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Munroe to be Showcased at Caz Library

February 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Cazenovia Public Library news

(Cazenovia, NY – Feb. 2012) Until March 31, visitors to the Cazenovia Public Library Art Gallery can enjoy “Keeping Up Appearances,” the latest collection by local artist Elizabeth Cummings Monroe. There will be an artist’s reception Friday, Feb. 10, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Cazenovia Public Library Art Gallery.

Monroe uses watercolor, inks and acrylic paint interchangeably. She begins a painting with transparent watercolor in order to achieve a luminous quality and then moves to ink and acrylic for opacity and contrast.

“My current body of work features my usual unconventional abstract style in which I have now incorporated the human figure,” Monroe said. “I am constantly mesmerized by the human body, and in the past I painted people in a more realistic style, a style that I do not particularly enjoy. Now, I have found a way to incorporate a hidden world into my abstractions. The addition of a figure or groups of figures in my painting gives an immediate focal point for my viewer, and the painting becomes a mystery, story or puzzle to solve.”

The Cazenovia Public Library is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. Free transportation is available through CRIS-CAT for Cazenovia, Fenner and Nelson residents over 55 and ambulatory. Just call 655-0612 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. three to five days in advance. More information about this or other library events, call 655-9322 or visit cazenoviapubliclibrary.org.

Filed Under: Art & Culture, Calendar of Events, Cazenovia, Fenner, Libraries, Nelson Tagged With: , ,

Grupo Pagan to Play at Nelson Odeon

January 25, 2012 By Leave a Comment
grupo_pagan_nelson_odeon

 

(Nelson, NY – Jan. 2012) Grupo Pagan will perform Saturday Jan. 28 at the Nelson Odeon. Doors open at 7:30 for an 8 p.m. show. The band is led by Edgar Pagan, vocals and bass. The band also features Rhonda Arns on vocals, Josh Dekaney on percussion, Kenny Budd on guitar, Frank Neubert on drums, and Bill DiCosimo on keyboards.

Grupo Pagan has performed behind the Grammy winning jazz flutist Dave Valentin and shared the stage with world class performers such as Spyro Gyra, Xtreme, Ismael Miranda, Andy Montanez, Lou Gramm, B.B. King, Aretha Franklin, Mikanic, Bela Fleck, Emedin Rivera, The Average White Band, Tom Scott, Kaissa, Peter Cetera, and Charo to name a few. Grupo Pagán is a Latin-American band based in Syracuse.

For tickets, visit nelsonodeon.com.

 

Filed Under: Calendar of Events, Dining & Entertainment, Nelson Tagged With: ,

Judge O’Sullivan Gives Report

January 19, 2012 By Leave a Comment
nelson swearing in

 

Town of Nelson officials were sworn in before the regular board meeting Jan. 12. From left are, newly-elected Councilman John LaGorga, re-elected highway superintendent John “Jack” Sevier Jr., newly-elected Councilman John Laubscher, newly-elected town Justice William Fredericks, holding the Bible is town Justice Patrick O’Sullivan and re-elected are codes enforcement Officer Roger Cook, town Supervisor Roger Bradstreet and town Clerk Deborah Costello. (Photo by Margo Frink)

By Margo Frink

(Town of Nelson, NY – Jan. 2012) The first order of business for the town of Nelson at its monthly board meeting held Jan. 12 was to swear-in elected officials to their respective positions.

The board then held its organizational meeting with only one change made last year; the town’s bank of record was changed from Key Bank to Oneida Savings Bank.

Councilman Michael Costello reported the town contracted with Richard Davis to install water meters for residents living within the Erieville Water District (EWD). He said if resident’s see Davis’ van in the area that’s what he is doing and not to be alarmed.

All personnel responsible for billing and reading the meters are in the process of being trained.

Costello also reported the EWD water softener will not be in operation until the county’s environmental health department inspects it. Some residents had complained of a chlorine smell or taste.

Councilman Dean Coe reported town of Cazenovia’s Youth Recreation Director Joe Fallon was retiring.

