Legion plans for Memorial Day Weekend
By KATe HiLL Staff writer
Cazenovia’s American Legion
Post 88 is planning several events for Memorial Day Weekend.
Scheduled for Thursday, May 22, through Monday, May 26, the events will commemorate the men and women from the Cazenovia area who have died in military service to the United States, giving what President Abraham Lincoln famously described as “the last full measure of devotion.”
“Memorial Day was originally intended to commemorate only those members of the armed forces who had died while fighting in our country’s wars, [but] Post 88 also commemorates those military veterans from the Cazenovia area who have passed away during the past twelve months,” said Frank Stritter, a military historian who belongs to the local legion post.
Senior association luncheon
The Post 88 Color Guard, led by Post 88 Commander Tony Hart, will post and retire the colors and lead the Pledge of Allegiance during the Cazenovia Area Senior Association’s (CASA) Memorial Luncheon at the Hampton Inn on Thursday, May 22, at noon.
CASA members will receive
the traditional Memorial Day poppy. Stritter will present on the “Ghost Army,” a special unit that used visual, sonic, and radio deception against German forces during World War II.
Distribution of American flags to area cemeteries
On Friday, May 23, at 9 a.m., Post 88 members — potentially assisted by volunteers and Scouts — will place American flags in area cemeteries where veterans are buried and on veterans’ graves.
According to Stritter, flags were originally placed on graves on Memorial Day as a symbolic gesture of remembrance and respect for those who lost their lives while serving in the US military; now, flags are placed in cemeteries to remember any veterans buried there.
“The tradition of placing flags on graves, known as ‘Flags In,’ actually began informally just after the Civil War,” Stritter said. “[It] became an official responsibility of the 3rd US Infantry Regiment, also known as ‘The Old Guard,’ in 1948 at Arlington National Cemetery when the ‘Old Guard’ was designated as the Army’s official ceremonial unit. It has since become a national tradition at all cemeteries where veterans are buried.”
distribution Post 88 will distribute poppies to area residents on Saturday, May 24, and Sunday, May 25.
The blood red poppy worn on Memorial Day and other days of remembrance symbolizes the sacrifice of those who served and died for the US in any war.
The widespread use of the poppy flower to commemorate veterans began in World War I.
“Much of the fighting took place in Western Europe, where the countryside was repeatedly fought over in the devastating trench warfare that characterized that war,” said Stritter. “What had once been beautiful landscapes were turned into mud, where very little would grow. However, during that horror, bright red poppies managed to thrive in that war-scared soil, and thousands of them flourished.”
Stritter credited Moina Michael, a University of Georgia professor, for championing the use of the red poppy as a sign of remembrance.
“[Michael] wrote a poem in 1918 entitled ‘We shall keep the faith’ in which she wrote about the symbolism of the poppy,” he said. “Known as the ‘Poppy Lady,’
campaigned to make the
international
of remembrance for veterans. She conceived a plan to wear red poppies on Memorial Day in honor of those who had died serving our nation. She was the first one that we know of to wear a poppy and then sell them to her friends, with the money going to benefit servicemen in need.”
In 1920, the poppy became the official flower of The American Legion Family, serving to memorialize the soldiers who fought and died during WWI. in 1924, the Legion made the distribution of poppies a national program to support needy veterans.
Poppies can be obtained from Post 88 members on May 24, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Cazenovia Farmers’ Market, Kinney Drugs, Buyea’s True Value, and Tops Friendly Market. They will also be available on May 25, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Kinney Drugs, Buyea’s, and Tops.
Memorial Day Parade
Cazenovia’s traditional Memorial Day parade will step off on Monday, May 26 at approximately 10:30 a.m. from in front
Parade l Page 11
Limestone Creek Hunt brings home awards from North Carolina
From March 28 to 30, 26 members and supporters of the Limestone Creek Hunt (LCH) attended the Sedgefield Hunt Carolinas Foxhound Performance Trials in Hoffman, North Carolina. The event included over 120 riders from numerous hunts. LCH Huntsman Doug Russell brought five of the club’s best hounds to compete; this year’s LCH entrants were Jolene, Howie, Laker, Falcon, and Kenobi. Over the two days of hunting, LCH placed fourth for “Overall Best Pack,” and Jolene was fifth overall out of all the hounds. Other LCH hounds also received individual placings each day for their performances. This event is a Masters of Foxhounds Association of North America (MFHA)recognized competition, and hounds that place within the top 10 are eligible for the MFHA championship. Pictured: Jolene and LCH junior members with the club’s pack ribbon and some of Jolene’s other individual placings.
Stephanie pileSki
Public hearing held on regulations for restricted watercraft
By KATe HiLL Staff writer
On April 14, the Cazenovia Town Board held a very well-attended public hearing regarding a proposed local law to amend the town code “with respect to regulating the docking, mooring, and launching of certain restricted watercraft on and in Cazenovia Lake.”
The proposed local law was introduced during the board’s March 10 meeting.
Before the public hearing was opened, Town Supervisor Kyle Reger announced that the town would not vote on the proposal that evening. The board will review all the input gathered in the next week or two. It will likely reintroduce a variation of the proposed local law in May and hold another public hearing sometime in June.
The following types of vessels are listed as “restricted watercraft” applicable to the proposed law: boats containing or utilizing a combustion-style engine or electric/ battery-powered engine for propulsion; motorized sailboats; and barges — powered or unpowered/with or without engines — that can be transported and used for commercial or personal purposes.
“Recently, the town has recognized a proliferation of the use of motorized watercraft upon and along the waters of Cazenovia Lake at a level which has created concerns regarding public health and safety to those using the lake, as well as the landowners adjacent to the lake shore,” the proposed local law states. “The purpose of this law is to maintain a safe recreational environment along the shorelines and within the waters of Cazenovia Lake to the fullest extent permitted by law. It is a further purpose of this law to regulate shoreline activities with respect to certain watercraft in or on the waters of Cazenovia Lake in order to protect the public health, safety, and welfare of those using the lake, as well as the residents of the town of Cazenovia, and to provide for reasonable public access and recreational use of Cazenovia Lake without overcrowding, congestion, or safety hazards. This law will further serve the purpose to fairly allocate the use of the lake’s shoreline for docking, mooring, birthing, and anchoring of watercraft and attempt to minimize conflicts among neighboring property owners who use their shoreline to boat and for other access to the waters of Cazenovia Lake.”
The proposed local law also says the town board has determined that certain watercraft must be introduced into the lake through designated launching points rather than through unsupervised and uncontrolled access without inspections for invasive species. All trailers and trailered vessels must obtain a launch sticker and be launched at the village’s Lakeside Park boat launch or the Willow Bank Yacht Club.
