in Kenya will last two weeks where she will collaborate with team members, local educators, families, and children to build programs for children with autism.

In special education for 12 years, Miter has been familiar with the Global Autism Project for a long time.

Miter was inspired to apply to take part in the project last November when she met her husband in Brazil after he completed Special Operations Jungle Warfare.

While sightseeing in the city of Manaus, they often passed the local school and this made Miter think about her students at home.

“I was thinking of all of the different needs my students have and how the needs of students in third world countries are not even being close to met,” Miter said. “I realized I had to do something to help.”

When the application process opened, Miter applied, interviewed, and was accepted into the program out of thousands of applicants.

From the accepted applicants, various teams are formed to travel to different countries.

Miter was placed with a team in Kenya based on

her educational ability and background.

Miter and her team will be partnered with a local school that serves 21 students.

For two weeks, they will be working with the young adults in the school in support of the Global Autism Project’s motto “Do With, Not For.”

They will have access to a local kombucha brewery where students can be trained in a workplace and where the brewery staff can learn how to train them, so children with autism can be integrated into their community.

Miter explained that, in the Kenyan culture, peo -

ple with autism are seen in a negative light and that something is “wrong” with them.

“It’s important to show the people at the brewery and in the community that children with autism are people,” Miter said. “They have just as many skills and purpose as anyone else.”

To support the organization’s mission, Miter and the team will be teaching strategies and how to use the resources that they provide the school and the community.

There are specific teaching strategies to implement with a student with autism.

Revisiting the cemetery

improvements still in process; volunteers sought for clean-up

By Russ tARBy Contributing Writer

For the second time this century, Dr. Michael Romano is chairing the village cemetery committee. He served as chairman of that citizens’ advisory group from 2014 to 2019.

In 2015, the committee secured listings for the cemetery on both national and state Registers of Historic Places. Those official designations helped the 177-yearold cemetery qualify for government grants to fund upkeep and renovation.

After Romano delivered a Memorial Day speech about the cemetery in 2016 at Johnson Park, Assemblywoman Pamela Hunter – who was on the stage that day – secured a $250,000 state grant to pay for improvements.

Village trustees hired a contractor from Hannibal, but the work he did was not well-received by residents. Cemetery visitors complained that the sidewalk installed up the hill in the center of the cemetery is unsightly and difficult to climb.

And the low-growing creeping junipers planted on the steep embankments along Tulip Street and Sixth Street looked ugly and in need of maintenance.

On Sept. 25, Romano appeared before the village board of trustees to discuss his four-step plan to renovate the cemetery. He’s seeking volunteers to help with gardening the hillsides from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 14, as part of step one.

“Bring your spades and rakes and get ready to dig in the dirt,” Romano said with a smile.

He asked the trustees to support his committee’s suggestions to add benches, lighting and trash receptacles.

The team will be working with the school staff so that they are well trained and know how and when to use best practices.

Originally set to go in July, Miter and the team have been productively planning up to their new departure date in October.

They met weekly to plan what they will be doing and how they will teach different ideas and strategies.

To support Miter consider donating to her Global Autism by visiting the fundraising page at give. globalautismproject.org/ fundraiser/4541279.

Developers miss planning board meeting

By Russ tARBy Contributing Writer

The Liverpool village planning board continued a public hearing on Monday, Sept. 25 about a plan to build four two-family residential townhouses at 103 Vine St.

When board Chairman Bob Bradt opened that agenda item, however, the developers weren’t there to describe their project nor answer questions.

At the board’s August meeting, developer Michael Dougherty of Park & Vine Holdings and Taber Rowlee of the Rowlee Construction Company outlined their plan to construct a quartet of two-story townhouses at the corner of Brow and Vine streets. Each rental unit would include two bedrooms and two bathrooms. A basement garage capable of housing two cars would be located beneath each unit. Dougherty estimated that the rental fee for each apartment would be between $2,600 and $2,800.

At the August public hearing several Brow Street neighbors had ex-

pressed doubts about locating eight rental units there. Their concerns ranged from traffic to parking to garbage.

Although the developers weren’t there to hear it Sept. 25, Bradt began the discussion by reading from the 2006 village comprehensive plan focusing on the waterfront community just southwest of the business district which includes Brow and Vine.

The comprehensive plan warns against adding multi-family units there and advises against projects that would increase traffic.

Eight residents from that neighborhood attended the Sept. 25 public hearing and four of them spoke up to reiterate their opposition to the project.

Bradt and village Codes Officer Bill Reagan seemed surprised that developers Dougherty and Rowlee chose not to attend the September meeting.

“I’m baffled about why they didn’t show up,” Reagan said.

And the developers didn’t send someone else – a lawyer or an archi-

tect, for instance – to represent them in front of the planning board.

Besides Bradt, the board members are Nathan Holliday, Heidi McElwee, Sam Reppi and Jim Rosier.

Bradt reported that he and Reagan had been in contact with the developers since the Aug. 28 meeting, suggesting that they downsize the proposal.

“Maybe what they’re proposing is too big for the area,” Bradt said. “Maybe eight apartments is too many, so I emailed them some suggestions for a compromise, but they’re stuck on eight as the number of units they need.”

Reppi asked if the developers are withdrawing their application. Bradt said that may be what happens.

Whether the project moves forward or not, Bradt said, “The village will change, it will evolve. I’d like to see something get established there [at 103 Vine], but we have to work together.”

Directly addressing the absent developers, Bradt pleaded, “Be our neighbor and come talk to us.”

“And we need a cemetery steward,” he said. “Someone who can tend to whatever’s needed at the cemetery on a daily basis.”

New Mayor Stacy Finney thanked Romano for his presentation.

“A lot of this is correcting past errors,” she observed.

The trustees approved $1,875 to buy plants which Romano had requested. Another $1,875 will be paid next spring when the plants are picked up. Meanwhile, the village is buying metal trash cans this week for the cemetery.

“And we are looking into the purchase of granite benches and two additional decorative light poles,” said Village Clerk Mary Ellen Sims.

After the cemetery clean-up on the morning of Oct. 14, a newly planted tree at the cemetery will be dedicated at noon to retired Village Historian Dorianne Elitharp Guiterrez.

Big truck fines hiked

Following a public hearing at on Sept. 25 about its plan to increase fines on big trucks, the board –Finney, Melissa Cassidy, Rachel Ciotti, Matt Devendorf and Mike LaMontagne – unanimously approved raising the fines. Several residents spoke in favor of the increased penalties.

The new fines will be $1,200 for trucks and their loads totaling between five tons and seven-and-a-half tons. For weights between seven-and-a-half tons and 10 tons the penalty would be $1,700.

The fines grow progressively higher for increased weights, with the top fine listed as $4,700 for trucks and their loads weighing 22.5 tons or more.

Enforcement of the new ban on big trucks should begin in December, Finney said.

Seven accidents in August

At the village board’s monthly meeting on Sept. 25, Police Chief Jerry Unger reported via memo that his officers made 91 traffic stops and issued 82 citations for violations of the state’s vehicle and traffic laws in August. Three arrests were made of motorists charged with driving while intoxicated.

Seven accidents were investigated here last month, and two vehicle owners were issued parking tickets. Officers made 139 residential checks and 64 business checks in August while responding to a total of 462 incidents and calls for service.

That number represents an average of 17 calls answered per day.

The LPD arrested 20 individuals last month on 29 criminal charges.

Submitted photoS

Local special education teacher Lauren Miter will spend two weeks in Kenya as part of the Global Autism Project.

LHS senior named scholarship semifinalist

Spooky (and safe) senior bus trip offered in CNY backwoods

suBmittED By chRissy clAncy Senior Cordinator, toWn of Clay reCreation department

Do you remember the days when you’d head off on a spooky season adventure to celebrate an old fashioned Halloween?

Now, maybe, it’s a little tough with crowds and nighttime travel and navigation not to mention physical limitations.

Well, if you recall those days with fondness, have Chrissy and James got an adventure for you!

Join us for a daytime adventure, escorted, safe and senior-friendly, to experience what happens in the autumn night, on Wednesday, Oct. 18.

The bus departs from the Clay Senior Center at 11 a.m. and will return at approximately 2:30 p.m.

There will be food, fun and a few scares, with all the fun the nighttime people have

without the inconvenience!

Included will be:

A spooky tour guide and spooky guests

A sensory friendly experience with no loud noises.

A haunted house, senior style

Spooky wagon ride through the forest

A box lunch and autumn treats

Cozy up by the daytime bonfire - do as little or as much as you want.

Costumes optional.(but always fun!)

Road trip Halloween Party for seniors with Chrissy and James!

Tickets are $46 ($44 check or cash plus $2 cash for bus driver) and are available on a first come-first served for seats. Register ASAP by calling 315- 652-3800 ext. 137

Cost: TOTAL: $46 $44 check or cash made payable to Town of Clay Clay safety ID badge required and specific trip waiver required (ask when submitting payment.)

