(Oneida, NY – Feb. 2012) Local storyteller author Olin Davis has announced the publication of “Recollection,” his second book of true human interest life stories. This collection spotlights memories of personal experiences and observations spanning eight-and-a-half decades.

Seventy-five different adventure events share memories of growing up and working on a dairy farm, a career of selling farm equipment and retirement. Anecdotes recall cod liver oil, knickers, the one-room school, a team of horses and more.

“As a kid, I was fascinated when an elderly neighbor told stories about ‘how it used to wuz,’” Davis said. “Perhaps that inspired me to write ‘Flashbacks,’ and now ‘Recollections,’ my second volume. Now, I’m the old-timer telling tales of olden days. Everyday incidents from by-gone years preserve the past.”

Significant references to events in our locality are interwoven through many of the factual tales. Local history about a rural way of life is revealed through the eyes of the author. Some experiences may parallel those of the reader.

Word pictures also describe people and places beyond this immediate vicinity.

The author is a lifetime resident of Central New York, currently living in Oneida. He is active in his church and the community. Writing is one of several hobbies in his retirement years.

As a student long ago, he wrote feature articles for Verona High School’s newspaper, “The Ink Pot.” He is a member of the Canastota Writers Group. He has received awards from Rebecca Eddy Memorial and recognition from Writer’s Digest International.

Readers of “Flashbacks,” his first published work, have requested more of his style of storytelling. Many relate that the book has rekindled memories of their own. Davis often speaks at historical societies, senior citizen groups, libraries and other venues.

He discloses amusing accounts about life in the past and the present.

Autographed copies of “Recollections” are available.

For more information, email Olin.Davis@verizon.net.

(Town of Lenox, NY – Feb. 2012) On Feb. 11, the Great Swamp Conservancy will hold its Birds n Bagels program from  9 to 11 a.m. Fred Zufelt will ID winter birds at the GSC feeders, answer birding questions and give bird feeding tips while participants enjoy coffee, hot cocoa, and bagels. This is an informal drop in; donations welcome.

The Great Swamp Conservancy is located at 8375 N. Main St. Road, Canastota.

For more information, call 697-2950.

(Albany, NY - February 6, 2012) The Canastota Police Department advised the State Police on the Thruway to be on the lookout for a stolen Hyundai Elantra.

Fultonville Troopers located the vehicle eastbound by the Fultonville exit. An attempt to stop the vehicle resulted in a high speed pursuit.  The operator attempted to exit the Thruway at Exit 23 in Albany.  He was traveling too fast and the vehicle skidded off the ramp and into trees.  The operator was deceased on impact.

Further investigation determined Ricardo Bernabeu Jr, 25, from Northview Terrace,  Rochester, was driving a Lexus stolen in Rochester that he abandoned at the Savon Gas Station at North Peterboro Street in Canastota where he stole the Hyundai from in front of the store.

(Madison County, NY – Feb. 5, 2012) Side Hill Farmers, a cooperative of livestock farmers in Madison County, is launching a local-meat-delivery service in Central New York, where CNY residents can go on-line and order packages of the Cooperative’s own beef and pork.  Then, once a month, Side Hill Farmers will deliver the orders to central pick-up locations in communities in the Syracuse region.

Side Hill Farmers has developed a meat CSA to bring their locally-raised meat to Central New York consumers.  Many local-food devotees are familiar with vegetable CSAs (which stand for “Community Supported Agriculture”) wherein consumers buy shares in a farm’s production.

The Side Hill Farmers’ meat CSA is similarly structured, so that consumers buy shares of the Cooperative’s meat production.  Side Hill Farmers’ CSA Coordinator Sue Parker explains that “the meat shares are primarily beef, with pork as an option, all pasture-raised and natural.  We expect to be able to offer pasture-raised chicken in the spring.”  CSA members will also be able to order Madison-County-produced eggs and butter, as well as some other local farm goodies.

Getting meat through the Side Hill Farmers meat CSA is a very simple process.  On the Side Hill Farmers website (www.sidehillfarmers.com), customers select a monthly meat delivery package, pay online via PayPal, select the community they’d like their order delivered to, and then once a month, on a set date, the order is delivered to the hosting pick-up site in the selected community.

The Side Hill Farmers CSA officially launches on Monday Feb. 6; first deliveries will be made the second week of February.  Deliveries will initially be made to five area communities: Skaneateles, Fayetteville, Downtown Syracuse, Hamilton, and Cazenovia.  The meat CSA will soon expand to reach customers in Liverpool/Clay and SU/Westcott.

