Jeff Kramer to discuss debut novel at the library
Cazenovia podcaster to conduct interview
BY KATE HILL STAFF WRITER
On Aug. 19 at 6 p.m., Cazenovia podcaster and psychotherapist Nicole Christina will interview long-time journalist Jeff Kramer about his new book, “Mud Season,” in Cazenovia Public Library’s Betsy Kennedy Community Room.
Kramer’s debut novel, tells the story of Woody Hackworth, a disgraced newspaper reporter and wannabe novelist.
“Resentful, bored, and looking for a way to get back at his ex-employer, Woody makes a fateful decision: to write an environmental thriller and post chapters online as he goes,” the book’s description states. “His novelin-progress gains traction in the gossipy snow-belt city of Icarus, New York, but not for reasons Woody wanted. His readers believe Woody is using his fiction to expose his in-laws and their successful family-owned construction business. With each new post, Woody’s domestic discord grows, but how can he stop now? He’s almost famous.”
Kramer, a Seattle native and graduate of Western Washington University, has lived with his family in Syracuse since 2003.
During his 35-year career, he worked as a newspaper reporter at The Los Angeles Times and The Boston Globe and as an award-winning humor columnist in Syracuse, suburban Boston, and Orange County, California.
“I always liked current events, even as a kid,” Kramer said about his entrance into newspaper writing. “I was a good writer in school, but unexceptional in math. I liked biology, but my frog dissection came out looking like pureed broccoli. By middle school, the
doors to a career in medicine or as a concert cellist were closing fast. Luckily, I had an ace in the hole — I was a big-time smart [aleck]. So, I became a humor columnist.”
Kramer recalled that after writing thousands of news stories and humor columns, most of which were between 500 and 700 words, he yearned to prove himself in a longer form.
Around 2004, he took a swing at an early version of Mud Season. About 70 pages in, however, he found himself bogged down by a “mechanical problem with the plot” and decided to take a break.
“Later, when I re-read what I wrote, I found myself captivated by the dialogue but less impressed by the prose,” he said. “I shared my concern with a friend. She suggested I try writing plays, which turned out to be the perfect fix for the novel. Avoidance. As it turned out, I was a pretty good playwright, and as the years stacked up, the plotting issues fixed themselves, and my prose improved. Who knows why?
SUBMITTED PHOTOS
Writing is weird.”
While living in Syracuse, Kramer has penned and produced three fulllength stage plays, one of which was performed at Cazenovia’s Catherine Cummings Theatre in 2017.
“They were among the best experiences of my life,” he said. “. . . Plays, however, are collaborative. The playwright shares credit — and criticism — with the many others who bring your words to life, and often make them better. A novel is different. Like a humor column, it’s a high-wire act. That intrigued me. Of course, I got lots of help along the way, but those enablers are now relegated to the acknowledgements page at the back, which no one will read unless they are in it. Let’s be clear here: This is my moment. Uh-oh. Now I sound like Woody.”
While Mud Season is a work of fiction, some aspects of the protagonist’s story are inspired by Kramer’s own experience marrying into a financially successful New York family.
According to Kramer, his late fa -
Madison County Sheriff’s Office partners with ICE
Democratic Committee urges him to reconsider
BY KATE HILL STAFF WRITER
The Madison County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) has partnered with the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) by enrolling in the agency’s 287(g) program.
Stemming from a provision of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, the 287(g) program authorizes ICE “to delegate to state and local law enforcement officers the authority to perform specified immigration officer functions under the agency’s direction and oversight.”
A memorandum of agreement (MOA) between ICE and the MCSO was signed by Madison County Sheriff Todd Hood on June 30 and finalized on July 2.
The sheriff’s office has chosen to participate in the “Warrant Service Officer” model of the program — one of the three types of agreements under 287(g), according to ICE’s website.
The Warrant Service Officer model provides legal authority to select state and local law enforcement officers to serve and execute civil immigration warrants on behalf of ICE within the confines of their local jails/correctional facilities.
Nominated Madison County Sheriff’s Department officers will receive ICE training, certification, and authorization to execute such administrative warrants.
The MOA explains that warrants will be served and executed on individuals incarcerated in the Madison County Jail at the time of their scheduled release from criminal custody in or-
der to transfer custody of the individual to ICE.
A MCSO press release specifies that individuals subject to the program’s provisions will have been independently incarcerated for violating New York State Penal Law, not for reasons related to their immigration status.
“The [law enforcement agency (LEA)] is expected to pursue to completion all criminal charges that caused the alien to be taken into custody and over which it has jurisdiction,” the MOA states. “ICE will assume custody of an alien only after said individual has been released from LEA custody.”
Upon transfer of custody to ICE, the individual will continue to be held in Madison County Jail for up to 48 hours until they are transported to an ICE field office or an immigration detention facility.
“[The MOA] allows us to serve a warrant of arrest, serve a warrant of removal, and to detain and transport,” Hood stated on July 29.
According to the sheriff’s office press release, MCSO officials anticipate that having deputies trained to serve these administrative warrants will ultimately limit immigrationrelated “at-large” arrests in the community, helping to ensure overall public safety.
Petition to rescind ICE partnership
After the MCSO announced its ICE partnership, the Madison County Democratic Committee launched a change.org petition titled “Urge Sheriff Hood to Rescind ICE Partnership.”
“Sheriff Hood himself has acknowledged that illegal immigration is not a significant issue in our county, yet he has committed to dedicating our valuable deputies to assist ICE,” the petition states. “Numerous news reports show that ICE is arresting immigrants who have no criminal histories, in many cases abduct-
ing and sending them to repulsive detention [camps] ‘by mistake.’ We don’t want the good men and women in the sheriff’s department taking part — in any way — with these operations. Our deputies should be focusing their efforts on serving county residents and ensuring our safety. ICE’s undercover tactics cultivate a climate of mistrust by preying on the vulnerable, breaking up families, and encouraging racial profiling.”
The petition, which had 366 signatures as of Aug. 1, also states that the MCSO’s decision to partner with ICE was made “without public input and apparently without consultation with the board of supervisors.”
On July 31, Tim O’Keeffe, the Madison County Democratic Committee communications chair, expressed that if the agreement is not rescinded, the committee urges the board of supervisors to monitor the sheriff’s ICErelated actions and provide oversight to ensure that the scope of the MOA does not expand and that county taxpayers are not “left on the hook” for any part of this collaboration.
“We really don’t want county money to be used for this kind of operation when there are significant needs in the county that are only going to get worse as these federal cutbacks take hold,” O’Keeffe said.
He also said the committee is interested in hearing whether the individual members of the board of supervisors think it is “right” for the sheriff to be moving his department in this direction.
“That’s one of the reasons we are urging some members to go to the [next board of supervisors] meeting — to respectfully ask that question,” he said. “We feel there is just so much more going on in our county, in terms of children losing access to free lunches, Med-
ther-in-law, Robert Neumann, bought a building materials warehouse in Syracuse in the early 1970s and, over the decades, expanded the modest business into a major regional supplier.
“After [we moved here], I began to wonder, ‘What if a marginally talented journalist son-in-law of a powerful local businessman started publishing things that his wife and in-laws, well, loathed?’ Kramer said. “From that premise, plus 20 years of procrastination, Mud Season was born. The irony is that my father-in-law was one of my biggest fans. Of course, we had occasional disagreements, but overall, he seemed to [enjoy] that my humor column had been transplanted from California and was now causing trouble in his town.”
Signed hardcover copies of Mud Season will be available for purchase, via cash or Venmo, at the library event, following Kramer’s conversation with Christina. Kramer and Christina have known
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9 Fresh gives former Caz College campus update, prepares for closing
BY KATE HILL STAFF WRITER
During the Aug. 4 Village of Cazenovia Board of Trustees meeting, Kate Brodock, founder and general partner of 9 Fresh, provided an update on the ongoing local effort to acquire and redevelop the former Cazenovia College campus.
9 Fresh is a team of local investors with a vision “to turn a oncevibrant academic institution into an equally as vibrant, reimagined district for innovation, business growth, and impact that not only strongly serves our community, but provides powerful global connections and influence.”
According to Brodock, the team is under contract to acquire the former campus and is looking forward to closing, potentially by the end of August.
9 Fresh will hold a working session with the village board on Monday, Aug. 25, at 6:30 p.m.
The Village of Cazenovia Planning Board, historic preservation/architectural review committee, and a representative from Madison County Planning will be invited to attend in an advisory role.