Submitted photo

Liverpool High School senior Matthew LaCombe, second from left, has been named a Semifinalist in the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program. Pictured with LaCombe is school counselor Tiffany Richardson, left, Executive Principal Brett Woodcock and 12th Grade Principal Jordan Sterio.

Liverpool High School Executive Principal Brett Woodcock recently announced that senior Matthew LaCombe has been named a Semifinalist in the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program. LaCombe is one out of approximately 16,000 students who received a Semifinalist designation in recognition of their outstanding academic promise, according to the National Merit Scholarship Program Web site. Students taking the 2022

Savannah Bananas take over L’pool Dunkin’

Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test were eligible for this honor.

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation, which sponsors the National Merit Scholarship Program, is a not-for-profit organization established in 1955. High school students enter the National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the PSATs and by meeting published entry/participation requirements.

PROTECT YOUR ASSETS

Submitted photoS

“Greatest Show in Sports” officially runs on Dunkin’, as the brand recently announced its new partnership naming Dunkin’ as the official coffee and donut of the Savannah Bananas. As part of the team’s Banana Ball World Tour, the Savannah Bananas, on Sept. 14, took over the Liverpool Dunkin’ restaurant at 409 7th North Street with a special surprise for guests ahead of the team’s game that evening. Players from both the Savannah Bananas and the Party Animals were behind the counter serving orders and treating guests to giveaways from the Dunkin’ Prize Wheel. Attendees also took photos with Bananas’ mascot Split, Dunkin’ mascot Cuppy and more!

Fall Fest

October 14, 2023 • 10 am to 5 pm

Fill - a - Bus

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ter the difficult COVID-19 restrictions.

After receiving positive and appreciative feedback from the community, it became established as an annual event.

James Muscatello, commissioner of recreation, explained that the main inspiration for the event is to capture a feeling of togetherness between families and the community.

“Fall is such a beautiful season in Upstate New York and we felt we had a window available to us to create a day of bonding, happiness, and community appreciation,” he said.

The festival will kick off at noon and run until 4 p.m. at Clay Park Central at 4821 Wetzel Road, Liverpool.

Free activities will include classic carnival games, inflatable obstacle courses, face painting and bracelet making.

There will be a family marble rollercoaster competition from 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Families will have the opportunity to build small roller coasters for marbles to ride through the coaster and jump into a

cup. Successful coasters will gain an entry into a giveaway.

Prime Time Horns will provide live entertainment from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Home Team Pub Food Truck will be onsite, along with other novelty sweet treat vendors for purchase. Local community art and craft vendors will also be on-site with various items to display and for purchase.

Evening events will take place at the former Great Northern Mall property.

The Syracuse Food Truck Association and participating food vendors will be onsite at the Dunk & Bright Parking lot starting at 4 p.m.

Muscatello shared that the new property owners of the former Great Northern Mall, Great Northern Development Group LLC, allowed permission to provide the community with a fireworks show.

The display will start around dusk, at roughly 7 p.m. This is the same location where the Town of Clay holds its 4th of July Fireworks.

The event is put on by the Town of Clay’s Recreation Department.

For additional information on activities, vendors, and events visit townofclay. org.

Send your events to adearborn@eaglenewsonline.com. Notices must have the date, time and location of the event. Deadline for submissions is 12 p.m. Friday. No calendar item can be guaranteed for placement in the papers, nor run for multiple weeks, unless it is a paid announcement. All free placement is on a spaceavailable basis. Event information may be subject to change, so be sure to contact the event organizer to confirm the details.

THURSDAY, OCT. 5

Red Cross Blood Drive

11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, 435 South Main St., North Syracuse. Walk-ins welcome.

Baldwinsville Rod and Gun Club

Monthly Meeting

7 p.m. 1405 Kingdom Rd. Learn the workings of the club and help run the organization.

FRIDAY, OCT. 6

A Night with Elvis featuring Tom Gilbo

6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Faith Journey UMC, 8396 Morgan Rd., Clay. $7 tickets. Join us for food, fun, and live music.

OCTOBER 6 & 7 Fall Rummage Sale

Friday 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m.-1 p.m. First United Methodist Church of Baldwinsville.

SATURDAY, OCT. 7 Fall Fun Festival

12 p.m.-4 p.m. Fireworks at 7 p.m. Clay Park Central, 4821 Wetzel Rd., Liverpool. Join for a day of community fun for all ages featuring games, inflatables, face painting, crafts, vendors, food, and more.

OCT. 7 & NOV. 4

The Circle of Reciprocity: Our Gift, the Otselic River”

7 p.m. South Otselic United Methodist Church. Join for a 3-part literary series to discuss Braiding Sweet Grass and West with Giraffes. The ecology of the Otselic River will also be discussed.

SUNDAY, OCT. 8

Pancake Breakfast

9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Holy Cross Academy, Oneida.

$10 for unlimited pancakes, two sausages, two

eggs, juice, and coffee. Proceeds to benefit the HCA’s drama club.

MONDAY, OCT. 9 Columbus Day 2023

11 a.m. The Columbus statue in Syracuse. Following the wreath ceremony, a luncheon at the OnCenter Nicholas J. Pirro Convention Center will follow.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 11

Baldwinsville Public Library Board

Meet ing

7 p.m. Baldwinsville Public Library. Monthly business meeting of the BPL Board of Trustees. All board meetings are open to the public.

OCT. 12-16

Bottle and Can Drive

Helping Hounds Dog Rescue, 7268 Caswell St., North Syracuse.

OCT. 13, 14, 20 & 21

Rocky Horror Picture Show

Faith Journey UMC, Morgan Rd., Clay. Visit ticketor.com/gnac for ticket information.

SATURDAY, OCT. 14

Pumpkins & Pooches

11 a.m.-3 p.m. Helping Hounds Dog Rescue, 7268

Caswell Ave., North Syracuse. Join for a costume contest, raffles, vendors, food trucks, and adoptable dogs.

MONDAY, OCT. 16

A Disappearance in Dead Creek

7 p.m. Schroeppel Historical Society, Phoenix. Local historian Steve McMahon will discuss how the discovery of a missing man’s suitcase may be linked to the attempted murder of his millionaire boss, a mystery that remains unsolved to this day. Free. Refreshments to follow.

OCT. 18-NOV. 5

Thunder Knocking on

SUNDAY, OCT. 22

Author Panel: The Strength of Polish

Women

12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Syracuse Polish Home, 915 Park Ave. Join for an author meet and greet followed by a panel discussion with local authors

discussing the strength of their Polish mothers and grandmothers. Free.

Auburn Chamber Orchestra Concert

2 p.m. Merry-go-Round Playhouse, Auburn. The concert will feature an exciting program of musical masterpieces by a number of great classical composers. Free. Donations appreciated. www.auburnchamberorchestra.com.

THROUGH OCT. 23

BioBlitz

Baltimore Woods. Participate in a community effort to find and identify wildlife. Anyone can participate by taking photos of the wild plants, animals, and fungi. www.baltimorewoods.org/ baltimore-woods-bioblitz.

SATURDAY, NOV. 4

Baldwinsville Community Band Concert

9 a.m. New York State Vet’s Expo.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 8

Baldwinsville Public Library Board Meeting

7 p.m. Baldwinsville Public Library. Monthly business meeting of the BPL Board of Trustees. All board meetings are open to the public.

NOV. 24-DEC. 31

A Christmas Carol Syracuse Stage. Featured in a two-ring circus, the Christmas classic shares a light on the power of kindness and love as Ebenezer Scrooge journeys to redemption.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 6

Baldwinsville Community Band Concert

7 p.m. Canton Woods Senior Center.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 13

Baldwinsville Community Band Concert

7 p.m. Grace Episcopal Church.

Baldwinsville Public Library Board Meeting

7 p.m. Baldwinsville Public Library. Monthly business meeting of the BPL Board of Trustees. All board meetings are open to the public.

JAN. 31-FEB. 18

Clyde’s

Syracuse Stage. Lynn Notlage’s dramady tells the story of the formerly incarcerated staff at Clyde’s Truck Stop.Deeply felt and quirky, this play reminds us that sometimes a hero is more than just a sandwich.

MARCH 12-APRIL 7

Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express Syracuse Stage. Wherever famed detective Hercule Poiret goes, murder is never far behind. On the luxurious Orient Express, an avalanche stops the train and Poirot must interrogate passengers, solve the murder, and save the reputation of the train before the killer strikes again.

SEPTEMBER 12-15

Lancaster, PA Bus Trip

Sponsored by the Cicero United Methodist Church. Trip includes transportation, three breakfasts, three dinners, three shows, Famous Chalk Talk Artist, tour of an ice cream factory, pretzel factory store, driver gratuity, and more. For more information, contact Mary Alice Scheel at 315-699-7181.