“It is the further intent of this law to prohibit the commercial leasing of dock space and the commercial mooring of boats for monetary gain on any property adjacent to Cazenovia Lake outside of the village of Cazenovia, unless otherwise established within these regulations and to limit the number of certain motorized watercraft on the waters of Cazenovia Lake. This law will further benefit Cazenovia Lake by directing certain launch points for watercraft through controlled areas in the village and town. This law is not intended to restrict or regulate the use and/or placement of watercraft or the placement and operation of docks used by the State of New York, Madison County, or any municipality for public purposes.”
Dave Miller, president of the Cazenovia Lake Association (CLA) and a lakeside resident, was the first to address the board during
Poppy
Michael
poppy an
symbol
Submitted photo
From Thursday, May 22, through Monday, May 26, Cazenovia’s American Legion Post 88 will present several events commemorating local men and women who died in military service to the United States.
While she continues to be involved in the business, Johnson has “semi-retired” and decided to expand her management team to include two other women. Her daughter Patrisha Wilcox now oversees the boarding and daycare facilities, and Beth Westcott, who has been with the business for four years, runs the grooming shop.
Wilcox is certified in canine first aid and behavioral training. She moved back to the area a year ago and now lives on the Schoolhouse premises.
“The dogs get excited to see her [because] they know they will be getting attention and love,” said Johnson. “Also, I have worked in the dog industry since she was one year old, so she knows all the ins and outs of dog care and boarding. She is always seeking ways to improve and has the energy and drive to succeed.”
Westcott, originally from Earlville, NY, graduated from the State University of New York at Delhi with a veterinary science technology degree. She has over 25 years of experience grooming dogs Dog grooming l Page 10
Logo by Annika Goeller
Easter Services & Events In
Holy Week & Easter
Cazenovia & Nelson
Maundy Thursday, April 17th- 5:30 PM Service with Communion and a light dinner of soup & bread at Caz UMC
Good Friday, April 18th- 7:00 PM Service at Nelson UMC
Cazenovia
Easter Sunday, April 20th
6:30 AM Sunrise Worship Service
(Please contact the Parish Office for location & details 315-655-3519)
9:30 AM Easter Worship Service at Cazenovia UMC 11:15 AM Easter Worship Service at Nelson UMC
Saint James Catholic Church
6 Green Street - Cazenovia, NY ~ 315-655-3441
Father Kevin Corcoran, Pastor
All are welcome to join us in celebrating the Resurrection of our Lord.
Holy Week 2025
Holy Thursday, April 17
7:00pm Liturgy of the Lord’s Supper
8:00pm ~ 10:00pm
Adoration in the Daily Mass Chapel, St. James
Good Friday, April 18
12:00pm Solemn Commemoration
7:00pm Stations of the Cross
Holy Saturday, April 19
12:00pm Blessing of Easter Food
8:00pm Easter Vigil, St. Patrick’s, Chittenango
Easter Sunday, April 20
Masses: 7:30am & 9:00am
Come Celebrate the Easter Season
We Gather Round a Common Table and Share a Common Meal
Rev. Kenneth Wonderland presiding Agape Communion All Are Welcome Music by Senior Choir featuring Mary Coburn on Violin
Rev. Susan Faye Wonderland Preaching “ e Story Continues...”
Celebrate this Holy Day with a fresh look at the Resurrection of Jesus! Festive music by Choir and Organ with Ryan Hobart on Trumpet
The Bells of Easter
St. Peter's Episcopal Church 12 Mill Street Cazenovia Join us for Holy Week and the Celebration of Easter as we Pray for Peace
Maundy Thursday April 17 7 pm - Maundy Thursday liturgy with foot washing, communion and stripping of the altar
Good Friday April 18 Noon - Good Friday liturgy
Easter Sunday April 20 - Festivel Eucharist with string ensemble
All of our Holy Week services are in person and on Zoom.
During Holy Week we gather as a faith community to journey with Jesus to Jerusalem, to stand with him before his accusers, to walk to Golgotha, and to stand at the foot of his cross. Finally, on Easter Sunday, we will joyfully celebrate the resurrection of Christ, lifting our voices in praise of the hope that is ours and the world’s. You are welcome to join us for one or all of these meaningful services.
Phone: (315) 655-9063 parishoffice@stpeterscaz.org
Caz author explores human nature, the natural world in poetry
By KATe HiLL Staff writer
In December 2024, Bottlecap Press published Cazenovia author Katherine “Kitty” Leonard’s first poetry chapbook, “Requiem for the Beekeeper.”
A chapbook is a small poetry collection, generally no more than 40 pages, often centered on a specific theme.
Leonard’s work features 23 poems, some very short and several two pages long, arranged into three sections.
According to the author, the poems in the first section offer a broad exploration of the deep interweaving of humans and nature. The second section narrows the focus to individuals through a blend of narrative and lyrical works. The third section becomes more personal while still maintaining an intricate appreciation of the complexity of the lives people weave together within their environments.
“The poems are intimately involved with a deep appreciation for nature and its influences and our influences on our environments; how circumstances shape our actions and perceptions; and the diversity of ways in which our lives intersect with world and local events,” Leonard said.
The chapbook, featuring cover art by Inlet, NY, artist Misty Townsend, was edited and arranged by Connecticut’s 8th State Poet Laureate, Antoinette Brim-Bell.
“[This collection] considers the individual’s relationship to the natural world, juxtaposing
notions of ownership with that of stewardship, while maintaining a poetic grace in language and form that invites the reader into its deferential meditative imagery,” Brim-Bell’s cover blurb states. “Leonard’s evocative conversations with historical figures, both real and imagined, challenge the reader’s expectations of what is personal and yet becomes political, even so understanding that ultimately, what matters most is love.”
Leonard’s work has been published in literary journals such as “Sonora Review,” “Querencia Press Anthologies,” “Hole in the Head Review,” “Speckled Trout Review,” “FERAL,” “Allium,” and “Stone Canoe.”
Her writing has been deeply influenced by her experiences living and spending time in diverse locations across the country and abroad.
She has resided in Cazenovia since 1989. Growing up, however, her father was in the Navy, and she moved every two to three years, living in Massachusetts, Virginia, California, and Naples, Italy.
When her father retired from service, the family relocated from suburban Boston to a small farm town in Texas.
“The schools and parks and town were integrated the year after we moved there under threat of losing federal funds for the schools,” Leonard recalled.
After high school, she attended college in Colorado and spent 12 years there before moving to Maine, then Vermont. She also lived in Washington, DC, and has strong ties to New Mexico.
PURPOSE:
TEXT:
“While I have never lived in New Mexico, I have visited frequently,” she said. “The land of New Mexico lives in my blood.”
