Caz hockey season ends in double-OT loss to F-M
By Phil BlaCkwell
Through two full games and a handful of overtime periods, nothing separated the Cazenovia ice hockey team from FayetevilleManlius.
Eventually, someone had to pull ahead – and it was the no. 4 seed Hornets that did so in the second overtime period of last Wednesday night’s Section III Division II quarterfinal at Cicero Twin Rinks.
The end result was a 3-2 defeat which ended the Lakers’ season, a campaign full of plenty of ups and downs and ultimately defined by the battles it waged against F-M.
When they first played Jan. 15 at Morrisville State IcePlex, it went back and forth but was not resolved, a 4-4 tie where the teams were close to even on shots (Cazenovia had 33, F-M 34) and Henry Miller scored twice for the Lakers, the other goals going to Jake Hightchew and Jack Casey.
Had Cazenovia won this game, it would have hosted
By kate hill Staff writer
Scot thomaS
Cazenovia defenseman Finn Hagan (4) gets a check on Fayetteville-Manlius’ Brian Tonkovich (14) during last Wednesday’s Section III Division I quarterfinal where the Lakers fell to the Hornets 3-2 in overtime.
F-M again as the no. 4 seed. Instead, it settled for the no. 5 seed and had to go to the Twin Rinks to try and upend a Hornets side who owned signature wins over three state-ranked teams - Skaneateles, Rome Free Academy and CiceroNorth Syracuse – at different points this winter. Miller would net both
On Feb. 13, Cazenovia Area Volunteer Ambulance Corps (CAVAC) members had the opportunity to meet with patients whose lives they helped save last year.
The reunion occurred at St. Joseph’s Health Hospital in Syracuse during a celebration of life with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survivors, their families, emergency medical services (EMS) personnel, St. Joseph’s care teams, and representatives from the American Heart Association.
The patients and their families were honored for their bravery and resilience during unpredictable times, and the involved agencies, including St. Joseph’s Health personnel, were recognized for their exceptional efforts and quick, life-saving actions. The event also acknowledged the critical role of community members who performed hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) before EMS arrived. CPR is an emergency lifesaving procedure performed when the heart stops beating. According to the American Heart Association, more than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of the hospital each year. CPR, especially if administered immediately after cardiac arrest, can double or triple a person’s chance of survival.
The Cazenovia EMS representatives at the event were CAVAC
Immediate Past President Kerstin McKay, paramedic Eric Byers, CAVAC President Carla Kinney, and former CAVAC president
goals in this rematch, one in each of the first two periods with assists from Casey and Shamus Newcomb. F-M countered with goals by Nico Capriotti and Will Sanzone. They stayed 2-2 through a tense third period and a full overtime period despite many great chances on both ends. Lakers goalie Ezra Stahlberg made 22
Sara Mitchell. Kara Judd, a Cazenovia Fire Department emergency medical technician (EMT), was also present.
“I think about 10 survivors attended, but all out-of-hospital cardiac arrest EMS and hospital personnel were recognized even if the survivors didn’t attend,” said McKay.
One of the survivors in attendance was a Cazenovia resident who suffered a cardiac arrest at work. His coworker, also present at the St. Joseph’s event, helped save his life by performing hands-only CPR on him until EMS arrived. Cazenovia Fire Department and CAVAC personnel began treating the patient on the scene. With the patient responding positively, Judd and Byers continued resuscitative treatments in an ambulance driven by CAVAC driver Dan Wheeler. As the patient continued to improve, Manlius paramedic Jake Seager was picked up at the Manlius Fire Department to provide additional hands to help with the patient’s care. The patient continued to improve as the crew turned care over to the team at St. Joseph’s.
“The opportunity to hear accounts of the many survivors present [at] the event revealed details common to most of the survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest,” Byers said when reflecting on his experience at the St. Joseph’s celebration. “First, CPR started quickly after cardiac arrest. This was certainly the case with the bystander providing CPR for the patient in Cazenovia.”
He also pointed out that 15 of the first responder agencies in-
goaltender Ezra Stahlberg (30) makes a stop on Fayetteville-Manlius forward Will Sanzone (11) during last Wednesday’s quarterfinal.
saves, but his teammates were stymied even more as Hornets goalie Sean Lamarche stopped 37 of the 39 shots he faced. Needing to resolve things this time around, the Lakers and Hornets went
to a second OT. Only there did Henry Dougherty push the game-winning shot past Stahlberg, sending F-M to the sectional semifinals against West Genesee.
If the Lakers, who finished with an overall record
of 8-7-5, can keep its roster full of underclassmen intact for 2025-26 (Shamus Newcomb, Vinny DiNatale. Tucker Ives and Alex Pappas are the only seniors), then it could make a serious title run next winter.
volved with the 2024 saves were fire departments, and, like the Cazenovia Fire Department, most of the departments are staffed with volunteers.
“Because of declining volunteers, ambulances — including CAVAC — typically respond with a driver and paramedic or EMT,” he said. “The local volunteer fire departments provide the addi-
tional skilled responders required when a patient suffers a cardiac arrest. For the patient saved in Cazenovia, the skilled responders from the Cazenovia Fire Department made the difference in the outcome. Fortunately, cardiac arrests occur infrequently. However, preparation and training for cardiac arrests and other emergencies must occur frequently.
The coordination of efforts in the delivery of care to the patient in Cazenovia reflected the time and effort the Cazenovia Fire Department members invested to care for their fellow citizens.”
CAVAC CPR classes
According to McKay, CAVAC recently received new training equipment and hopes to hold
Scott thomaS
Cazenovia
By kate hill Staff writer
On Thursday, March 6, at 6 p.m., the Cazenovia Public Library will host a book talk with Canastota resident Marilyn Higgins, author of “Dreams of Freedom.”