Five local businesses are partnering with Side Hill Farmers to serve as pick-up site hosts in each of the five communities.  In Fayetteville, CSA members will go to Papa Gallo’s to pick up their order; in Cazenovia, Circa Restaurant; in Downtown Syracuse, Empire Brewing; in Hamilton, the Colgate Inn; and in Skaneateles, the Sherwood Inn.

“These businesses are really supportive of local food, and are making space for our Cooperative and CSA members,” said Parker.

Canastota beef farmer and Side Hill Farmers’ Cooperative member Paul O’Mara says that the Cooperative wants to make a connection to consumers looking for more local, more known, sources of food, particularly meat.

“We’ve formed this Cooperative so that we as farmers can work together to bring our meat directly to the people in our area.  There is no middleman.  The food is going directly from us as farmers to the families who eat it.  Our CSA is for people who care where their meat comes from and how it’s raised, and who want to support the small farmers in their backyard.”

Canastota Public Library News

By Elizabeth Totten

(Canastota, NY – Feb. 2012) February is a very busy month at the Canastota Public Library.  With several programs and talks beginning, the library also begins its regular children’s weekly programming this month.

The Works of the Canastota Knitters will be on display in the library’s Lawson Community Room during the month. The knitters display will illustrate various stitches, techniques and yarn.  An artist’s reception will be held on Sunday, Feb. 12 beginning at 1pm.

The Canal Museum Talks will continue at the library on Monday, Feb. 13 at 7pm.  Matthew Urtz, the Madison County Historian will talk about “Madison County’s Contribution to US History.” Madison County was the home to some of the most innovative thinkers in American history.

Baby & Me Lap Sit with Miss Angela will begin Feb. 15 through May 23.  The program will run every Wednesday at 10am.

Thursdays at 10am is our Preschool Story Time. Bring your preschooler for stories, games, crafts and a snack. This program will be held Thursday mornings beginning Thursday, Feb. 16 and will continue through Thursday, May 24.

The Canastota Libra-Teens will begin meeting every Wednesday afternoon after school. This group (grades 6 and up) will create fiction, hear speakers, make crafts and a whole lot more. The group meets from Feb. 15 through May 25 at 4:30p.m. If school is not in session there is no Librateen meeting.

The Isle of Man and More will the subject of a presentation at the Library on Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 7pm.  Director Liz Metzger will offer a presentation on her recent trip to United Kingdom and the Isle of Man.  Liz led a Rotary Cultural Exchange of medical professionals to England. Light refreshments will be served.

The Canastota Coupon Clippers welcome Jessica Jones who will provide an “Extreme Couponing” program Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 6:30pm. This presentation was rescheduled from a January date.  The cost for this program is $10 per person which pays for the binder and handouts. Coupon Clippers meet the first and third Wednesdays of every month at the library at 7pm.

The Canastota Scrapbookers meet the second Monday evening of every month at the library in the Lawson Community Room.  The group meets at 5:30pm. Bring your own photos and supplies and come out to work with us.

The library is home for two Writer’s Groups. One group meets on the second and fourth Tuesday afternoon (3 – 5pm) of each month and is hosted by Tish and Dean Dickinson in the Lawson Community Room.  The second group meets on the second and fourth Monday evening of each month beginning at 6:30pm in the library’s Carnegie Room.

We have two knitting groups that meet at the Canastota Public Library.  The Knight Time Knitters meet every Thursday evening from 6 – 8 pm.  The Friday Morning Knitters meet each Friday at 10am – noon.

The last Wednesday of every month is the library’s Book Chat.  The book discussion begins at 1pm in the Lawson Community Room.  February’s meeting will be on Feb. 29.  The discussion will be featuring, “Lonesome Dove,” by Larry McMurtry.  Books are available at the library.

Elizabeth Totten provides public relations for the library. For more information on these events and our regular weekly programming, visit canastotalibrary.org and click on the Mid-York Calendar of Events.

(Vernon, NY – Feb. 3, 2012) State Police in Oneida investigated a three car personal injury accident on State Route 5 between Hawthorne Drive and Youngs Road in the Town of Vernon, which occurred at approximately 3:42 p.m. Feb. 1.

Beatrice H. Jones, 79, of Route 5, Vernon was driving her 2008 Chevrolet eastbound on State Route 5 followed by a 2005 Toyota Prius operated by Alex P. Dudajek, 87, of Clinton Street, New York Mills when Jones stopped to allow oncoming traffic to pass before making a left turn into her driveway.