Submitted photoS Late last year, Cazenovia author Katherine “Kitty” Leonard published her first poetry chapbook, “Requiem for the Beekeeper.”
According to a press release announcing the publication of “Requiem for the Beekeeper,” her writing also draws from her years in academic research in chemistry and cell biology, her experiences as a geologist/project manager for hazardous waste site investigations, and her work as a registered nurse and nurse practitioner.
Leonard traces her interest in poetry back to the third grade.
“When I was eight years old, I won third place in a poetry contest,” she said. “[I] have been entranced with poetry as a way of com-
Summit Music & Arts Academy
Affordable private lessons taught by certified professionals and musicians, for students grades 4-12 & adults. Performance opportunities and ensembles available!
Call Cathy Thielke: 315-430-6962
Summit Church: 315-692-2555
2025 KATHRYN FISH LECTURE SERIES
April 20 - Dr. Jim Marshall “Enjoy Every Day”
May 18 - Rev. Bob Taylor “Life”
June 15 - Rev. Bob Taylor “Be All You Can Be”
July 20 - Colleen Zimmer “All That’s Oz in Chittenango”
August 17 - Mary Sorrendino “Overcaring for Problem Pest”
September 21 - Mina Bradley-Cauger “Be Well”
October 19 - Dr. Christina Michaelson “Count Your Blessings”
Come walk the track and enjoy the farm!
Jim Marshall Farms Foundation, Inc.
1978 New Boston Road, Chittenango, NY 13037
www.jmffinc.org 315-552-0612
Attendance is free
Public is Welcome (Donations appreciated) at The Farm
Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation d/b/a National Grid
THE FILING OF REVISED RATES TO P.S.C. NO. 219 GAS TARIFFS TO COMPLY WITH THE COMMISSION’S ORDER DATED JANUARY 20, 2022 IN P.S.C. CASE 20-G-0381.
Notice is hereby given that Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation d/b/a National Grid has filed revised rates with the Public Service Commission to comply with the Commission’s order dated January 20, 2022. These revised rates become effective May 1, 2025.
The tables listed below show a comparison between the Company’s current rates and rates effective May 1, 2025.
municating through imagery — a distillation that allows diverse and even seemingly unrelated ideas to be shown in relationship, thereby creating moments of realization.” She recalled that although she wrote briefly in college, her poetry classes extinguished her appreciation for the medium for many years. Service
For more information, visit http://www.nationalgridus.com or the PSC’s website: https://dps.ny.gov/ Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation d/b/a National Grid
OuR vOiCE
Protecting children
According to childwelfare.gov, April is recognized as National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
“During April, we recognize National Child Abuse Prevention Month (NCAPM) and the importance of communities working together to support and strengthen families and prevent child maltreatment,” the website says. “Throughout the year, communities are encouraged to increase awareness about child and family well-being and work together to implement effective strategies that support families and prevent child abuse and neglect.”
During the awareness campaign, a focus is put on “…knowledge and understanding of protective factors and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), as well as the social-ecological model, can inform efforts to reduce the risk of maltreatment and prevent the recurrence of abuse or neglect by drawing on family strengths and acknowledging the impact of traumatic events,” according to the website.
The website goes on to detail protective factors as “…conditions or attributes that, when present in families and communities, increase the wellbeing of children and families and reduce the likelihood of maltreatment. Identifying protective factors ... helps parents find resources, supports, or coping strategies to keep their family strong even when life is challenging…”
Among these protective factors are things like nurturing and attachment, parental resilience, social connection and social and emotional competence in children.
Adverse experiences, which are potentially traumatic according to the website, include things like all types of abuse and neglect and domestic violence, among others.
According to the website, “A landmark study in the 1990s found a significant relationship between the number of ACEs a person experienced and a variety of negative outcomes in adulthood, including poor physical and mental health, substance use, and risky behaviors.
“The more ACEs experienced, the greater the risk for these outcomes. By definition, children served by child welfare have experienced at least one ACE. Understanding the impact of ACEs and how to build resilience in children and families can lead to more trauma-informed interventions that help mitigate negative outcomes.”
Locally a group known as Erin’s Angels of CNY works to raise awareness and to help strengthen laws to protect children.
“Our mission is to strengthen child abuse laws in New York State and close critical loopholes that leave our most vulnerable unprotected,” the organization shared. “We are advocating for the passage of NY State Senate Bill 2009-S1510, also known as Erin’s Law, named in memory of Erin Maxwell, an 11-year-old girl whose life was tragically cut short. Erin’s Law aims to ensure that those who commit heinous acts against children are held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
According to the organization, the theme for this year’s awareness month is, “Building a Hopeful Future: Preventing Child Abuse Together,” and it underscores the importance of community partnerships in creating safe and nurturing environments for all children.
In an effort to keep children in New York state safe, Erin’s Angels, is leading an effort for the passage of NY State Senate Bill 2009-S1510, also known as Erin’s Law.
The bill seeks to establish the class A-I felony of aggravated murder of a child, carrying a sentence of life imprisonment without parole.
“Erin was found fatally injured in her home and later succumbed to her injuries at Universal Hospital.
This law is crucial in addressing cases where children under the age of 14 fall victim to intentional killings during the commission of heinous acts such as rape, criminal sexual acts, aggravated sexual abuse or incest.
“Additionally, it covers instances of depraved indifference or intentional killing of a child under 14 by individuals legally responsible for their care,” stated Sheila Dion, Erin’s Angels founder and executive director.
By repealing provisions of murder in the second degree that mirror certain aspects of aggravated murder of a child, Erin’s Law closes critical loopholes and strengthens the legal framework to protect children from harm.
This legislation increases the penalties for those who commit certain crimes against children, requires better records of calls made alleging child abuse and neglect, enhances the penalties for those who fail to report child abuse or maltreatment on multiple occasions and updates the definition of “neglected child” to better serve the interests of New York State’s most vulnerable children.
For more information about Erin’s Angels of CNY or how to support their mission, visit erinsangels.com
A ReCiPe FOR MeMORieS
In 1970 the living room in my mother’s new house in Florida had an entire wall full of leather-bound books left by the previous owners.
Among them was an entire 1911 edition of the Encyclopedia Brittanica, long touted as one of the finest because of its superior writing and its contributors.
But it was the beauty of the leatherbound tomes that caught my eye. The collection included so many with colored leather covers, several were a soft, aged turquoise, jewels among the library browns. One small book was bright blue and its front cover had a multicolored inlay of other colored leathers depicting a rose.