Campus l Page 5
Cazenovia podcaster Nicole Christina will interview journalist, playwright, and author Jeff Kramer about his new book, “Mud Season,” on Aug. 19 at the Cazenovia Public Library.
Lions Club thanks Fourth of July fireworks donors, partner organizations
BY KATE HILL STAFF WRITER
Earlier this summer, the Cazenovia Lions Club (CLC) celebrated the nation’s 249th birthday by presenting its annual Fourth of July fireworks display.
One of Cazenovia’s most anticipated traditions, the fireworks are launched from the southern shore of Cazenovia Lake and funded entirely by the community.
On July 31, CLC members gathered at Madison County Distillery to write thank-you notes to the event’s top 100 donors.
“The Cazenovia Lions Club sponsored another spectacular fireworks show on the Fourth of July,” said Mike Basla, the club’s president and owner of Madison County Distillery. “This is all made possible by the volunteer efforts of members in the club and the generous donations of community members.”
One of over 49,000 Lions Clubs worldwide, the CLC has a simple mission: to serve the Cazenovia community.
According to Basla, the club presents the Fourth of July fire -
works as “a gift to the community and the surrounding areas.”
Each year, CLC volunteers are responsible for advertising the fireworks; writing over 300 letters in May asking for donations; setting up a donation stand at the Cazenovia Farmers’ Market on six Saturdays; contracting with the fireworks company; working with the Town and Village of Cazenovia and Lorenzo State Historic Site to meet their permit and insurance authorization requirements; coordinating safety measures with the Cazenovia Area Volunteer Ambulance Corps (CAVAC), Cazenovia Police Department, Cazenovia Fire Department, Madison County Sheriff’s Department, and New York State Troopers; preparing Gypsy Bay for the fireworks setup; cleaning up Gypsy Bay the morning after the event; and recognizing donors.
“I can’t begin to guess the number of hours our club members dedicate to planning this event each year,” said Cazenovia Lion Nick Kagey.
According to Kagey, the CLC took over the fireworks show from The Brewster Inn roughly
17 years ago when it became too large and expensive for the business to continue managing on its own.
This year, the CLC’s fundraising efforts yielded a little over $22,000, Kagey reported.
“The cost of the fireworks alone is $16,000, [which goes] to Majestic Fireworks,” he said. “When we include other costs like advertising, postage, letters, envelopes, thank-you cards, and donations to our supporting organizations like CAVAC and Caz Fire Department, the all-in total cost is around $17,500 to $18,000 and climbing. In recent years, Majestic’s costs to put on the show have increased without an increase to the size of the show.”
Kagey also noted that the fireworks fundraising effort also serves as the club’s annual appeal. Donors can contribute exclusively to the fireworks or make unrestricted donations to support not only that event but also the many other initiatives the CLC funds.
“Regardless of the amount of unrestricted donations received, our policy is to designate at least enough funds to cover the entire cost of the show before support-
ing other Lions Club community services, projects, and activities,” he said.
Other CLC projects include vision screenings for local schoolchildren; eyeglass collection, repurposing, and distribution; the annual Cazenovia Easter Egg Hunt; and Cazenovia High
School Student of the Month and scholarship programs.
The club meets the first Thursday of each month, September through June, at 7 p.m. at The Brewster Inn. For more information, email cazlionsfoundation@ gmail.com or visit e-clubhouse. org/sites/cazenovia/.
Jewish Voice for Peace organizes documentary screening at the Pewter Spoon
Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) Syracuse is organizing a screening of the documentary “The Encampments” at the Pewter Spoon in Cazenovia on Sunday, Aug. 10, at 4:30 p.m.
The Anti-Racism Coalition of Cazenovia and Stone Quarry Art Park are also co-sponsoring the event.
“The Encampments, released in 2025, shows an inside perspective of the Columbia University students who set up a Gaza Solidarity Encampment on campus, aiming to pressure the university to divest from US and Israeli weapons companies,” said JVP Syracuse member Dana Carmeli, whose mother, Pat Carmeli, owns the Pewter Spoon.
lot of national attention when he was taken by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement outside of his home in New York City and was detained without criminal charge for over 100 days, missing the birth of he and his wife’s first child.”
“One of the main figures followed throughout the documentary is Palestinian organizer and US lawful permanent resident Mahmoud Khalil, who, since filming concluded, has gained a
STATE OF NEW YORK DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICE OFFICE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SITING AND ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION
Applicant: Hoffman Falls Wind, LLC c/o Meg Lee, Permitting Manager
Liberty Renewables Inc. 90 State Street, Albany, NY 12207
Phone: (860) 575-0680
Email: mlee@liberty-renewables.com
Facility Location: Towns of Fenner, Nelson, Eaton, and Smithfield, Madison County
Applicant’s Attorney: James A. Muscato II, Esq. Young / Sommer LLC Executive Woods 5 Palisades Drive Albany, NY 12205
Phone: (518) 438-9907
Email: jmuscato@youngsommer.com
DMM Matter No.: 23-02976
Facility Description: Applicant applied to the New York State Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission (Office or ORES) for a permit pursuant to Public Service Law article VIII to construct and operate a 100-megawatt (MW) wind energy facility located in the Towns of Fenner, Nelson, Eaton, and Smithfield, Madison County.
ORES published a Combined Notice of Availability of Draft Permit Conditions, Public Comment Period and Public Comment Hearing, and Commencement of Issues Determination Procedure (Notice) together with the draft permit conditions on February 18, 2025. In accordance with the Notice, the assigned Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) presided over a public comment hearing on April 23, 2025. On June 18, 2025, the ALJs issued a Ruling on Issues and Party Status (Ruling). An appeal by the Towns of Fenner, Nelson, Eaton, and Smithfield from the Ruling to the ORES Executive Director remains pending.
Adjudicatory Hearing: The Ruling held that an adjudicatory hearing was necessary to develop the record on (1) whether certain wind turbines can be sited as proposed and contemplated by the draft siting permit; (2) whether modifications or conditions to the final permit are necessary related to the siting of turbines to address unavoided impacts to the County’s E911 system from microwave interference; and (3) what measures may be required to avoid, minimize, and mitigate impacts to microwave paths to the Mutton Hill tower site to ensure full operability of the County’s E911 system.
The ALJs will convene an adjudicatory hearing to consider these issues at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Madison County, Event Center, 100 Eaton Street, Morrisville, New York, on August 25, 2025, commencing at 10:00 a.m. and continuing, as necessary, on subsequent days. In accordance with the Ruling, only Applicant, Madison County, and ORES staff are full parties to the adjudicatory hearing.
Document Availability: Copies of all application materials and draft permit conditions are available for inspection at the Office’s Albany office during normal business hours: Contact the Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission, W.A. Harriman Campus, Building 9, 4th Floor, 1220 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12227, (518) 473-4590, ores.hearings@dps.ny.gov. Electronic copies are available at https://dps. ny.gov/ores-permit-applications, click on Project Permit Application Number 23-02976.
Copies of all application materials are also available at:
Sullivan Free Library
Attn: Karen Fauls-Traynor, Library Director 101 Falls Boulevard Chittenango, NY 13037
Morrisville Public Library
Attn: Michelle Rounds, Library Manager 83 E. Main Street Morrisville, NY 13408
Statutory and Regulatory Provisions: The application is being processed and this proceeding is being conducted according to Public Service Law article VIII and 16 NYCRR part 1100. Dawn MacKillop-Soller Christopher McEneney Chan Administrative Law Judge Administrative Law Judge July 28, 2025 Albany, New York
JVP is the largest progressive Jewish anti-Zionist organization in the world.
According to the JVP website, its members are organizing a grassroots, multiracial, cross-class, intergenerational movement of US Jews into solidarity with the Palestinian freedom struggle, guided by a vision of justice, equality, and dignity for all people.
“Our group participated in the local Caz Pride march in the village, carrying our ‘No Pride in Genocide’ banner, back in June,” said Carmeli. “From that experience, we felt that there was an incredible opportunity to bring a documentary like this to Cazenovia and help educate people around this topic. Most of our work takes place in Syracuse, organizing documentary screenings, rallies, and speakers. But Caz is my local community; it’s where I live, and it’s also where my family has decided to do business for the last 13 years, working hard to make it a wel -
Is your child safe?
