JAzz-N-CAz rEturNs for 23rd yEAr
SUBMITTED PHOTOS
the 23rd Jazz-N-Caz festival is scheduled for sept. 10-13.
By KAtE HILL STAFF WRITER
The popular Jazz-N-Caz festival will return for its 23rd year from Sept. 10-13 at various venues throughout the Cazenovia community.
The performances are free and open to the public thanks to the event’s main sponsor, Nascentia Health.
Colleen Prossner founded the festival over two decades ago as an employee of Cazenovia College. She has been producing it as a volunteer in conjunction with CazArts — the event’s new home — since the college closed in 2023.
“I have turned it into ‘Jazz-NCaz on the move throughout Cazenovia’ — 10 locations, 14 bands, and 65 musicians over four days,” said Prossner. “When I started this event back in 2002, I wanted to bring world-class musicians to Cazenovia, and we have had our share of stellar musicians. I am focusing on local and regional artists this year, with Gap Mangione
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SUBMITTED PHOTOS
the Cazenovia Preservation foundation will present its popular Music in the Meadow event on friday, Aug. 15, at Critz farms.
By KAtE HILL STAFF WRITER
School board welcomes new member
Caz bOE receives merger study grant, donation for two clubs
By KAtE HILL STAFF WRITER
On Aug. 11, the Cazenovia Central School District Board of Education (CCSD BOE) adopted a resolution to appoint Jeff Dewan to the board for a term expiring on June 30, 2026.
Dewan has filled a seat that was left vacant when the district accepted Meghan Kelly’s resignation from the BOE on June 18. She had one year remaining in her three-year term.
The board discussed how to fill the vacancy during its July 1 annual organizational board meeting. After acknowledging that holding another public election would cost the district at least $5,000 and that the board would be within its rights to appoint a new member, the BOE determined that the best path forward would be to advertise and accept applications for the board seat. Applications were accepted through July 31, 2025, and interviews were held with the applicants.
“It was an unbelievable process for us because we had so much interest in the position, which was fantastic,” said BOE President Judith Hight. “There was a
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Cazenovia Preservation Foundation’s (CPF) popular Music in the Meadow fundraiser will return on Friday, Aug. 15, in a new location. This year’s event will be held at Critz Farms and will feature a sunset picnic and a live performance by The Syracuse Orchestra String Quartet. The picnic area will open at 5:30 p.m., and the music will begin promptly at 7 p.m.
Attendees are invited to pre-order a picnic from The Brewster Inn or pack their own and bring lawn chairs or blankets. Event volunteers will be available to assist with carrying picnic gear. Transportation will also be available to help
individuals with mobility issues get from the parking area to the picnic and seating area. A selection of beer, cider, and New York State wine will be available for purchase. Due to Critz Farms’ liquor license, outside alcohol is not permitted on the premises. A rain date is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 17. Tickets are $20 for ages 13 and older and free for children ages 12 and under. CPF strives to protect the historic, agricultural, and natural resources surrounding Ca -
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Wheeler honored with service award
Former Cazenovia track and cross country Coach Kurt Wheeler was honored on June 4 for outstanding service to the Onondaga High School League and the youth of Central New York.
Wheeler, who coached and taught at Cazenovia High School for 28 years was recognized for his contributions in athletics and in the community.
Wheeler coached a team during 81 of the 84 seasons he was employed at Cazenovia, missing time only for a deployment to Iraq as a Marine reservist.
During that span, his cross country, indoor track and spring track teams earned 20 sectional championships and 27 league championships and exceptional win-loss records.
Cazenovia Athletic Director Mike Byrnes presented the award on behalf of the league, noting not only Wheeler’s role in athletics, but in his community, where he has served as a trustee or mayor for 20 years.
Byrnes also noted the positive culture fostered on Wheeler’s teams, which were widely known for their unity and team spirit.
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Gaspare “Gap” Mangione, 87,
Rochesterborn jazz pianist, composer, arranger, and bandleader. He is the older brother of Grammy-winning musician Chuck Mangione, who passed away last month.
Prossner sits on the CazArts board and has served as vice president of communications and development for Nascentia Health since leaving Cazenovia College.
“Our CEO, Kate Rolf, believes in supporting the arts,” Prossner said regarding Nascentia’s support of Jazz-N-Caz.
Additional sponsors of the 2025 festival are Bob and Bobbie Constable; Dave Muraco/Empire Management of CNY, Inc.; Eric Burrell/Limestone Creek Properties; Assemblyman Al Stirpe; Carol and Craig Buckhout; Cazenovia Jewelry; Community Bank; Prossner; Adam Harden; Sharye Skinner; and Cindy Haaf Murphy.