Bibliophile that I was and am, when my mother said that she didn’t want them, I scooped up as many as I could fit into my suitcase and brought them home to Marcellus. These were old books, written in a style that was, in our modern parlance, awkward, too formal and often too florid to engage long term interest… at least my long-term interest. Those that held poetry were particularly difficult, making obscure references to a culture and times with which I had no experience. But the books were beautiful and became a part of my décor.
Six of these sit bookishly and elegant on the table behind the loveseat in my living room but receive little attention, save when I dust, except for this morning when I noticed a piece of paper edging out of the pages of one. It was a sepia speckled piece of paper folded in fours that held a hand written recipe for Coconut Kisses with a note “This one I got too late for Xmas. Try though, very good.”
Curious, I opened the book from which this recipe came and found that this large, darkly bound book was a cookbook, not an ordinary cookbook but one of the premier early cookbooks of the 20th century, “The Boston Cooking School” cookbook by Fannie Merrill Farmer. The book’s outer cover had dark-
ened so with age that reading the title was difficult. But inside, on the first page there was a dedication: Mrs. Michael Bollings, from her theatrical friend Alice Esdee Happy Go Lucky Chicago, March 1921. It was a well-used cookbook, filled with notations, finger prints from pie dough, drippings and splatters from what ingredients one could only guess.
This cookbook attends to all that is involved in cooking. from shopping to instructions about how to build a fire in your stove, what kind of wood to use and how to bank the fire for different kinds of baking. The chapter on beef includes six detailed pages on how to cook a side of beef, the nutritional composition of different parts of that side of beef and how to store beef. There is a hint that many of those who would have purchased this book did not have modern refrigeration.
A chapter on jellies, jam and marmalades instructs the reader to prepare jelly glasses with no mention of water bath canning or using lids but rather tells the reader to use “letter paper” soaked in brandy placed directly on the top of the prepared fruit with an additional covering of paper “cut larger than the glasses and fastened securely over the edge with mucilage”…The author then comments, “ Some prefer to cover jelly with melted paraffin …”
Oh, my, I have travelled back a lifetime to the side of my grandmother as she taught me how to make jams and jellies. We never used the brandied paper, but learning how to safely melt and apply the wax continues to be a strong memory. I still have a piece of paraffin in my pantry.
My grandmother didn’t have a cookbook. She was a good, sometimes spectacular cook, but all of her knowledge was in her head and she shared that with me with generous gusto.
My mother had a few pamphlets, mostly produced by a particular company, from which she cooked. I have several in my bookcase now. One is from Knox
Gelatin entitled “On Camera Recipes” and another is by Carnation Condensed Milk, but it has lost its cover and so its title but contains some excellent recipes. Cooking and the knowledge that is associated with the preparation of food is a wonderfully complicated compilation of strategies for obtaining foodstuffs, storing them and cooking and serving them. And while I and many of my generation often complain about having to devise something every day for the evening meal, truthfully, it is the sitting around the table, sharing life-giving food to family and friends that binds us together. It works out for the better if you serve something palatable.
I wonder how this gift of the Fanny Farmer book knit the life of its owner into family and friends …Was Mrs. Bollings a newlywed? There is a hint.
On the second blank page, Alice, the gift giver wrote the following: “A comfortable stomach helps to make a peaceful mind, and a peaceful mind makes for happiness, but one must know how to cook … makes the happiness in life.”
How this book ended up in the bookcase of another family in St. Petersburg is a mystery, but the book and the sentiment it carried remain true.
Today, this cookbook enabled me to time travel to another era and find that although I use a gas stove and canning jars with lids, the soft and hard science of food preparation is the same in intent … and I’ll bet that Mrs. Bollings and her theatrical friend must have, at some point, contemplated the gnawing conundrum of what to cook for dinner for 50 years. And it’s evident from the wear on the book and the inclusion of hand written recipes that Mrs. Bollings took her friend’s advice to heart and found happiness in preparation of food for those she loved.
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.
years Ago in History
By CiNDy BeLL TOBey
120 years Ago – April 13, 1905
Last Monday night two gentlemen registered at the Cazenovia House as B. Herman and M.S. Galin of Troy – both being adepts in “sizeing up the boys” they proceeded to get as much “graft” as their pockets would hold, by selling supposed solid gold rings for the sum of 10 cents and upward as high as the boys would bite and pay for.
They accomplished their object and decided to pass a quiet hour of rest at the hotel.
FROM THE MAILBAG
Defend our libraries
The editor:
Our libraries are under assault from the White House. We must protect these wonderful community institutions. Contact your representatives and let them know how important your library is to you and your family.
Our libraries provide something for everyone and are at the center of our communal life.
HeLeN BeALe Cazenovia
Always remember
To the editor:
As chairman of the public safety committee in Onondaga County, this one-year anniversary of the tragic line-of-duty deaths of Onondaga County Sheriff Lt. Michael Hoosock and Syracuse Police Department Officer Michael Jensen is a solemn moment to reflect on their immense service and sacrifice to our community.
Lt. Hoosock and Officer Jensen were not just police officers they were dedicated public servants who took on the challenging and often dangerous task of protecting and serving the people of Onondaga County. Their commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of others, often at the expense of their own safety, leaves behind an indelible legacy. In their passing, we are reminded of the
Wing, ext 340, jwing@eaglenewsonline com News editor: Jason Gabak, ext 319, jgabak@eaglenewsonline com Reporter: Kate hill , ext 325, khill@eaglenewsonline com Reporter: Jason Klaiber, jklaiber@eaglenewsonline com Sports Editor: Phil blackwell, ext 348, pblackwell@eaglenewsonline com
Display Ads eB: linda Jabbour, ext 304, ljabbour@eaglenewsonline com
Display Ads CR: lori lewis, ext 316, llewis@eaglenewsonline com
However, their peaceful moments were rudely broken in upon by an avalanche of indignant young men, who had found that “All is not gold that Glitters.”
These young men clamored for the return of their hard earned money, which they secured after much argument.
The gentlemen, with the business of mind, departed for greener pastures the next day.
105 years Ago – April 15, 1920
We are indebted to Mrs. Harris Rath-
daily sacrifices made by law enforcement officers everywhere.
Their deaths left a hole not only in their families and departments but also in the hearts of all of us who call Onondaga County home. As a community, we are bound by our shared responsibility to support the families and colleagues they left behind. It is through our collective grief that we can begin to heal and honor their memories. As we reflect, we remember the lives they saved, the work they did, and the principles they stood for. Lt. Hoosock and Officer Jensen were individuals of unwavering integrity, courage, and selflessness. Their commitment to public service is a reminder of the risks law enforcement officers face every single day and the deep gratitude we owe them for keeping our communities safe.
Our prayers remain with their families who continue to feel the weight of their loss each day and with their fellow law enforcement officers, who have faced the difficult reality of continuing the work they did with honor and pride. We stand with them in their grief, their resilience, and their resolve.
