dIsCussInG frEshwATEr wETLAnds
Town Of Cicero hosts NysDeC presentation on regulations
By AnnA EdwArds
On Wednesday, July 30, the Town of Cicero hosted a New York State Department of Energy and Conservation (NYSDEC) presentation on new freshwater wetland regulations implemented by the NYSDEC earlier this year.
DEC Deputy Regional Permit Administrator Jonathan Stercho, along with DEC Biologist Thad Yorks from the Bureau of Ecosystem Health, gave a presentation on the regulations and answered community questions.
The new regulations, which were adopted on Jan. 1, 2025, introduced a new classification system that includes protections for smaller wetlands and wetlands of unusual importance.
The new regulations also expand the DEC’s regulatory jurisdiction to include wetlands that were not mapped previously.
The Freshwater Wetlands Act of 1975 was the previous legislation regarding wetlands.
The act protected wetlands that were 12.4 acres or larger.
The new regulations still include wetlands of this size, but also add new standards.
“We regulate both impacts to a wetland and the 100-foot adjacent area around the wetland. They both have special characteristics that New York State has determined is worth protecting,” said Stercho.
Yorks said the regulations were approved by the legislature in 2022, sent for public feedback
sessions and then signed by the legislature in late 2024.
To be classified as a protected wetland through the 2025 legislation, the wetland must be 12.4 acres or greater, or meet any of the 11 unusual importance criteria.
The criteria are: watersheds with significant flooding, urban areas, wetlands with rare plants, wetlands with rare animals, areas of unusual local importance, Class 1 Wetlands, previously mapped lands, lands of regional significance, floodways, wetlands with significant importance to protecting the state’s water quality, and vernal pools, which Yorks said are typically temporary isolated wetlands.
The speakers emphasized that not every property has classified wetlands.
“Every property is not subject to these regulations. It’s only if there are protected wetlands, either in the lake in front of your property, or if there are protected wetlands on your property,” said Stercho.
To find out if a property contains wetlands, property owners can request a parcel jurisdiction (JD).
The DEC will then look at the land to decide if there are wetlands on the property or if the 100-foot adjacent area of a protected wetland falls in the property.
A parcel jurisdictional determination determines if a parcel meets the criteria for classification as a regulated freshwater wetland.
“It’s determining and figuring out if there are any wetlands there or adjacent areas that are regulated,” said Yorks. “A wetland delineation is to determine where the wetland ends, or vice versa.”
To request a parcel jurisdiction, visit dec.ny.gov/nature/waterbodies/wetlands/ freshwater-wetlandsprogram/freshwaterwetland-jurisdictionaldeterminatio n and fill out the online jurisdiction form.
The DEC’s team will review the parcel and provide an answer within a 90 day period.
Yorks said if the parcel JD is positive, landowners should fill out a project JD before they complete a project on the wetland area.
A project JD is a way of assessing the proposed activity and its impacts to the wetland or adja -
People’s choice
CNy’s premier horn band, brass inc makes its Johnson Park debut on Monday, aug 11
By russ TArBy
Contributing writer
When the 2025 Syracuse Area Music Awards were announced in March, the winner of the People’s Choice Award for Best Band went to the ninepiece powerhouse horn band, Brass Inc. In fact, the popular vote total was nothing short of a landslide.
“I’m told by those in charge, the win was a landslide,” said Brass Inc. keyboardist Rhys Brigida. “Literally thousands of people voted. Our audience is loyal, the proof is in the pudding and we’re blessed.”
The popular Syracuse-based dance band makes its Johnson Park debut at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 11 as part of the 39th annual Liverpool Is The Place Summer Concert Series.
Audience members should bring a lawn chair or blanket.
Admission is free at all performances. For more information visit liverpoolistheplace.
co m
The award-winning band features keyboardist Rhys Brigida, trumpeter Brian Burke, bassist Mike Cieply, vocalist Dee Englebrecht, lead guitarist Pat Hodson, tenor saxman and flutist Tony Mastrobattisto, trombonist Clayton Morgan and lead vocalist and saxophonist Walt Tanner.
cent area.