The festival is also possible due to the support of the Village of Cazenovia and the Cazenovia Police Department.
“Many great community members have agreed to sponsor the event,” said Prossner. “. . . It is wonderful to have all the restaurants, businesses, and stores excited to welcome the bands and people into their establishments. Everyone has been wonderful.”
To view the full Jazz-N-Caz schedule, visit cazarts. com.
MEEt BIrdIE
By doNNA NEWMAN
PHOTO By DOnnA nEWMAn
Birdie is a beauty, inside and out. this bulldog mix is about a year old. she loves everyone and is dog friendly. she is very unique; she has complete heterochromia, which means she has two different colored eyes. Just part of what makes her so special. If you’re looking for a dog with a heart of gold and a twinkle in her blue - and brown! - eye - take the time to meet Birdie! Not in the position to adopt? No worries! We’re always in the need of fosters who can give dogs a break from shelter life. Our dedicated staff would love to match you with a dog compatible with your lifestyle. In order to adopt, you must fill out an application, pay an adoption fee, and have your pets up to date on their rabies vaccines. All adopted cats and dogs are spayed or neutered, microchipped, and up-to-date on their vaccinations before they go home. the CNy sPCA is located at 5878 East Molloy road, syracuse. for more information about adoption, call 315-454-4479, email frontdesk2@ cnyspca.org or visit cnyspca.org.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Cazenovia Athletic director Mike Byrnes presents recently retired Coach Kurt Wheeler with an oHsL service Award for outstanding service to the youth of Central New york.
CNYSPCA PET OF THE WEEK
Bonnie H. McCabe, 74
Taught math, founded CliC
Bonnie H. McCabe, born April 8, 1951, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer.
She left the world after spending her final days with her husband, John; her sons, Brian and David; her dogs, Abby and Zoe; and a loving community of friends who brought enormous comfort to her in the final stages of life.
Raised in Scarsdale, N.Y., Bonnie attended the University of Rochester, where she met her husband of nearly 50 years, John.
She taught math at FayettevilleManlius High School and, even after leaving the classroom to start a family, never gave up her love of teaching. She continued to educate and mentor through tutoring and the Community Learning and Information Center (CLIC) in Manlius, which she founded.
Anyone following Bonnie’s Facebook page knew the joy she found in everyday life. She travelled the world, preferably by cruise ship, and was quick to meet new people and share the tales of her travels with her Facebook community. Her family will miss those posts, but forever delight in their memory. As she experienced new things and different cultures, especially on her travels,
OBITUARIES
she found enormous joy in the world around her.
Back at home, she was an exceptional host, regularly entertaining friends and throwing parties at her house in Cazenovia. There could never be too many people at a party she threw.
Bonnie found enormous satisfaction in her work throughout the community.
She was devoted to the Advocates for Upstate Medical University, the Food Pantry of Madison County (Caz Cares) and the Temple Society of Concord Food Pantry, the ABetter Chance (ABC) Program in Manlius, the Cazenovia Garden Club, and many other groups.
Early on, she was active in the Fayetteville-Manlius Parent-Teacher Association – much to the dismay of her children at the time, although they embraced her community spirit later in life.
She lovingly and enthusiastically organized a weekly sewing group to make pillowcases for people in the hospital, at the Rescue Mission, at Ronald McDonald House, through Sleep in Heavenly Peace and elsewhere. Over the years, their pillowcases brought comfort to more than 28,000 people. Suffice it to stay that if you needed a helping hand, Bonnie was there to selflessly lend one.
She also loved music of all types. After many years of neglect, she
dusted off her childhood violin and organized a string quartet which practiced every week at her home, even during the dark days of COVID. They were always willing to share their music with others at community and charity events. She was also an active participant in the New Horizons community orchestra.
Bonnie was an avid fan of Syracuse basketball, eventually earning the nickname Coach Bonheim for her armchair coaching of the team. In time, she would come to adopt the moniker as her Instagram handle. Although she never loved anyone more fiercely than she loved her family, Gerry McNamara of the 2003 Syracuse Championship squad came close.
On earth, she leaves behind a family grateful for her boundless, unconditional love – although unprepared to deal with the food that remains in the pantry and freezer. She was adored, if sometimes agitated by, her husband, John and her sons, Brian and David. She also leaves behind a brother, Ron; a daughter-in-law, Jill; and two grandchildren who lit up her life, Connor and Charlotte. Wherever she goes next, she joins her eldest son, Kevin, and her parents, Carol and Ben, who predeceased her.