The National Highway Safety Association estimates 80% of all car seats on the road today are improperly installed.
Car Seat Check Saturday, August 16th 8am - 12pm CazCares parking lot OPEN TO EVERYONE!
KATE HILL
On July 31, members of the Cazenovia Lions Club gathered to write thank-you notes to the top donors to this year’s Fourth of July fireworks display. Peace
Fay Marshall Ward, 88 Former C�a�V�a�C� eMT
Fay Marshall Ward, 88, of Manlius, passed away at her home, surrounded by her family on July 26, 2025. She was born on Feb. 7, 1937, in New Woodstock, N.Y. Fay worked as a professional seamstress and was a Cazenovia College educator. She was a member of the Crossroads Community Church in Chittenango and a former EMT at C.A.V.A.C. Fay enjoyed traveling the world and was an avid gardener and attendee of the Boston Pops concerts. She was predeceased by her husband, Robert C. Ward in 2017; and brothers, Kenneth Marshall and Fenton Marshall. Fay is survived by her four children, Coreen (Bob) Perkins, Cheryl Sparks, Tim Bobbette, and Terry
Melissa L. Jones, 58
(Darlene) Bobbette; step-son, Robert C. Ward; five grandchildren, Sarah (Tim), Erich, Sadye, Grace, and Louis; three step-grandchildren, Lauren, Hayley, and Ian; two great-grandchildren, Taylor and Makenna; step great-grandson, Henry; and two nieces, Robin (Bruce) Wahl and Wendy (Jim) Mason. Funeral service will be 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Crossroads Community Church, 1751 Fyler Road, Chittenango. Burial will be in South Cemetery in Cazenovia will immediately follow the service. A luncheon will begin at noon at the Lincklean House for family and close friends.
Contributions may be made to Tunnel 2 Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306
For guest book, please visit scheppfamily. com.
her each day.
Worked at the New Woodstock, Cazenovia Post Office
Melissa Lois Jones, 58, passed away peacefully Saturday, July 19, 2025, with her family by her side after a brief illness. She was born in Manlius on June 12, 1967, and was a graduate of Fayetteville-Manlius High School in 1986.
As a child, she was the Syracuse University cheerleaders’ mascot for both the football (Archibald Stadium) and basketball (Manley Field House) teams in the early 1970s. She worked in women’s retail for a time and was always welldressed as she had a good eye for fashion. Melissa had a 15-year career with the post office in New Woodstock and Cazenovia, where she resided. Her customers appreciated her smile and the enthusiasm she brought to work with
L. Jones
She is survived by her loving husband of 30 years, Edward Jones; their daughter, Madison Jones; her older sister, Christina (John) Kelly; her step-mother Joan Kimball; step-sister, Vicki (Dave) Fisher; her step-brother, Bill (Debbie) Eberle as well as several nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her father, Lawrence Kimball; her mother, Jessica (Simmons) Kimball and by her nephew, Thomas Kelly. If not yet an organ donor, please consider it. Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the cat rescue, Wayward Paws, 9048 Delphi Falls Rd., New Woodstock, NY 13122, waywardpaws.org or to CAVAC, 106 Nelson St. Cazenovia, NY 13035, cavacambulance.org. Condolences for the Jones family may be left at michaelebrownfuneralservices.com.
Ann Marie Martorana, 71 School nurse at Morrisville-eaton HS
Ann Marie (Crane) Martorana, 71, of Cazenovia passed away July 7, 2025 at Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, PA, with her family by her side.
Ann Marie was born on Dec. 22, 1953, in Corning, N.Y., to Francis and Rosemary Crane. She attended Corning East High School and Corning Community College where she received a degree in nursing and became a registered nurse. She married Francis “Frank” Martorana in 1975 while Frank was still in college and in 1976, they moved to Cazenovia. They raised two sons and a daughter. They were the loves of Ann Marie’s life.
Early in her nursing career she worked in a cardiac intensive care unit and in geriatrics, however; she often said that her 20 plus years being part of the students’ lives as “Miss M,” the school nurse at Morrisville-Eaton High School was the most rewarding.
Ann Marie and Frank enjoyed the Adirondacks, the family cottage on Keuka Lake and traveling the world, usually to places where there was lots of wine.
Ann Marie was also devoted to her community. She sang in the Folk Ensemble at St. James Catholic Church in Cazenovia and found great satisfaction in helping with the Mustard Seed Outreach Program. She was also an artist and many of her paintings are dis-
played in the homes of family and friends. She relished time with her close group of “amigas” and rarely turned down the offer of a glass of wine or a vodka tonic. Cocktail hour started at 5 o’clock come hell or high water. Ann Marie is survived by her husband, Frank; her sons, Vincent (Kimberly) Martorana of Ravina, N.Y. and Charles (Megan) Martorana of Annapolis, MD; her daughter, Rosemary (John Moglia) Martorana of Corning, N.Y.; her sister, Margaret (Mark) LaLomia of Corning; her brother, Michael (Shelley) Crane of Corning; her step-father, Rich Negri of Corning; four grandchildren, Francis, Ryan and Lucy of Ravina and Francesco of Annapolis as well as several nieces and nephews. Ann Marie was predeceased by her father, Francis Crane and by her mother, Rosemary Crane Negri. Calling hours are 4 to 6 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025, at Michael E. Brown Funeral Services, 2333 Fenner Road in Cazenovia. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at St. James Catholic Church in Cazenovia. Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, at St. Mary’s Cemetery, 375 Park Ave. in Corning, N.Y. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ann Marie’s memory may be made to the Mustard Seed, c/o St. James Catholic Church, 6 Green Street, Cazenovia, NY 13035. Condolences for the Martorana family may be left at michaelebrownfuneralservices.com.
Ann Marie Martorana
Fay M. Ward
Melissa
Gaynell Dorrance, 78 expert quilter, loved animals
After a long struggle with health challenges, Gaynell Dorrance passed away on July 1, 2025, surrounded by the love of family and friends. In her final hours, she was not alone—once again held in the care and presence of those who cherished her most.
Gay’s passing marks the end of a life filled with resilience, creativity and love. She was a devoted mother to her four children—Jennifer, Jon, Jason and Justin—and took great pride in nurturing them while also returning to work as a veterinary technician whenever time allowed. Her deep connection with animals, her boundless curiosity and her warm, adventurous spirit shaped a life rich in meaning and purpose.
hiking and snowshoeing with her friends and beloved dogs. Gay’s love of animals extended beyond her professional life; she became deeply involved in dog training, especially agility competitions, where her two spirited terriers, Tonks and Finn, excelled. She gave back to that community as well, volunteering through the Syracuse Obedience and Training Center and always cheering on others with joy and enthusiasm. Gay also had a lifelong love of reading and served on the Cazenovia Library Board, helping to promote the library in her community.
Years Ago in History
BY CInDY BELL TOBEY
100 Years Ago – Aug. 6, 1925
Editor Republican: I am glad you have taken a stand in favor of retaining the old name “Cherry Valley Turnpike” for that celebrated highway. It seems to me that Col. Frederick S. Greene, state superintendent of public works, in officially changing the name to “Empire State Turnpike” has done so without realizing how much the old name means to the folks living along the road.
In her final months, Gay was supported by her dear friends, Berta, Jeannine and Nancy, along with her sister Joy, who spent countless hours by her side as she faced the last leg of her journey. Their presence and care were a testament to the lasting friendships and close bonds Gay had cultivated throughout her life. Her frequent conversations with her friend Melinda, a daily staple for years, also provided comfort during this time.
Gay was born on March 4, 1947, in Washington, D.C., where her parents were stationed after World War II. While she was still an infant, the family moved to Erie, PA, and later settled in Kashong, near Geneva, N.Y., near the shores of Seneca Lake. She graduated from Geneva High School in 1965 and went on to study veterinary technology at Delhi State University. Her love for animals remained constant throughout her life.
Creativity was another lifelong passion. In her later years, Gay became an expert quilter, crafting dozens of intricate, award-winning quilts. Some were honored at quilt society events and even at the New York State Fair. Gay was a long-time member of Towpath Quilt Guild. She loved Towpath and was involved in many aspects of the guild, including serving twice as co-president. Gay was a prolific applique quilter and loved nature quilts. Collage quilting became her most recent passion. Her countless hours dedicated to the guild, her smile and positive enthusiasm will be greatly missed.