Town Justice Patrick O’Sullivan provided the board with an annual court report, something he said he would like to do on annually. O’Sullivan said one change that was implemented last year was to hold court every other Tuesday.

“Historically there would be nights that no one would show up,” O’Sullivan said. He said other nights would be very good but mentioned that the clerk’s are paid hourly. The every other Tuesday was implemented to save money. He said it was challenging in the beginning and that although the nights have gotten longer, overall “it’s worked.”

O’Sullivan said the court is not in place to raise money but to make sure justice is served and his projected numbers for last year were closer to 2008 and 2009 figures and that 2010 was an “albatross if you will.”

But the court had made the decision to clear out an “enormous amount of old cases” from the 1980s, which it did.

“We are below budget in terms of hours,” O’Sullivan said. “We opened 800 cases last year; those numbers are down. We closed 750 cases. We run a very good court.”

O’Sullivan said the Nelson Town Court handles all “original” misdemeanors and felonies, has had appeals affirmed and recently held a jury trial also affirmed.

“I take pride in that,” O’Sullivan said.

O’Sullivan gave the clerk’s credit for the process running smoothly.

Bradstreet said the town’s court has an excellent reputation and he’s received compliments from the county district attorney.

As for newly-elected justice William Fredericks, he will not be permitted to “take the bench” until he has training. The next training session is in March.

As required the board then held an informational meeting on violence in the workplace.

Margo Frink is vice president of M3P Media LLC and managing editor of the Madison County Courier. She can be reached at Margo@m3pmedia.com or 315-481-8732.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Cops/Crime/Courts, Erieville, Government & Politics, Nelson, Top Stories Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

‘Moneyball’ to be Shown

January 14, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Cazenovia Public Library news

(Cazenovia, NY – Jan. 2012) Moneyball, a film that makes baseball statistics seem fascinating, will be shown at 2 and 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 19 in the Cazenovia Public Library Community Room.

In Moneyball, Oakland A’s general manager Billy Beane, played by Brad Pitt, challenges the system and defies conventional wisdom when he is forced to rebuild his small-market team on a limited budget. Despite opposition from the old guard, the media, fans, and their own field manager, Beane – with the help of a young, number-crunching, Yale-educated economist – develops a roster of misfits.  And along the way, he forever changes the way the game is played. (Amazon.com)

Moneyball is rated PG 13 and runs for 133 minutes. Admission and popcorn are always free.

And don’t forget that free transportation through CRIS-CAT is provided for Cazenovia, Fenner, and Nelson residents over 55 and ambulatory.  Just call 655-0612 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. three to five days in advance.

Just a note: The display cases in the front lobby of the Cazenovia Public Library are reserved for local collections.  In the past, such items as piggy banks and dolls have adorned these cases—to the delight of the library’s many visitors.  If anyone has a collection that you would like to share with the community, please call the library at 655-9322 to make arrangements.

For more information, visit cazenoviapubliclibrary.org or call 655-9322.

 

Filed Under: Calendar of Events, Cazenovia, Fenner, Libraries, Nelson Tagged With: ,

State Allowed Snowmobile Club to Destroy Walking Trail

January 10, 2012 By 9 Comments

Guest Column

By Jack Miller

(Town of Lincoln, NY – Jan. 2012) In late November and early December, the Central Regional Office of the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (NYS Parks) issued permits to a local snowmobile club, TriValley Trail Riders, to destroy a 1.5-mile stretch of the Congressionally-authorized North Country National Scenic Trail in the Town of Lincoln.  I use the term ‘destroy” quite literally.  With apologies to Tacitus, “They created a wasteland and called it a multiple-use trail.”

I understand you (Madison County Courier) have published a press release from the Central Regional Office of the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation entitled Lehigh Valley Trail Improvements Opens Trail to More Users: Volunteer Efforts Promote Multi-Use Recreation to Madison County, Link to Oxbow Falls Park. The misrepresentations contained in this press release demand some explanations from this regional (10 counties, including Madison, Oneida, and Onondaga) office of a taxpayer-supported State agency.