Dudajek failed to observe the Jones vehicle stopped in the eastbound lane and struck the Jones vehicle in the rear.  The force of the impact caused the Jones vehicle to enter the westbound lane of Route 5 and into the path of a westbound 2008 Ford van operated by Joseph F. Verro, 60, of Center Street, Canastota.  The Verro vehicle struck the Jones vehicle and travelled off the north side of the roadway, where it overturned onto its roof in a ditch.

Beatrice Jones was trapped inside of her vehicle and had to be extricated by members of the Vernon Fire Department using hydraulic tools.

Jones was transported by Vineall Ambulance to St. Elizabeth’s Trauma Center in Utica, where she was treated for broken bones and internal injuries.

Dudajek complained of chest pain at the scene and was transported by private vehicle to Faxton Hospital in Utica for treatment.

A passenger in the Verro vehicle, David P. Hart, 55, was treated at the scene for lacerations to his hand and transported by private vehicle to Oneida Healthcare for further evaluation.

Alex Dudajek was issued a traffic ticket for speed not reasonable and prudent returnable in the Town of Vernon Court on Feb. 15, 2012.

Your Scholars

Local students named to Springfield College dean’s list

Springfield College has named the following local residents to the dean’s list for academic excellence for the fall 2011 term.

Daniel Patane of Canastota. Daniel is studying Undeclared.

Logan Aikins of Sherburne. Logan is studying Applied Exercise Science.

News from SUNY Potsdam

SUNY Potsdam Students Earn Spots on President’s List

The State University of New York at Potsdam recently named more than 900 students to the President’s List for the Fall 2011 semester in recognition of their academic excellence.

Among the local students who made the SUNY Potsdam President’s List were:

Allison Forth of Canastota whose major is Childhood/Early Child Education

Corey Hopkins of Canastota whose major is Music Education

Kali Jarvis of Canastota whose major is Childhood/Early Child Education

Rhimmon Simchy-Gross of Canastota whose major is Music Performance

Mary Whitcombe of Canastota whose major is Childhood/Early Child Education

Robert Taube of Cazenovia whose major is Music Education

Emilie Weinheimer of Cazenovia whose major is Psychology

Cortney Mayo of Hamilton whose major is Speech Communication

Caleigh Tuttle of Hamilton whose major is Theatre

Timothy Simmons of Sherburne whose major is Psychology

To achieve the honor of being on the President’s List, each student must have satisfactorily completed 12 numerically-graded semester hours with a minimum grade point average of 3.5.

Local Students Named to Clarkson University Dean’s List

The following students were named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2011 semester at Clarkson University.

Beth A. Schneider, a senior majoring in civil engineering from Bridgeport.

Matthew R. Ager, a junior majoring in engineering and management from Canastota.

Tristan R. Jones, a freshman majoring in chemical engineering from Canastota.

Jeffrey R. Merrell, a freshman majoring in civil engineering from Canastota.

Michael R. Tornatore, a sophomore majoring in innovation and entrepreneurship from Canastota.

Michael A. Blanchard, a junior majoring in chemical engineering from Cazenovia.

Ryan J. Eklund, a freshman majoring in aeronautical engineering from Chittenango.

Danielle K. Cuddeback, a freshman majoring in pre-physical therapy/psychology from DeRuyter.

David E. Revette, a senior majoring in civil engineering from DeRuyter.

Andrea M. Riedman, a sophomore majoring in civil engineering from Kirkville.

Nicole M. Verone, a freshman majoring in engineering studies from Kirkville.

Raeanne J. Clabeaux, a freshman majoring in university studies from New Woodstock.

Molly E. Ogden, a sophomore majoring in history/interdisciplinary social sciences from Earlville.

Mallory J. Carhart, a senior majoring in interdisciplinary social sciences from Hamilton.

Heather H. Munz, a senior majoring in biology from Hubbardsville.

Loren J. McNamara, a senior majoring in civil engineering from Leonardsville.

Rebecca R. Kirley, a senior majoring in global supply chain management from Madison.

Colin Maykish, a junior majoring in software engineering from Sherburne.

Dean’s List students must achieve a minimum 3.25 grade-point average and also carry at least 14 credit hours.

Local Students Named Clarkson University Presidential Scholars

The following students were named Presidential Scholars for the fall 2011 semester at Clarkson University.