The DEC’s website states that after determining the impact, potential mitigation measures are looked into and permitting is required.
There are also general permits, which Yorks said cover more common activities. General permits often include activities that have a limited environmental impact.
“General permits streamline the process. They are sort of a template that covers a number of activities… It’s nicely packaged,” said Yorks.
Some activities will be exempt from the Article 24 Freshwater Wetlands Act, and therefore do not require a permit.
Exempt activities include maintenance, repair of existing structures, resurfacing, seasonal removal and installation of docks and outdoor recreation such
as boating and fishing.
Activities that are prohibited in regulated areas until permits are in place are called regulated activities.
These activities include clear cutting vegetation, excavation, dredging, draining, installing and expanding new docks, use of pesticides, use of herbicides and new construction of buildings, driveways or accessory structures.
Yorks said that this can be thought of as new activities, instead of ongoing.
“The continuing lawful use of your property is not going to require a permit,” said Stercho.
The DEC currently does not have a map of the jurisdictional wetlands in the lakes, and a regulated wetland cannot be determined without a JD.
Yorks said that the DEC’s Environmental Re -
source Mapper can provide an overview, but that it is not a complete map.
Community members raised concerns about a lack of information regarding what constitutes wetlands, as there are no maps which display current wetland status. They expressed worry about not being able to make decisions regarding building on their own land.
Attendees asked if the changes had anything to do with the displacement of wetlands taking place with the Micron project, but Stercho and Yorks said they did not.
Attendees also shared concerns regarding 90day wait times for permits.
According to the NYSDEC website, “wetlands are essential for maintaining biodiversity, mitigating flooding, and protecting water quality.”
“One thing for sure,” Brigida said, “our featured horn section is by far the best at what they do, and their power
ful command of expertly crafted charts are a thing of envy, world class.”
Brass Inc. songlists are dominated by material from
the 1960s and ’70s – Motown, Beatles, BeeGees and B-52s –but the combo also covers more recent tunes by Kiki Dee, Bruno Mars and Amy Winehouse.
“We’re a solid cover band,” Brigida said. “We haven’t produced original music yet, but all the ingredients are there to
make it happen. Recordings are in discussion.”
The 39th annual Liverpool Is The Place Summer Concert Series will conclude with the DeSantis Orchestra celebrating 77 years of music-making at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13, at Johnson Park.
Submitted photo
This year’s sammys People’s Choice for Best Band, Brass Inc., will perform a free concert at Johnson Park debut at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 11, in Liverpool.
AnnA edwArdS
The dEC hosted a meeting in Cicero to discuss new freshwater wetland regulations implemented by the nysdEC earlier this year.
Liverpool library celebrates summer
By KAThrynE rAKowsKI
It was a beautiful evening for those who gathered for Onondaga Lake
Appreciation Day with the Liverpool Public Library.
The event, part of the library’s Summer Reading Program, was held on July 22 at Onondaga Lake Park and offered people the opportunity to come together to enjoy food, music, and learn more about Onondaga Lake and the nature that surrounds it.
Programmed in partnership with Libraries Love Lakes, an initiative that brings libraries and ecology together, the event had something for everyone.
Children had the opportunity to make crafts and attend story time with the library, while others could visit a variety of educational booths made up of local groups and organizations mainly dealing with the environment and restoration efforts related to Onondaga Lake.
Liverpool Library Stem Educator Katie Storey helped to put together the event and was
happy to see so many people come out to celebrate Onondaga Lake.
“When I moved into this area, I was blown away by what we have here with this beautiful lake,” she said. “It’s the perfect time of year for people to gather at the park and celebrate the many restoration efforts people are involved in. It’s cool to learn about how much people have done to restore the lake.”
Some of the groups promoting the good work being done and encouraging more efforts were Upstate Freshwater Institute, CNY Stormwater Coalition, and Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps.
People could learn about local birds from Onondaga Audubon and had the opportunity to go exploring on a bird walk led by an expert.
Dong Style Taijiquan School of Syracuse was on hand to teach Tai Chi, offering several demonstrations throughout the evening.