A lover of the outdoors, Gay often went kayaking,
Travel was another source of joy—visits to Colorado to see her mother, brother, Morgan and sister, Joy were especially meaningful. Later in life, her travels continued and included cherished trips to Virginia to spend time with her children and grandchildren. Some of her happiest moments came from those visits—sharing laughter and stories with family in Virginia, riding horses through Garden of the Gods, walking the beaches of Bandon, OR, and wandering among the towering redwoods of Northern California.
Through all of life’s twists and turns, Gay remained a model of resilience and optimism. Her glass-half-full spirit never wavered, even during her most difficult days. She faced every challenge with grace, courage, and warmth.
Gay was preceded in death by her mother, Nancy Scarborough; her father, Morgan Porter; her brother, Morgan Porter; and her beloved sons, Jason and Jon Dorrance.
She is survived by husband, Donald Dorrance; daughter, Jennifer Prusik (Mike); son, Justin Dorrance (Amy); daughterd-in-law, Eleese Dorrance and Holly Dorrance; six grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and sister, Joy Porter.
Now, we believe Gay is off on her next great adventure—carrying with her the same hope, passion, and love that she shared so generously in this life.
A celebration of life will be held at Lakeside Park in Cazenovia on Oct. 18, 2025, from 12 noon to 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Helping Hounds (info@hhdrny.com) or Towpath Quilt Guild (5237 E. Lake Rd, Cazenovia NY 13035). For guest book, please visit scheppfamily.com.
2025 KATHRYN FISH LECTURE SERIES
August 17 - Mary Sorrendino “Overcoming Hindrances from our Past”
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
In the rural sections there is scarcely anyone who knows what road is meant by the designation “Empire State Turnpike” but when the Cherry Valley Turnpike is mentioned nearly everyone living in that section knows.
It will be years before the public becomes accustomed to associating the new name with the road.
Personally, I believe that Col. Greene will be very glad to redesignate the road “Cherry Valley Turnpike” when he realizes that public sentiment wants the old name retained. He is a fine fellow and I am sure wants the public to have the name for the road it wants.
Signed, D.D. Norton, Chairman, Madison County Board of Supervisors
80 Years Ago – Aug. 9, 1945
The Public Library museum has received from Mrs. G. F. Curtis a gift of a bronze Spanish mortar and pestle belonging to the late “Curtis Bros.,” Cazenovia druggists over 60 years.
Mrs. Curtis also has given to the library museum a wooden wrench used in the old days to tighten bed ropes. It was found in the attic of the Van Riper house on Lincklaen Street (now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. James Dirksen).
Mr. VanRiper will be remembered by some of the oldest of the oldsters as a familiar figure on the street in the winter time wearing a cape and a straw hat.
He lived to be more than one hundred years old.
As this all happened back in the latter part of the 19th century don’t admit that you recall him unless you’re willing to give your age away.
60 Years Ago – Aug. 5, 1965
The old saying goes…Lightning never strikes in the same place twice. Well let’s hope so for the sake of the parishioners of Nelson
Gaynell Dorrance
“It’s just so we can mull over plans and be prepped for zoning conversations when we do close, which is pending the attorney general in Albany,” said Brodock. “. . . . We don’t have a lot of visibility into the attorney general process.”
Adam O’Neill, 9 Fresh’s community lead, stated that the only thing the team knows is that Cazenovia College’s attorneys have been fielding inquiries from the attorney general’s office. Brodock also reported that the Oneida School District recently toured the campus to assess it as a potential location for operating out of during the upcoming school year.
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coming space and its own little intimate community spot. I think the Pewter Spoon will be an excellent place to hold honest conversations and make room for deeper understanding.”
Attendees are invited to arrive at 4:30 p.m. to reserve a seat and enjoy light refreshments; the film and a follow-up discussion will run from 5 to 7 p.m.
“As we begin to hear news anchors, celebrities, and politicians finally calling for an end to the forced starvation and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in Gaza, this is a
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each other for more than 20 years.
“I’ve followed his career as a humorist since he arrived here from California,” said Christina. “[His] book is brilliant, and it speaks for itself. I’m hoping to bring up themes of relevance, relationships with family, and the desire to be famous.”
Christina launched her multi-awardwinning podcast, “Zestful Aging,” in February 2018 to spread the message that aging is about growing better, not just older.
The interview-format podcast is heard in 106 countries and can be found on all major podcast platforms. It is also streamed on WCNY/Community FM. Guests have included filmmakers, writers, advocates, poets, musicians, scien -
She explained that flooding forced officials to shut down the high school for the entire 2025–26 school year. Ultimately, the district decided to go with Bishop Grimes.
“I think we were a close runner-up,” Brodock said. “A lot of it was just that college is different than high school. So, keeping one building was really, I think, a high priority for them. But they were extremely thankful, and, I think, multiple members of the community made them feel like we would be very welcoming if they were to have come.”
The main Cazenovia College campus quad is now open to the public; however, none of the buildings are to be accessed. Brodock noted that there are “a couple of layers” of both human and
critical moment to ensure we are learning just how interconnected our struggles are,” said Carmeli. “The student protest movement has a long, rich history in the US, and we are right now witnessing the very tenets of our democracy unravel as we punish, detain, and deport people for engaging in their right to protest. We will host a brief conversation after the film to help ground us in the current political moment and move us toward further political action on the local and national level.”
The screening is free, but space is limited, so anyone planning to attend is asked to register at tinyurl.com/cazfilm48
tists, athletes, and entrepreneurs, many of whom are top experts in their fields.
Christina has over 30 years of experience in psychotherapy. Her private practice specializes in anxiety, depression, grief, food and body issues, and positive aging. She decided to focus her podcast on aging to help address topics repeatedly brought up by her clients.
The podcaster is also the author of the book “Not Just Chatting: How to Become a Master Podcast Interviewer,” which shares her interviewing expertise to inspire the next generation of podcast hosts.
To learn more about Christina and her podcast, visit zestfulaging.co m
For more information on Kramer, Mud Season, and his other work, visit jeffmkramer.com.
digital security, as well as cooperation from the local police department.
For more information about 9 Fresh, visit 9fresh.co.
Later in the meeting, the board scheduled a public hearing for Tuesday, Sept. 2, at 7 p.m., to receive input on a proposed local law that would add the former Cazenovia College campus to the village’s historic district.
“It’s kind of an anomaly that the main core campus was not part of the original historic district to begin with,” said Mayor Kurt Wheeler. “. . . There were some targeted buildings, like Joy Hall, the three residences, and, of course, the Jephson Campus, that are in the district, but the rest of the campus, which is clearly historic, is not part of our local historic district.”
In other news
The Cazenovia community will observe the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks with its annual candlelight vigil in Memorial Park on Thursday, Sept. 11, at 7 p.m. Due to the Labor Day holiday, the village board’s September regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 2, at 7 p.m.
The Village of Cazenovia Board of Trustees typically meets on the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m. in the village municipal building at 90 Albany St.
To learn more about the mayor and village trustees, visit villageofcazenovia. com/mayor-and-village-board /
Our 249th Independence Day was celebrated on one of the most beautiful days of summer in Cazenovia and our 2025 reworks show was a tremendous success. Our reworks are entirely community funded. e show would not be possible without the generous support of our residents and business owners.
We thank our donors, named and anonymous, for a spectacular July 4th evening. In addition, we thank the hardworking men and women of Cazenovia Area Volunteer Ambulance Corps (CAVAC), Cazenovia Police Department, Cazenovia Fire Department, Madison County Sheri and NY State Troopers. eir coordination of safety and security measures make this event happen year a er year. anks as well to our municipal leaders from the Town of Cazenovia, Village of Cazenovia and Lorenzo State Historic Site for their assistance. We also thank the Cazenovia Republican for generously helping with our advertising e orts.
Preparations are already underway for the 2026 celebration. Having exceeded our 2025 fundraising goal, we’re planning to increase the number of reworks next year. If you would like to volunteer or nd out more about your local Lions Club, please join us for one of our monthly dinner meetings. We meet the rst ursday of each month, September through June, 7PM at the Brewster Inn. If you would like additional information, please email cazlionsfoundation@gmail.com ank you, Cazenovia Lions Club
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OuR vOiCE
Friendship Day
Throughout our lives we create many connections and hopefully many meaningful and lasting connections that become important friendships.
These are relationships we value and cherish with people we can relate to, share our lives with, people we look to when we face challenges and people we look to share important milestones and celebrations with.