ONGOING EVENTS

THURSDAYS

Family Storytime

10 a.m. NOPL Cicero, 8686 Knowledge Lane. Join Miss Raena for Thursday morning storytime to enjoy stories, songs, and fun! Registration is required; call 315-699-2032 or visit nopl.org.

Adult Exercise: Chair Yoga

9:15 a.m.-10:15 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Marcellus Free Library. $25 for 8-week session. Register at 315-673-3269.

Read, Sing, Play Story Time

10:30 a.m. Skaneateles Library, 49 E. Genesee St. Can’t sit still? No problem! Join us for stories, songs and movement. For ages 18 months to 4 years.

NOPL English Language Conversation

Group

4-5 p.m. Zoom. New English learners seeking practice in pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary are welcome to join this virtual meeting. Topics will focus on shopping, talking to a healthcare provider, ordering food and more. Please register by calling 315-699-2032 or visiting nopl.org. An email with a link to the Zoom meeting will be sent out to registrants.

Bingo

4 p.m. Fingerlakes Mall Conference Center, 1570 Clark Street Rd., Aurelius.

Yoga with Becca

6 p.m.-7 p.m. Brewerton Center for the Arts, Rt.

11. Registration and information: 315-920-8121 or www.yogosnacks.org. All levels welcome. Baldwinsville Rod & Gun Club

7 p.m. First Thursday of each month. 1405 Kingdom Road, Baldwinsville. Learn about the workings of the club and help us run the organization. For more information, visit bvillerodandgun.com.

FRIDAYS

B’ville Cardio Ball Drumming

9:30 a.m. Canton Woods Senior Center, 76 Canton St., Baldwinsville. Onondaga County Healthy Schools and Communities has provided cardio ball drumming kits for workout classes led by senior volunteer Arlette Folckemer. This fun cardio workout is set to upbeat music and folks can participate and enjoy the class seated or standing. For more information, call Canton Woods at 315-638-4536.

Friday Films

10 a.m. to 1 p.m. NOPL Brewerton, 5440 Bennett St. Every Friday morning a movie will be screened. Call 315-676-7484 or visit nopl. org to register.

Clay Cardio Ball Drumming

10:30 a.m. Clay Senior Center, 4948 Route 31. Gwen McCarroll leads this one-hour class. Free with a Town of Clay Senior Center Membership and Safety ID badge for admission. Drop-in; no entry after the day’s class begins. Equipment provided on a first-come, first-served basis for ball and basket setup.

For more information or to sign up for a membership and ID badge, contact Chrissy Clancy at 315-652-3800 ext. 137 or cclancy@townofclay.org.

Calendar l Page 12

Fire prevention

This year Oct. 8 to 14 is marked as Fire Prevention Week. This is a time to raise awareness about measures everyone can take to prevent fires and keep their homes and loved ones as safe as possible in the event of a fire. If you haven’t done so in a while this might be a good time to check smoke detectors and make sure they are fully functioning and have good batteries or old ones are replaced if needed.

During this time the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York is also putting an emphasis on educating others on the various sounds safety devices can make and be aware of what each one means and in turn how to respond to those sounds.

According to FASNY, many people, instead of taking immediate action when they hear an alarm in their home, they spend valuable time trying to figure out what the sounds mean, rather than responding to them promptly.

FASNY also noted many residents remove the batteries from their alarms when they begin to chirp and end up forgetting to replace them.

Others may think the sounds are a result of a defect.

Unfortunately, by not investigating the situation further, it could present serious risks in the case of a fire or emergency situation. According to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA), three out of every five home fire deaths occur in homes without working smoke alarms or in homes lacking smoke detectors. And a quarter of all smoke alarm failures are caused by dead batteries, according to FASNY.

Working smoke alarms save lives by cutting the risk of dying in a home fire in half. Smoke alarms should be installed and maintained in every dwelling.

FASNY encourages people to know the difference between the sounds of your alarms. Smoke alarms tend to be three beeps while carbon monoxide tends to be four beeps, according to FASNY.

Other tips from FASNY include the following:

When a smoke or carbon monoxide alarm sounds, respond immediately by first exiting your home, calling 911, and staying out of your home.

Test your smoke alarms monthly by holding down the test button.

If your smoke alarm begins to chirp, typically a single chirp every 30 or 60 seconds, it means that the batteries are low and should be replaced.

If your smoke alarm continues chirping after batteries are replaced, it means the alarm is at the end of its life and the unit must be replaced.

Regularly replace your alarm’s batteries once a year.

If your smoke alarm is more than 10 years old, it is time to replace the alarm.

Since 2019, NY State law requires all new or replacement smoke alarms in New York State to be powered by a 10-year, sealed, non-removable battery, or hardwired to the home.

Ten year fire alarms still need to be tested monthly, and replaced every 10 years.

Ten year fire alarms will chirp when their battery is low.

Make sure your smoke and CO alarms meet the needs of all your family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.

If there is someone in your household who is deaf or hard of hearing, install a bed shaker and strobe light alarms that will alert that person to fire.

Interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home for the best protection. When one sounds, they all sound. Make sure you can hear the sound of the smoke alarm.

For more information on smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, and other information on fire safety and prevention, visit fasny.co m and nfpa.or g

AuTuMN’S ARTiSTRY

Amidst the beauty of high summer, autumn came calling last week. The oak tree that shades the flower garden next to our cottage sent a cascade of acorns onto the roof.

The little immature green acorns with their jaunty hats lay where they had fallen earlier, but further inspection of the deck revealed a conspiracy of sorts between the tree and some resident chipmunks who had been collecting the mature fruit for their subterranean larders and colder times.

You could see tiny footprints on the wet deck and evidence that the larger, mature acorns had been gathered up by our industrious, furry underground neighbors.

I should have known that the seasons were about to change. The signs were everywhere. Nights came earlier every day, a soft dimming of the day one minute at a time.

The impatiens that I had rushed into the window boxes in June were now ready to set seed in their amusing pods, bioengineered to pop open with the slightest of touches.

The color palate of the roadsides had moved from the white August elegance of Queen Ann’s Lace and black eyed Susans to the drama of purple loosestrife and asters, punctuated by glorious goldenrod and the more serious spikes of cattails.

The sumac is at the ready,

its blooms ready to break, preparing its fiery red displays for a pre-winter competition with the maples. The Autumn Joy sedum was in flower.

We shutter the open windows at night to keep in the day’s warmth against the chill of the lake winds.

Comforters, folded at the foot of the bunks all summer long are unrolled.

Sleep comes easy in the cool night and waking, coffee in hand, makes the crisp morning air extraordinary.

It’s time to clean out the gutters, to plan the removal of the dock and the storage of the kayaks, disconnecting the water line.

We’ll set a date to remove and wash the bedding, returning it to the tightly-closed metal cabinet that keeps field mice at bay.

There will be a final cleanup sometime near the end of October and, when we leave the cottage that day, the decks will be empty, the barbecue and furniture stored for another long winter, along with the summer’s memories.

It seems so long ago that October meant weekends at the cottage, the children walking the expanded shoreline beaches, collecting kindling and beach glass. We’d build a fire on the beach, roast hot dogs and marshmallows and warm our hands around mugs of hot cocoa. Later, we’d sort through the water-smoothed pieces of

glass, rejoicing in finding a purple or a bottle green shard. We’d enjoy the balmy days and crisp cold nights when a fire in the wood stove allowed for serious games of scrabble and Monopoly, finding us warmed by both the fire and family. We would stand on the porch and watch the moon swim over the glassy surface of the night-time lake, or, wrapped in sweaters, watch waves dance to the strong fall winds. Either was close to paradise.

As the seasons turn, so do the lives of the members of our family. Distances of miles, of new traditions or new responsibilities have changed the uses of summer and fall. But with grandchildren and the prospect of future autumn nights, gathered against the chill, creating tales of times resonating with the meaning of family, something like the past memories will return in its own time and way.

New generations will be creating their own protocols for transitions, endings.

I will do what has to be done with this season’s syllabus laying out in front of me. The sounds of the season, whether acorns on the roof or geese calling their way south, are whispering of another succession, another kind of beauty to come.

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.

Author chronicles weird and wonderful local sites

Another errant truck slammed into the Lake Parkway railroad bridge last Wednesday. It was the seventh one to do so this calendar year.

That low bridge has been the bane of tall trucks for decades. So it’s no surprise that author Linda Lowen has included it in her new book, “Secret Syracuse: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure.”

The chapter on the bridge is titled “Keep on Truckin’…Just Not Here.” Lowen outlines the history of the iron bridge and describes several accidents dating back to the 1950s.

“The bridge strikes have become so commonplace, Lowen writes, “it has become a meme.”