The Skanonh Great Law of Peace Center was present to kick off the event with a Native American welcome and share more about their mission.
People also enjoyed music by Power of 2 and a variety of food trucks were on hand to complete the evening.
Seeing so many people coming together and
having fun while learning more about the environment and what they could do to help it made the evening all the more special for Liverpool Library Communications Coordinator Nori Gart-
ner-Baca.
“It’s great to see people so excited about the booths we have here,” she said. “That was a big part of our summer reading program; paying it forward and building a sense of community.”
The Liverpool Library is still has plenty planned for the rest of the summer.
Visit lpl.or g to view their events calendar.
Local accountants promoted at Dannible & McKee
Dannible & McKee, LL P, a leading certified public accounting and consulting firm, announced the promotion of 10 professionals, effective July 1, 2025.
These advancements reflect the firm’s ongoing commitment to developing talent and recognizing individuals who exemplify leadership, expertise and dedication to client service.
“Our newly promoted team members have consistently demonstrated drive, dedication and excellence,” said Christopher Didi o , CPA, CFE, managing partner of Dannible & McKee, LLP. “We commend their hard work and celebrate their ongoing commitment to both their careers and the values of our firm.”
Erin Heindl, CPA, has been promoted to audit manager.
Heindl joined our team in 2021 after earning her bachelor’s degree in accounting from the State University of New York (SUNY) Empire.
She is responsible for performing audits, reviews, compilations and employee benefit plan audits. She has experience in a variety of client industries, including manufacturing, construction, and architectural and engineering.
She also assists in the audit de -
partment’s internship program.
Heindl is a certified public accountant in New York and is a member of the AICPA, the NYSSCPA, and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE). She resides in Liverpool and works at the Syracuse office.
Nate Merulla, CPA, has been promoted to audit manager.
Merulla joined the firm in 2020 after interning in the summers of 2019 and 2020.
He is responsible for performing employee benefit plan and FAR audits, as well as attestation services in the architecture and engineering, construction and manufacturing industries.
Merulla earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from the SUNY at Geneseo.
He is a certified public accountant in New York and a member of the AICPA, the NYSSCPA, and the ACFE.
He resides in Cicero and is based in the Syracuse office.
Jake Pieklik, CPA, has been promoted to audit manager. Pieklik joined the firm in 2020 following an internship from 2019 to 2020.
He graduated with an associate’s degree in 2017 from Ononda -
ga Community College, followed by a Bachelor of Science in 2019 and an MBA in 2020 from SUNY Oswego.
Pieklik is responsible for the planning and execution of audits, reviews, compilations and other attest services, with a specialization in employee benefit plan audits and a focus on clients in the construction and manufacturing industries.
He is a certified public accountant in New York and a member of the AICPA and NYSSCPA. Pieklik resides in Liverpool and is based in the Syracuse office.
Carly Lyndaker, CPA, has been promoted to audit senior accountant. Lyndaker joined the firm full-time in 2023 after completing an internship from 2021 through 2023.
She supports the oversight of various audit engagements and works closely with clients across multiple industries. She graduated summa cum laude from SUNY Oneonta in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in accounting.
She is a certified public accountant in New York and a member of the AICPA. She resides in Liverpool and works out of the Syracuse office.
David Rivers has been promot -
ed to tax senior accountant. Rivers joined the firm full-time in 2023 after completing an internship from 2022 through 2023.
His responsibilities include preparing and reviewing individual and corporate tax returns, tax planning and managing client correspondence.
He works with clients across multiple industries, including construction, manufacturing, professional services and media.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Le Moyne College in 2022. He resides in Clay and works at the Syracuse office.
Ryan Sheffield, CPA, has been promoted to audit senior accountant. Sheffield joined the team in 2023 after interning from 2022 through 2023.
He is responsible for conducting audits, reviews and compilations and supporting client engagements across multiple industries.
Sheffield graduated magna cum laude from SUNY Oswego with both a Bachelor of Science in accounting and an MBA.
Sheffield is a certified public accountant in New York, and he resides in Liverpool and works at the Syracuse office.