Weeks before she passed, she insisted that she didn’t want anyone to fuss over her – but she’s not here anymore. She spent a life fussing
over other people, and in her honor, if Bonnie meant something to you, if she touched your life, or if you’d just like to fuss over her, her family invites you to a celebration at her home in Cazenovia on Saturday, Aug. 16, beginning at 1 p.m. with a short program at 2 p.m. Too much food and drink will be served. As she always said “just come, you don’t need to bring anything.”
Donations in Bonnie’s memory can be directed to CazCares ( cazcares.or g ), or the Cazenovia Garden Club (PO Box 54, Cazenovia, NY 13035) sisskindfuneralservice.co m
Bonnie H. McCabe
OuR vOiCE
At the fair
The countdown is officially on.
In just about a week the 2025 New York State Fair will open the gates to visitors from across the state and often from out of state as well. Is it the rides?
Or maybe it is the food?
Or maybe it is the live entertainment? Maybe it is the cows, sheep, chickens and other assorted animals?
Maybe it is something else altogether?
Or maybe it is a combination of all of the above and many other things that aren’t even on this list?
Whatever the reasons are many of us and thousands of others from across the state and beyond, will be spending some time at the Great New York State Fair over the next few weeks.
And while many of us don’t like to see summer coming to an end, the fair is a staple, a tradition.
It is a tradition that for many marks the last weeks of the summer season and it gives us the opportunity to enjoy a number of attractions and activities and highlight some of the best things our state has to offer, from food and entertainment to agriculture and everything in between.
The fair has a long and rich history and it has become New York’s largest annual event and tradition for hundreds of thousands of families from all corners of the state.
The first fair took place in Syracuse in 1841 and by 1890 had made Syracuse its permanent home.
It is the oldest and one of the largest state fairs in the United States, with nearly one million visitors annually and more than a million in 2018 when attendance hit about 1.2 million people.
The idea of the fair goes back a few years prior to 1841 when in February of 1832, the New York State Agricultural Society was founded in Albany by a group of farmers, legislators, and others to promote agricultural improvement and local fairs.
The nation’s first state fair was later held in Syracuse from Sept. 29 to 30, 1841. Attendance was estimated at 10,000 to 15,000 and features included speeches, animal exhibits, a plowing contest, and samples of manufactured farm and home goods.
In the ensuing years prior to 1890, the fair moved to various cities across the state.
The second New York State Fair was held in Albany in 1842.
Between 1842 and 1889, the fair traveled among 11 different cities: Albany, Auburn, Buffalo, Elmira, New York City, Poughkeepsie, Rochester, Saratoga Springs, Syracuse, Utica and Watertown.
In September 1890, the Syracuse Land Company donated a 100-acre tract of land in Geddes to the Agricultural Society.
Crossed by railways that facilitated exhibit transport, the Onondaga County location became the fair’s permanent home.
In the late 1890s, The Agricultural Society turned to state government for relief from debt due to the construction of permanent buildings on the site.
The state purchased the grounds in 1899, and assumed management of the fair the next year, creating an 11-member State Fair Commission appointed by the governor.
Over the next few decades, changes took place that helped shape the fair and fairgrounds as we now know them with the addition of structures like the Center of Progress Building and the Dairy Building and most recently more changes took place beginning in 2015 with a focus on the Expo Center.
But as the fair and its grounds have changed and grown, the mission has remained largely the same, highlight and share the best of New York State.
So whether it is a concert at Chevy Court, bringing the kids for a day of rides and games or a night out to enjoy some drinks and food, take some time to enjoy the Great New York State Fair.
CoMPLAINt dEPArtMENt: LEAvE A NotE.
I complain a lot. Lately, too much. For the last month or so, I have averaged about three to four hours of sleep a night and I am not impressed with the me that I see in the mirror. Ugh. Why? I’ll tell you why. Let’s start with the easiest part.
Among my many failings is the idiocy of confusing right and left. I modified the effect of this shortcoming by getting married. My engagement and wedding rings tell me which hand is my left. Of course, then I did put two rings on my right hand and so when I am making a decision that involves right or left, I am treading on thin ice. This is why I always add an extra half an hour to find a place where I have never been before. An exploratory trip to Baldwinsville, which should take a half hour, took an hour yesterday.