Several other Liverpool-area locales are considered “weird and wonderful,” including the film company now housed at the old high school, American High. Lowen calls American High “a Central New York dream factory.”

‘A-Tisket, A-Tasket’

Lowen, who doubles as a theater critic for The Post-Standard /Syracuse.com, recalls the glory days of Onondaga Lake resorts such as Long Branch Park and mentions “the impressively built” Yacht Club house on the Liverpool lakeshore.

While Lowen’s writing overflows with wit and wisdom, “Secret Syracuse” also shines visually.

Photo editor Sandy Roe brings each

weirdness alive with her clever layout of both contemporary and historic images.

That’s certainly the case with “A-Tisket, A-Tasket,” the chapter on Liverpool’s willow-weaving industry.

Full-color photos of both the exterior and interior of the Gleason Mansion celebrate the Italianate design of the 1860-era dwelling.

Lowen has scheduled several presentations and book-signings this month at area book shops and libraries.

Published by Reedy Press of St. Louis, Mo., “Secret Syracuse” retails for $27; secretsyracusebook. co m

Student films at Sharkey’s

Movies made by students will be showcased at the Syracuse International Film Festival’s High School Film Fest at Sharkey’s Event Center, 7240 Oswego Road from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7.

“Through engaging with local schools and running our own high-school film competition, the Syracuse International Film Festival has pledged to provide students with authentic experiences and opportunities to interact with the film industry on a level fit for young people interested in the field,” according to the SIFF website syracusefilmfest.co m

Attendees at Sharkey’s on Saturday will hear from Cayuga Community College film professor Mike

Creative Director: Gordon Bigelow, ext 331, art@eaglenewsonline com

Marano, can meet former Syracuse University basketball forward Mookie Jones and enjoy a performance by singer Mira Grimm. Admission costs $10 in advance or $15 at the door; family packs are available for $35 in advance or $45 at the door; 315-214-4116.

Splendor of the season

Tim and Lisa Ballantyne live in Liverpool and operate their landscaping business, Ballantyne Gardens, over on Hopkins Road. They’ll be hosting a holiday bus trip to Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Penn., just outside Philadelphia, on Nov. 17 and 18.

“We’ll experience the splendor of the Christmas season with all the colors, sights and scents that only Longwood Gardens can offer,” Tim said. The bus will also take them to the Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library near Wilmington, Del. That museum was once the estate of the late horticulturist Henry Francis du Pont.

Cost of the trip is $419 per person double occupancy. Deadline for reservations is Oct. 15; ballantynegardens.com/bus-trips-2 / ; 315-453-0621.

Last word

“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” – French philosopher Albert Camus

Ramblings from the empty nest ann Ferro

Vote for DeMasi

To the editor: I once had a dog that not only chased a neighbor’s cat, but chased it into the neighbor’s home and left it stranded on top of the highest bookcase in the house. The neighbor issued a complaint against me. The next town court meeting found me and the dog in attendance. The town judge’s verdict included, “Don’t do that again,” to the dog and various monetary penalties for me. Ralph DeMasi will be that kind of judge; knowledgeable, thorough, and caring.

I have known Ralph most of my adult life. I have always been impressed how, in middle-age, he left a successful business to enter law school where he graduated with honors and became a successful lawyer. I wish I could vote for Ralph DeMasi for Skaneateles town judge, I can’t, but you can. He is the preferred choice…..do it.

Al Ross deWitt

Lysander Conservatives announces support

To the editor:

Fellow citizens of the Town of Lysander, my name is Dan Parrish, and I am the chairman of the Lysander Conservative Committee.

I am writing this letter asking the voters of the Town of Lysander to support our candidates on Election Day, Tuesday Nov. 7.

Our committee has endorsed a slate of local candidates that the Conservative Party believes contain the values needed to govern responsibly and effectively.

While a majority of our candidates are also endorsed by the Republican Party, Town Justice Charles Mantione, Town Councilors, Jeff Kudarauskas and Peter Moore, our candidate for town supervisor, Kevin Rode, is also endorsed by the Democratic Party.

While this decision may surprise some, the choice was clear during our interview process. Kevin Rode received our unanimous support.

We strongly believe Kevin is the correct choice for Lysander this November. His passion for Lysander and his willingness to have a thorough understanding of day-to-day operations, various projects and issues that arise in Lysander, make him the best candidate to lead our town.

Our committee endorsed Kevin in 2021 to a successful campaign for town councilor and will again in 2023 for town supervisor with your voting support.

Lysander deserves to regain their public voice at Board Meetings and be treated with respect. Please remember to vote this year.

DAnny PARRish lySander ConServative Committee Chair

Supporting Chris Legg

To the editor:

Many times, you are friends with both candidates running for the same elected position. This year is no exception. Two candidates are asking the community for their support to be elected town supervisor.

The Legg and Major families

are well-known in the community and well-liked. I have worked with, and I am friends with members of both families. In fact, the Leggs and Majors are good friends with each other. An election should never change that. This election comes down to who do you believe will put in the time, who understands the operation of town departments, and is ready to meet the challenges and time commitment this job requires. Over and over again I have seen Chris put in the work. I have found that if you want the job done, ask Chris.

Early on I asked Chris to be the liaison to the transfer station and the water department. Two departments that needed to be completely restructured.

The changes at the transfer station have been dramatic but necessary to contain the escalating costs. Retirements in our water department required hands-on support for new employees and understanding the water distribution system, certainly something he was exposed to as his dad was superintendent of the town’s water department years ago.

Chris served our country for 22 years in a leadership role with the Navy. Those skills have served him well as a town councilor and I am impressed with how he listens to all sides of an issue.

I believe most board members will tell you, if you want to do a good job it requires a lot of time doing research and in meetings with the boards, departments, and residents, in order to represent the needs of the community and provide the best services while containing and controlling expenses. If this is the type of person you want to see represent you, then Chris Legg is your guy and why I am supporting Chris to be our next town supervisor.

JAnEt AARon SkaneateleS toWn SuperviSor

Legg for supervisor

To the editor:

I am writing to voice my support for Chris Legg who is running for Town of Skaneateles supervisor in this November’s election. Chris has served on the town board for the last four years and has in depth knowledge of the town’s structure, departments and operations.

Chris brings to the table the ability to listen to concerns, analyze problems and develop solutions.

An example of this is the work done at the transfer station to mitigate escalating costs while adding services.

Chris has a reputation for working with others in a collaborative style which yields results. My personal experience with Chris is primarily through Rotary.

Chris is either leading an effort to benefit others or participating in a project. Some examples of this are the clean up of the Charlie Major Trail, working on the pancake breakfast, leading the effort to raise funds for Ukraine, and being a key organizer of Winterfest. Based on Chris’ past record and future capabilities I would urge you to vote for him in November!

mARy GiRoux SkaneateleS

NHL TAKES THE iCE AGAiN

All you need to know about the National Hockey League, circa October 2023, is that a team from Las Vegas is defending the Stanley Cup and teams from Montreal, Chicago, Detroit and Philadelphia are still a long way from any hardware.

Another 82-game regular-season odyssey commences this week, with most of the prime contenders, whether they are Vegas, Tampa Bay, Carolina or Dallas, basking in warm locales where the pressure to win is far less pronounced. Is that an accident? No team based in Canada has claimed the Cup for 30 years. Add to it no title in Toronto since 1967 and no title ever won by Buffalo, Vancouver, Ottawa or Winnipeg in the modern era.

What do they all have in common? A burning passion for hockey, yes, but also a tendency to consume the sport at all hours and rarely let its practitioners forget about it. Oh, and everyone’s a coach and GM, too.

Even counting the time they went to a COVID bubble in Edmonton in 2020, nine of the last 10 championship series has featured at least one Sun Belt-based team. Only St. Louis over Boston in 2019 did not.

This might color the way we view the entire season, even if strong franchises and well-built rosters do exist in places where it snows with some regularity.

Of those we mentioned in the first paragraph, only the Red Wings really have any playoff shot, and even that’s questionable given that fellow Eastern Conference teams Ottawa and Buffalo are in similar straits, young, hungry and perhaps ready to take the next step.

And the only thing that makes things interesting in Chicago is Connor Bedard, the much-hyped no. 1 overall pick. He’s expected to be a savior, but he must be a great player for the Blackhawks to make it worth all the losing they did to get him.

Also, it’s not like every warm-weather team is a force. San Jose and Anaheim are expected to lose a lot and absolutely no one trusts Arizona, on or off the ice. Plus, was that remarkable Florida run to the final a forecast, or a fluke?

Somewhere in the middle of America and the middle of the standings are the likes of Columbus, St. Louis, Nashville and

Random Thoughts

Phil Blackwell

Minnesota, either too old or too young or too unsure of their immediate direction.