Set in the 1800s, the historical fiction book tells the story of 20-year-old Irish immigrant Aileen O’Malley’s harrowing journey along the Erie Canal corridor in search of her father and kidnapped halfsiblings. Along the way, she encounters real-life influential leaders such as abolitionists Gerrit Smith and Frederick Douglass and women’s rights activist Elizabeth Cady-Stanton.
“An Irish woman’s story of love, justice, and a young nation coming apart,” the book description states. “. . . Millions of immigrants were entering America’s heartland. Anti-Catholic bigotry and the
monthly volunteer-led CPR classes for the community.
“Our mission is to provide excellent pre-hospital care to our patients,” McKay said. “The more lay people that are trained in CPR and use of an automated external defibrillator (AED), the better the chances are for survival of a cardiac arrest event. [The] pre-hospital cardiac arrest survival rate hasn’t changed much since 1979; however, research shows that providing good quality CPR and having an AED available can improve that
seething national divide over slavery were soon to erupt in mob violence. Thousands of religious zealots could be heard chanting at revival meetings in upstate New York. Native people were being forced off ancestral lands.”
Higgins, a former vice-president of National Grid and Syracuse University, has spent her life in Upstate New York.
According to the author, her decision to write “Dreams of Freedom” was motivated by her passion for the area’s rich history and belief in its profound impact on America’s national identity.
“I made [my protagonist] an Irish immigrant because I am of Irish heritage and because the Irish played a central role in building the canal and settling the towns and villages of Upstate New York,” she
percentage significantly. At CAVAC, we are trying to improve that survival rate, with good quality outcomes, as much as we can for our community.”
CAVAC’s hands-only CPR training is free. Its CPR-Basic Life Support (BLS) training — the same training given to EMTs, nurses, and doctors — is $35. CPR-BLS training includes CPR, AED, and abdominal thrusts for choking. Participants receive an American Heart Association certified card for completing the course.
Hands-only CPR classes are scheduled for March 16 from 9 to 11 a.m. and
said.
This year marks the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Erie Canal, which was built between 1817 and 1825 and originally traversed 363 miles from Albany to Buffalo.
Higgins described the Erie Canal as an unprecedented achievement in American infrastructure that resulted in massive changes to the culture and economy of the nation.
“The cost of transporting goods was reduced by 95 percent,” she said. “This spurred an economic boom that created whole cities like Troy, Syracuse, and Buffalo and made New York City, rather than New Orleans, the nation’s premier port. The Canal made it easy to transport people into the heart of the new nation.
May 7 from 6 to 8 p.m. CPR-BLS trainings are scheduled for Feb. 25 from 1 to 5 p.m., April 12 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and June 8 from 1 to 5 p.m.
All classes will be held at CAVAC and are open to anyone. To register, visit cavacambulance.org/cavac-trainingclasses/. CAVAC was established in 1974 and is currently based at 106 Nelson St. in Cazenovia. The local ambulance service relies on a team of volunteers — drivers, crew coordinators, EMTs, and general members — and paid professional paramedics. A high school student corps also supports its operations. In addition to providing EMS to Cazenovia and surrounding communities, CAVAC offers short-term medical equipment loans (e.g., crutches, walkers, and wheelchairs) and has a New York State-certified child/baby car seat installer.
This resulted in the immigration of 7 million immigrants from different nations along this corridor and spawned new religions — Mormonism, Shakers — and social experiments like the Oneida Community. The tumultuous canal corridor brought settlers into close contact with the matriarchal Haudenosaunee confederacy, giving rise to the Women’s Rights Movement. The area also often served as the last leg of escape on the underground railroad. This fact and Gerrit Smith’s money and commitment fueled the Abolition Movement. The issues of religious freedom, women’s rights, and racism still shape our culture today.”
To purchase “Dreams of Freedom” and learn more about Higgins, visit marilynhigginsauthor.com.
According to McKay, CAVAC responded to 1,100 calls in 2024, which equates to about three calls per day on average.
The organization currently has about 130 members plus about 20 student corps members.
“We have many ‘part-time’ members and are always looking for more,” McKay said. “We are particularly in need of drivers — no commercial driver’s license required, just a regular driver’s license — and crew coordinators who man our reception area and help get our backup crews together.”
To learn more about CAVAC and becoming a volunteer, visit cavacambulance.or g For more information on cardiac arrests and survival rates, visit cpr.heart. org/en/resources/cpr-facts-and-stats.
Patricia Marris, 84
Former erieville Corner Store proprietor
Patricia Merchant Marris, 84, of Erieville, passed away Monday, Feb. 17, 2025 at Oneida Health Rehabilitation and Extended Care Facility. She was born June 17, 1940, in Cazenovia to Selah and Mina Merchant. Pat was the proprietor of the Erieville Corner Store for several years before going to work at Dielectric Laboratories.
She is survived by her children, Susan (Ernie) Sellen of Erieville and Randy (Heidi) Marris of Hoboken, GA; her sisters, Jane Parker of Pitcher, N.Y., Peggy Johnson of Bath, NH and Marggie Merchant of Lenoir, SC; four grandchildren, Justin Marris of Norwich, N.Y., Crystal Payne of Canastota, NY, Jason Sellen of Prospect, N.Y. and Jeremey Sellen of Pasadena, MD; eight great-grandchildren as well as several nieces and nephews.