Overshadowing the stressors in my pantheon of problems is the changes that are happening to what I learned and taught about our federal government … as our Constitution, checks and balances, the rule of law, habeas corpus and common decency and basic morality take a back seat to the consolidation of power in the executive branch of the government. At my age one would think, hey, you won’t be around much longer, so why do you care? I have children and grandchildren and I worry for them and the children and grandchildren of all of us oldsters who cherish the rights and privileges guaranteed by the Constitution and the laws of the land. As we experience the attempt to rewrite our history, we should remember that the American Revolution and our involvement in World War II were not fought to provide fodder for great movies but to move away from autocracies.
There are more pedestrian worries that add to my
Ramblings from the empty nest
Ann Ferro
anxiety. I live in a house with a long list of things that need being fixed, things that seem to stump the experts, e.g. why do the three lights that flicker annoyingly every day remain solidly glowing when the electrician is there? How many times can you open a double-hung window when one of the chords has broken or take a bath when the faucet is broken? I have a list taped to the inside of a kitchen cupboard that has been there for 30 years. I’ve crossed off five and added 20. No, 21 … who is going to clean out the gutters before winter?
And, too, there are the ordinary things that happen to your body as you age, often shrugged off as “aches and pains” … which really do need renaming as something more aggressive, all in caps. These aches and pains make accomplishing most anything that used to take 10 minutes expand to at least a half an hour or more…. which is why there are dust kangaroos living under some of the furniture and cobwebs that have become part of my décor and windows you can’t see through. Last week it took me three hours to wash, iron and rehang the curtains in the family room. Five years ago, that was an hour job. And don’t look at my garden …if you can see anything over the weeds. Vertigo is a bitch and I won’t say anything about arthritis or the fallout of a botched hip replacement. And what happens when the remote to the TV becomes lost? Why can’t there just be an on /off button and a dial? Why? What happens when the washer won’t drain or the basement starts to flood when it rains or the bed -
Years Ago in History
By CINdy BELL toBEy
135 years Ago – Aug. 14, 1890
George Shutes teams hauled in five big loads of wooden horses and other strange paraphernalia belonging to a merry-go-round, Monday night. It is now put up and in active operation on the ball ground and juvenile Cazenovia is consequently happy. The merry-go-round came from Fayetteville where it had been established for a few days past. It will remain in Cazenovia for one week only.
125 years Ago – Aug. 16, 1900
There is again renewed talk of extension of the Syracuse and Suburban railway through Buelville, Oran and Delphi to DeRuyter. The merchants of Syracuse are aware that a large amount of trade in DeRuyter and vicinity goes to Cortland and a large amount in this place and vicinity goes to DeRuyter and taking these facts into consideration, they are now taking steps to influence the company to extend the route as it would be a great benefit to them as well as the merchants. Certain parties have now commenced to canvass the consent of the taxpayers along the proposed route for the Syracuse merchants and if the same meets with encouragement no doubt some decisive action will be taken.
115 years Ago – Aug. 11, 1910
The advent of the Cazenovia Autumn Colony commenced about Aug 1st, the location being about one and one half or two miles in the direction toward where the sun rises. The number of individuals present the day that
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rooms need painting?
In our house, we both used to share the “in charge” position which has now become all mine. I didn’t ask for it or want it, but Alzheimer’s has created the situation where all of the problems that I used to assign to my spouse are now mine. No more Honey Do list…it’s all my “to do” list. As I am sitting here typing, I am mentally grousing about how I can get the trash out for tomorrow’s pickup and figuring out how to get 30 pounds of cat food into the cellar when, in my fantasy, I should be out in the garden or lying on a beach drinking a margarita. And the piece de resistance of all of these failings, problems, events, necessities, etc. that keep me up at night … ah, yes, add insomnia to the list … is my feeling of inadequacy. I used to be able to get things done! Outrageously pitiful. Woe is me!
Good Lord, I know that I am not special. My own mother had to honcho the house and the income after my Dad was felled by TB, coronary heart disease and emphysema and we heated with coal.
I keep remembering that she had to move the ashes out to the street and shovel coal into the furnace. Come to think of it, the same was true for my maternal grandmother. So, what did I learn from them?
Ok, I observed that you can’t shoot for excellent. Good is good enough and sometimes fair is an accomplishment. Some things need to be written off. I saw both of these women defer their own wants in favor of family and, while that is admirable, I wish that I could have lightened the burdens they faced … and truthfully I did help both, especially my mother, which is a good thing and puts some stars on my chart. But that was a lifetime ago when I was very
FROM THE MAILBAG
Call it what it is
To the editor:
We are living under an authoritarian regime. Let’s call it what it is and speak out against it! On Aug. 1 the Bureau of Labor Statistics released their jobs report which revealed that hiring had slowed down significantly over the past three months. President Donald Trump responded on Truth Social that, “In my opinion, today’s Jobs Numbers were RIGGED in order to make the Republicans, and ME, look bad.” He made his claims without evidence, and then proceeded to fire Dr. Erika McEntarfer, the commissioner of labor statistics. For context, McEntarfer was overwhelmingly confirmed by the Senate in January 2024 by a vote of 86-8, which included the support of JD Vance.