Move east, and you see Pittsburgh trade for Erik Karlsson to give itself one more push for the Crosby-Malkin group, and Washington do next to nothing other than want to see Alex Ovechkin catch Wayne Gretzky for most goals.

Is there hope north of the border?

There’s better vibes in Vancouver and reasonable expectations in Winnipeg and Calgary, but it all boils down to two potential challengers.

Edmonton does not want to waste any more of Connor McDavid’s prime .Toronto is the same with Auston Matthews. The sheer burden of expectations in both places makes a dream final between these two more fantasy than possibility.

If not them, who to root for? Not Tampa Bay, they’ve won too much. Ditto Vegas, who’s had close to everything go right from the moment they started in 2017.

And the Rangers? Well, New York would love it, but venture anywhere else and their appeal goes away fast, whether it’s Islanders fans who like their team as a perennial pest or New Jersey Devils fans who know their young, exciting group of Devils can win it.

So maybe settle on Carolina, close before and certainly capable of going the distance with few real weaknesses. Or choose Dallas, who is sound in all phases of the game and made a solid 2023 playoff run. Don’r forget, either, that Colorado still has most of the guys who won it all in 2022. Only don’t assume that, if you do well in the regular season, it will repeat come playoff time. Boston Bruins fans can tell you this in painful detail after their record regular season went up in flames against the Panthers.

In fact, the Bruins might be 20 to 30 points worse – and end up playing in June with a big trophy to parade around. The whole point for the 32 teams that start is just to be one of the 16 left come springtime. And that’s true no matter what the temperature says outside.

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

Jimmy nEEDs A homE

BY DONNA NEWMAN

photo donna neWman

How can you not love a dog named Jimmy? Jimmy came to the shelter as a stray. He’s almost two years old and would make a lovely companion for almost any family. He’s a proud member of the doggy playgroup and knows sit, paw, and down. He loves to play (especially with his stuffies!) and he’s so much fun! He’s sweet and gentle and loves everyone he meets. He’s a shelter favorite, and while we’ll miss him, he deserves a family of his own. if you have a hole in your heart that only a wagging tail and wet nose can fill, take the time to meet Jimmy today! For more information about adoption, call 315-454-4479, email frontdesk1@ cnyspca.org, or visit cnyspca.org.

NY A di rondack Mountai n Home overl ooki ng vil lage Stunning attention to detail s blazing internet close to I-87 and Ferry to V ermont Christine B enedict 518-593-0533 or Christ ine adkrealtor@gmail com

CROSSWORD SUDOKU

We hope you will join us in the recitation of the most Holy Rosary and Devotion. Among our faithful will be Mary Reilly. Mary is a well known Visionary and we are blessed to have her with us.

AND REMEMBER: “the Rosary is the weapon for these times.”

...Padre Pio

Our Lady of Fatima Rosary Rally

October 14, 2023

Holy Cross Church, Dewitt, N.Y. 12:00 Noon

AUCTION

Saturday October7th @ 9:30 A.M.

Selling items from multiple Estates. Held at 7809 Plainville Rd, Plainville NY 13137 (Westside of Former Plainville Turkey Farm Buildings 21-22). Watch for Auction Signs. Selling: 1938 JD B tractor w/cultivator (original), 2011 Ford 350 gas 4WD truck w/flatbed (only 74,000miles), JD 647 3pt hitch rototiller (used only a couple of times), new 3pt hitch York rake, new 1 ½ hp Power floor drill press, new horiz. metal cutting saw, new Elec. Cement mixer, 2 new HD socket sets, 4 new metal detectors, 30 ft. fiberglass cruiser boat w/dbl axle trailer, 1960 26 ft cruiser w/dbl axle trailer, welder, mig welder, JD 318 garden tractor w/weights, cab, snowblower & chains, Cub Cadet LTX1050 riding garden tractor & mower, Bolens garden tractor w/mower & snow blade, New Reese trailer hitch w/Reese stabilizer arms, Ford 5 ft 3pt hitch bush hog mower, hand tools, tool boxes, snowblowers, push mowers, metal racks, jacks, gas cans, bikes, band saw, radio arm saw w/stand, jig saw, garden tools, heaters, alum. ramps, lighted bar signs, 2 steel wheel fire extinguisher carts, trailer, pole trailer.

Household & Antiques: beds, dresser, stands, sofas, chairs, Depression bedroom set, player piano, round oak table, new Christmas décor. of all kinds, new Oneida flatware, new dishes, jukebox, Hobart scales, all kinds of lighting, jewelry, glassware, pots & pans, Toys (new & used), wicker bassinette, brass items, platform scale, pictures & frames, crates, pottery, TVs and much, much more.

Auctioneer’s Note: This is a very partial listing. Huge Auction - Something for everyone. Go to Auctionzip.com Auctioneer #4840 for pictures & listing.

Terms: Cash, check or credit card the day of the auction. NO Buyer’s Premium!

Dean D Cummins Auctioneer & Sales Manager 315-626-2248 or 315-246-5407

EMPLOYMENT

Secretarial Positions, Central New York

CSEA, one of New York State’s largest public employee unions, is seeking resumes for a Secretary/Receptionist and for a Secretarial Office Assistant for our office in East Syracuse, NY. These positions report directly to the Office Manager and support the operational and administrative needs of the Union.

to the office. Other responsibilities include, but aren’t limited to, supporting contract negotiations, typing various forms, editing and typing correspondence. Starting salary is $36,882 with excellent benefits including health, dental, vision, prescription drug coverage; tuition reimbursement; generous paid time off; pension plan; 401K. Qualifications: High good grammar and spelling skills. Familiar with Microsoft suite of office software. Must successfully complete tests administered by the Human Resources Department. and Regional Staff. Responsibilities include but are not limited to answering/screening phone calls, mail, arrangement of meetings/travel, assist in coordinating CSEA events, salary is $38,883 with excellent benefits including health, dental, vision, prescription drug coverage; tuition reimbursement; generous paid time off; pension plan; 401K. field with proficiency in the Microsoft Suite of office software with the ability to type 40wpm and good grammar, spelling skills and as well as successfully complete appropriate tests administered by the Human Resources Department. Email cseajobs@cseainc.org or send resume to Director of Human Resources, PO Box 7125, Capitol Station, Albany, NY 12224. Please note SR/eb or SOA/eb on all correspondence.

Lego Club

2-4 p.m. NOPL Brewerton, 5440 Bennett St. The Legos are out and ready for builders. Drop in and let your creativity loose by building with everyone’s favorite little plastic bricks. Call 315-676-7484 or visit nopl.org for more information.

Acoustic Music Jam

7 p.m. Marcellus American Legion, 13 E. Main St. Bluegrass,country and gospel music. All acoustic musicians welcome. $2 donation for free coffee and cookies. For info call 315-673-2329.

SUNDAYS

Cicero UMC Services

8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Cicero UMC, 8416 Brewerton Road. The church is returning to two Sunday services (contemporary 8:30 a.m. and traditional 10:30 a.m.). All are welcome to enjoy worship and fellowship. The church is fully accessible. For more information, visit ciceroumchurch.org.

MONDAYS

Drop-In Tech Help

10 a.m. to noon. Skaneateles Library, 49 E. Genesee St. Let us help with your tech questions: computers and mobile devices, downloading e-content from the library’s catalog, using Google Drive and social media platforms. Bring your device and drop in during a Tech Help session to get started. Appointments are also available; please give us a call at 315-685-5135 or email andrea@skanlibrary.org to schedule.

Cruisin’ with Vets

4-7 p.m. VFW Post 3146, 2000 Lemoyne Ave., Mattydale. Check out classic cars and bikes while enjoying food, 50-50 raffles and live music from Roadhouse Prophets. Sponsored by Hungers for Hope, InFocus Insurance, Microbore and Dynamax

Digital Printing.

Teen Drawing and Art Club

4:30-7:30 p.m. NOPL Brewerton, 5440 Bennett St. Drop in and get creative with a variety of art mediums from drawing and painting, to sculpting, general crafting, and good old-fashioned coloring. No registration is required. For more information,

What is the worst club in your bag? Is it your driver, fairway wood, hybrid, irons, wedges or putter? Before you answer, take a few minutes to think about the last three rounds you played and start adding up the strokes you “gave away” to the course. What club did you use?

When you have your answer, add up the number of shots, per hole, you hit from “inside” of 100 yards. What club did you use? If that club is not your wedge (PW, SW & LW), you may have to re-evaluate what you practice. Could there be differences between a Tour Player, elite amateur and the average golfer (15-18 handicap)? Of course. Nevertheless, your wedges can absolutely define you as a fair, good or very good player.