Patricia was predeceased by her father, Selah Merchant; her mother, Mina Waite Merchant Franklin; her husband of 22 years, Robert G. Marris; her longtime companion of over 20 years, John W. Minor, Sr.; her son, Arthur “Mike” Custer and by
her brothers, James and Gerald Merchant. There are no calling hours. Private services will be held at a later date with burial in Valley View Cemetery in South Otselic, New York. Condolences for Patricia’s family may be left at michaelebrownfuneralservices.com.
Michael P. Reeve, 83
Dedicated engineer and educator
Michael P. Reeve, 83, of Cazenovia, passed away on Feb. 1, 2025, rejoining his beloved wife Mary Therese who preceded him in death nine months earlier.
A dedicated engineer and educator, Mike taught mechanical engineering technology at SUNY Morrisville for over 30 years.
He was known for his problem-solving skills and his work at Reeve Enterprises.
He had a passion for all cars, but especially restoration of vintage cars from 1910-1920s and was active in the Franklin Trek community.
He is lovingly survived by his children Mary Pat Reeve (Mark Daly) of Arlington, MA, Patrick Reeve of Cazenovia, and Maggie Tompkins of Wolcott, N.Y.; and nine grandchildren: Matthew, Theresa, Michael, Emma, Simon, Callum, Joy, Gwendolyn and Madeline.
A mass celebrating his life will be held on Friday, March 7 at 10:30 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church in Fayetteville.
Michael P. Reeve
Patricia Marris
OuR vOicE
Winter pet care
The past few weeks have reminded many of us what Central New York winters can look like.
We have seen more snow and colder temperatures on a more consistent basis than we have seen the past few winters.
This has likely reminded us to take precautions and extra measures when we go out the door and into the snow and cold.
To be prepared when we go out and we are wearing warmer clothes, coats, hats, gloves and other items of this nature to make sure we are keeping ourselves safe and warm and protected from the elements
But for those of us with pets, it is also important to remember that they are also subject to the conditions outdoors. A good rule of thumb is that if we are cold chances are they are cold too.
Just as we get cold hands and feet and faces, our pets experience the same discomforts in the snow and cold.
Best Friends Animal Society is a national animal welfare organization.
The organization shared some tips for pet owners to be prepared and help keep their four legged friends safe in the winter.
According to Best Friends Animal Society these tips include the following: Keep your pets inside during extreme temperatures. Once the temperature drops below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, pets are at risk of developing hypothermia or frostbite.
Dogs and cats’ paws, ears, and tails are the most common areas that pets can develop frostbite –this increases if those areas are wet. If a pet needs to spend time outside during extreme temperatures, keep both walks and potty breaks short.
Use plastic water bowls for outdoors. A pet’s tongue may stick to metal, and they could injure themselves when trying to pull away.
Chemicals used to melt snow and ice can injure or irritate the pads of pet’s feet. Look for petfriendly ice melt products and steer clear of anti-freeze which is toxic to pets.
Gently wipe their feet with a damp towel once they are back inside to avoid a trip to the veterinarian. Wearing boots can protect paws from irritating salt on the street.
Many dogs, particularly those with short coats, will be more comfortable if they have a sweater or coat on. If a dog frequently lifts their paws, whines or stops during walks, it is probably because their feet are cold.
Be particularly careful when taking older, arthritic animals and small pets outside. They may become stiff and tender quickly and often find it difficult to walk on the snow or ice.
Don’t let dogs off the leash during a snowstorm. No matter how much they want to play in the snow, they can easily lose their scent and become lost.
Always make sure dogs are wearing ID tags and are microchipped before you take them out.
Always check under the hood of a car’s engine - a favorite hiding space for community cats. Check underneath a car, bang on the hood, and honk the horn before starting the engine to make sure a cat hasn’t taken up temporary housing there.
By keeping these steps in mind, we can help keep our pets a little safer and more comfortable no matter what kind of weather we have this winter.
MaRkiNG My PlaCe
My daughter gave me a book for Christmas. A wonderful gift for so many reasons, I began reading it immediately. About a quarter of the way through … well…life and dishes … you know.
Today I picked it up again and quickly slipped into its characters and plot. This was not one of those, “I have to read while I am standing in the kitchen and getting lunch ready things.” I wanted to savor, to enjoy the escape of fiction, to leave all of the other minutia of everyday life aside for a while. Besides, the book cover says that it is funny and I need funny right now.
I made this re-entry into fiction a small event, accompanied by a pot of tea, my favorite spot on the love seat where the little pillow fits my back and the lamp light is perfectly over my right shoulder. About 20 pages in, the phone rang, followed by the doorbell. When was the last time someone rang our bell? Then I remembered that I had begun to work on the income taxes the day before. I put the book aside, marking the page where I left off.
Now, with what did I mark my place?
You would think it would be a bookmark. I have one of the largest collections of bookmarks in the Western world. OK, that is an exaggeration, but I do have a goodlysized bookmark collection, something I
treasure. They represent a wide swath of remembrances from a crumbled and finger print marked one created by my daughter when she was ten years old that extolls kindness to others and one that marked the opening of the public library in downtown Syracuse. Most are paper but several are leather and one is metal. Some are plastic and one of these contains pressed flowers from a neighbor’s garden. There are two made with faux jewels that dangle outside the book’s covers to remind you where you left off. They catch the light as they lay sparkling on the cover, calling you back. There’s an exquisite paper bookmark that I bought in a winery on Lake Chelan in Washinton State. Created by an artist’s hand, it is a work of art. In fact, each of my bookmarks is a work of art, encapsulating a thought, a special quotation, a drawing or painting … something that calls your attention to it, an expression of a particular reality in a small form. Each can stand on its own but is designed to be a marker for another type of art. A kind of marker of memory.