The press release relates to “improvements” to a 1.5-mile portion, in the Town of Lincoln, of the NYS Parks-administered nine-plus miles of the Canastota-Cazenovia Trail Corridor.  Under 5-year Revocable Permits from NYS Parks issued in 2001 and 2006 for development and maintenance of a hiking trail, volunteer membership of the Central New York Chapter of the North Country Trail Association devoted many hours of intensive labor to creation of a first-class foot trail, built to achieve the certification standards of the Congressionally-authorized 8-state (North Dakota to the eastern border of New York) North Country National Scenic Trail (NCNST).  It connected sections of the NCNST our chapter had already built (1997-2001) further south (up from the Finger Lakes Trail in Cortland and Chenango Counties) and further north (down from the Erie Canal Towpath Trail), constructed over private, county and DEC land.  Some of you may know of it as the Madison County Link Trail.

Now, the particular 1.5 miles of trail in question in the NYS Parks press release was a particularly difficult stretch for our Chapter to build. Unlike other portions of the former Lehigh Valley RR corridor, where there were vestigial open areas, this was a totally overgrown 30-foot wide thickly-grown hedgerow, flanked on either side by privately owned open fields, requiring heroic efforts to hack out a four-foot-wide hiking treadway through the middle.  But over a couple of years in the middle of the last decade, the Chapter did it.

Gates were emplaced at road crossings, trail markings and a trail register box were set up, and lilies were even planted along the verges making it a unique stretch of hiking trail.  The NCTA was sufficiently impressed that in 2001 and again in 2008 they held their National Meeting in Madison County, in Cazenovia. Don’t hold your breath, after NYS Parks action, for them to do so again.  Hey, I live in Syracuse; I’ve brought my wife out to hike the now-destroyed stretch of trail.  But under its multiple-use redevelopment, I can have the same experience walking along East Genesee Street here in Syracuse. “Multiple-use” indeed!

What was a four-foot-wide treadway winding its way through woods is now a 16 to 24 feet wide straightaway.  Three quarters of the trees on either side are gone, and I’m talking about living trees a foot or more in diameter.  The root structure underlying the trail and hedgerow is gone as well, replaced by carefully graded dirt.  Come spring thaw, in the absence of the root structure or any sub-base, it will be a quagmire.  Not a problem for the snowmobilers, of course.

The press release quotes Jim Petreszyn, of the Madison County Planning Department, talking about the longtime goal of connecting the North Country Trail/Link Trail/Lehigh Valley Trail to Oxbow Falls County Park.  The implication seems to be that the Special Permit issued by NYS Parks to TriValley Trail Riders will advance that goal.  Not so.  The potential connection between the trail and Oxbow Falls Park lies east of the stretch for which TriValley Trail Riders received their permit from NYS Parks, and the land between the trail and the County park is privately-owned and outside of NYS parks purview.  The connection to Oxbow Falls is as near, and as far, from realization as it was prior to the issuance of the Special Permit by NYS Parks.

While Central Regional Office of NYS Parks “commended” in their press release our Chapter for its efforts in developments of the trail, they omit the fact that those efforts were directed, under the terms of their 2001 and 2006 permits, toward development of a hiking, not a “multiple-use” trail.  It couldn’t very well have been otherwise, since that is what Congress, the National Parks Service, and the North Country Trail Association have authorized for the North Country National Scenic Trail.  They also omit the fact that they failed to even notify our Chapter that they were contemplating issuing the permits to TriValley Trail Riders until after the latter had commenced working with their bulldozer and excavator.

I might mention that not-for-profit trail developers typically face the problem of assuaging the fears of landowners over which, or adjacent to which, their trail might pass, that the impacts of the trail will not be more than promised.  Imagine the impression it leaves on landowners when, after a volunteer group assures them that the trail they are asking their blessing for will be for foot use (hiking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing) only, it suddenly becomes a motorized trail. “Bait and switch” is unbecoming, both for our Chapter and for NYS Parks.  If NYS Parks expects cooperation from volunteer trail groups, it will need to begin giving this serious consideration.