One year later, while the pain of their loss remains, we also recognize the strength and unity of this community in the wake of tragedy. It is in their honor that we continue to strive for a better, safer world for all. We will never forget
Classified Advertising: Patti Puzzo, ext 321, ppuzzo@eaglenewsonline com
Billing questions: Alyssa dearborn, ext 305, adearborn@eaglenewsonline com
Legal Advertising: luba demkiv, ext 303, ldemkiv@eaglenewsonline com
Publisher: david tyler, ext 302, dtyler@eaglenewsonline com
Creative Director: Gordon bigelow, ext 331, art@eaglenewsonline com
bun for some fine oranges that came from the grove of G. E. Keeler in Florida. He has 23 acres of oranges and grapefruit. At last reports Mr. Keeler’s people were on their way home from Florida, where they have been spending the winter, to their home in Chittenango. 85 years Ago – April 18, 1940
Although late discoveries by Prof. Harold O. Whitnall of Colgate University disprove the myth that the mysterious refugee, Louis Anathe Muller, of Georgetown mansion fame, wasn’t later King
Lt. Michael Hoosock and Officer Michael Jensen. Their sacrifice will always be remembered, and their legacy will endure. May God continue to bless their families, their departments, and all who serve in law enforcement, keeping them safe as they carry out their vital duties.
MARK OLSON County legiSlator 10th diStriCt
School budget
To the editor:
Regarding Kevin Cutis’ letter on CCSD tax projections, I agree that some strong measures with hard decisions must be made to rectify the alarming potential tax increases.
I attended the town hall meeting on March 25 regarding the School budget and believe the estimates of the increases are low due to reduced state and federal aid. The tax assessment will actually increase without any additional budget increases due to reduced aids. Thus, a 7.55% budget increase would actually result in a 12% tax assessment. A 9.44% budget would result in a 16% assessment.
Overall, this path forward is unsustainable and needs the hard decision made to reduce budget. I am hoping that all tax payers turn out on May 20, 2025 and vote no on the budget proposal. It is time to reject further budget increases.
TiMOTHy JOCK Cazenovia
Ramblings from the empty nest
Ann Ferro
He said he and the CLA board fully
the law, noting that the CLA has requested that the town implement such a law for many years to protect the lake’s health and keep it safe for everyone who uses it.
He also commented that he thinks the law is trying to accomplish some important things and is very fair.
“It does not unduly constrain any homeowner,” he said. “It does not target any individual or businesses in any way. [It] allows legally-deeded property owners and associations to continue docking their boats as they have done for years. It does not limit lake usage in any way; allowing three motorboats and as many non-motorized watercraft [as desired] is, I think, very, very reasonable. We have a public boat launch, which is now how most lakes let people get their boats onto the water. They are put there for the protection of the lake. It enables the town to control the growth of paidfor marinas that are a long-term threat to boaters’ safety and the health of the lake. Using the public launch, in my mind, is not a true burden for anyone. It is critical for protecting the lake from invasive species introduction. Launching from private property is simply a convenience; however, it has the potential to damage the lake forever. . . . Requiring all trailered boats [to] be inspected before entering the water is a commonsense approach to helping with the prevention of these invasive species.”
Miller added that the town and donors to the CLA have spent over $2 million controlling Eurasian watermilfoil alone since 2009.
“I don’t think requiring people to use a launch is a real burden when you look at that compared to the amount of money people have
Years Ago
l From page 6
Charles X, he probably was a very important personage in French history in the time of Napoleon.
For years it has been thought possible, and by some even probable, that Muller who appeared to be fleeing the wrath of Napoleon was a later King of France and books have been written on the subject.
There has been discovered in some of the underground tunnels on the site of the Georgetown bases of wine bottles were made in France about the year 1770 for the royal family.
l From page 5 Author
While pursuing a master’s degree in geology and, much later, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the nursing/nurse practitioner discipline, Leonard had the opportunity to dive into technical writing.
had to come up with out of their own pockets to help keep the lake useable,” he said.
The CLA is particularly concerned about the potential introduction of gobies — an invasive bait fish currently found in Oneida Lake — and the invasive aquatic species hydrilla, which is more virulent and difficult to control than milfoil and is now found in Cayuga Lake, the Connecticut River and three hours away from Cazenovia in Twin Lakes, Connecticut.
“I don’t want us to look back in 20 years and say, ‘Shoot, we’ve got hydrilla, we’ve got this next bad thing, and we had a chance to do something, but we decided not to do it,” said Miller. “That, to me, would be on all of us.”
Former CLA president Robert Kukenberger, who lives on the west side of the lake, also expressed his support for the law and noted that he had several initial questions and potential concerns that were addressed during his conversations with Reger and the town’s attorney, John Langey.
One of the things they clarified for him was the number of restricted watercraft that would be allowed for parcels possessing and/or providing existing deeded lake access at the time of the proposed law’s adoption.
“The three restricted watercraft is for lakefront property owners, not for deeded access,” Kukenberger said. “If there happens to be a lakefront property that also has deeded access, then the lakefront property owner would get [their] right [to] three boats, and each person with the deeded access gets one boat.”
Emmet Owens also voiced his support for the proposal. He lives in Fayetteville, serves on the CLA board, and has past professional experience managing a program that maintained water quality in the seven large reservoirs that supply drinking water to New York City.
Tunnel Lane resident Sandra Holmes said
Muller Hill is honeycombed with underground vaults, wells and tunnels, many of them not yet explored.
Included is a tunnel from the house to the woods.
The mysterious Frenchman came to this country about 1808 and purchased 2700 acres of land in the town of Georgetown.
Near the center of his estate, 300 acres of land were cleared and there he erected a spacious fortress-like mansion 70 feet by 30. Money was lavish and labor applied without stint.
He established a village of many dwellings, sawmill, grist mill, stores, etc.
Her connection with poetry, however, was not rekindled until she was asked to submit her writing for a SUNY Upstate nursing and medical student contest and tied for first place in the poetry category.
“Working as a nurse practitioner was so consuming that I waited until after I retired
she is in favor of the proposed law and expressed concern for the current health of the lake.
This year’s Willow Bank Yacht Club commodore, David Burch, shared that the club’s flag officers and board support the town’s efforts to protect the lake through the local law and appreciate the CLA’s partnership.
He commented that the proposed law’s marina restrictions would not apply to Willow Bank because it is in the village. He also pointed out that the club restricts its launch to members.