I give books at Christmas too. Each year I pick about eight books that I would like to read from the Bas Bleu catalog and send them to my sister, hoping that she would send them back to me. Yes, that does seem
Ramblings from the empty nest
ann Ferro
a bit duplicitous but then, most years she gives them to other people. I usually include a bookmark or two. It was about 10 years ago that I stepped up my Christmas bookmark game and made a special one to accompany my sister’s gift. It was crocheted out of a filament of fine thread, wound with slender ribbons and finally embellished with the tiniest pastel flowers that my size 14 crochet hook could manage. My sister asked me if I really thought that she would hide this in a book. I was complimented and conflicted at the same time. I’ve thought that it might be a good idea to reproduce this tour de force for myself, but I had the same thought. Why would I take the time to craft this piece and then hide it in a book I which is probably why my cherished collection lies upstairs in a box that is rarely opened.
So, what did I use to mark the spot where I left off in this year’s Christmas gift book? An outdated coupon for borax. Go figure.
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.
Su as March spectators
If you read this piece and live in Central New York you pretty much know the routine once the calendar changes from February to March and no, it isn’t about measuring the snow in inches and
FROM THE MAILBAG
not feet. Much more common is the knowledge that the most wellknown basketball teams in these parts will make their way to conference tournaments, perhaps win
Spending cut concerns
To the editor:
I am writing to express my concern about the effects of cuts in federal spending on the residents of Madison County.
Many of our essential programs for veterans, farmers, seniors, students and the disabled are supported at least in part by federal funds. Federal grants also support funding of county highway, emergency management, sheriff and transportation departments. Our rural schools are dependent on federal money to provide our students with the education and resources they need to compete with those from more affluent areas. Did you know that the federal government allocates over $2000 per K-12 NY student? Our local universities, colleges and BOCES are training students for good paying jobs. What will happen once the funding is cut? Health care, nutrition, housing, community development, child care, transportation, clean water and support for farming are among other areas that benefit from federal money not to mention the arts!
What happens when support for those programs disappear?
Will Madison County be scrambling to make up for the shortfalls in federal support through increased County taxes? Or will these services simply be cut, to the detriment of our residents who depend on them?
Please ask your town supervisors what their plan is to protect these essential programs that support our communities. Please urge them fight to keep the federal funding. That federal support is crucial to keep our area affordable and maintaining many of the programs that help make Madison County a great place to live.
JOhN Bailey hamilton
Protect democracy
To the editor:
For 105 years, the League of Women Voters (LWV) has been a nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering voters and defending democracy. Now as our democracy is being tested, it is more important than ever that voters have accurate election information; voter access is safeguarded; and election integrity is upheld.
All Americans – regardless of party affiliation – must work together to defend against efforts to undermine democratic principles and processes.
Here are three simple ways that you can help defend democracy:
1. Stay engaged. Sometimes it’s hard to know what to believe and sometimes the news can make us feel overwhelmed, but it is important for the future of our democracy that each of us stay informed and engaged.
2. Contact your representatives on issues important to you. Elected officials work for the people and they need to hear from concerned citizens like you. By taking action, you will be holding your elected officials accountable on the issues that matter to you.
3. Register to vote and help others register. Make sure your family and neighbors are up to date on their registration. The League works year-round at schools and community events to prepare eligible voters. Check out VOTE411.org for more information.
The LWV of the Syracuse Metropolitan Area will continue to register voters, fight misinformation and disinformation, hold fair candidate forums, take action through advocacy and publish nonpartisan voter guides. We encourage everyone to do their part in actively defending democracy.
MilleRt
DuRaNt, MaRGRit Diehl & ROBeRta
JOaN
leaderShip team of the lwV of the SyracuSe metro area
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a game or two, and then inevitably find their way to some kind of post-season, ideally the NCAA tournaments. Well, in 2025 it’s different, which only makes all that snow
Random Thoughts
Phil Blackwell
outside more depressing. Whether it’s the men or the women, SU’s Orange are both are Su l Page 5
Questions funding for cellphone restrictions
To the editor:
I read with interest your article written, writer unknown, in the February-March Parent, entitled “Time to Disconnect.”
I have to wonder why our governor is proposing 13.5 million dollars ‘for school districts to implement bell-to-bell restrictions on student cellphones and other smart devices. It seems to me the solution is quite easy. No cell phones or other smart devices allowed in school. Period!! And it should be enforced! You know, just as it was before the onset of electronic devices, including cell phones. Exceptions could be for students with health issues, but, then again, the adults, as in office staff, teachers, counselors would be aware of these exceptions and would be available, if needed.
I am not living in the past, as some of you may think. I am quite aware of safety measures needed to keep our young people safe while in school. This is where any monies such as the $13,5 million should be applied. It is outrageous that this amount of money should be used in place of rules and discipline!
Why isn’t anyone questioning this? Why isn’t anyone asking the governor being questioned about this?
Betty DuSzyNSki fayetteVille
cNYSPcA PET OF THE WEEK
By eleNa SelthuN
houdini is a friendly ten-year-old orange and white cat who came to the shelter as part of a cruelty case and is looking for a home that can provide lots of gentleness and scritches. as senior cats often do, he has a calm demeanor and is generally unbothered, but he will get out of bed for pets and treats. he is affectionate towards everyone, even strangers. he also enjoys some relaxed playing and is curious about new things. His previous downstairs kennel neighbors were a pair of rambunctious kittens, and he seemed to enjoy watching their antics. houdini’s favorite pastime, however, is rubbing his entire face against people’s hands and flopping down to provide maximum petting access. houdini just wants to receive lots of snuggles and spend his golden years surrounded by love. Visit the shelter if you’re interested in giving this sweet older gentleman a home and want to experience his cuddliness in person. For more information about adoption, call 315-4544479, email frontoffice2@cnyspca.org, or visit cnyspca.org.
for cameos at their
tournaments before fading away into an off-season full of questions.