The Central Regional Office of NYS Parks has relied heavily on the mantra of  “multiple-use trail” in this case.  I invite readers to visit Green Lakes, Verona Beach, or Chittenango Falls State Parks, to look at their trails and the segregation of uses thereon, and form their own impressions of how sincere and consistent that term’s application is here.

Professional trail planners know that successful multiple use trails require for-the-purpose design and appropriate setting. Calling what has transpired in the Town of Lincoln –one-size-fits-all, lowest common denominator design–a “multiple use trail” casts doubt on the competence and good faith of those at Central Regional Office of NYS Parks dealing with this issue.

Why then, has the Central Region Office of NYS Parks placed the interests of a snowmobile club over that of the group that built the hiking trail on the Parks-titled former railroad corridor?  Under State law, snowmobile owners get a break on their registration fees if they belong to snowmobile clubs, and a hefty proportion of that registration fee goes back to the snowmobile club for snowmobile rail development and maintenance.  NYS Parks is responsible for that rebate and county governments—in this case Madison County—has the burdensome, but remunerated, task of administrating the payments to their snowmobile clubs.  This, arguably, is a sensible arrangement.  It motivates non-club snowmobilers to join clubs where they, at least in theory, are more likely to snowmobile responsibly.

And, at least in Madison County, it has resulted in the development and maintenance of hundreds of miles of dedicated snowmobile trails (far more than the mileage of dedicated foot trails—whose organized proponents neither have the burden of registration fees nor the benefit of State subsidies). All well and good.  But when the NYS Parks, county, snowmobile club relationship results in NYS Parks placing the interests of a snowmobile club above the legitimate and pre-existing interests of another trail group, the arrangement has been corrupted.

This is the situation we have now in the Town of Lincoln, Madison County, under the Central Regional Office of NYS Parks.  It needs to be remedied.

Jack Miller is the president of the Central New York Chapter of the North Country Trail Association.

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Canastota, Cazenovia, Government & Politics, Lincoln, Madison County Agencies and Organizations, Nelson, Opinion-Editorial Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

College Planning Workshop Returns to Caz Library

January 5, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Cazenovia Public Library news

(Cazenovia, NY – Jan. 2012) On Wednesday, Jan. 11, at 7 p.m. in the Cazenovia Public Library Community Room, families with middle school, high school or college students will have a second opportunity to join Paul Celuch, co-founder of College Assistance Plus, for an enjoyable and stimulating workshop entitled “Get a Degree…not Debt.”

The workshop will focus on how to find the right career, major and college, and then how to negotiate better deals even while enrolled in college or graduate school. Learning how the college business model works and how award decisions are made enables families and students to leverage much better deals at their college of choice.

Celuch, a national speaker on this topic, has been highlighted in the New York Times for having developed a unique specialization in this field. By using his national database and team of college experts at their Rochester national service center, better financial arrangements can be accomplished.

The workshop is free and open to the public. For more information, call (315) 655-9322 or visit cazenoviapubliclibrary.org.

‘Contagion’ to be Shown

Adults are invited to the Cazenovia Public Library to view “Contagion,” a film that explores what global viruses mean to the human race. The film will be shown at 2 and 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 12, in the Library Community Room.

In Contagion Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law, Laurence Fishburne and Bryan Cranston, along with medical journalist Sanjay Gupta, explore the real science of global viruses. Revealed is what happens when a deadly virus is brought into the U.S. and then quickly spreads across the world.

As virologists frantically try to track down the origins of the pathogen and to find a cure, it starts to mutate, foiling every move they make (Amazon.com).

Contagion is rated PG 13 and runs for 106 minutes. Admission and popcorn are always free.

Free transportation is available through CRIS-CAT for Cazenovia, Fenner and Nelson residents over 55 and ambulatory. Call (315) 655-0612 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. three to five days in advance.

