Bresnahan Book award winner announced
The book “Jumper: A Day in the Life of a Backyard Jumping Spider,” by Jessica Lanan, recently was named the sixth ever Bresnahan Book Award winner.
Students at all eight Liverpool Central School District elementary schools recently had the opportunity to read the nominated books and select the winner.
The nominated books were selected be-
cause they also were nominated for the 2025 Charlotte Award, which was one of former Liverpool CSD Library Media Specialist Lori Bresnahan’s favorites.
Every other year, the New York State Reading Association presents the Charlotte Award, which recognizes books that represent diversity, demonstrate different genres and formats, and appeal to children as much as they appeal
to their teachers.
The Bresnahan Book Award was established to honor Bresnahan, who passed away in March 2013. The award is presented during a special ceremony, hosted by Liverpool CSD’s library media specialists and the Liverpool Public Library, featuring LCSD celebrities reading the nominated books.
One of Bresnahan’s great passions was sharing books with children, and the district’s library media specialists decided that there was no better way to keep her love of literature alive
winner of the sixth Bresnahan Book award as Chestnut Hill Elementary and Liverpool Elementary Library Media specialist Darcy Barber looks on.
than by creating a book award in her honor. The ceremony also included raffle baskets to help fund the Lori Bresnahan Memorial Scholarship, established through Liverpool Dollars for Scholars.
Those interested can donate to the scholarship fund online by visiting the Liverpool Dollars for Scholars Web site at liverpooldfs. org, or by sending a check to Liverpool Dollars for Scholars, PO Box 32, Liverpool, NY 13088. Please make sure you state that your donation is earmarked for the Bresnahan scholarship.
N syracuse anniversary raffle held, sculpture to be unveiled
Submitted photoS
The Village of North syracuse is celebrating its 100th anniversary on Saturday, May 24, in conjunction with the North Syracuse Family Festival. This celebration begins with a parade, includes Memorial Day recognition and will also have a “sweetheart surprise.” What is the surprise? Read further to find out. in addition, the 100th Anniversary Committee is offering 100 limited opportunities to share in the anniversary celebration through a raffle with prizes totaling $5,000. Drawing date is May 24; winner need not be present to win. Cost is $100 per raffle ticket, with only 100 tickets sold. in addition, in support of the 100th anniversary Celebration, Welch & Co Jewelers has provided the Friends of the Village of North Syracuse a Keith Jack rose gold piece. More details can be found on the North Syracuse Family Festival Facebook page. as for the surprise, the village reached out to artist Fick Neeley to submit a design a sculpture relating to a local landmark to commemorate the anniversary. The project is funded by a grant from CNY arts, and the piece is titled “Tête-à-tête,” which in French means “a private conversation between two persons,” but it is also a piece of furniture referring to the utility of the space it creates. it is conceptually a grand conversation bench for Goettel park, recognizing that, historically, the landmark was a meeting place where people came together to connect, whether in passing while shopping or having casual dates with a significant other. The hope is that this sculpture re ignites lost connections and becomes a site where new connections are made for generations seeking it. The unveiling will be Saturday, May 24, immediately following the parade, veterans recognition and opening ceremonies for the North Syracuse Family Festival.
Submitted photoS Liverpool Elementary fifth grader Eloise Devendorf, second from left, and Morgan Road Elementary fourth grader amelia Mackie unveil the
THE ENo HoME
BY JEFF SNoW
of CLay hiStorian
The Eno homestead was located at 8622 Gaskin Road along the Seneca River up toward Three Rivers. The Enos arrived in this area in the early 1800s. Ira and Mary Eno’s story is told that Ira helped in the war effort of the War of 1812.
After Ira’s death in 1814, Mary started a hotel at Three Rivers Point the following year. The home on Gaskin Road was thought to be built in 1820 or 1840.
The family pictures show the Eno members that lived in the house. Myron Eno (1832-1904), his son Frank Eno (1860-1942) and Frank’s son Myron J. Eno (1910-1981) and his wife Jessie (1912-2000). They all are in the family plot at the Baldwinsville Riverview Cemetery.