We’re just not used to this.
Perhaps the women’s part is easier to explain. No one on earth was going to match the magic which Dyashia Fair brought, her very presence turning SU into a problem for opponents and, at the end, nearly upending almighty Connecticut on the Huskies’ home floor.
But it just never clicked this season. Part of it was the roster turnover always present in the transfer portal era, another part the sheer quality of an ACC topped by Notre Dame, N.C. State and North Carolina, among others.
Thus Felisha Legette-Jack is likely to get a pass from Orange followers, with the admonition that it better improve in 2025-26 or even someone with such deep Syracuse roots might find herself facing job pressure.
On the other hand, the men’s SU program might already face a crisis two years into Adrian Autry’s tenure, with a good portion of the fan base beyond their level of patience and wanting him gone.
Only so much of it can be attributed to roster turnover. Start to finish the Orange’s defense has proven a sieve, and from an inability to hold late leads to (again) rough free-throw shooting, the end result has proven difficult to watch.
Maybe Autry was never going to have a real chance. The old saw about how you’d rather be the man replacing the man who replaces the legend applies, as fans at UCLA, Indiana and so many other places where long-time coaches with national championships left the sidelines.
It also didn’t help that Jim Boeheim drew out his departure for quite a few years, at first designating his succession to Mike Hopkins, then changing his mind which led to Hopkins venturing to Washington.
Fans have a right to feel perturbed, for sure. Yet there’s always the danger of mak-
ing haphazard changes based on what they think because it can always turn into a perpetual cycle of hiring and firing and soon you’re the late 1970s-early-1980s New York Yankees - remember three managers in a single season?
Not that it’s an easy choice for AD John Wildhack to make. Boeheim, among others, has publicly pleaded for patience and to allow Autry his chance to revamp the SU program, even if it requires two or three more years. Yet the negativity is so strong in important circles that it’s impossible to tune out. Autry working under a constant win-orelse mandate would also prove unhealthy and make it more difficult for whoever is chosen next.
What’s more, there’s nothing close to a correct answer. Some programs have moved on from coaches after one or two bad years and, with a new coach in charge, took off toward glory, as Roy Williams did at North Carolina after Matt Doherty’s brief and stormy tenure.
Others stuck with their choices and were rewarded with that exact same glory – some coach at Duke with a funny last name had a losing record through three seasons and fans clamored for his job.
Tom Butters stuck with Mike Krzyzewski and, well, that seemed to work out.
So what to do at SU with Adrian Autry? More than ever it reminds me of those books I read as a kid, “Choose Your Own Adventure”, where you were presented multiple scenarios that either led to doom or happiness.
The ultimate moral was that absolutely nothing was guaranteed to happen. It could always change. Just as it is here, where a passive March without a Dance to watch has left many here wanting to hear the music again.
Phil Blackwell is sports editor at Eagle News. He can be reached at pblackwell@ eaglenewsonline.com.
Years Ago in History
By CiNDy Bell tOBey
95 Years Ago – Feb. 27, 1930
The Dairymen’s League Cooperative Association has just concluded negotiations for the purchase of nine additional country plants. Two of these in Madison County are located in Morrisville and Ballina and were purchased from the Eadelmark Farms Inc.
The plants are all shipping stations with cheese manufacturing facilities and were duplicated of League operations in the same localities.
They were formerly owned and most of them were erected by the Saquoit Dairy Co. Inc., of Utica.
The League’s purchase of these plants was on a salvage basis and is in accord with the organization’s policy of attaining greater efficiency through the elimination of duplicate operations.
The plant at Ballina will be closed March 1 st and its former patrons will draw to the League plants at Cazenovia and New Woodstock. Some will draw to the independent plants at Bingley and Sheds.
75 Years Ago – Feb. 23, 1950
Merrill A. Bailey, Cazenovia artist, painting the picture which features the cover illustration of the March issue of Reader’s Digest: It is a watercolor painting of General George Washington’s headquarters at Valley Forge, Pa.
The picture, which is number seven of the Digest’s “Shrines of America” series of cover illustrations, portrays the spot where the “ragged Continentals” spent the bitter winter of 1777-78 when the fortunes of the American Revolution were at a low ebb.
Bailey, who is an art teacher at Cazenovia Central School, has had many other significant recognitions of his work.
55 Years Ago – Feb. 25, 1970
Cazenovia Lake is apparently high
on the list of a comprehensive, six-year survey of “Characteristics of New York Lakes,” to be started April 1 by the U.S. Geological Survey of the Department of Interior.
The study, which will study lakes with surface areas larger than 0.50 square miles, in each of six areas of the state, will begin in Central New York. Cazenovia Lake, with a 1.85-square mile area, should be among the bodies of water studied in the first year, according to a letter received by Bernard T. Brown, Jr., this week.
Philip E. Greeson, Geological Survey Immunologist, said in his letter to Mr. Brown that emphasis in the study will be placed on the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics.
In the Cazenovia area, DeRuyter Lake also is scheduled for study.
35 Years Ago – Feb. 28, 1990
A gift from the Cazenovia Preservation Foundation has placed a new book of local and architectural interest at the Cazenovia Library. Roger G. Kennedy’s “Greek Revival America” contains four Cazenovia buildings.
Mr. Kennedy’s 464-page volume has received praise from critics across the country.
It has been described as “the first fullscale study of Greek Revival architecture to be published in over 40 years.”
According to members of the CPF, it seemed appropriate that the first Cazenovia entry in the book, the Cazenovia Library, is the permanent home of Mr. Kennedy’s book.