A lot has been written about the benefits of having meaningful friendships for our mental and physical health as well.
According to the Mayo Clinic good friends are good for your health.
Friends can help you celebrate good times and provide support during bad times.
Friends prevent isolation and loneliness and give you a chance to offer needed companionship, too.
Friends can also increase your sense of belonging and purpose, boost your happiness and reduce your stress, improve your selfconfidence and self-worth, help you cope with traumas, such as divorce, serious illness, job loss or the death of a loved one and encourage you to change or avoid unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as excessive drinking or lack of exercise.
Friends also play a significant role in promoting your overall health.
Adults with strong social connections have a reduced risk of many significant health problems, including depression, high blood pressure and an unhealthy body mass index (BMI).
In fact, studies have found that older adults who have meaningful relationships and social support are likely to live longer than their peers with fewer connections.
With the importance of friendship in mind a few days have been established as days to celebrate friendship.
Aug. 3 was recognized as National Friendship Day.
In 1935, Congress declared the first Sunday of August as National Friendship Day.
The idea of a day to celebrate our friends is not just an American one.
Friendship Day is celebrated all over the world. It is an especially big event in India, Asia, and parts of South America.
An International Friendship Day was also recently recognized July 30 with countries around the world honoring the day.
In 2011, the United Nations recognized July 30 as the International Day of Friendship.
The UN General Assembly proclaimed this day believing that friendship between peoples, countries, cultures, and individuals can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities.
According to the United Nations website, un.org, our world faces many challenges, crises and forces of division such as poverty, violence, and human rights abuses among many others that undermine peace, security, development and social harmony among the world’s peoples.
To confront those crises and challenges, their root causes must be addressed by promoting and defending a shared spirit of human solidarity that takes many forms, the simplest of which is friendship.
Through friendship, by accumulating bonds of camaraderie and developing strong ties of trust, we can contribute to the fundamental shifts that are urgently needed to achieve lasting stability, weave a safety net that will protect us all, and generate passion for a better world where all are united for the greater good.
The UN resolution places emphasis on involving young people, as future leaders, in community activities that include different cultures and promote international understanding and respect for diversity.
To mark the International Day of Friendship the UN encourages governments, international organizations and civil society groups to hold events, activities and initiatives that contribute to the efforts of the international community towards promoting a dialogue among civilizations, solidarity, mutual understanding and reconciliation.
The International Day of Friendship is an initiative that follows on the proposal made by UNESCO defining the Culture of Peace as a set of values, attitudes and behaviors that reject violence and endeavor to prevent conflicts by addressing their root causes with a view to solving problems. It was then adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1997.
Whether it is a specific date or any other day, we hope Friendship Day gives you a chance to recognize those important connections in your life.
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THE PICnIC
We lived simply in a row house between Third and Fourth Avenue in Brooklyn. My parents and grandparents, schooled by the depression and the shortages of World War II, provided as good a life as the limitations of finances and rations dictated. We had food, clothing, a “roof over our heads” and the promise of better times. Being an avid reader and spending Saturdays at the movies gave me ideas about what those better times might be.
In my meanderings about a more perfect future was the act of eating outdoors, otherwise known as a picnic. There was something both normal and aspirational for me about a picnic.
My vison of that picnic, gleaned from my precious Betty Gordon book series and the dazzling lives of the heroines in the movies, included a fitted woven hamper with flowered plates, lovely glasses and silver flatware. Delicate sandwiches, luscious fruits and cookies were completed with sweet tea in a silver thermos. That was my vision.
But we never went on a picnic. We did, on numerous occasions, eat away from home. Certainly not at a res -
FROM THE MAILBAG
taurant and in no way did we emulate the heroines of my books and movies.
There was a flat grassy area next to one of the small branches of the Croton Reservoir where you could pull the off the road and park. Remembering now, it was right after the sign that said, “cow crossing.” Stopping there on our way to Lake Carmel was a mandatory part of the hour and half trip. Come to think of it, this trip required stopping for food several times. The first stop was on the Manhattan side of the Brooklyn Bridge, where we would buy a giant bag of hot roasted peanuts in the shell. I sat in the front seat between my parents. Doling out the peanuts with admonitions to place the shells in a paper bag that was taped to the back of the front seat was one of my duties. Mom drove … always. I never found out why that was, since all of my friends who had both parents and cars had their fathers as the chauffeur. It wasn’t that Dad didn’t drive. He did, but only when Mom wasn’t in the car. Therein lies a family mystery which had nothing to do with my picnic pursuit.
The second stop was at the reservoir. All six of us would
Thanks to our community
To the editor:
The Friends of the Cazenovia Library wish to extend our thanks for the strong community support for our 51st Annual Summer Book Sale held this past weekend.
Not only did the public turn out in large numbers, the entire sale was full of friends, fun, and great book discussions while raising funds to support the library’s programs.
Also, thank you to our wonderful volunteers who made the event happen. From the student volunteers that helped move books and tables, to the community volunteers that staffed the community room, media porch, and children’s tents. This event would not happen without your help.
Although the sale is over, the Friends of the Cazenovia Library still operate the Carriage Barn Book store year round.
Also, the Friends will begin accepting book donations again starting August 12 for Carriage Barn Books, our online sales and next year’s Summer Sale.
The Friends greatly appreciate the community’s support of the Cazenovia Library. Stop by and see us soon.
MARK DEnnIS
PRESIDEnT OF THE FRIEnDS OF THE CAzEnOvIA LIBRARy
A few observations
To the editor:
A few observations on our current direction as a country that is a direct result of our voting habits.
Self interest in voting is age old and understandable.
Yet it’s reasonable to ask anyone who voted Republican if they understand the big picture of their own self interest.
Demagoguery of minority groups in history is something anyone with a phone can look up. It never ends well. It becomes a roadmap to power for those who don’t give a flip about their own supporters’ needs- a strong economy, good healthcare and a safe, clean place to live your life.
Blaming immigrants for crime, when they are least likely to perpetuate crime vs. U.S. natural born citizens by a wide percentage.
Siding with governments in the world rife with corruption and no commitment to law and checks on power yet calling the other party “communists.”
Not addressing issues that affect those with less in lieu of big ticket items that never deliver on the hype.
We’ve seen this here in our community and we see it on the largest scale in our federal government.
Hype is easy in a soundbite society that moves to the next story within a day.
Since Reagan the wealth gap of the wealthiest has exploded vs. middle and low income families.
The constant stripping of programs designed and proven to give support to be able to provide and thrive has given way to welfare for the richest in the form of tax cuts that never trickle down. Again, proven.
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tumble out, including Tippy, our runt-of the-litter cocker spaniel, whose car travel method necessitated that she ride, her head out of the window, tongue hanging out while making what sounded like the cackling of a chicken … for miles and miles. The joke was that she was laying invisible eggs. We all assumed, after all of that cacophony, she must be thirsty and would urge her to drink from the reservoir. She would run to the edge of the water and stop. But, being who she was, she would then wade in until her mouth was at the waterline before she took a drink. My three siblings who sat in the back seat would have to hold a wet-smelling long haired dog on his or her lap for the rest of the trip. This happened every time. You’d think that we would have brought a towel along to dry Tippy off.
Then, Mom would retrieve the stopping-by-theroadside repast from the trunk. It consisted, and this was always the case, of saltine sandwiches spread with pimento cheese and orange juice, fresh squeezed that morning. Maybe there would be a cookie, most probably
If we allow those who crave power to gain more of it they will trample anyone who gets in their way. They care nothing for your life, health or prosperity.
Just look at their actions. Your only choice is to take their power from them by engaging, making your voice heard, and voting for those who show they care about you and your family more than just clinging to power so they can benefit. Then, just maybe, we’ll be looked at as a society to be admired vs. an example of what not to be.
BOB WHEELER MAnLIUS
Two quotes to consider
To the editor: An Israeli foreign minister once famously said: “The Palestinians never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity.” But now, in the wake of the Oct. 7 massacre, it can also be said that the Israelis never miss an opportunity to snatch moral defeat from the jaws of victory. Here are two recent quotes:
Quote 1
Hamas launched its October 7th attack with the knowledge that it would provoke an immense Israeli reprisal. [Hamas chief Yahya] Sinwar remarked, “we are ready to sacrifice twenty thousand, thirty thousand, a hundred thousand.”