Also mark your calendar for “Moneyball,” which will be shown Jan. 19 at 2 and 6:30 p.m.

For more information on the movie schedule at the Cazenovia Public Library, call 655-9322 or visit cazenoviapubliclibrary.org.

New book club at the Cazenovia Public Library

The Cazenovia Public Library kicks off 2012 with a newly formed book club called “The Open Book Club.”

Beginning in the Library Community Room Wednesday, Jan. 18, interested persons can meet either at 2 or 7 p.m. The group celebrates the 50th anniversary of “To Kill a Mockingbird” by choosing Harper Lee’s best-loved classic as its initial book selection. Stop by the library to pick up a copy.

To Kill a Mockingbird has earned many distinctions since its original publication in 1960. It has won the Pulitzer Prize, been translated into more than 40 languages, sold more than 40 million copies worldwide, and been made into an enormously popular movie (Amazon.com).

Following the Jan. 18 meeting, participants will decide the dates for subsequent meetings, as well as book titles.

The Open Book Club is free and open to the public. For more information, call (315) 655-9322 or visit cazenoviapubliclibrary.org.

Filed Under: Calendar of Events, Cazenovia, Fenner, Libraries, Nelson Tagged With: , ,

Lehigh Valley Trail Improvements Opens Trail to More Users

January 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment
trail

 

(Madison County, NY) The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation’s Central Region announced recently that improvements are being made to a roughly 1.5 mile portion of the Lehigh Valley Trail in the town of Lincoln to expand recreation on the popular multi-use trail and link it to Oxbow Falls County Park.

Volunteers from the Tri-Valley Trail Riders snowmobile club and the Central New York Chapter of the North Country Trail Association are to be commended for their dedication and hard work to make the trail useable for multiple outdoor activities.

“Through the dedicated work of volunteers, this public trail will now be more accessible for winter outdoor enthusiasts to snowmobile, snowshoe and cross-country ski while enjoying the area’s scenic beauty,” said Rob Hiltbrand, regional director for State Parks’ Central Region. “We are grateful for the successful stewardship of the CNY Chapter of the North Country Trail Association whose members have helped make these public lands safe and accessible, and the Tri- Valley Trail Riders, who are undertaking these important trail improvements.”

Through a permit with State Parks, the Tri-Valley Riders have cut brush, removed stumps, leveled the trail, replaced culverts and are placing signs for the snowmobile season. The club is also maintaining a parking area on Oxbow Road and working to increase access to the multi-use trail from Nelson Road to Quarry Road.

Previously, the segment of the trail from Oxbow Road to Nelson Road had been made available for equestrian and snowmobile use through a pilot program.

Working with Madison County Planning Department and State Parks, The Tri-Valley Riders have also been approved to move a segment of the state Snowmobile Corridor Trail C7E from privately held lands to public state parklands in the community to help link the trail to Oxbow Falls County Park.

“It has long been a goal of Madison County and NYS Parks to find a connection between the LVT and Oxbow Falls County Park, which in very close proximity to the old railroad bed of the LVT,” said Madison County’s Associate Planner Jim Petreszyn. “Members of the hiking organization, equine group, local snowmobile club, and Madison County have been working together along with neighboring landowners as a part of this effort, making this connection a very real possibility.”

The amenities found at Oxbow Falls, such as bathroom facilities, potable water and a large parking area that can accommodate vehicles and trailers, offers great opportunities for trail users. In the near future, users of Oxbow Falls will be able to hike the trails at the falls, play disc golf as well as easily bike, snowmobile, cross-country ski, ride horseback or simply walk the Lehigh Valley Trail.

“New York is fortunate to have so many outstanding multi-use trails, such as the Lehigh Valley Trail, which connect communities, promote health, and strengthen local economies,” said Robin Dropkin, executive director of Parks & Trails New York. “We commend the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation for its advancement of these kinds of trails and heartily applaud the volunteers who have played, and continue to play, a major role in the Lehigh Valley Trail’s development and maintenance. It’s exciting that the latest improvements to the Lehigh Valley Trail will enable more year-round uses and will provide a link to Oxbow Falls County Park.”