Another location listed in Mr. Kennedy’s book is “White Lilacs,” 9 Albany St, which was most recently on the of the offices of Stearns and Wheler.
“Sage Hill,” at 107 Lincklaen St., was bulit about 1830 for Orin Sage, proprietor of a sash and blind factory in Cazenovia.
“Cobblestone House,” on Syracuse Road, was built in 1823 by James Beckwith.
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 Muscato II, Esq. Young / Sommer, LLC
Executive Woods, Five Palisades Drive
Albany, NY 12205
Phone: (518) 438-9907
Email: jmuscato@youngsommer.com
ORES 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.
Applicant filed the application with the Office on February 15, 2024. A notice of complete application was issued on December 20, 2024 (see https://dps. ny.gov/ores-permit-applications, click on Project Permit Application Number 23-02976).
ORES staff published draft permit conditions on February 18, 2025. The draft permit conditions may be accessed at https://dps.ny.gov/ores-permitapplications, click on Project Permit Application Number 23-02976. ORES Staff Position: On issuing the draft permit conditions, ORES staff takes the position that the proposed facility, together with the uniform and site-specific standards and conditions contained in the draft permit, would comply with applicable laws and regulations. ORES staff recommends that the Office elect not to apply, in whole or in part, any local law or ordinance that as applied to the facility is unreasonably burdensome in view of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act targets and the environmental benefits of the proposed facility.
Public Comment Hearing: A public comment hearing pursuant to 16 NYCRR part 1100 to hear and receive unsworn comments from the public will be held at Madison Hall, 100 East Main Street (Route 20), Morrisville, NY 13408 on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
All persons, organizations, corporations, or government agencies who may be affected by the facility are invited to attend the hearing and comment on the application and the draft permit conditions. Lengthy comments will not be accepted and instead should be submitted in writing. Equal weight will be given to both oral and written comments. To ensure that all interested persons have an opportunity to speak, the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) may limit the time available for oral comments to three (3) minutes per person. The public comment hearing will be transcribed for inclusion in the administrative record.
The hearing location is reasonably accessible to persons with a mobility impairment. Interpreter services shall be made available to deaf persons, and English language translator services shall also be made available, at no charge for either service, upon written request to Chief ALJ James T. McClymonds, Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission, Empire State Plaza, P-1 South, J Dock, Albany, NY 12242, (518) 473-4590, ores.hearings@dps.ny.gov. All requests must be received no later than 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9, 2025.
In the event that the in-person public comment hearing needs to be canceled, rescheduled, postponed, or conducted virtually, notification of any change will be available at the ORES website at https://dps.ny.gov/ores.
Written Public Comments: Written comments concerning the application and the draft permit conditions must be filed with ORES by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 25, 2025. Persons filing written comments are strongly encouraged to post their comments on the Department of Public Service (DPS) Document and Matter Management (DMM) system. To post a comment, go to https://dps.ny.gov/ores, click on “ORES Permit Applications,” click on Project Permit Application Number 23-02976, and click on “Post Comments” in the upper right-hand corner of the screen. Written comments may also be emailed to ORES at ores.hearings@dps. ny.gov or mailed to the Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission, Empire State Plaza, P-1 South, J Dock, Albany, NY 12242. Written comments will be considered equally with oral statements delivered at the public comment hearing, provided they are postmarked by Friday, April 25, 2025, or e-mailed or posted on DMM by 5:00 p.m. on that date. Please take notice that written public comments will be publicly posted on DMM. ORES reserves the right not to post duplicate or repeat comments. In addition, ORES reserves the right to remove, without notice, comments containing any defamatory, infringing, obscene, indecent, discriminatory, confidential, or unlawful material or information of any kind.
Issues Determination Procedure: Pursuant to 16 NYCRR 1100-8.3(b), a pre-adjudicatory issues determination procedure will be conducted by the assigned ALJ. The procedure will be conducted solely on papers and briefing unless the ALJ, in the judge’s sole discretion, determines that oral argument is necessary. The purpose of the issues conference is to determine party status for any person or organization that has properly filed a petition (as indicated below), and to narrow and define those issues, if any, that will require adjudication in this matter. Participation in the issues determination procedure is limited to ORES staff, applicant, and those persons or organizations requesting party status.
Filing for Party Status and Proposed Issues: Persons seeking to participate in the issues determination procedure and any subsequent adjudicatory hearing must register on DMM and file a written petition explaining whether their request is for full party status or amicus status. For the required contents of petitions for full party status, see 16 NYCRR 1100-8.4(c)(1) and (2). To determine whether an issue is substantive and significant, see 16 NYCRR 1100-8.3(c)(2) and (3). For the required contents of a petition seeking amicus status, see 16 NYCRR 1100-8.4(c)(1) and (3). Petitioners may also file written briefs making arguments in support of their petitions.
All petitions requesting party status and briefs in support must be E-Filed on DMM no later than 4:00 p.m. on Monday, April 28, 2025. Instructions for registering in DMM and E-Filing documents may be found at: https://dps. ny.gov/dmm-help-electronic-filing-registration-instructions. Address all petitions to Dawn MacKillop-Soller, Administrative Law Judge, New York State Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission, Department of Public Service, Empire State Plaza, P-1 South, J Dock, Albany, NY 12242, telephone: (518) 473-9946, email: dawn.mackillop-soller@dps.ny.gov; and Christopher McEneney Chan, Administrative Law Judge, New York State Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission, Department of Public Service, Empire State Plaza, P-1 South, J Dock, Albany, NY 12242, telephone: (518) 4739849, email: christopher.mceneneychan@dps.ny.gov.