He knew that the war could bring horrifying casualties; he had helped construct a militarized landscape of tunnels and outposts embedded in schools, homes, hospitals, and U.N. sites. The suffering of Palestinian civilians wasn’t merely a foreseeable consequence; it was an integral part of the strategy.
Quote 2
Several Western countries, including Australia, Canada, Finland, New Zealand and Portugal, said they are considering recognizing a Palestinian state ahead of the UN General Assembly in September.
The first quote cannot be emphasized enough. Sinwar was quoted just after the Oct. 7 pogrom that “Palestine is a nation of martyrs.” A little later in the war, when the civilian death toll had already climbed into the thousands, Sinwar stated: “Now we have the Israelis right where we want them.” So there is no doubt that Hamas’ Oct. 7 strategy was always to put its own people in harm’s way – to rack up a civilian body count which would shame Israel internationally.
This is also proved by the fact that Hamas, using diverted foreign aid, constructed some 350 to 450 miles of militarized tunnels in a Gaza Strip having an area of only 140 square miles. But within this vast system, bigger than the London subway, Hamas allocated not a single meter for civilian bomb shelters. There are no civilian bomb shelters in Gaza.
In brave Ukraine, when the bombs start falling, civilians go underground to shelter while soldiers stay on the surface to fight. In Gaza — the opposite. The fighters shelter underground leaving civilians on the Letters l Page 7
Ramblings from the empty nest ann Ferro Picnic
surface to die. And what is the result of this war crime? The result is Quote 2. The world wants to reward Hamas for its criminality with its own state.
For this morally twisted outcome Israel has only itself to blame. It’s not like Hamas’ strategy of victimizing its own people to win a propaganda war — of piling up the civilian dead — is a secret. Hamas has been doing this for years. But the Netanyahu government -- fueled by arrogance and egged on by religious fanatics -- just doesn’t care.
Starting last March, the Netanyahu government embarked on a criminal policy of starvation stating that this would cause Hamas to collapse. Instead, predictably, it caused Hamas to celebrate. Because, as Sinwar observed, it put Israel exactly where Hamas wanted it. In the crosshairs of worldwide moral outrage.
BARRY SCHREIBMAn CAzEnOvIA
Concerns
To the editor:
On behalf of the Anti-Racism Coalition of Cazenovia (ARCC), we write to express deep concern over the Madison County sheriff’s recent decision to enter into a partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) through the 287(g) program. This agreement does not address any existing public safety concerns and it threatens the safety, cohesion, and civil liberties of our community.
The 287(g) program deputizes local law enforcement to perform duties typically reserved for federal immigration officers— often without sufficient training, oversight,
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a Hydrox cookie which my father preferred to all store-bought confections. The snack was served out of the opened trunk while we stood around waiting for the cows that the sign said crossed nearby. You know, for a while I thought that cows could read just enough to understand the sign. I did ask my father who taught the cows to read. I don’t remember what he said, if he said anything. We would have been on the road for an hour at this point. In 20 minutes or so we stopped again, this time at the tiny IGA in lake Carmel to pick up bread, milk and whatever sundries we anticipated needing for the weekend.
or accountability. This blurs the line between community policing and federal immigration enforcement, creating conditions ripe for racial profiling, unlawful detentions, and violations of due process. When local deputies are empowered to question individuals based on immigration status, it increases the risk of targeting people based on language, appearance, or perceived foreignness—an unacceptable breach of civil rights.
Moreover, this partnership undermines public safety by damaging trust between law enforcement and the communities they are sworn to protect. When people—especially immigrants—fear that any encounter with local police could lead to detention or deportation, they are far less likely to report crimes, testify in court, seek medical care, or access essential services. This silence does not make us safer; it makes us more vulnerable.
Our county chair, James Cunningham stated on July 21, 2025, that the sheriff has the legal discretion to enter into such agreements without public input or oversight. But legality is not the same as legitimacy. Major decisions that impact thousands of residents should not be made in isolation by one individual. A law enforcement policy that drives fear and division in our community cannot be justified simply by saying, “it’s allowed.”
The consequences also reach into our economy. Madison County farms, food producers, and small businesses rely on the labor of both documented and undocumented workers—many of whom are pursuing legal pathways to residency or citizenship. To criminalize these essential community members is not only unjust—it is economically short-sighted and socially destabilizing.
We call on Sheriff Todd Hood and all county officials to reconsider and reverse this harmful agreement.
Public safety must be built on a founda-
Once inside the bungalow, it was necessary to have another small meal, something that didn’t require cooking, so I am remembering peanut butter and grape jelly sandwiches washed down with the milk that we had just bought at the IGA.
We rarely ate outside there or at home. The only exception was when my father roasted potatoes in the cinder block firepit in the backyard of the bungalow.
I knew that sometimes people ate picnics while sitting on a blanket and, other times, there was a table, benches or chairs. There were no tables or chairs or benches in the backyard at my grandmother’s bungalow or at home
tion of trust, transparency, and community cooperation—not fear and surveillance. We further urge the town and village governments of Cazenovia to publicly reject the ICE partnership and affirm their commitment to inclusion, accountability, and the protection of all who call this place home.
Finally, we call for faith leaders, educators, farmers, health care providers, small business owners, advocacy groups, and concerned residents throughout Madison County to unite in demanding policies that reflect the values of human dignity, fairness, and mutual respect. We will strengthen our democracy by coming together.
LAuRA K. REEDER, SuzAnnE B SPRInG, LOuISE BROWn SMITH, MEGAn KEnDzIOR, PHILLIP HAMILTOn, JIMMY GOLuB, REBECCA GARDEn, WEnDY EvERARD, REBECCA DOWnInG, ROSALYn BAnDY, & AnITA BuEnO MEMBERS OF THE AnTI-RACISM COALITIOn OF CAzEnOvIA (ARCC)
I say thank you
To the editor:
There is a group of men and women who put their life on the line for you and myself every day, as well as every night, in all kind of weather and seasons. It seems that there is a small group of people that have lived under a dome of protection for their entire life, protected by local, county and state police.
I for one would like to thank the Madison County sheriff and his employees for all they do 24/7.
Our local prosecutors have had their hands tied by the left politicians in Albany. That being said, criminals have been running rampant with no fear.
I think that maybe some of these “good doers” should walk in an officers shoes for just one day.
in Brooklyn which limited where we would choose to picnic at either place. I’m sure that we had a blanket. We all had blankets on our beds that my parents had purchased at the Army/Navy surplus store on Third Avenue. Did I tell you that they were Navy regulation khaki - dark yellow-brown? I guess we would have had to sacrifice one of these should we had ever decided to picnic on a blanket.
Our house on 55th Street wasn’t far from two beautiful parks - Owl’s Head which overlooked the narrows and Prospect Park with its arboretums and playgrounds - but we never packed up food to enjoy it at either place. In fact, we rarely visited either. My mother was suspicious of people who spent
See what it is like to be spit at, swore at, have a weapon pointed at them by some wild idiot, run off the road by some drunk, or how about having a conversation with a young girl who has just been raped and beaten.
Maybe you would like to get knocked down and beaten close to death and have your money taken in your town!
America, for many years, has allowed legal immigration.
It is the people that want to hurt Americans, that want to steal, rape and pillage the innocent, we need to put a stop to.
As Americans, it is our time to do our part to continue and keep America safe.
In case you have not noticed, a very large group of Americans are now starting to speak up and say enough is enough. We want to be able to walk down our streets in the day as well as at night and feel safe once again. We want our children to grow up in a safe healthy environment. In the morning, when we go out on our porch to start our day, we say a quiet prayer to God, thanking him for what we have as well as those who protect us.
Our government was built by our fathers and forefathers, Immigrants that came here legally, they are the ones who lived and died for the rights we live by today.
It is now time for us to step up, to use our common sense, to keep this country, our towns and our villages safe and protected. So you should reach out, and say thank you to those who are putting their life on the line for us.
Now, if this is something that bothers you or do not agree with, feel free to get out and let the rest of us live in peace, under a dome of protection provided by the Madison County sheriff officers along with Gods blessing too.
time in large parks. She and my aunts who lived across the street read the New York News every day, which portrayed parks as places where malevolent criminals hid out or committed lurid felonies.
I once asked my mother why we didn’t go on picnics. Her reply? Ants. So there it was. I hated bugs. Bugs were never mentioned in the book or the movie picnics.