The picture in the upper left-hand corner is from Clay Historical Association calendar collection in December 1977. The picture was drawn by Sallie Bailey, who was a member of the North Syracuse Art Guild at the time. Sallie Bailey graduated from Syracuse University’s fine arts department. Her lengthy obituary can be read online on her web page in “FindaGrave.com.” The picture Sallie drew was from an original that was painted back in 1870. This painting is supposed to be at the Onondaga Historical Association. They are currently looking for it, as they moved into a different building a short time ago.
As mentioned in the April 9, 2025, article, historian Rev. Kisselburgh picked three houses that he deemed historical in nature and should be preserved. At that time in the early 1970s, the Department of Transportation wanted to make a highway from 481 to 690; that highway would have gone over where the Eno home once stood. As we all know, this highway never happened. Butm unfortunately, in the passing of time, the Eno home was sold after being in the family over 160 years. Then, in
2018, the current owners tore it down and built another home on the same lot. The only thing we have is memories and photos from those before us.
CHA is hosting their first Open House of the 2025 season on Sunday, May 18, from 1-3 p.m. at Clay Historical Park, 4939 Route 31, Clay. All buildings will be open and manned by volunteers: Cigarville Train Station, replica 1800s log cabin, Sellen-Weller barn and Visitor
Center. The buildings feature exhibits, artifacts, photographs, documents and other memorabilia that have been donated by town of Clay families. Step back in time to learn what businesses the town of Clay used to be known for “Sauerkraut Factory” and “Tobacco.” For further information please visit the Clay Historical Association’s Google page. Any questions, call Cindy at 315-927-7573 or the historian email at historian@townofclay.org
Sweetheart Corner – a North Syracuse Landmark
BY VERa DESiMoNE
Sweetheart Market, at the intersection of East Taft Road (formerly Fay Road) and Route 11 (also known as Brewerton Road), was originally operated by Vera and Thomas Spinelli. The property was purchased by the Spinelli’s in 1944 and had only a small wooden stand which was enclosed by rolldown doors and its original purpose was to sell vegetables raised on the family farm. The farm was located on the corner of Allen Road and Chestnut Street and the crops raised mainly consisted of asparagus, tomatoes and peppers. The original 2-story brick homestead is still there today.
In 1947 the Spinellis only child, Lena, married George E. Gelsomin, and George became a partner in the family business. The Gelsomins had five children: Linda (Gelsomin) Hafner; Ann Marie (Gelsomin) Garrick; Janet (Gelsomin) Hughes; George T. Gelsomin; and Thomas Gelsomin. As adults, Linda (Gelsomin) Hafner married Chuck Hafner and helped build the business of Hafner’s Farmers Market, Janet (Gelsomin) Hughes managed the deli of Sweetheart Market, George T. Gelsomin became President of Sweetheart Plaza, and Thomas Gelsomin managed the bakery. There were five expansions of Sweetheart Market from its original wooden stand. The first took place in 1945 when the stand was enclosed with a full wooden structure. The second was when
the stand expanded in 1947 to take on a line of its own homemade ice cream and frozen custard. The name “Sweetheart” also came about at this time because the homemade ice cream was made on the premises, and they needed a name for this endeavor. The family decided on “Sweetheart Ice Cream” as a spinoff of the popular ice cream in Syracuse at that time called “Darling Ice Cream.” The
ice cream portion of the business lasted only a few years, but the name “Sweetheart” has long endured.
The third and a major expansion was in 1952 when the stand was replaced with a full-fledged grocery store and was then named “Sweetheart Market.” It was that same year that Thomas Spinelli retired and left the business in the hands of his son-in-law George.
Submitted photoS
The fourth big change came in 1957 when the store was expanded to accommodate a growing community, but the largest and last expansion took place in 1979 when a brand-new store was built. The new store was built directly behind the old, and when it was time to open, the move took place overnight. George continually purchased parcels of land and homes on the corner surrounding the store to make room for expansions and parking.