“We also have signage [and] do inspections,” he said. “We are going to strengthen that process and sort of renew and re-up it. We’ve got some new signage we are working on. There is a gate that will be locked and opened when appropriate for member usage, and we are going to make sure everybody gets inspected before they launch. Many of our motorized boats go in once in the spring, and they come out in the fall. We get very little traffic from daily users; if there are [any], they are our members, and they will have to go through the inspection process. [The Willow Bank] board is supportive of us tagging boats with stickers so that it is clear to whoever is going to enforce these rules on the lake that they have come through the Willow Bank launch. We would like to work with the town on what that stickering procedure would be.”
Syracuse Road resident Stanley Maziuk, a former lake association and watershed council board member, said he thinks the town has proposed “a good piece of legislation.” He also raised a few questions, first asking why the law exempts jet skis.
“If part of what we are trying to do is prevent illegal marinas, of which we have a couple existing on the lake right now, could someone
He lived there until Napoleon was defeated and taken to Elba, then Muller returned to France.
Cazenovia artist, the late Dwight Williams, painted several pictures of the building, at least three of which are still in Cazenovia.
One hangs in the Cazenovia Public Library.
65 years Ago – April 14, 1960
The Gold Award winners of the International Sales Promotion Contest held by the National Retail Merchants Association have just been announced.
The P. E. Mulligan Store of this community received the Gold Award for Best
to devote more time to writing,” she said.
“Through the YMCA’s Downtown Writers Center classes, I have had the opportunity to study and write with a fantastic cohort of poets and teachers. Prior to that, my publications were limited to professional journals.”
The author described the publication of her
not have, theoretically, three motorized boats and 20 jet skis all lined up in and around their waterfront area?” he asked. “Now we would have a jet ski marina to deal with. I hope that would never come to fruition.”
Other questions raised by individuals during the public hearing focused on whether the town requires specific authorization from a state agency or legislative action to implement its proposed regulations, who will enforce the regulations, whether boat and jet ski washing effectively prevents the spread of invasive species and whether the law accounts for vessels launched at Helen McNitt State Park.
Two community members requested that the board consider the impact of the bubblers/ aerators used by some lakefront property owners to prevent the formation of ice around their seawalls or permanent docks in winter.
Before closing the public hearing, Reger thanked everyone who provided input.
“This is [an] important part of the process,” he said. “I think in Cazenovia, we are so lucky to have such an engaged group of residents.”
The proposed local law, as currently written, is posted on the “Laws - Newly Proposed” page of the town website. It is also available for viewing at the town office.
The town board typically meets on the second Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the Gothic Cottage at 7 Albany St. Reger will hold his next monthly office hours on April 26, from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., at the town offices. Community members are invited to sit down with him and discuss any town issue.
For more information on the Town of Cazenovia, visit towncazenovia.digitaltowpath. org or call the town offices at 315-6559213.
Institutional Campaign for stores doing up to $2,000,000 in annual sales volume. This includes more than 4,600 store members in the United States. This campaign was run by Mulligan’s throughout the year 1959. To carry their specialized advertising, they chose the Cazenovia Republican, the Christian Science Monitor, and the Fayetteville Country Playhouse Program.
The Cazenovia Republican, because of its own participation as one of the designated newspapers, feels a particular pleasure and satisfaction in this singular honor which has come to The P. E. Mulligan Store.
first chapbook as many years in the making. “I am so proud that this group of poems is out in the world at last,” she said. To learn more about “Requiem for the Beekeeper”andpurchaseacopy,visitbottlecap.press/ products/beekeeper?keyword=requiem%20.
and has been handling 80 percent of Schoolhouse’s grooming clients for over two years.
“[Beth] has a great work ethic [and] loves her clients and their owners,” said Johnson. “She is an excellent groomer with oodles of patience and never gets frazzled. . . . I have the utmost respect and confidence in her.”
Johnson grew up in DeRuyter and has worked with dogs for over 30 years.
“I was always a lover of all animals,” she said. “As a kid, you could find me walking relatives’ dogs all around town. I spent years working with dogs in the area.”
She majored in fish and wildlife conservation at Morrisville College and spent two years working with the elephants at Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse.
After two decades of pet grooming and raising her two children, Johnson decided it was time to start her own business.
Since officially opening Schoolhouse Dog Grooming in
May 2012, she has updated its facilities and expanded its services; for example, the business now offers dog pickup and delivery services within the Cazenovia area.
“I have learned that our clients appreciate our flexibility,” she said. “[The] way we accommodate their needs when able really pays off.”
Johnson, who enjoys “snowbirding” in Florida with her husband, said she plans to groom when available and help with boarding and daycare activities part-time.
“I am still at the business, especially in the summertime,” she said. “Backing out of the full-time daily roles has left me more time to do the bookwork and [address] various maintenance issues. I still love seeing all my faithful clients and their furry companions.”
Schoolhouse Dog Grooming is located at 2513 Dugway Rd., New Woodstock. For more information, call 315-662-7239 or visit schoolhousedoggrooming. squarespace.com
Vera A. Zarczynski, 80 Wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother
Vera Anna Zarczynski, 80, of Cazenovia, passed away Friday, April 4, 2025, while in the care of hospice in Tampa, FL.
She was born Feb. 28, 1945, in Flushing, N.Y., to Hans and Anna Schultz.
Vera was a graduate of the School of the Performing Arts in Manhattan and was a professional dancer and acrobatic contortionist. She performed at several notable events including the World’s Fair and was a beautiful person inside and out.
In her younger years she was crowned Miss Long Island, Miss Kiwanis, Miss Jones Beach and Miss Americana.
Vera married Richard Zarczynski and raised two children, Catherine and Nicholas. Vera had been employed at Heli Coil, Pitney Bowes and retired as a telemarketer selling children’s books through Grolier Books. She was a member of the Holy Transfiguration Church and the Manlius Senior Center. Vera was an avid Scrabble player and enjoyed playing every Wednesday at the center.
Vera will be remembered as an amazing mother,
grandmother and great-grandmother and wonderful wife, skilled dancer and contortionist. She was a lover of the finer things in life and a fashionista. She was very understanding and easy to talk to; a strong woman.
She is survived by her children
Catherine (Kevin Jones) Heath and Nicholas Zarczynski; her grandchildren, Jasmine (Judian Duran) Heath, Justin Zarczynski and Christine Zarczynski and by her great-granddaughter, Olivia. In addition to her parents, Vera was predeceased by her husband, Richard G. Zarczynski; her sister, Sonja Campbell and her son-in-law, Timothy B. Heath.
Calling hours will be from 4 to 6 p.m., Monday, April 21, 2025 at Michael E. Brown Funeral Services, 2333 Fenner Road in Cazenovia. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at Holy Transfiguration Church, 783 Franklin Park Drive, East Syracuse, NY 13057.