This firing is among countless unchecked actions taken by this administration to overhaul our constitutional democracy. It has not been adequately covered by the media or spoken about enough. This action is part of Donald Trump’s manipulation of his image to cover up the realities of the damage to our economy, job market, and functions of our democracy.
This is trademark authoritarian behavior. Our president has been given unchecked power to
young, had strength, could fall asleep standing up and had fewer of those aches and pains. I also noted that my mother and grandmother found joy in their own ways, maybe not the ways I might find a respite, some joy, some release from the daily straws that assault this camel’s back. I guess I will have to reevaluate what needs to be addressed on any given day, set a goal or two and work toward each without the requirement that I reach either … leaving time and space for whatever I need for me and my spouse, whose needs grow each day. I truly have been blessed with two wonderful children who, even with their own careers, families and civic responsibilities, help as often and far more often than I could ever expect. Getting outside myself is a must. I have to reimagine, decisively plan how we will face each day and not “sweat the small stuff.” Of course, I do have to define what the small stuff is.
Sharing time with friends has to happen. Should I have a root beer and ice cream float party on the porch? Should I rejoin Weight Watchers? Go play miniature golf? Should I keep a freshly-baked item under the cake saver every day? Can I get to the library to browse? Should I postpone housework, fixing things? Should I just stand by a window, sadly looking out and feeling sorry for myself?
Gads…I don’t know but I am working on it. Hold my hand as I work through this.
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.
eliminate experts he disagrees with at apolitical entities such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics. We are all in trouble.
We have a crisis of leadership in Washington. The Trump administration is more concerned with its image than for providing for its citizens. They care more about making the top 1% richer than helping average hardworking Americans get access to basic needs such as jobs, housing and healthcare. Trump rules by fear and coercive compliance while failing to take responsibility for facts that do not flatter him and realities that make him look bad.
This is precisely what authoritarian regimes do. They silence critics. They demand blind and complete obedience. They intimidate in order to create the illusion of political support. They twist facts and blame others rather than doing the hard, complicated work of governing. Real leadership involves reflection and having the humility to consult experts when things are not going well. It involves being accountable, and working to address issues, such as our high unemployment rate, that affect our quality of life.
Donald Trump fired the messenger, Erika McEntarfer. He presumably will replace her with someone who will provide false
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Do we welcome the world now?
Venezuela will, indeed, be part of the Little League World Series.
But when ESPN shines its cameras on the 10 to 12 year olds from South America remember that a week earlier there was a chance they would not have even got to Williamsport for this oncein-a-lifetime experience.
You see, there’s this thing called a travel ban. It extended to all Venezuelans, no matter their reason for coming to the United States.
It kept an older (age 13-16) Venezuelan youth team from playing in another international tournament in South Carolina.
It required the ire of St. Louis Cardinals star Willson Contreras, the intervention of a U.S. Senator and a personal signature from Secretary of State Marco Rubio to get these Venezuelans a so-called “national exemption” and their visas.
Oh, great.
Somehow it should not take this sort of trouble for anyone wanting to travel to this country.
They all say it’s to keep out criminals. Only problem is that approximately 99.9 percent of the rejected have no serious criminal history.
This crackdown, motivated only by politics and driven by hatred of The Other, has taken hold less than a year before the World Cup comes to North America and three years before the Summer Olympics centers itself in Los Angeles.
Logic would dictate that Americans would like to show their best and most optimistic face to the global sports community and prove that, just as was the case for most of its history, this is a land of great opportunity for immigrants from all shores.
Random Thoughts
Phil blackwell
Yet that’s not the face we show now.
All of it is about anger and fear, a scowl instead of a smile, a forearm shiver instead of a warm embrace.
Or at least that is the perception of us around the planet and perceptions, once implemented and reinforced, are difficult to turn around.
And it’s not just external forces which we want to turn away.
Within our borders anyone not rich or privileged or connected or the right skin color or the proper religious affiliation feels scared and vulnerable.