For more information, visit dmcpas.co m
SchOOlS ANd SchOlARS local students graduate from SUNY canton
The following local students graduated on May 10 from SUNY Canton: Mykell Kaigler of Liverpool, who earned their Bachelor of Business Administration in Sports Management. Jennifer Tolbert of Liverpool, who earned their Associate of Science in Early Childhood.
KAthryne rAKowSKi
Liverpool Public Library hosted onondaga Lake Appreciation day July 22.
Edith dundon, 98
loved time at her family cottage
Edith “Mimi” Dundon, age 98, of Baldwinsville, passed away peacefully on July 23, 2025, at McHarrie Place in Baldwinsville.
Born Edith Schweser in David City, NE, Mimi was the youngest of three sisters. After the untimely death of her father, she moved with her family to Rochester in 1941. She followed in the footsteps of her parents and sisters by attending Oberlin College, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in 1948. After graduation, she returned to Rochester to teach English at her high school alma mater.
When she met George Dundon, she left the classroom, married the love of her life and began 64 wonderful years — raising their four children, graciously entertaining in their home and traveling the world.
In 1969, while sailing in the Thousand Islands on the boat they built, Mimi and George found their family cottage on Grindstone Island. A swimmer, hiker, crafter and blueberry picker, Mimi loved nothing more than time at the cottage with family and friends. Through special weeks with each grandchild, she passed along her love of the river to the next generations.
Mimi devoted herself to community service, taking on leadership roles in many organizations. Her fondest childhood memories of weeks at summer camp inspired her involvement with Camp Fire Girls. She went on to serve as president of the Camp Fire Council of Rochester and Monroe County. Additionally, her deep belief in the power of education for women fueled her long dedication to P.E.O. International, a philanthropic educational organization. She served on the New York State Board of P.E.O. for seven years.
When Mimi and George moved to Baldwinsville in 1989, she continued her active community involvement with organizations such as the Friends of the Library, Travelers Club and First Presbyterian Church of Baldwinsville.
Mimi spent the last decade living in the McHarrie Life community, where she enjoyed the company of dear friends and being close at hand for countless family celebrations. She was known for her positive spirit, her can-do attitude and her signature wink that brought smiles to all who knew her.
She will be deeply missed by many: her four children — Laura, Bob, Emma and Curt — and their partners; her seven grandchildren and five great-grandchil-
dren; and many cherished friends. She was predeceased by her husband, George, in 2015.
Mimi lived a life of quiet, consistent generosity, embracing a quote from her Camp Fire years: “That light which has been given to me, I desire to pass undimmed to others.”
In honor of her dedication to children’s camp experiences and women’s education, donations may be made to: Camp Talooli, 520 County Route 54, Pennellville, NY 13132 or to: P.E.O., Chapter AO c/o Lisa Blystone, 2020 Murphy Road, Marcellus, NY 13108.
A celebration of life will be held on Aug. 28 at 1:30 p.m. at the McHarrie Towne Center, 2464 Betsy Drive, Baldwinsville. Guestbook at FalardeauFH.com.
Edith dundon
Erik withey, 48
loved music, football, motocross
Erik Withey passed away peacefully in his home on July 26, 2025, surrounded by his family after a long battle with cancer.
Erik was born in Auburn to his parents Richard and Elaine on July 15, 1977. He was raised in Skaneateles and graduated from Skaneateles High School. He spent most of his early days on his family farm on Skaneateles Lake where he learned the importance of hard work, perseverance and dedication.
He then went to work for the village of Skaneateles where he spent many years working to provide for his family and serve the community. After 20 years at the village, Erik decided to start his
own business – Withey Sealing. He was very proud to try something new and he loved being his own boss.
Erik was a man who lived life full throttle. His passion for things such as music, football and beer were all part of him, but motocross was his true obsession.
He spent every weekend with his mom and friends racing motocross up at Frozen Ocean while also traveling and competing throughout the country. Later in his life, he introduced his children to live music, where they attended countless concerts and rarely missed a Godsmack show.
There is nothing he loved more than being able to share his love for music with his family.
Erik was predeceased by his mother and angel, Elaine Bailer-Withey, who
we all know was waiting for him with open arms.