Contributions in Vera’s memory may be made to Meals on Wheels of Syracuse, 300 Burt St., Syracuse, NY 13202 or online at meals.org. Condolences for the family may be left at michaelebrownfuneralservices. com.
Vera A. Zarczynski
of Cazenovia High School.
The parade will line up at 10 a.m. in the order of march designated by Post 88 member Kevin Markowski. The Post 88 Color Guard will lead the marching units, including area veterans, village and town officials, area fire departments, the Cazenovia Area Volunteer Ambulance Corps, the Cazenovia High School band, and scouts.
The parade will march down Forman Street and east on Albany Street. It will stop at Memorial Park at 11 a.m. for the Memorial Day Program. It will then head north on Lincklean Street, turn west on Nickerson Street, and end in front of the high school. Memorial Day Program
“John A. Logan was a general in the
Union Army during the Civil War and commander of the Grand Army of the Republic [(GAR)] from 1868 to 1871,” said Stritter.
“The GAR was a Union Army veterans’ organization similar to today’s American Legion. [To] remember the thousands of soldiers who had died fighting the horrific Civil War, [he] issued a general order, dated May 5, 1868, designating May 30, 1868, as a day for national commemoration and calling on individual GAR posts around the country to do the same. Logan said, at the time, that he wanted the country to remember ‘. . . the cost of a free and undivided republic.’ The first national observance was held that year at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, DC, with 5,000 people in attendance. Thus, Memorial Day — known then as ‘Decoration Day’ — officially emerged as a national day of commemoration and remembrance.”
The 2025 Memorial Day Program will include an invocation read by Reverend Rebecca Roberts of St Peter’s Episcopal Church and the National Anthem sung by Cazenovia High School senior Ilsa Denton.
The names of all Cazenovia area veterans who passed away during the last year will be read, accompanied by a performance of “Ashokan Farewell” by the Cazenovia High School string quartet under the direction of Mary Coburn.
The reading will be followed by a 21-gun rifle salute fired by the Post 88 Rifle Squad. The American flag will be raised, “To the Colors” will be played, and a wreath will be laid to commemorate all Cazenovia area military deaths. Cazenovia bugler Jim Huftalen will play taps, with echoes played by Cazenovia High School band members.
“The Commander of the GAR, General
Logan, would be proud,” said Stritter. Post 88 Garden of Honor commemoration At 12:30 p.m., Post 88 will recognize the bricks added to its Garden of Honor during the past year. Any member of a US armed force who has been honorably discharged or is still honorably serving and is connected to the Cazenovia area is eligible to have a brick in the garden. A short ceremony is planned. “And thus, the 2025 Memorial Day Weekend will come to its conclusion,” said Stritter. “As it does, let us remember what President Franklin D. Roosevelt, in reminding us of the sacrifices of the armed forces in World War II, said: ‘Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy forget in time that men have died to win them.’”
To learn more about Cazenovia’s American Legion Post 88, follow the organization on Facebook at facebook.com/cazpost88/.
8: 00 A M and 4:00 P M duri ng each of t he fi ve (5) days prio r to t he el ect ion except S undays and shall also be post ed at t he pol li ng place at t he elect ion N OTIC E
Cazenovia lacrosse teams sweep to victories
By PHiL BLACKWeLL
All area high school lacrosse games got postponed last Tuesday night, a rare instance of extreme weather – in this case, heavy snow – taking everyone off the fields. Once the snow melted and the turf cleared, games resumed and Cazenovia won big on the girls side last Thursday night, the Lakers putting away Bishop Ludden/Bishop Grimes in an 18-2 romp.
A series of draws won by Charlie Prior and Ella Gale led to a constant attack and a 13-1 halftime advantage. Leading the way, Tara Pratt scored four times, with Hayden Bubble earning three goals and three assists. Prior got two goals and two assists, with Maddy DeAngelis adding two goals and three assists. Caroline Mehlbaum also con-
verted twice, with Bridget Stromer-Galley notching four assists as she joined Gale, Maura Phillips, Izzy Stromer-Galley and Ilsa Denton recording single goals.
Then the Lakers moved above the .500 mark on Saturday afternoon, working through the raindrops to top Homer 13-8.
Try as it could, the Trojans’ defense could not contain Prior, whose six goals set a career mark to go with an assist. Help came from Bridget Stromer-Galley’s two goals and two assists as Prat and Gale also scored twice and DeAngelis piled up five assists and Bubble earned a single goal.
This was on the same day that the Cazenovia boys lacrosse team got to 2-0 in a most unusual match against Carthage, the defenses completely taking over and the Lakers managing to pull it out by a 4-2 margin.
It took until the second quarter for
someone to get a goal, and the Comets’ tally was matched to create a 1-1 tie at the break. As it turned out, the third period was decisive, Cazenovia converting three times.
Ben Bianco had a part in all the Lakers’ scoring plays, from his two goals to assists on both tallies by Owen Porter. Everything else got turned back by Carthage goalie Conor Hickey, who had 15 saves, but Tucker Ives stopped 12 of the Comets’ 14 direct shots, including a fourth-quarter shutout to preserve the lead.
Meanwhile the Chittenango girls team, snowed out against Marcellus on Tuesday night, played Jordan-Elbridge two days later and took a 14-11 loss to the Eagles.
Leading a balanced Bears attack, Gracie Hayes-Brazell had three goals and one assist, with Anna Lazzaro and Sequoya Roberts each converting twice and Lazzaro adding two assists. Persephone Rohrer and Solana Rohrer both got one goal and one assist, with Reese Ferstler and McKenzie LaCotta also converting. J-E standout Kelsey Brunelle’s four goals put her past the 100-goal mark for her career as Bri Gilfus also got four goals for the Eagles, adding two assists. Chittenango’s boys team struggled in its return last Thursday afternoon in a 14-3 defeat to J-E. Shut out in the first half, Chittenango did not get on the board until it was the third quarter and the Eagles were building a double-digit edge. Henry Miller did score twice in the late going, with Joey DiNitale getting the other goal. Kole Smith played most of the game in the net and finished with 11 saves. A 17-3 loss to Owego/Apalachin followed on Saturday afternoon.
Cazenovia, Chittenango softball both earn victories
By PHiL BLACKWeLL
Bad weather last week was the precise reason why the Cazenovia and Chittenango softball teams had all-weather fields in which it could play.
Still, it affected the schedule following last Monday’s pair of games where the Lakers and Bears both broke the 20-run barrier on the way to easy victories.
Cazenovia got its big total at Gutchess Park where it pasted Homer 21-4, getting a run in every inning except the third as, after the Trojans cut it to 5-4 in the third, it got away in the latter stages.