Just another reality revelation to kill my childhood dreams.
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.
BILL SnOW
ERIEvILLE
icaid issues, and rural hospitals being endangered. This is one thing it didn’t really feel like we needed to get into.”
Responses to public feedback
In a July 21 statement, Madison County Board Chairman James Cunningham reported that, in response to “many concerns and residents asking for the board of supervisors to intercede,” he had consulted the county attorney to determine if the sheriff was within his legal rights to enter the 287(g) agreement.
“According to the review, the sheriff’s duties as conservator of the peace are both statutory and based on common law,” he said. “Those authorities give the sheriff a great amount of discretion to determine the particular methods and procedures he will employ to conserve the peace. Therefore, as an elected official, he has the power and ability to enter into agreements with other law enforcement agencies without
the approval of the board of supervisors.”
In a separate statement to the Cazenovia Republican, Cunningham acknowledged that county residents have a wide range of perspectives about this “complex and deeply polarized issue.”
“As immigrants have dispersed across the country, not just into gateway cities, local law enforcement agencies, including ours, have found themselves increasingly involved in this debate,” he said. “The role of state and local authorities in enforcement has often been unclear under federal law, leading to confusion and division. People choose to live in Madison County because it offers safety and a high quality of life. At the heart of that safety is our sheriff’s department — one that is proactive, responsive, and effective. Our law enforcement teams work around the clock, facing constant challenges and risks to ensure our community is safe. How can we not admire the difficult and dangerous work they do every day? Do you
trust our county sheriff to protect you and your loved ones in the event of a crime? I certainly do. The Madison County Sheriff’s Department has a long track record of keeping our neighborhoods secure, providing every citizen with the peace of mind they deserve.”
On July 29, Hood addressed some of the petitioners’ concerns regarding his decision to commit some of his officers to assist ICE with the enforcement of immigration law.
In response to the concern that the 287(g) program might divert local law enforcement resources and focus away from serving county residents, Hood said it is and will continue to be his job to delegate who goes where and what gets taken care of, as well as to increase or decrease staffing according to trends.
The sheriff also said, based on statistical analysis and input from the public, the MCSO has determined that the majority of county residents support the ICE partnership.
“There are a few people who don’t like it, but there are a lot more who do like it,” he said.
“One thing that I think will put people at ease is that [ICE is] not going to go onto any agricultural sites, hospitality sites, or industrial sites. They specifically stated that in the meeting with me [last Friday]. They are not going to be doing the sweeps that everyone is talking about — going in and taking people out of farms, hotels, and businesses where they are in there working. . . . When you have a dangerous criminal out there who has done a homicide or a robbery or a rape or child trafficking, sure, they are going to go in there and get those people, but, in general, there will be no raids on those places unless they have an elevated level of criminal activity.”
To learn more about ICE’s 287(g) program, visit ice.gov/identify-and-arrest/287g.
Copies of the county’s 287(g) MOA can be requested online through the Madison County FOIL Request Center.
Michael Casler, 76
Owned plumbing and heating company
Michael “Mickey” Shawn Casler, 76, of Cazenovia, NY
traded in his wrench for a pair of wings on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, at Crouse Community Center in Morrisville. He was born Aug. 13, 1948, in Syracuse to Jack and Elizabeth Casler, Mickey spent his life elbows-deep in piping houses and rebuilding cars, especially his beloved tan and gold Camaro.
Mickey established Casler Plumbing and Heating in Cazenovia, where he built a reputation for being the guy who could fix anything—except, maybe, a Giants playoff drought. He was a plumber by trade, a storyteller by nature, and a local legend by unanimous vote (okay, maybe not official, but you try telling Mickey that).
Beyond his talent with pipes and wrenches, Mickey had a generous spirit. He was a fiercely protective brother, always looking out for his siblings and stepping in when they needed him most. And he never hesitated to offer someone work who needed a second—
or even third—chance. Casler Plumbing and Heating wasn’t just a place to fix plumbing problems; it was a place where people rebuilt their lives, with Mickey offering a joke or two and a steady paycheck. Mickey also learned American Sign Language (ASL) because he had a deaf daughter. Mickey learned a new language and was able to use it to converse with Erin until the end of his life. As a father, Mickey was patient. He taught all of his kids how to ski and golf when they were toddlers. His patience stretched as his kids grew up, as each of his three children managed to get into a scrape or two along the way. He didn’t raise his voice; he rolled his eyes and mostly just grumbled, “Jesus!” Once, he drove out to Toggenberg to rescue his sons, Colin and Michael, after they got stuck in the snow. In yet another unfortunate incident, Mickey’s daughter, Erin got behind the wheel of his work van for the first time at 16 and promptly scraped it on the guardrail turning into Welsh Church Road. Mickey didn’t yell—he was in the passenger seat and after he flashed Erin a look, “I can’t believe you just did that!” Mickey shrugged. “Well,” he said, “you’re not a
Mannion introduces legislation to bolster local journalism
According to a press release from Representative John Mannion’s office, the Local Journalism Sustainability Act will support community newspapers, local broadcasters, and journalists through tax credit, payroll credit and advertising credit.
Mannion (NY-22) introduced legislation to protect freedom of the press and strengthen the trusted broadcasters and newspapers that keep Central New York, the Mohawk Valley, and communities across the country informed.
The Local Journalism Sustainability Ac t is designed to assist community newspapers, local broadcasters, and journalists through a tax credit, payroll credit and advertising credit.
“This bill is about ensuring the survival of trusted, local news and safeguarding the public’s access to credible information,” Mannion said. “At a time when President Trump and his allies in Congress are working to silence public broadcasting and freedom of the press, I’m committed to doing more to support the reporters and broadcasters who keep Central New York and the Mohawk Valley informed, safe, and connected.”
The Local Journalism Sustainability Act strengthens local media through three targeted provisions:
Subscriber Tax Credit: Provides individuals with up to a $250 annual tax credit for subscriptions to local newspapers—whether digital or print.
Journalist Payroll Credit: Covers up to 50% of compensation (max $12,500 per quarter) for journalists employed by local newspapers—helping keep reporters on the job and in the field.
Small Business Advertising Credit: Offers up to $5,000 in the first year and $2,500 in the second year to small businesses that advertise with local newspapers, radio, or television stations.
In order to qualify for tax credits under the Local Journalism Sustainability Act, businesses must have a news journalist (at least one) located in the news area, employ less than 750 employees, and its reporting must be community based.
According to a recent repor t , the nation has lost one-third of its newspapers since 2005 and 75 percent of its local journalists since 2002. The number of news deserts continues to grow, and more than 1,500 counties have only one news source leaving nearly 55 million Americans with limited or no access to local news.
The introduction of the Local Journalism Sustainability Act follows the advancement of a rescissions package that eliminates $1.1 billion in funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting— funds previously approved with bipartisan support. Public broadcasting plays an important role in our democracy as trusted institutions for news, educational programming, and emergency communications.
real driver until you’ve dinged something.” That was Mickey—more concerned with people than with property and always able to see the humor in a situation. Even though he just absolutely had to say “Jesus!” every time one of his kids did something he didn’t approve of.
When he wasn’t rescuing households from leaky pipes or meeting astronauts, Mickey could be found boating on Tuscarora or DeRuyter Lakes, deer hunting in the backwoods, or yelling at the TV during a Syracuse game. He was an avid golfer, a long-time member of the Cazenovia Country Club and the guy who somehow always knew your cousin’s neighbor’s dog’s name, especially if it was a black lab.
Twice, while out on the course, Mickey did what most golfers only dream about—he teed off, hit the ball, and watched it fly straight and true… right into the hole. A hole-in-one. Just like that. No fanfare, no bragging—well, okay, there was definitely bragging. For weeks. Possibly months. It became known locally as “The Shot Heard ‘Round the 19th hole.” And Mickey, of course, claimed it was “just skill… and a little wind.”