The original site is now lost in Route 11’s left turning lane because of the many changes that have taken place at that corner. Two chunks of property were taken from Sweetheart Corner to widen Route 11, and the enterprise needed to flex south and west, eventually taking over 11 other Sweetheart l Page 9
pictured above is the Sweetheart Corner Market in 1959
DEATh NOTicES
Todd P. McMahan , 46, formerly of North Syracuse, passed away March 27, 2025. Fergerson Funeral Home, North Syracuse, has arrangements.
The Rev. Peter A. Williams , 68, of Syracuse, passed away April 27, 2025. Fergerson Funeral Home, North Syracuse, has arrangements.
Patricia A. Rizzo , 86, of Cicero, passed away April 26, 2025. Fergerson Funeral Home, North Syracuse, has arrangements.
Ivy F. West, 90 , of Clay, passed away April 24, 2025. Fergerson Funeral Home, North Syracuse, has arrangements.
Robert L. Phinecy, Jr., 80 , formerly of Cato, passed away May 2, 2025. The Bush Funeral Home of Elbridge has charge of arrangements.
Joseph G. Cutillo, 79 , of Elbridge, passed away April 29, 2025. The Bush Funeral Home of Elbridge has charge of arrangements.
Deborah A. Reynolds, 66 , of Jordan passed away April 29, 2025. The Bush Funeral Home of Elbridge has charge of arrangements.
Olin G. Hudson, 94, formerly of Camillus, passed away April 30, 2025. The Bush Funeral Home of Elbridge has charge of arrangements.
James E. Fuller, 94 , of Skaneateles passed away May 1, 2025. The Bush Funeral Home of Elbridge has charge of arrangements.
Robert “Bob” L. Brown Jr., 95
Former skaneateles assessor, active in community
Bob Brown, 95, of Skaneateles and The Villages, Fla. passed away peacefully of natural causes on April 21, 2025, after a life well lived.
Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Bob graduated from Williston Academy and went on to earn his degree from Syracuse University in 1953. While at SU, he was a proud member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity and, most importantly, met the love of his life, Ginny Polek. They were married on Valentine’s Day in 1954 and shared nearly 70 wonderful years together until Ginny’s passing in 2024.
Upon graduation, Bob was commissioned into the U.S. Marine Corps and served honorably with the First Marine Division in Korea. Following his military service, he embarked on a successful career as a stockbroker with F.I. Dupont and later as a field sales manager with ExxonMobil for 23 years. In 1985, Bob transitioned to public service, becoming an assessor in Skaneateles and subsequently serving in four other towns in Central New York.
He was an active member
of both the Onondaga and Cayuga County Assessor Associations.
Bob made Skaneateles his home for 55 years and was deeply involved in the community. He was a longtime member of the Skaneateles Country Club, where he enjoyed golfing for over five decades, and served as president of the Skaneateles Ski Club. A dedicated National Ski Patrolman, Bob also gave his time to the Rotary, the American Legion, SAVES, and “FISH.”
In 2014, Bob and Ginny began spending winters in The Villages, Florida, eventually moving there fulltime.
Throughout his life, Bob found great joy in outdoor activities — skiing, tennis, golf, and sailing. In later years, he discovered a simple, enduring happiness working in his yard.
Bob was predeceased by his beloved wife, Virginia P. Brown, His mother Dorothy P. Brown, his father Robert L. Brown Sr and his Brother Bruce S. Brown.
He is survived by his children, Connie Hickey. (Tom) of Savannah, GA, and Pete Brown. of Atlanta, GA, as well as four grandchildren: Kevin Hickey, Alex Hickey, Carson Brown, and Jaysa Brown.
Above all, Bob loved his family fiercely and lived each day with enthusiasm and spirit.
A celebration of life for both Bob and Ginny will be held this summer in Skaneateles. Burial will be at St. Mary’s of the Lake Cemetery. To send condolences, visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.
Robert “Bob” L. Brown Jr.