He was also predeceased by his grandparents, E. Richard and Virginia Withey as well as Raymond and Norma Bailer.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Colleen and their four children, Sophia, Skyllar, Annalise and Hayden; his brother, Marc and his daughters, Caitlyn and Camryn; his father, E. Richard Withey; Colleen’s family as well as several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Thank you to all of Erik’s doctors, caregivers and friends over the last few years.
When you hear the saying “it takes a village,” the Skaneateles community is one like no other and our family will be forever grateful.
Calling hours were held on Friday, Aug. 1, from 3 to 6 pm at Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, Skaneateles with a reception at the Skaneateles Rod and Gun Club following.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Hospice of Central New
York and of the Finger Lakes- 990 7th North Street, Liverpool, NY 13088. To send condolences, visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.
me help you buy or sell your home!
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185 Clinton Avenue, Cortland, NY 13045
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Erik withey
Moyer Carriage
Sherriey Miller of Baldwinsville contacted me after many months of following my articles. She reads the Eagle News often and shares what she learns with her friends.
She wanted to share with the other Eagle News readers about a carriage she recently acquired a few years ago back in 2019. Sherriey’s husband, Chuck, brought it home to show her this old carriage that he was going to scrap. He claims someone didn’t want it in their front yard anymore and wanted him to take it out of their hands.
Although Chuck thought it was a piece of junk, Sherriey had other plans. She wanted to bring this old carriage back to life, so she brought it down in her basement and got to work. She found out it had a brass Moyer carriage name plate on it with the patent number Jan. 15, 1889. This meant a new, special spring was involved in making this carriage. I’ve included three other pictures of her craftsman ship to show her handy work.
Sherriey worked on this carriage for many years. The spoke wheels were all rotted, had
How long should it take to play 18 holes of
“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.
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 self-confidence 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 -
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
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
Hope springs eternal for Lake Drive apartments
About an hour into his annual State of the County Address on March 20, Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon announced that a 168 apartment complex is being proposed along Lake Drive in the village of Liverpool.
McMahon credited Liverpool’s first family of hospitality – the Gormels – for partnering with local developer Lou Santaro to invest in a $46 million lakeside housing project featuring 99 one-bedroom units and 69 two-bedroom units along with possible restaurant and retail uses including an in-ground pool and fitness center.
Contacted a few days after the announcement, Adam Gormel –whose family owns The Retreat, The Cobblestone and the Barking Gull here – seemed dubious at best.
“There are a lot of details to take care of,” he said at the time. “It’s no sure thing.”
Things looking up
But what a difference four months make!
When I bumped in Adam in the village on July 29, he told me that they’ve commissioned new drawings updating earlier renderings by QBK Design whose portfolio includes the Empower FCU Amphitheater at Lakeview.
Right now the Gormels and Santaro are actively exploring financing options.
“Later this year, we hope to start the village’s site-review process and get all the permits taken care of,” Adam Gormel told me.
If all goes well, construction could start as early as April 2026, he said.
That may be an overly optimistic prediction, but the Gormel’s late paterfamilias, Retreat-founder John Gormel, spent the last years
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of his life acquiring the properties on the Basin Block, where such a development could be possible.
A century ago, that large, trapezoid-shaped block bounded by First Street, South Willow Street and Lake Drive, was the site of an old Oswego Canal side-cut basin.
Promising partnership
Eight years ago, when John was still alive, the Gormels proposed a 42-unit apartment complex along Lake Drive. In 2019, an architect actually presented the village planning board with sketch-plan drawings of the proposed three-story structures. But a shaky economy discouraged investment, and that project was abandoned.
John Gormel passed away Sept. 7, 2022 at age 78. Since then, his sons – Adam and Josh – have partnered with longtime local developer Lou Santaro an experienced East Syracuse real estate operator and owner of Attilio’s Restaurant at 770 James St. Having an ally like Santaro is a definite plus for the Gormels. Not only is Santaro a savvy restaurateur, he’s also a versatile and well-respected businessman and property-owner. That promising partnership could well bring the massive – and expensive – project to fruition.