Ellen M. Heenan, a junior majoring in engineering and management from Bridgeport.

Thomas F. Wilkowski, a senior majoring in electrical engineering from Bridgeport.

Alexandra B. Cameron, a freshman majoring in chemical engineering from Cazenovia.

Josh Bunce, a freshman majoring in civil engineering from Chittenango.

Sean P. Shea, a freshman majoring in aeronautical engineering/mechanical engineering from Chittenango.

Presidential Scholars must achieve a minimum 3.80 grade-point average and carry at least 14 credit hours.

Evans Named to Sacred Heart University’s Dean’s List

Kiley Evans of Cazenovia was named to the fall 2011 Dean’s List at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Conn. To receive this honor, a student must achieve a 3.6 grade average, based on a 4.0 scale.

BHOF News

(Canastota, NY – Jan. 2012) Former undisputed middleweight champion and 1993 Hall of Fame Inductee Marvelous Marvin Hagler will attend festivities planned for the 23rd Annual Hall of Fame Induction Weekend scheduled for June 7 to 10 in Canastota.

“It’s very exciting to have Marvelous Marvin Hagler return to Canastota for the Hall of Fame Weekend,” said Hall of Fame Executive Director Edward Brophy. “He’s a legend and a fan favorite.”

Hagler reigned as world middleweight champion from 1980 until 1987. He won the title with a 3rd round TKO over Alan Minter on September 27, 1980 and over the next seven years he successfully defended the crown 12 times with wins over Thomas Hearns, Roberto Duran, John Mugabi and Mustafa Hamsho. Now an actor based in Italy, Hagler was elected into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 1993.

Events planned for the weekend include a banquet, a heavyweight bash, parade, golf tournament, boxing autograph card show, cocktail party and the Official Induction Ceremony honoring the Class of 2012. Living inductees to be honored at the Official Induction Ceremony on Sunday, June 12 are multi-division champion Thomas “Hitman” Hearns, two-division champion Mark “Too Sharp” Johnson, “Let’s Get Ready To Rumble” ring announcerMichael Buffer, trainer Freddie Roach, broadcaster Al Bernstein and journalist Michael Katz.  Posthumous inductees will also be honored.

A list of more than 40 boxing greats from the United States and abroad are scheduled to participate in weekend festivities.

Hagler is excited to be in Canastota to witness the induction of Hearns.

“I watched Thomas Hearns grow from amateur status to a professional, until he became a World Champion, who faced his boxing challengers with courage and determination. I am glad that he finally has retired for good! I believe that Boxing Hall of Fame makes a good choice. Thomas Hearns deserves to be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame and be recognized as one of the best. I have tremendous respect for Hearns. My congratulations!” said Hagler.

For more information on the Hall of Fame’s 23rd Annual Induction Weekend, call 697-7095 or visit ibhof.com.

(Canastota, NY – Jan. 2012) Canastota’s Liam Douglass has his hands full in this match at home. Douglass scored in virtually every bout and even found time to do pushups to keep himself occupied in between his five contests.

Raider wrestler Edric Brooks is in control of his opponent, winning this match and giving a good account of himself throughout the day at a youth wrestling tournament held in Canastota Jan. 22.

Kenneth Relyea looks for the pin on his way to a win. This was the Canastota wrestler’s second ever wrestling tournament. (Photos by Jim Scheid)

By Margo Frink

(Canastota, NY) Peace for the Bereaved, a support group designed for anyone struggling with grief due to the death of a child, parent, spouse, relative or friend meets on the second Wednesday of every month at St. Agatha’s Parish Center, 110 Wilson Ave. from 6 to 8 p.m.

“We don’t claim to be counselors,” said Ann Marie Rossi, one of the group’s organizers who lost a son in an accident in 2007. “We are only a support group to help people who are grieving.”

The group started about four years ago when Rossi asked Syracuse-based Hope for the Bereaved facilitators to come to Canastota and hold a Christmas event for people grieving.

“We asked people if they wanted to get together after that,” Rossi said.

Rossi, along with Peace for the Bereaved facilitator Tish Dickinson began the monthly support group.

Rossi said she did a lot of reading and follows other support group guidelines.

“When I say to people I know how you feel, I do,” Rossi said. “We do not grieve alone. Everybody reacts differently. There is no timeframe on grief.”

Peace for the Bereaved is sponsored by the J. Homer Ball Funeral Home.

For more information on the group, call Ann Marie Rossi at 697-5245.