The treatment of LGBTQ+ is even worse, across the board. Trans people are slowly getting stripped of their rights and dignity, and the few who have turned to sports as a way to belong are demonized, their families and their schools subjected to bathroom checks and outright bans.
As always with all things American, the rest of the world pays close attention to our words and our deeds.
They hear about our ideals, our freedoms, our Constitution, and want it for themselves, especially when we preach to them about how exceptional and special we are.
They also listened closely when many Americans blasted FIFA for putting the World Cup in Russia and Qatar, places of severe human rights abuses, and did the same to the IOC for going to China for both their summer and winter Olympics.
Those criticisms only
mean something when we’re consistent with those values at home.
Instead it’s a steady diet of hypocrisies lived out each day, to the point of treating youth baseball teams from Latin America as convicted felons.
Too often in history leaders have seen international sporting events as chances to showcase and feature themselves (Berlin, 1936) or hide the oppression going on against dissenters, as Argentina did during the World Cup it hosted in 1978.
There’s already broad hints of it now in our land. Whether it was the Super Bowl in February or the Club World Cup FIFA staged in a broiling hot summer, self-glorification ran right alongside the athletes who should have received all the glory.
Heaven forbid this happens in Williamsport.
The kids who play in the Little League World Series all share the same living quarters (away from overeager parents) and interact in the best way possible with game rooms and other fun activities.
They get along.
What happens on the diamond gets quickly forgotten. International spirit and friendship prevail.
Venezuela’s best will get this wonderful experience when once it was threatened by ugly politics.
Which makes you root for them even more, if only to stick it to the crowd who believes this country belongs only to their kind and to keep them from trying to ruin bigger events down the road.
Phil Blackwell is sports editor at Eagle News. He can be reached at pblackwell@ eaglenewsonline.com.
We deserve truth and accountability from our
continue to demand it! CHArLEs
Pretzel logic
To the editor:
I had to marvel at the pretzel logic in the Aug. 6 letter to the editor by Bill Snow of Erieville titled, “I say thank you.”
Mr. Snow starts by thanking Madison County sheriff’s deputies for risking their lives every day in keeping residents safe. Who can argue with that?
But then Mr. Snow takes a giant leap and conflates a list of horrific crimes to immigration, insinuating that immigrants are the ones who want to “steal, rape and pillage the innocent.”
My hunch is that Mr. Snow gets his “information” from sources like a certain cable news network that had to pay $787 million for knowingly spreading outright lies about election interference.
Let’s look at some hard data, also known as facts.
“A growing volume of research demonstrates that not only do immigrants commit fewer crimes, but they also do not raise crime rates in the U.S. communities where they settle. In fact, some studies indicate that immigration can lower criminal activity, especially violent crime, in places with inclusive policies and social environments where immigrant populations are well established.”
— Migration Policy Institute, October 2024.
“Substantial research has assessed the relationship between immigration and crime. Numerous studies show that immigration is not linked to higher levels of crime, but rather the opposite.”
— Brennan Center for Justice, May 2024.
I also want to remind Mr. Snow and others who “back the blue” and pledge allegiance to the current occupant of the White House, of the sordid events of Jan. 6, 2021. Have you all forgotten the assault on police officers defending the Capitol, and those officers who died as a result of the violence perpetrated by a mob of “patriots,” mostly white men? It was not exactly “legitimate political discourse” or “a day of love,” as the president and his MAGA sycophants have described.
So please, Mr. Snow, educate yourself with facts instead of relying on the “terror of the anecdote.”
But if anecdotes are your thing, you can find a fairly decent sample size of horrific crimes by searching “child pornography and rape” on Syracuse.com.
Check out the mugshots. What do you see?
JIM MCKEEvEr
zenovia for the benefit of the community. Proceeds from ticket sales and sponsorships for Music in the Meadow will support CPF’s ongoing land conservation, historic preservation, and land and trail stewardship work.
Critz Farms is located at 3232 Rippleton Rd. in Cazenovia.
First-generation farmers Matthew and Juanita Critz established the business in 1985 as a Christmas tree operation.
It has since evolved into a multifaceted agritourism institution known for its seasonal celebrations, handcrafted beverages, and commitment to local traditions.
CPF acquired a conservation easement on 241 acres of the farm in 2009, ensuring that the land will remain forever development-free and available for agricultural purposes.
A conservation easement is a voluntary, legal agreement between a property owner and a qualified organization, such as a land trust, that permanently restricts certain activities on the land to protect its conservation value.
Landowners can continue to own and use their land and then eventually sell or pass it on to their heirs; however, the easement transfers with the land to future owners.