At the same time petitions and briefs are E-Filed on DMM, a copy of all papers must be emailed to the ALJs at the email address above, and furnished to applicant Hoffman Falls Wind, LLC’s attorney, James Muscato II, Esq., Young / Sommer LLC, Executive Woods, Five Palisades Drive, Albany, NY 12205, (518) 438-9907, jmuscato@youngsommer.com; and to ORES at the Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission, Empire State Plaza, P-1 South, J Dock, Albany, NY 12242, (518) 473-4590, ores. hearings@dps.ny.gov. Service of petitions and briefs by email is authorized provided they are received by all of the above parties and the ALJ by the 4:00 p.m. deadline.
Any questions about filing requirements or other hearing procedures may be addressed to Chief ALJ James T. McClymonds by telephone at (518) 473-4583. ORES’s regulations may be found at https://dps.ny.gov/oresregulatory-documents.
Statement of Compliance with Local Laws and Regulations: Any municipality, political subdivision or an agency thereof that received notice of the filing of the application pursuant to 16 NYCRR 1100-1.6(a) must file a statement indicating whether the proposed facility is designed to be sited, constructed and operated in compliance with applicable local laws and regulations in effect as of December 20, 2025, if any, concerning the environment, or public health and safety. The statement must be filed and served by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, April 28, 2025, in the same manner as petitions for party status. Any municipality, political subdivision, or an agency thereof that proposes to adjudicate any issues related to a facility’s compliance with local laws and regulations must file a petition for party status as provided for in 16 NYCRR 1100-8.4(c) and include the statement of compliance with local laws and regulations
Applicant Statement of Issues: No later than 4:00 p.m. on Monday, April 28, 2025, applicant shall file and serve on ORES staff and the ALJs a statement of issues applicant intends to raise with respect to any determination of the Office, and briefing in support. Applicant shall serve the statement of issues and brief on persons filing petitions for party status within five (5) days of such filing. For the required contents of an applicant’s statement of issues, see 16 NYCRR 1100-8.4(b)(1).
Responsive Briefing and Response to Comments: No later than 4:00 p.m. on Monday, May 19, 2025, ORES staff may file and serve a response to any petitions for party status, any statement of issues by applicant, and the statement of compliance with local laws and regulations. By the same deadline, applicant may file and serve a response to any petition for party status or statement of compliance with local laws and regulations. In addition, the applicant shall file and serve on ORES staff a response to public comments received during the public comment period, including any supplemental information.
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-permitapplications, 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.
James T. McClymonds
Chief Administrative Law Judge February 18, 2025 Albany, New York
Geer, Sanchez advance to state wrestling meet
By Phil BlaCkwell
Post-season action for the Chittenango and Cazenovia wrestling teams continued at SRC Arena on Feb. 15 at the Section III Division II state qualifying meet.
The Bears’ Eddie Geer got closest to earning an automatic berth through his second-place finish at 160 pounds and the Lakers’ Gabriel Sanchez was third at 152 pounds, but their winning efforts throughout the season meant that both earned at-large bids for this weekend’s state championships at MVP Arena in Albany.
At 160, Geer pinned Jackson Wolford (Camden) in 47 seconds, topped Leon Smith (Phoenix) 10-2 and then won his semifinal 8-1 over South Jefferson’s Michael Roberts, whom he beat a week earlier in the sectional Class B meet.
Only in the title bout did Geer slow down, taking a 12-6 defeat to Little Falls’ Matt Verri. Still, Geer’s 29-6 mark this winter merited a state tournament berth.
As for Sanchez, in the state qualifier he suffered a quarterfinal defeat to Central Valley Academy’s Cooper Reed
Is your golf memorabilia ready for auction?
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Ryan Carey is the Founder & President of Golden Age Auctions. They help collectors buy, sell and consign many of the most significant collectables in golf history. Ryan says, “We have clients in 58 different countries and are proud to hold nearly every meaningful golf industry price record”. In 2022, According to Ryan, “We changed the golf collecting industry forever when we sold Tiger Woods’ ‘Tiger Slam’ irons (used for his four consecutive Major victories in 2000 and 2001) for a record $5.15 million and we have been featured regularly on ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Fox Business, Golf Digest, CBS Sports and New York Times”. There are other extraordinary world records set by Golden Age you might find breathtaking:
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(the eventual champion) but then swept every match in the consolation bracket.
Sanchez got a tough 2-1 decision over Jon Paradis (South Jefferson) and a pin of Braden White (Adirondack) before he used an overtime takedown to beat Little Falls’ Colton Wheel for third place and an overall record of 3513 this season.
Up at 108 pounds the Lakers’ Gryphon Foster lost in the quarterfinals to Sherburne-Earlville’s Jackson Moore but recover with wins over Dawson Millard (South Lewis) 12-0 and Max Pelcer (Cato-Meridian) 8-1 in the consolation bracket.
This, along with a pin over Luke Ackerman (APW/ Pulaski/Sandy Creek, helped Foster reach the consolation bracket final before a 10-1 defeat to Adirondack’s Seth Strain left him in fourth place.
Chittenango’s Dan Mahle lost in a closely-fought 131pound quarterfinal 10-8 to Little Falls’ Nate Verri after beating Cazenovia’s Cullen Arnold 15-0 in the opening round. The Lakers’ Nate Chapman, at 145 pounds, fell in the opening round to Dolgeville’s Bryce Mosher.
and sold his “greatest golf club collection” in history, of clubs and balls, in 2007 for $2 million.
Other golf memorabilia that you can buy at shall we say, more reasonable prices…
* Jim Bean Black Alcohol Golf Ball…$7.99.