Let’s face it, we’d all like to see the old Basin Block shining brightly again as it brings scores of new families here to live in the new apartments.
willow workshop on Aug. 16
Would you like to learn exactly how German immigrants here turned Liverpool into a thriving center of basket-weaving in the 19th century?
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The village of Liverpool will host a community basketry workshop taught by nationally recognized willow artist Bonnie Gale, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 16, at the village hall, 310 Sycamore St.
Due to reduced grant funding, the workshop will be only one day in length this year. The tuition is paid by a CNY Arts grant, but participants will need to pay their materials fee of $50 per person. Space is limited.
The Tatzca Bread Basket will be taught.
“This beginning willow basket is a traditional functional shape for holding bread,” Gale said. “It is made of white and buff peeled willow.”
Six groups of rods are woven into a hexagon and then the outside rods are woven around and into the basket. The remaining rods then form an interior hexagon.
“This is an excellent beginning willow basket and provides techniques used by the immigrant Liverpool willow basket makers,” Gale said. It is a joy to make and demonstrates the intrinsic functional nature of willow.”
Bonnie has been a professional willow basket maker for the past 42 years. She is well known for her living sculptures and willow caskets; bonniegale.com
To register for the Aug. 16 workshop, call or email Bonnie Gale at 607-226-0314 or bonnie@ bonniegale.com
Last word
“We love to expect; and, when expectation is disappointed or gratified, we want to be again expecting.”
– British poet Dr. Samuel Johnson.
Contact the columnist at russtarby@aol.co m
Ramblings from the empty nest
ann Ferro
Livin’ in Liverpool
russ Tarby
Picnic
newspaper version here will mostly likely be black and white, but Sherriey did an excellent job on painting. The wheels are a nice red color along with the frame and trim pieces. The roof is also in a red pattern with red fringe and a flower red & black flocking pattern on the inside of the roof. The seat cushion is made from a faux leather. The carriage has an original whip holder and is a two-seater for up to four people. Under the backseat is a place for ladies to put a purse or other small items. The carriage also had a mud flap to cover this storage and to keep this area hidden. It also included a place for ladies to put their feet on under the front seat and the carriage had a foot warmer which would be filled with hot coals. The area under the front seat had a flap to keep the foot warmer warm from the cold winter air. Her carriage has an oil lantern to drive at night (which is interesting for this time period) plus a reflector in the back. If you see Sherriey around town, give her a big thank you for saving a piece of CNY history.
Many know the house on the factory building down near Hiawatha Avenue, but that is about what most seem to know – that there is a house on a factory building. Harvey Moyer used building that looked like a house to cover up the freight elevator to draw attention to his business. It seemed to work, as a lot of people know of this building. This was where Sherriey’s carriage was made - at the H.A. Moyer carriage factory here in Syracuse. Harvey Allen Moyer was the founder of the carriage company
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.
and was born from the famous Moyer Corners family in Clay. His grandfather is Jacob Moyer, who was featured here in the Eagle News at the end of March. The bottom building picture was taken from Moyer’s first carriage company location in Cicero in 1876. The company was relocated to Syracuse in
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
Sally A. Montagne, 91, of Warners, passed away July 24, 2025. Buranich Funeral Home, Camillus, had arrangements.
Mackenzie L. Tamutus, 39, of Syracuse, passed away July 25, 2025. Buranich Funeral Home, Camillus, had arrangements.
John F. Skibitski, Jr., 63, of Cicero, passed away July
1880, with the building on top in both top pictures.
After the age of carriages stopped and automobiles started, Harvey started to make automobiles in 1908 and stopped making them in 1915 because he couldn’t compete with mass production of cars like the Ford’s Model T. Thanks
to Sherriey for bringing this unknown world of Moyer Carriages to life for all of us to see. She believes this carriage once traveled the streets of Baldwinsville over a hundred years ago.
Any questions can be directed to historian@ townofclay.org. The Clay Historical Association meets on the second
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
22, 2025. Fergerson Funeral Home, North Syracuse, has arrangements.