“We have been thrilled at the community’s response to CPF’s annual Music in the Meadow event, now in its fourth year,” said CPF Board President David Gerber. “We’ve enjoyed being able to host this event at a variety of different conservation properties over the years, showcasing a range of conservation values. We are very grateful to Matt and Juanita Critz for hosting this year’s concert, which represents the first time that we’ve held the event on a working farm.”
Acquiring the Critz Farms easement was the first project to be completed by CPF through the New York State Farmland Protection Implementation Grants (FPIG) Program. The farm was also the first in
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your correspondent visited them was about 125 with more to arrive as soon as storage room can be provided for them. Each individual even the smallest sized ones are provided with a pair of
Madison County to be conserved under the program.
“Since the time of the placement of the easement, several changes have been made to the property, as the operation has diversified its operations and grown its agrotourism business,” said CPF Executive Director Jen Wong. “This has included the addition of a petting area barn, construction of the cider house, patio, and a subsequent warehouse addition to the cider house. CPF’s South Trail crosses through the property, and, in recent years, Critz Farms has developed some additional intersecting walking trails on its property, including the Trillium Trail, that provide excellent opportunities for observing spring wildflowers.”
The FPIG program provides financial assistance to counties, municipalities, soil and water conservation districts, and land trusts to enable them to implement farmland protection activities consistent with local agricultural and farmland protection plans.
hands large enough to grasp a bean pod as their mission here is to pick beans for the Cazenovia Canning company. The extent of territory which they are scheduled to pick, over 50 acres. The country seats provided for the autumn guests from Italy are not skyscrapers or four-story tenement residences but are
The most frequently funded activity is the purchase of development rights on individual farms. The program is funded through NYS’s Environmental Protection Fund and managed by the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets.
“Purchase of development rights programs, such as the FPIG program, incentivize the protection of working agricultural lands to protect the highest quality farmland soils for future agricultural use,” explained Wong. “When farmers participate in these programs, they are compensated for a portion of the value of the development rights on their farm, providing working capital to expand or diversify their operations, transition the ownership and management of the farm to the next generation, or provide some financial security.”
According to Wong, CPF has placed over 3,100 acres of local farmland under protection, with nearly 2,000 protected through the FPIG program.
humble shingle-roofed cottages very much resembling in outside appearance the structure erected by farmers and poultry men as winter quarters for their hens and chickens.
105 years Ago – Aug. 12, 1920
A toy sail boat has been attracting
The organization is currently preparing applications to conserve approximately 1,000 additional acres of local farmland through the next round of the program.
To learn more about CPF and its work, and to purchase tickets to Music in the Meadow, visit cazpreservation.org.
CP f Photography Contest
Aug. 15 is also the final day for submissions to the 2025 CPF Community Photography Contest.
The theme this year is “Capturing the Essence of Our Community.”
Photographers of all ages and skill levels are invited to submit up to five of their best photos of CPF trails, properties, nature, historical architecture, farm landscapes, aerial scenes, or drone photography. All submitted photographs must have been taken within Cazenovia or the surrounding area.
For additional concert details, visit cazpreservation.org/events/ photography-contest-2025.
considerable attention on the lake the last few days. It was built by Chris Espenas for his son, Paul. It is perfect in its dimensions. It sails all over the lower end of the lake followed by the boys in a canoe. Mr. Espenas before coming to Cazenovia spent many years on the ocean as a seaman.
SUBMITTED PHOTOS
the Cazenovia Preservation foundation will present its popular Music in the Meadow event on friday, Aug. 15, at Critz farms.
Community Memorial hosts annual golf tournament
The ninth annual Mike Martin Memorial Golf Tournament hosted by the Foundation of Community Memorial (CMH) in support of the hospital was held Monday, July 28.
As the only fundraising event of the organization, the proceeds from the competition and supporting sponsors are again dedicated towards the capital project currently underway at Community Memorial Hospital, transforming more than half the facility as the organization is currently in the second phase of the project.
Almost 130 golfers attended the event, held at the beautiful and challenging Seven Oaks Golf Course of Colgate University in Hamilton.
With the sun high and the weather nearing 90 degrees, players teed off after a brief welcome at noon.
After the golfers completed their game, a delicious awards dinner was hosted at the Hamilton Inn on East Lake Road near the course.
Four teams were awarded: 1st place went to Team Mark McCormick; 2nd went to Team Ron Joyce; 3rd was awarded to Team Cody Herbert, and 13th, in honor of CMH neighbor Colgate University, went to Team Craig Brundage.