What Five Things Can You Do To Lower Your Score By “3-5” Shots With Your Wedge?…By Terry Koehler

Who is Terry Koehler? For over 30 years, Koehler has focused his design passion on the needs of recreational golfers, NOT Tour professionals. If you have played Reid Lockhart, Eidolon, Scor or Ben Hogan wedges, you know his body of work. Koehler says, “There is nothing quite as rewarding as having an 8, 10 or 15 handicap player tell me I’ve made a difference in their wedge game. Here are Terry’s “Top 5” tips:

1. Have a Mission/Goal/ObjectiveWhether it is practice at the range or practice time on the course, make sure you have a clearly defined objective (iron trajectory, softer lob, knockdown pitch, etc…practice with a purpose…always.

2. Don’t Just “Do”…Observe - There are two elements of learning something new. The first is to figure out what it is you need to change. The second is to work toward that solution. If your practice session is to address a “knockdown pitch”, hit a few shots to

call 315-676-7484 or visit nopl.org.

MONDAYS, TUESDAYS & WEDNES -

DAYS

Thrift Shop

9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Elbridge Community Church, 109 E. Main St. No consignments, but donations accepted. For more information, call 315-6893797.

MONDAY & FRIDAYS

Senior Exercise Class

9 a.m.-10 a.m. Marcellus Free Library. Taught by dance instructor Mary Jo Pelc. 315-673-3269.

MONDAYS, THURSDAYS & FRIDAYS

OCRRA’s Household Toxics Drop-Off

Appointment required. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Miller

Environmental, 532 State Fair Blvd., Syracuse (off Hiawatha Boulevard). Business materials are not accepted. Residents of the town and village of Skaneateles are not eligible for this program as these municipalities are not part of the OCRRA service area. Visit OCRRA.org to make an appointment and see the full list of what is and is not accepted.

TUESDAYS Coffee with the Liverpool Chamber

8 a.m. Zoom. Network with fellow entrepreneurs virtually. Visit liverpoolchamber.com/events-calendar/ to register.

Story Time for Bookworms

10:30 a.m. Skaneateles Library, 49 E. Genesee St. For children who enjoy longer books, this story time includes multiple stories, songs, and ends with hands-on play. For ages 2-5.

Preschool Story Time

10:30 a.m. Skaneateles Library, 49 E. Genesee St. Grab a blanket or lawn chair and join us as we read, sing, and play together on the Library Lawn. For ages 3 to 5 years. Registration required; visit skanlibrary.org or call 315-685-5135.

Kripalu ‘Chair Optional’ Yoga

11:10 a.m. Canton Woods Senior Center, 76 Canton St., Baldwinsville. A gentle, fun practice

that encourages mindfulness and compassionate self-awareness. New to Yoga? Come give it a try. No experience necessary. Everyone is welcome. No class fee, donation to the instructor.

Civic Social Club Noon on the second Tuesday of each month. Barbagallo’s Restaurant, 6344 E. Molloy Road, Syracuse. Enjoy lunch of your choice with dessert followed by a guest speaker and/or entertainment. The cost is $27. For reservations or more information, please call Mary Jo Roberge at 315-4513203. This club was formed in 1949 primarily for the wives of new General Electric employees and others new to the area. We are currently seeking new members. Everyone is welcome to attend, look us over, and see if this is something that may interest you. Annual dues are $15.

JE Seniors Lunch

Noon. JE Community Center, 1 Route 31, Jordan.

The town of Elbridge hosts PEACE, Inc., Senior Nutrition lunches every Tuesday and Friday. Reservations required; $3.75 suggested donation. Lunch is followed by a guest speaker or activity on the first Tuesday of the month. Special events are $10. Please call 315-378-8004 or visit townofelbridge. com to confirm registration dates and times.

Mah Jongg

12 p.m. Salina Library, 100 Belmont St., Mattydale. Mah Jongg is a fascinating rummy-like game you play with tiles rather than cards. Instruction is available for beginners. Do you have experience?

You can help to teach others. Please register. Caring for Persons with Alzheimer’s and Dementia

5:30 p.m. Liverpool Public Library. Presented by the Onondaga County Office for Aging in collaboration with Alzheimer’s Association of CNY. Registration required. 315-435-2362 ext: 4693.

History and Genealogy Club

6 to 7 p.m. First Tuesday of the month. Elbridge Free Library, 241 E. Main St. The club plans to help its members with their personal history and genealogy pursuits, as well as share projects and collective lessons learned. Additionally, the club will discuss future meeting topics, potential speakers and potential field trips. The club will have access to the library’s research databases as well. The club’s focus will be on local history. For more information, call 315-689-7111.

TUESDAYS, WEDNESDAYS & FRIDAYS

Tech Help by Appointment

start out and use those shots as “lab rats”. Focus on what your swing is doing. Do you feel anything different? Check your alignment carefully and your ball position. After each shot, step away and process what you felt during the swing.

3. Make It Real - To make practice productive, step away from your hitting station after each shot as if it were a real one on the course. Pick a target line from behind the ball…grip…set-up position… process your “one” swing thought…hit it…evaluate.

4. Challenge Yourself - One of my favorite on-course practice games is to spend a few minutes around each green after I’ve played the hole, tossing three balls into various positions in an area off the green. I don’t let myself go to the next tee unless I put all three balls within three feet of the hole. If I don’t, I toss them to another area and do it again.

5. Don’t Get In A Groove - I was privileged to watch Harvey Penick give Tom Kite (former PGA TOUR player) a lesson one day and was struck by the fact that he would not allow Tom to hit more than five to six shots with the same club. He changed it up so that Tom would not just find a groove. That paved the way for real learning, Mr. Penick told me.

Koehler’s “Bonus” tip - Playing three or four holes in an hour or so, hitting real wedge shots around the greens will do more for your scoring skills than the same amount of range time.

Where have you heard that before fans??? And don’t forget, if you have no clue how to execute the shots around the green, isn’t it time to call one of your CNY PGA Professionals for a few lessons. The rest is up to you.

10:30 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays; 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Salina Free Library, 100 Belmont St., Mattydale. Do you need help getting around your laptop or tablet? Would you like to set up an email account? Do you want to download an e-book? Need help searching for and applying for jobs? One-on-one technology help appointments are now available. Appointments last up to 1 hour. Please register; onlibsalina.evanced.info/signup. Masks are required. This program is supported by federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds allocated to the New York State Library by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS

Canton Woods Aerobics Exercise

9:15 a.m. Canton Woods Senior Center, 76 Canton St., Baldwinsville. Aerobics workout designed especially for seniors! Fun, upbeat music that will start your day off right! Charges payable to the instructor.

Falls Prevention Class

10 a.m. Canton Woods Senior Center, 76 Canton St., Baldwinsville. This class is taught by retired physical therapist Julie Hall and is free! The class works on your core and balance. You will feel the benefit of this class in your daily activities.

WEDNESDAYS

Baby Bounce & Rhyme

9:15 a.m. Skaneateles Library, 49 E. Genesee St. Bond with your baby during this program featuring nursery rhymes, books, movement and fingerplays, followed by playtime. For babies up to 18 months.

BPL Storytime

9:30 a.m. Baldwinsville Public Library, 33 E. Genesee St. Children ages 2-4 are welcome to join Mrs. G and Miss Jessie at BPL for our in-person storytime. This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. There is a different theme each week, with a few stories, songs, and an interactive craft. Please plan to attend and be engaged with your child for this program. Dropoffs will not be permitted. Registration is required.

Please register each child and each adult that will be attending. You can call the library at 315-6355631 or go to our website bville.lib.ny.us to sign up. Anyone over the age of 2 must wear a mask inside the library.

Plank Road Quilt Guild

9:30 a.m. Second and fourth Wednesdays of each month. Cicero United Methodist Church, 8416 N. Main St. (Route 11). The purpose of the guild is to create an interest and awareness of quilting, and to educate all who are interested in this art form. The first meeting is the business meeting followed by a program and members’ “Show and Tell.” The second meeting is the friendship meeting, which is less formal. This meeting promotes friendships and can include a variety of activities such as community service, personal projects, tips and encouragement from members. For more information, visit plankroadquiltguild.org.

GBCC Coffee Talk

10 a.m. first Wednesday of the month. The Greater Baldwinsville Chamber of Commerce’s Coffee Talks are for anyone who is interested in joining the chamber, current members, or community members interested in learning about what the greater Baldwinsville area has to offer while we showcase a local business that supports the area. Interested in hosting a coffee talk? Email baldwinsvillechamber@gmail.com.

Adult Coloring

10-11 a.m. NOPL Brewerton, 5440 Bennett St. Come join us for the relaunch of our popular adult coloring group. Supplies will be provided but we also encourage you to consider bringing your own. Call 315-676-7484 or visit nopl.org.

Storytime with Miss Sarah

10-11 a.m. NOPL North Syracuse, 100 Trolley Barn Lane. Join Miss Sarah for a free storytime filled with picture books and songs. Designed for young children and their caregivers. After 30 minutes of stories and songs there will be 30 minutes of playtime. For more information, call 315-458-6184 or visit nopl.org.