A five-run sixth inning and nine-run seventh inning provided the getaway, with Sophia Wilmot belting a home run as she and Madden Cobb both finished with three RBIs.
Caitee Fenton’s double and three singles helped her drive in four runs, with Gianna Comino and Layla Decker earning two RBIs apiece. Madison Weeks, Irie Gallerani and Emma Falso each got one RBI, Fenton and Cobb both scoring four runs. Gallerani pitched a complete game, overcoming seven
walks with 13 strikeouts.
Chittenango got even more runs romping past Cortland 24-0, striking for six runs in the top of the first and then nearly batting around twice with 13 runs in the second inning.
Hannah Machan and Julia Spencer each went four-for-four with four RBIs, Machan getting a double and Spencer a triple. Alivia Cavotta also had four hits in four trips to the plate, driving in three runs.
Lauren Machan, Annabelle Granata and Isabelle Batalina-McClusky drove in two runs apiece. Julianna Coon had three hits and scored four runs, Hannah Cretaro matching Hannah Machan scoring three times. Spencer pitched again and struck out eight, only allowing one hit.
Playing on its turf Friday, Cazenovia found itself in a far closer game against Fabius-Pompey but managed to pull out a 4-3 victory over the Falcons.
The Lakers bolted out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first as Comino and Mikayla Streator had run-scoring hits, with Fenton, Bliss and Wilmot all crossing the plate.
F-P pulled even with its own three-run
rally in the fifth and it stayed that way until the bottom of the seventh, when Wilmot and Comino walked to bring up Gallerani, who singled to right, scoring Wilmot to win it.
It only figured that Gallerani finished it off, since her pitching had mostly stifled the Falcons. All F-P could get was one hit off Gallerani, who struck out 10 without surrendering a walk.
For the most part, area baseball teams were sidelined, but Cazenovia did play last Thursday on its turf against Marcellus, unable to sustain a big lead in a game called at
10-10 due to darkness.
Five runs in the fourth inning and four more runs in the fifth erased an early 2-1 deficit as Carter Bowden and Zane Ison both got two RBIs, with Joey Awald and Elliot Stratton adding RBIs. Nico Segall scored three runs.
Despite all this, the Lakers’ 10-2 lead didn’t hold as the Mustangs struck for eight runs in the top of the sixth off Segall and Ison after Danny Bliss pitched the first 4 2/3 innings with four hits and eight walks allowed.
Boys tennis Lakers move to 2-0
By PHiL BLACKWeLL
Few opponents in the Onondaga High School League may prove able to match the depth and skill the Cazenovia boys tennis brings to the forefront.
Another example of this was the Lakers’ 5-0 romp over LaFayette last Monday afternoon, with 6-0, 6-0 shutouts in singles
by Liam Robertson over Hudson Borchert and Sam Kagy over Sean Battelle. Max Reger and Evan Molloy blanked Tom Somerlot and Darren Benjamin in another 6-0, 6-0 match as Cooper Frazee, in first singles, won 6-0, 6-2 over Ian Colburn. Logan Gillis and Robbie Dorus equaled Frazee as they got past Ella Harris and Amanda Johnson in second doubles.
During my competitive days as a “Flat Belly” amateur tournament player, I developed a “Plan B” that served me well for about 30 years. I can’t remember whether I read an article in Golf Digest or Golf Magazine, or I saw someone explain their theory on TV, or simply overheard a golf professional mention their thought about having a bad round. I “tried” to do two things to “stop the bleeding” on the course: #1 - I choked down on my grip about 1.5 - 2 inches and…#2 - I shortened my back swing to the position that looked more like I was punching a shot into a 15 mph head wind. I did this because it gave me more control of my club, as well as slowing down my club head speed, which was usually the cause of my bad shots when I couldn’t figure out what happened to my golf swing. At first, I was disappointed that it only worked for me about 70% of the time until I came to the conclusion that 70% was pretty good. Those were the two “physical things” I did. My “mental” thoughts were about “changing” what I was doing to give me time to hit a few “solid shots” before I attempted to take full swings again.
I recently read an article by one of my favorite Sports Psycologists, Dr. Barett McCabe. He explains the “condition” in a more clinical way. He calls his article, “3” Steps to Managing Performance “Riptides”. He acknowledged that all of us have experienced moments on a golf course when things just go wrong and nothing works out. Here are three simple steps Dr. McCabe claims we can use to manage “Performance Riptides”.
1. Recognize the “Riptide”
The first step in managing the performance riptide on the golf course is to recognize when “you are caught in one”. He says, “It’s easy to ignore the early signs but once you’re aware, it’s easier to take control”. His key is to acknowledge that you are in a bad place so you don’t make the situation worse by reacting compulsively. He says, “Recognizing when you are in a bad riptide allows you to make a strategic plan to move forward.
2. Take A Deep Breath and Reassess
It’s natural to want to fix things immediately, but reacting out of frustration or panic can lead to more mistakes. Take a moment to slow down
and “clear your mind”. In golf he explains, “This might take a few deep breaths between shots. By calming down, you’ll be able to reassess the situation and evaluate your next move logically rather than emotionally”. This step regains your control and avoids the trap of compounding mistakes.
3. Make a Plan and Execute Without Regret
After you clear your mind, it’s time to take action. Whether it’s making a “safer shot” or adjusting your alignment, the key is to take action with confidence and without second guessing yourself. Even if things don’t straighten out immediately, making small improvements can keep you focused on your goal…”Progress, not Perfection”.
Although Dr. McCabe makes his “Mental” thoughts clear and believable, he did not offer any “Physical” options to get you back on track. Please consider trying the two I recommend… choke down on your grip and take a shorter back swing to simply make good contact with the ball again.
All of us have had bad days on the golf course. In fact, we only have a “really good day” only about once every 5 times we play. A “really bad day” happens about once every 5 times also. The other 3 days are “acceptable”. That’s golf folks…that’s also life.
“Sometimes the biggest problem is in your head. You’ve got to believe”…Jack Nicklaus “I smile at obstacles”…Tiger Woods
“I believe in positive thinking”…Annika Sorenstam
“When you doubt your power, you give power to your doubt”…Unknown Author…Your thoughts and habits will always be what you feed
Eagle Newspapers is here to help readers share their milestone celebrations, including birth announcements, engagements, weddings, anniversaries and milestone birthdays. The deadline to submit an announcement is 10 a.m. the Friday before publication. Announcements of up to 250 words with a photo cost just $50, with an additional 15 cents per word over 250 words. Announcements will be posted to eaglenewsonline.com within 24 hours of receipt of payment. To submit a milestone announcement, email Alyssa Dearborn at adearborn@eaglenewsonline.com, or call 315.434.8889 ext. 305.