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* “New”…New York Yankees Golf Towel (rare collectible)…$20.00 or best offer.
* “Very Rare”…2009 Barack Obama Inaugural Golf Ball…in case…$50.00 or best offer.
* “Very Rare”…Rocco Mediate - Odyssey Prototype #6 Collection Putter New)… $650.000.
* PING “Karsten Co.”Anser putter (RARE)… 1968-1974 Collectable-All Original… $260.000.
* Vintage 1980 LPGA Corning Classic Female Golf High Polish Zippo Lighter MIB Rare… NEW…$53.00.
* Tiger Woods 2024 Gallant Mango HOLOGRAPHIC, Rare and HTF…Preowned…$31.00.
All of the above items are available on EBay.
Golf memorabilia such as signed clubs, vintage tournaments programs and rare photographs allow golf fans around the world to hold a piece of history and share a connection to the game we enjoy playing. The market is flooded with options to purchase or sell. Finding authentic and valuable items can be like trying to find a “needle” in a… you know where. If you are seriously interested in finding an appropriate item for a “special” golfer you know, just google “golf memorabilia” for 15 minutes. It’s fun.
And finally…if there is a golfer in your family, do not underestimate the value of what you might find that is right “under your nose”. It’s worth another 37 minutes… isn’t it?
Cazenovia girls basketball impresses in playoff victory
By Phil BlaCkwell
Strong late-season play had the Cazenovia girls basketball team well-positioned and fairly confident heading into the Section III Class B playoffs – and what it did in its playoff opener only added to that good feeling.
The no. 7 seed Lakers hosted no. 10 seed Holland Patent last Saturday at Buckley Gym in a round-of-16 game where all it had done well late this winter was on display in the latter stages of a 54-34 victory over the Golden Knights.
Despite its 5-14 record entering the game, HP was far from an easy opponent. All through the early stages Cazenovia found it difficult to solve a tight Golden Knights defense.
Clinging to an 18-16 halftime lead, both sides saw the pace quicken in the third quarter. The Lakers produced well, but so did HP, so the game was still in doubt with a period left.
Only here did it all click for the Lakers, who put away the Golden Knights with a 20-4 surge that was partially due to its defense and partially from an ability by Ella Baker to hit plenty of late free throws.
Between her trio of 3-pointers and 10 successful foul shots, Baker finished with 25 points, while Maria Vaccaro remained in top form with 16 points and Jocelyn Szalach added six points.
Before the post-season started Cazenovia tested itself against defending sectional Class AA champion Central Square last Wednesday night and, while its five-game win streak was halted, it still played quite well in a 66-59 defeat.
The Lakers led 15-12 through one period, only to have the Redhawks, who had gone 9-1 in its last 10 games and also won five in a row, to battle its way in front 25-22 by halftime.
All through the second half Cazenovia offered up a challenge led again by Maria Vaccaro, who poured in 29 points while adding eight rebounds and three assists, and Baker, who had 15 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Claire Vaccaro added eight points and six assists.
What kept Central Square ahead was its depth and balance. Five Redhawks hit double figures led by Hannah Waldron’s 17 points and Olivia Chiaramonte’s 14 points. Payton St. Clair had a double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds, Taylor Adams also getting 12 points to go with eight assists and four steals. Emily Waldron had 11 points, five rebounds and three assists.
Steeled by this effort, Cazenovia was ready for the playoffs and now awaited to see if no. 2 seed Marcellus would get past Hannibal Tuesday to set up a quarterfinal clash with the Mustangs.
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ALBANY BOUND: Cazenovia wrestling senior Gabriel Sanchez finished third in the Feb. 15 Section III state qualifying tournament at SRC Arena but with his season-long work earned an at-large berth to this weekend’s New York State Public high School athletic association championships in albany.
Cazenovia boys beat Chittenango, win playoff opener
By Phil BlaCkwell
Better situated than they were at the midseason mark, the Cazenovia and Chittenango boys basketball teams made their way to the Section III playoffs. And they did so on even terms after two tense regular-season battles, the second of which concluded the regular season last Wednesday and saw the Lakers rally past the Bears 50-47 at Buckley Gym.
Having lost 64-55 when they first met Jan. 30, Cazenovia found itself staring at that same
negative outcome when it struggled for baskets in the first half and Chittenango took a 28-23 lead to the break. But when the Bears cooled down in the third quarter the Lakers picked up pressure, never let Chittenango find its rhythm and, in a final period, went on an 18-11 run to get out in front and stay there
Now it was time for the sectional tournament, where in Class B Cazenovia was the no. 6 seed paired up against no. 11 seed JordanElbridge Saturday at Buckley Gym. And the Lakers prevailed 61-40 with a superb defensive
effort, especially in the second half. Neither team started fast, and because of this the Eagles were able to stay close throughout the early stages, only trailing 24-23 at halftime to a Cazenovia side which had scored 97 and 90 points in their two regular-season meetings.
Starting in the third quarter, though, the Lakers picked up the tempo, increased its lead and then left no questions with a closing 21-7 spurt where J-E had no answer for Ben Bianco.
Hitting on seven 3-pointers, Bianco finished with 27 points overall, also contributing in other
ways thanks to his six assists, five steals and four rebounds. Kyle Caraher had his best showing of the season, pulling down 14 rebounds to go with his 13 points. Edmond Richardson was held to six points and Bobby Livingston four points, but Livingston more than made up for it with his nine rebounds, three steals and four assists. Now Cazenovia will face its Laker rivals from Skaneateles in the sectional quarterfinals this week, the winner to get Phoenix or Mount Markham in the semifinals March 4 at East Syracuse Minoa High School. The final is March 8 at SRC Arena.