Mickey is survived by his children, Erin Elizabeth (Paul) Harrelson of Washington D.C., Colin Michael Casler (Mollie McQurk) of Windsor, CT, and Michael Joseph (Colleen) Casler of Cazenovia—each of whom inherited
a piece of his stubborn spirit and his plumbing vocabulary (for better or worse). He also leaves behind his sister, Jacki Flatt of Verona Beach; brothers, Donnie (Cathy) Casler of Erieville and Larry Casler of Beaufort, SC. Mickey is also a survivor of two ex-wives, Mary (Moriarty Casler) Kurlick of Windsor, CT and Patricia Stevens Casler, of Cazenovia. Mickey’s legacy continues in his children, nieces, nephews, friends and exes who still chuckle at his jokes and can’t quite believe he’s not just out fixing someone’s water heater. Or hiding out in his boat on DeRuyter Lake. Per his wishes (and possibly a quiet agreement with the universe), there were no calling hours or services. Instead, we invite you to honor Mickey’s memory by joining family and friends at Lakeside Park in Cazenovia on Aug. 9, 2025, at noon, around what would have been his 77th birthday.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mickey’s name may be made to the Tioughnioga Lake Preservation Foundation, P.O. Box 476, DeRuyter, NY 13052, or online at foundationatderuyterlake.org. Condolences for the Casler family may be left at michaelebrownfuneralservices.com
And if you listen closely on a quiet morning, out on DeRuyter Lake, you just might hear him say, “Lefty-loosey, righty-tighty… and don’t forget to shut off the main. Jesus!”
How long should it take to play 18 holes of golf?
“Under ideal conditions, an ideal round of golf should ideally take you approximately 4 ideal hours to complete”. Sorry, I couldn’t help it! It just sounded funny and totally unrealistic…UNLESS. Yes, there is an UNLESS! However, for the purpose of making a point, let’s be unrealistic. ere are some private country clubs that demand players “wrap it up” in 3 hours and 30 minutes while walking. e policy therefore, is based on the assumption that the par 3’s (4) should take about 10 minutes each to play…the par 4’s (10) about 13 minutes each and the par 5’s (4) about 15 minutes each. is is with an average foursome, on an average golf course with an average number of people playing. I guess this means that everything has to be IDEAL.
I can just imagine what the vast majority of you are thinking about this policy if it were attempted to be implemented at your home course. My thoughts go back to the days when average to poor players were on a course I was playing and the round would take up to 6 hours to play. Do you think I ever went back to play that course? Of course not and neither should you. Besides, you usually play worse because your waiting on almost every hole and you thinking more about the time it is taking to play rather than focusing on your pre-shot-routine and making a good swing.
Now let’s focus our attention on the word UNLESS, I mentioned in the 2nd paragraph. ere must be at least 50 ways to “Speed up Play”. You probably already know the majority of them and have already brought them to the attention of your Pro, Manager or the owner of the courses you enjoy playing. I have a few that I believe will save you the “most” time when you play. I hope you agree and will commit to incorporating them into your routine for the rest of the season.
e Top Five Ways To Speed Up “PACE OF PLAY”.
1. Playing e Proper Tees - Play from the set of tees that re ects your driving distance and ability. To determine which set of tees you should be playing do this…take your average driving distance and multiply it by 25. is will give you the best length of course you should be playing most of the
time. Example: You hit your drive an average of 200 yards…25 X 200 yards = 5,000 yards.
Time saved:
2. Play Ready Golf - Ready Golf is a replacement for the traditional “farthest from the hole” system of determining order of play…on the tee, in the rough, from the fairway, on the green, etc, etc.. Play when you are ready and it is safe to play, regardless of who is away.
Time Saved:
3. Quick Stops At e Turn - A er 9 holes, try not to spend too much time in the clubhouse, pro-shop, locker room, or eating at the snack shack. Take your food and drinks with you, whenever possible.
Time Saved:
4. Good Cart Habits - Drop your playing passenger o at his ball rst, when appropriate. Go hit your ball and return to pick up your passenger. When it is prudent, help your fellow competitors nd their balls in the rough. When approaching the green, park the cart as close to the cart path as possible to have the most direct route to the next tee. is will save extra steps.
Time Saved:
5. Gimme Rule of the Day - In friendly matches, give your fellow competitors their putts if they are no longer than the average length of a putter (35”) from the hole on the green. You will be amazed at how much more fun you will have, and how much time you will save.
Time Saved:
I intentionally le the “Time Saved” results blank. It’s up to you to try these “Pace of Play” suggestions and determine for yourself how much time you will save for your rounds. You will be amazed.
Michael Casler
LABOR BATTLE ALREADY?
It has begun.
You really think that Major League Baseball could safely navigate its way through another potential labor crisis? Well let me quickly rid you of those thoughts.
Commissioner Rob Manfred was making his annual tour of all 30 MLB clubhouses and sought feedback for upcoming talks about a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) which expires after the 2026 season.
In Philadelphia when meeting with the Phillies, Manfred tried to bring up the possibility that baseball might finally join the NFL, NBA and NHL in implementing a salary cap. To which Harper reportedly cursed him out.
Already the sides are taking shape. On one, the owners of franchises valued at billions of dollars. On the other, players who are mostly millionaires many times over. Same as it ever was.
We’re now 30 years removed from the 1994 strike which erased the last two months of the season and the World Series. Since then, it’s mostly proved peaceful on the labor front with the occasional lockout but no full-on interruption
Random Thoughts Phil Blackwell
except for the COVIDshortened 2020 season. Why such hostility so soon? An early negotiation tactic, or an attempt to shortcircuit any discussion about cost control?
Players, and their union, have always believed a salary cap keeps more money in the pockets of owners and increases franchise values at their expense. Owners believe some kind of controlling mechanism is needed so that there isn’t a $320 million difference between what the Dodgers and Miami Marlins spend on payroll.
Understand, no one is completely right or completely wrong.
Union defenders will invoke the righteous battle Curt Flood waged in the early 1970s which led to free agency as a reason never to have a cap.
They’d have a point if it was still 50 years ago. It’s not, though, and what’s more the loudest union voices, like Harper and superagent Scott Boras, negotiate and benefit from enormous contracts. They don’t ever want their earning power diminished in any way.
Yet one need only look at those other three leagues to see that a
cap, while full of challenges, has helped all of them thrive. Without it, there’s no way Oklahoma City could sign and keep the top players which won an NBA title, or no way that the Buffalo Bills could have a chance to keep someone like Josh Allen if he hit the free-agent market.
They might not all win, but at least there’s that basic opportunity to compete with New York and L.A. and have it determined by merit and not money or location.
True, MLB has seen many different recent champions. But a majority of them still were near the top in salaries, and the sheer variety is more a byproduct of having 12 playoff teams and not four, plus the somewhat random nature of a short series in a sport with 162 games.
Where the players and the union have a point is that owners should have to spend at least a minimum amount – say, $125 or $150 million – and if they can’t do it, sell the team to someone who will.
Maybe that doesn’t benefit Harper or Aaron Judge or Shohei Ohtani, but it most likely would benefit the 20 or more players on every roster who don’t have giant contracts.
As to the question about rev -
enues, remember that MLB franchies share some of them, especially from national TV contracts, but there’s wild disparity in local broadcast revenues. Not everyone has a YES Network profit machine.
You would hope that all MLB owners and players have learned from the 1994 nightmare and will never let it get to that point again. But if further education is needed, it’s close at hand.
The NHL went through an entire 2004-05 season locked out. When it returned, a salary cap was in place, and the league has seen even more growth with franchises in Vegas and Seattle and more expansion possible.
Oh, and earlier this summer the NHL quietly got a new CBA done. Peace through 2030, done a year before the old deal ran out, for everyone on all sides understood that, working together, everybody profits.
So to their baseball counterparts, I would advise to don’t act and talk tough. Erase the hard lines and make sure that come 2027 all that is discussed is what is taking place on the diamond.
Phil Blackwell is sports editor at Eagle News. He can be reached at pblackwell@ eaglenewsonline.com.
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Methodist Church. On Monday evening at approximately 6:30 p.m. lightning struck the steeple of this fine church and completely destroyed it. Sending some of the debris more than 50 ft. out into Route 20. Luckily there was no fire caused by this sudden tragedy.
40 Years Ago – Aug. 7, 1985
One way Cazenovians express satisfaction with living in or around the village or lake is to see how local
artists react to the pleasure of living here. The Sixth Annual Invitational Creek Walk Art Show offers such an opportunity. Area artists are invited to submit one work to the show in sculpture, photography, watercolors or oils. These are set along the banks of Chittenango Creek just north of Mill St. medical center. Because of the outdoor setting, where art confronts nature directly many artists are turned away from conventional framed treatments and emphasize their work in a natural setting. Some prod their imagination to come up with funny, wholesome statements.