This event was named to remember a long-time and dedicated volunteer, Mike Martin, who was sadly lost to the community in October 2016. Deeply committed to the Hamilton area, Martin served on the board of the Community Memorial Foundation and chaired the tournament in its very successful inaugural year.
The tournament recognizes his leadership skills, commitment to the hospital and the local community, and wonderful personality. Martin, a 1964 graduate of Rome Free Academy and Colgate University class of 1969,
served on several local committees spearheading economic initiatives and was an active volunteer for Colgate University as trustee and President of the Alumni Council.
“I’ve played in this tournament for many years, and each year offers a great event,” stated Robert Tenney, CMH Foundation Board Chair. “Every dollar raised is meaningful, and It’s an honor to see the support of our local health system, which is essential to our community.”
The event raised more than $123,000 in its ninth year and was supported by lead sponsors The Hayner Hoyt Corporation, SCP Health, The Martin Family, and The Bonadio Group and BPAS. For a complete list of the event sponsors, along with event photos, please visit communitymemorial.org/foundation/golf-tournament/
The transformational project of CMH has already successfully completed the inpatient wing with private patient rooms, along with a new and expanded Emergency Room, as part of the largest capital project since its inception in 1952.
Most recently, the brand-new Radiology Department opened, offering an expanded care space with state-of-the-art technology. To learn more about the project details or to support, please visit communitymemorial.org/ foundation/capital-campaign/
For over 70 years, Community Memorial Hospital’s mission has been to provide quality and caring healthcare to thousands of patients throughout nearly 30 Central New York communities in Madison County and beyond. Community Memorial also offers primary care in six locations (Hamilton, Cazenovia, Morrisville, Munnsville, Sherrill and Waterville) and warmly welcomes patients for all services, including specialty care. Regularly check the ‘News and Events’ section of the website for the latest updates as services
continue to expand.
To learn more about any of the Commu-
Club fitting 101… Glossary of terms
Have you ever had a golf tting? Do you understand what all of the numbers mean? Did it improve your golf game?
Did you understand the terms your tter used to explain your swing tendencies? Did it help you select the clubs you currently play? ese de nitions will help you understand “why” it is important for you to become more educated about your golf game. In a few weeks you will be able to use this knowledge to hopefully lower your scores.
De nition of Terms:
* CLUBHEAD SPEED - Is the speed (MPH) you swing your club at the moment you make contact (impact) with the ball.
Is it Important? - Yes, it is important. e faster you swing your club is a factor in determining how far you should hit your ball when making solid contact. Driver Speed - Super Senior…6070 MPH…Senior…70-80 MPH…80-90 MPH… Average Amateur…90-100 MPH…PGA Tour Average…113 MPH.
* BALL SPEED - Is determined by how fast the ball leaves the club face of your golf club when you make contact.
It is important because it is one of the critical factors in determining how far you can hit the ball.
* SMASH FACTOR - Your Smash Factor is determined by dividing your ball speed by your clubhead speed. e number shows how pro ciently you are transferring energy to your ball. A smash factor of 1.45 - 1.50 is excellent with a driver…1.30 - 1.35 with a 7 iron and 1.20 - 1.25 with a wedge.
* LAUNCH ANGLE - It is the angle your ball bounces o the face of your club. Launch angle identi es how high your shots y. When using your driver, a launch angle of 13-15 degrees is considered excellent. A launch angle of 10 or below is considered low and won’t carry very far. If the number is 18 or above with your driver, it is too high and might cause amateur golfers to loose distance.
* CLUB PATH - Your club path is the direction your club is swinging through impact based on your intended target. An “in-to-out” path might produce draws. An “out-to-in” path might result in producing fades or slices. Your club path assists in determining your shot shape.
* FACE ANGLE - Your face angle is where your club head is pointing when you make contact with the ball. If it is “Open”, your clubface is pointing right of target. If it is pointing “Closed”, your clubface is pointing le of your target. If it is “Square” to your target, it is pointing directly at your target. Face angle is important because it determines where you ball will go when to make contact.
* ANGLE OF ATTACK - is Is a measurement to determine if your club is moving upword or downward when you swing. A positive number means your hitting up on the ball… which is bene cial when hitting a driver. A negative number means you are hitting down. A descending swing with your irons is preferred for your irons.
* SPIN RATE - Spin rate is measured in revolutions per minute (RPM). Spin is important because it stabilizes your ball ight. Too much spin can cause your ball to go
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.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
The 2025 tournament winning team members Dan Ashcraft, Mark McCormick, Brian shea and Charlie Herzog.