Early Learners Story Time

11 a.m. Salina Library. Get your child ready for school! With stories, rhymes, songs and crafts, your child will learn important early literacy and social skills. Meet in our community room. For children ages 2-4 with an accompanying adult.

Fika: Swedish Coffee Break

3 p.m. Salina Library, 100 Belmont St., Mattydale. Make time to pause and refresh, to socialize and energize. Meet new people or bring along a friend. Please register.

Bingo

Every Wednesday. Liverpool Elks Lodge, 3730 Cold Springs Road (corner of Route 370 and Hayes Road), Baldwinsville. Admission is $5 for 11 total games weekly, including two progressive and one special bonus game. Food and beverage available, open to the public, free parking and wheelchairaccessible. Doors open at 5 p.m., kitchen opens at 5:30 p.m. and bingo sales start at 6 p.m. Call 315-622-2348 for more information. Proceeds benefit Elks projects and charitable programs. Current COVID guidelines apply.

BPL Board Meeting

7:30 p.m. second Wednesday of the month. Baldwinsville Public Library, 33 E. Genesee St., Baldwinsville. The monthly business meeting of the Baldwinsville Public Library Board of Trustees is open to the public. For a Zoom link to the meeting, contact Library Director Meg Van Patten at 315635-5631 or megv@bville.lib.ny.us.

COMMUNITY NEEDS AND FUNDRAISERS

PEACE, Inc. Senior Nutrition PEACE, Inc.’s food service program prepares nutritious lunches for seniors at many sites throughout Onondaga County. Visit peace-caa.org/programs/ senior-nutrition/ or call 315-470-3331 to find the program in your neighborhood.

Baldwinsville Christmas Bureau Bottle and Can Drive

Each holiday season, the Baldwinsville Christmas Bureau serves over 100 local families in need. Support the Christmas Bureau year-round by donating your bottles and cans at the Baldwinsville Bottle and Can Return located in River Mall.

Shacksboro Museum

Open noon to 4 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, weather permitting; Museum at the Shacksboro Schoolhouse, 46 Canton St., Baldwinsville. For more information, visit facebook.com/ShacksboroSchoolhouseMuseum or call 315-638-2452.

C-NS girls soccer beats F-M, B’ville

BY PHiL BLACKWELL

Entering the last week of September, the Cicero-North Syracuse girls soccer team stood in as strong a position as anyone pursuing Section III Class AAA honors.

And if anyone doubted that notion, the state no. 9-ranked Northstars addressed them in a loud way last Tuesday night by defeating reigning sectional Class AA champion Fayetteville-Manlius 3-1.

Never trailing, C-NS inched in front 1-0 by halftime and added two more late as Emilee Rio earned one goal and one assist to lead the charge.

Adrianna Calabria and Julianna Edwards also earned goals, with Maya Germain picking up an assist. Between them, Natalie LaPoint and Meghan McGrath made five saves as F-M counterpart Mackenzie Murphy had seven saves.

At Fulton on Thursday night, the Northstars did not have a letdown, recording a 3-0 shutout as Calabria, Abigail Mackey and Lilah Kelly each netted goals, with assists credited to Rio and Emery Kozdemba.

This led to Saturday’s showdown at Bragman Stadium between C-NS and state no. 11ranked Baldwinsville, a mere nine days after the two sides played to a 0-0 draw Sept. 21 in B’ville.

Here, it would be different. A goal in each half proved enough for the Northstars to take it, 2-0, as Rio and Mackey put in the decisive goals and assisted on each other’s scoring plays. Again, LaPoint and McGrath combined for five saves.

C-NS came off a Sept. 23-24 tournament

C-NS, Liverpool boys volleyball lose

BY PHiL BLACKWELL

where it outscored two Section IV opponents by a combined 17-0 margin.

The Northstars irst wiped out Oneonta 10-0, scoring five times in each half as Rio was again at the forefront, finishing her day with four goals and one assist.

Mackey scored twice and got two assists, with Emily Kozdemba also scoring twice. Julianna Edwards had one goal and one assist as Adrianna Joyce earned a goal and Calabria picked up an assist.

Then, in Sunday’s 7-0 romp over Elmira, Rio, Mackey and Edwards each found the net twice, Mackey adding three assists and Edwards earning two assists. Julia Debejan put in a goal as Germain and Gianna Melfi also earned assists.

Liverpool also won twice there, blanking Athens (Pennsylvania) 4-0 on Sept. 23 with two goals from Alexa Marsh and single tallies from Grace Muller and Eliana Scivetti.

A day later, Liverpool beat Troy 5-1, led by Muller’s three-goal hat trick as she added an assist. Marsh supported Muller with her three assists as Scivetti and Sydney Zingaro also earned goals.

After resting most of the week, the Warriors were back in action Saturday against unbeaten West Genesee, ending up on the wrong end of a 2-0 defeat.

Despite six saves from Grace Sleeth, the Wildcats saw Anna Nelson put in a goal and assist on the other, by Maria Snyder, dropping Liverpool’s mark to 4-5 as it would meet East Syracuse Minoa and Auburn this week, C-NS taking on Central Square and Syracuse United.

C-NS, Liverpool golfers get big late-season wins

BY PHiL BLACKWELL

On the first Wednesday morning of October, the Cicero-North Syracuse and Liverpool boys golf teams teed off in the Section III Class AA fall tournament at Drumlins.

They did so both confident that they could contend for top team honors and also qualify several individuals for the May state qualifier at Seven Oaks – especially based on what they did on the last Wednesday of the regular season.

At Arrowhead, C-NS Blue took down first-place West Genesee Gold 203-210 while, at Foxfire, Liverpool got its best win of the season, taking out FayetetvilleManlius Green 192-197.

To key the Northstars’ effort against WG Gold, Drew Kippen and David Schmidt went 1-2, Kippen shooting 37 and Schmidt adding a 38.

Kaeden Hacker’s 40 tied the Wildcats’ Parker Berg for third place, and after 41s from Jason Clifton and Jon Shoults, Andrew Matyasik shot a 43 and Ethan Hanson clinched it with a 45.

As that went on, Liverpool avenged a defeat to F-M Green two weeks earlier at Green Lakes starting with Owen Michaud shooting a 35 to claim individual honors over Henry Will’s 36.

Owen Michaud’s 38 put him alone in

third place, whlie Dom Osbeck and Jake Berthoff each shot 39 to equal Ryder Baldwin. Though Hugh Roddy had a 40 for the Hornets, Alex Kirkby’s 41 clinched the victory when Duncan McDaniel and Dylan Friedman could only match those totals.

Two days later, C-NS Blue won again, beating F-M’s younger White team 182212 at Woodcrest. Kippen tore his way to a season-low 33, while Luke Deinhart put up a 36. Schmidt and Quinn Empey both posted 37 and Matyaskik posted 39.

Liverpool met up with C-NS Green last Monday afternoon at Greens at Beaumont, with the Warriors able to prevail 205-226 over the Northstars, led by Owen Michaud, who went under par shooting a 35. Steve Puccia chimed in with a 39, while Nick Scholz had a 41 and Calen Brown a 42 as Dylan Ling picked up a 48.

Jadien Gunnp pace C-NS Green, his 40 behind only Michaud and Gunnip. Brody Snyder shot a 45, matched by Joe LaFrance, with Andrew Dolson and Brian Saloski each posting 48.

In Wednesday’s 205-221 defeat to F-M White, Blake Wise had the low individual round of 39 for the Northstars, but five Hornets shot between 40 and 42 in front of LaFrance’s 43 as Gunnip and Evan Jones both had 46 and Cooper Pallotta added a 47.

Liverpool boys soccer defends top-10 state ranking

BY PHiL BLACKWELL

Seven shutouts in eight games helped to make the Liverpool boys soccer team the front-runner in the area Class AAA ranks, even if four of those shutouts came in 0-0 decisions.

All the state Class AAA no. 12-ranked Warriors really need is a consistent scoring spark, and Antonio Wilson provided it last Tuesday at Fayetteville-Manlius amid a 3-0 victory over the Hornets.

Again the defense did its part, limiting F-M to five shots, all stopped by Jacob McQuatters. Meanwhile, on the other end Wilson had a part in all three scoring plays.

Between his two goals and one assist, Wilson pushed the Warriors to a 2-0 halftime edge and another insurance goal in the second half. Now visiting Central Square on Thursday night, Liverpool earned its ninth shutout in 10 outings, putting away the Redhawks 2-0 with a single goal in each half.

It was Dominic Paolini and Patrick Nimineh earning those goals, with assists credited to Wilson and Camden Farrell. Again McQuatters used five saves to earn his shutout.

Then, back home Saturday to face Jamesville-DeWitt, the Warriors only gave up its second goal of the season – and still did enough to fight past the Red Rams 2-1.