Deborah J. Barron, of Fairmount, passed away on July 29, 2025. Buranich Funeral Home, Camillus, had arrangements.
Christine Theberge, 61, of Camillus, passed away July 29, 2025. Buranich Funeral Home, Camillus, had arrangements.
Wednesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at the Clay Historical Park. Those interested in attending, inviting others to join, or sharing any historical photographs are encouraged to reach out. The 2 buildings on the right side of the picture are from Brian Laurie’s office(bottom) and NYS (top).
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.
Paul M. Salisbury, 70, formerly of Camillus, passed away July 26, 2025. The Bush Funeral Home of Elbridge has arrangements.
Lillian L. Simpson, 86, formerly of Jordan, passed away July 28, 2025 The Bush Funeral Home of Elbridge has arrangements.
Submitted
Mack A. saeger, 72
Dedicated nurse; loved travel
Mack Arthur Saeger, 72, of Raton, New Mexico, passed away on May 10, 2025.
Born in Rochester, New York, to Marian and Chet Saeger, Mack lived a life full of compassion, curiosity, and kindness.
After graduating from SUNY New Paltz and Upstate Medical Center nursing school, Mack followed his heart westward and made his home in New Mexico.
As a dedicated nurse, he spent his life caring for others-not just in his profession, but in every in -
teraction.
His warmth, humor and thoughtfulness made him beloved by patients, friends and family alike.
Mack had a deep love for travelwhether exploring ancient ruins, reconnecting with loved ones, or setting out on spontaneous joy rides with no destination.
He found joy in the small things, souvenir shops, handmade holiday cards crafted from magazine clippings, the perfect quirky gift that would brighten someone’s day.
An artist at heart, he also loved to play his guitar, harmonica, and
the flute, which he was just learning to play.
He loved making jewelry and cherished the culture and landscapes of the Southwest. He was an artist at heart.
Mack joined the souls and spirits of whose who went before him – his parents Marian and Chet Saeger, his nephew Tony, dear friend Jim, and his beloved stepson Michael.
Mack leaves behind a legacy of joy, love, and care that will be felt by all who knew him. He will be deeply missed.
Mack A. saeger
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 except for the COVIDshortened 2020 season.
Why such hostility so soon? An early negotiation tactic, or an attempt to short-circuit 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.
SCHOOLS & SCHOLARS
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 revenues, 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.
l niversity d ean’s l ist
The following local students were named to the La Salle University spring 2025 dean’s list. Students who complete at least 12 credits and earn a semester grade point average of 3.5 or higher are placed on the dean’s list. Samantha Klein of Cicero, majoring in communication: five-year (B.A./M.A.) and Jenna Pickard of Cicero, majoring in nutrition: five-year (B.S./M.S.). c ard awarded academic scholarship Daylee Card of North Syracuse was selected during the past academic year for a scholarship from
the Hudson Valley Community College Foundation. Card, who is studying in the dental hygiene academic program, was given the Otto V. Guenther Scholarship for the most recent academic year. Nazareth University students earn degrees
The following local Nazareth University students earned their degrees at the 98th annual Commencement ceremony that took place at Nazareth University on May 17: Maria Kasarda of Cicero with graduated Magna Cum Laude from Nazareth University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History.
Aiden Meyer of Liverpool with graduated Summa Cum Laude from Nazareth University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Legal Studies. Maggie Dobroski of Liverpool with graduated from Nazareth University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Inclusive Education.
Anthony Caimano of Liverpool with graduated Cum Laude from Nazareth University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Visual Communication Design with a minor in Digital Media and Design.
l ocal students earn president’s honor roll status
The following local students were named to the Bismarck State College President’s Honor Roll for the spring 2025 semester, having maintained at least a 3.50 GPA: Nedzad Bradaric, of Liverpool, Sean Kilpatrick, of Liverpool, and Ellen Pastie, of Brewerton.
Riley Norris of Liverpool with graduated Summa Cum Laude from Nazareth University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Sciences with minors in Psychology and Gerontology. Emily Reichard of Brewerton with graduated Cum Laude from Nazareth University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing.
Random Thoughts Phil blackwell