J-D’s first half tally was answered, leaving the sides 1-1 until Liverpool was able to go in front in the second half and hang on, largely because it limited the Rams to four shots.

Wilson’s hot streak continued as he put in one goal and Christian Kritzer earned the other, with Maltrin Ramadani and Christian Hope each getting assists.

Meanwhile, Cicero-North Syracuse began its own busy week with a tense battle against East Syracuse Minoa at the Gillette Road complex that was not settled in regulation or overtime.

The 0-0 draw saw the Spartans long stretches on the Northstars’ end, ultimately taking 14 shots – but C-NS goalie Niko Severider stopped all of them, the kind of grand effort Wyatt Dupell made routine in last year’s sectional title run.

Then, hosting Nottingham last Thursday night, C-NS found itself unable to contain a red-hot Bulldogs side that produced a 4-0 decision. A first-half goal got Nottingham in front. Then it added three more as Miko Nkurunziza led the way, scoring twice and adding an assist. None of the Northstars’ six shots got past Bulldogs goalie Conor Leuschke.

C-NS plays three times this week, hosting Baldwinsville before going to Henninger and PSLA-Fowler, a contrast to Liverpool having its lone game Thursday against West Genesee.

Even with its recent win streak, the CiceroNorth Syracuse boys volleyball team is quite aware of the work still ahead if it wants to climb back and challenge Fayetteville-Manlius for top Division I honors.

And what was more, they all trailed reigning state Division II champion Jamesville-DeWitt, who defeated the Northstars last Thursday night in four sets – which, by itself, was a significant development.

In seven previous matches, the Red Rams had swept everybody in three, but that changed here in the opening set as an inspired C-NS side, playing at a top level, won 25-22 to get the early jump on J-D.

It didn’t last, though. A tight second set ultimately went 25-21 in the Rams’ favor, and from there J-D picked up its level of play, overwhelming C-NS 25-15 in the third set and 2516 in the fourth set.

Carter King finished with 12 kills, helped by Joey Luskasiewicz’s seven kills and Luke Wieczorek’s five kills. Noah Hendry added three aces and eight digs as Jack Waite recorded 28 assists. For J-D, Tim Cooper’s 42 assists led to 15 kills for Luke McQuaid and 11 kills for Avery Kielbasinski, among others.

Two nights earlier, J-D had faced Liverpool and beat the Warriors as it won the first two sets 25-16 and 25-12 before holding on 25-23 in the third to close it out.

Liverpool got eight kills from Jack DeForge, six kills from Sean Frawley and 18 assists from Kellen Conway, helped on the back line by Shah Subak’s 18 digs.

For the Rams, McQuaid earned 11 kills and

Phoenix McBride managed nine kills. Aaron Ko got eight kills and nine digs, while Cooper, who also had five kills, gathered up 39 assists. Against Living Word Academy that same Tuesday night, C-NS was steady and strong, taking the first and third sets by equal 25-17 margins and the third set 25-14 to earn the sweep.

Again pacing the C-NS front line, King gained 14 kills, with Wieczorek adding nine kills. Phillip Greer had four kills as Waite, aside from his five kills, earned 28 assists. Josh Luce had a team-best five digs.

Liverpool would get back in the win column on Wednesday against Central Square, taking the first set 25-22 and then closing out the Redhawks 25-15 over the next two sets.

Most of Conway’s 25 assists went to DeForge, who gained 18 kills. Cody Badger helped out with seven kills, Frawley getting five kills and Conway tacking on four kills. Ben McHerron had a team-best five digs.

Then the Warriors swept Canisius, from Buffalo, 25-21, 25-16, 25-21 on Friday night, led byh DeForge’s 22 kills, five blocks and eight digs. McHerron contributed six kills as Conway earned 29 assists and eight digs, Frawley six digs and Shah Sahak and Bryce Blanch five digs apiece.

When C-NS took its turn against Canisius on Saturday afternoon, it also won in three sets, getting through a close opener 25-22 but then taking the next two 25-12 and 25-18.

Earning 25 assists, Waite spread his passes to King, who had 11 kills, along with Wieczorek (seven kills) and Lukasiewicz (six kills), with Josh Luce earning seven digs. The Northstars play Thursday night at East Syracuse Minoa.

Liverpool falls to CBA; C-NS gets Brothers next

BY PHiL BLACKWELL

Three football games, involving three teams, in three locations over the span of 14 days would shift the area Class AA football picture for good.

And it all would start last Saturday when Liverpool took its 3-0 record to Alibrandi Stadium to test 4-0, state no. 12-ranked Christian Brothers Academy.

For a brief moment, the Warriors contained things – but as the warm afternoon wore on, the Brothers overwhelmed the visitors in every phase of the game, nearly scoring at will and also playing strong, consistent defense.

It all resulted in a 62-0 defeat that, while dropping the Warriors to 3-1, only added to the hype and anticipation for this Friday’s battle at Bragman Stadium between CBA and CiceroNorth Syracuse

Liverpool only gave up a single first-quarter touchdown. Then CBA picked things up, getting a safety and TD and then, right before halftime, extending the margin to 21-0 when

Jamier Handford, normally a running back, threw deep – and found Syair Torrence at midfield, who broke tackles and went the rest of the way 85 yards for six points.

CBA then put up 28 unanswered points in the third period before its starters rested.

Brothers quarterback Porter Matt was 16for-33 for 266 yards and five touchdowns. Torrence caught six passes for 156 yards and two scores as Handford, aside from his big play through the air, had 10 carries for 66 yards

Two days before the Warriors got humbled at CBA, the Northstars capped off a 5-0 September with a comfortable 40-7 home victory over Fayetteville-Manlius.

Again, the matter was settled by halftime, the Northstars scoring in a variety of ways, whether it was Jaxon Razmovski and the passing game or a big play from the special teams.

Taking an F-M punt at his own 41-yard line, Mason Mingle picked up blocks and tore 59 yards to the other end zone, the first special teams TD of the season on C-NS’s part.

C-NS field hockey unbeaten run ended by Pittsford

BY PHiL BLACKWELL

It took 11 games, but someone finally managed to upend the Cicero-North Syracuse field hockey team.

Pittsford Mendon, from the Section V ranks, arrived at Bragman Stadium last Friday night and, with effective defense and two late goals, was able to defeat the Northstars 2-0.

Earlier this season, C-NS had beaten the other Pittsford team, from Sutherland, 4-0, but here it was a case of the Northstars unable to convert anything early and, after a scoreless first half, seeing Mendon go out in front and stay there.

A night earlier, C-NS proved it was still the local area’s Class A team to beat, and that Liverpool is best equipped to try and knock the Northstars from its throne.

In the Warriors’ case, it was the evidence presented by a 4-2 victory over Baldwinsville, twice the total these teams had when they first met less than two weeks earlier.

Having won that initial game 2-1, Liverpool found itself with that exact same advantage following an active first half, only to double the margin to 3-1 in the third period.

One more goal sealed it even though B’ville would tack on a second as Gianna Carbone would earn two goals, the others going to Mia Berthoff and Alexis McGregor as Caitlyn Guilfoil picked up an assist.

All of this overcame eight saves by B’ville goalie Chloe Butler, not to m ention the goals Ava Hettler and Callie Smith got as Mya Huntington and Abigail Mantione had assists.

As this went on, C-NS, remembering how tough it was in a season-opening 2-1

win over Fayetteville-Manlius late in August, would unload in its rematch with the Hornets, roaring to a 6-1 victory.

They were scoreless when, in the second quarter, the Northstars scored twice to take charge, but then really caught fire in the third period, extending its advantage to 6-0 before F-M was able to get a late goal.

Nicole Conklin led all this, notching a three-goal hat trick. Ayvah Romano converted twice, with Gabby Wameling adding a goal as Eva Farone, Isabel Normanly and Gabriella Garuccio picked up assists.

This followed a 4-0 shutout over East Syracuse Minoa two days earlier where the Northstars jumped out to a 3-0 first-quarter advantage and breezed from there.

Wameling, who had both goals when C-NS blanked then-unbeaten Rome Free Academy on Sept. 22, had two more here, with the other goals earned by Paige Pangaro as Farone earned a pair of assists.

As the Northstars absorbed its first loss, Liverpool faced Clinton on Saturday afternoon and, for the first time all season, did not get on the board, though its defense helped salvage a 0-0 tie.

Through four quarters in warm conditions, both sets of Warriors found it difficult to generate chances. Liverpool only managed three shots, so it had to protect its own end and did so, Jenna Hayes earning six saves.

All of this leads to Wednesday night’s rematch between Liverpool and C-NS at Bragman Stadium. The Northstars won the first edition 2-1, largely because goalie Olivia Planty stopped a possible go-ahead penalty stroke in the fourth quarter minutes before Conklin netted the game-winner.