State Parks will be working with the all the volunteer groups to make sure appropriate safety, informational and interpretive signs are posted to help ensure a positive multi-use experience by all trail users.

Filed Under: Announcements, Equine, Fun & Recreation, Government & Politics, Lincoln, Madison County Agencies and Organizations, Nelson, Top Stories Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Nelson: From Town Hall

December 28, 2011 By Leave a Comment

EWD project wrapped-up; health insurance options addressed next year

(Town of Nelson, NY – Dec. 8, 2011) Town of Nelson highway Superintendent Jack Sevier announced the crew is ready for the winter at the boards’ regular monthly meeting held Dec. 8. Utilizing the town’s new roadside tractor, crews performed all the necessary trimming to provide better visibility for drivers and allow sunlight on roads, a key to minimizing freezing conditions.

Nelson Supervisor Roger Bradstreet and the board discussed the wrap-up of the Erieville Water District Improvement Project, a regular item on the agenda for the past 12 months and longer.

The project has been concluded with regard to the main system, tank and wells, with some individual homes receiving “remote” readable meters for water consumption billing, a move to conserve water and collect funds to support the operation and general maintenance of the system.

The EWD project is being funded by a loan and grant from DASNY (Dormitory Authority of the State of New York) at a total of $570,000. Members of the district will be responsible for their shares of the 20-year loan, while the DASNY grant reduced the required loan by $125,000. The grant was supported by Assemblyman Bill Magee at the project outset.

The long term EFC (state Environmental Facilities Corporation) low interest loan will be paid by designated units (EDU’s – Equity Dwelling Units) assigned to those within the defined water district.

A four-person committee is in the process of selecting a new committee member after the resignation of Paul Kazunas, who has been on the committee during the new system implementation.

Kazuna’s input and financial experience will be missed.  Kazuna and his wife, Dorothy, will be moving to the town of Eaton, and the committee will need to identify a replacement, as its revised “Statement of Purpose” calls for four full-time district representatives.

Members have arranged education in January for the new metering equipment, and use of the meter reading device and billing interface.  They meet monthly to review system issues and plans. Members of the operation, three, plus their volunteer backups will receive education regarding the new equipment.

The EWD Committee and small operation staff documented a “statement of purpose” defining the operation and goals. They will continue to meet in an effort to more closely monitor ongoing maintenance of the system and assure finances match the ongoing costs, something that was lacking in past years.

Communications to members in the district, as needed, will be the responsibility of the EWD Committee.

Rates within the water system had not changed in several years, costing the minimum $200 a year to customers. It was felt by members of the committee and the board that this amount would not support capital funds needed for regular maintenance, salaries and emergencies.  It was noted that the EWD, in addition to consumable water, does provide fire protection to the district with 13 fire hydrants on the system.  Discussions about a rate change will be open to the public in the first quarter of 2012.

Other Board Business

Health insurance within the town is provided through Excellus BlueCross BlueShield and is being changed by Excellus. Coverage for employees has been increasing dramatically, and a variety of policy options is being considered to reduce the cost to the town, while offering reasonable coverage.

A higher deductible arrangement is one option, where premiums will be reduced if the town/employees contribute to the deductible. Those discussions will continue, while Excellus will offer a new plan as of Jan. 1, discontinuing what they refer to as a ‘rich’ plan that provided good coverage via an extremely high premium.

Bradstreet commented how benefits, medical and pension cost run right behind highway costs as the highest items in the budget,  and a challenge for keeping within the new 2-percent Tax Cap, recently introduced.

The town held a holiday luncheon for employees and planning board members Dec. 12.

Nelson hosted an educational forum on natural gas Dec. 14 titled, the “Pros and Cons of Natural Gas” sponsored by the Madison County Natural Gas Development Group and Cornell Cooperative Extension. This session and others like it in the county are intended to inform citizens of potential risks and rewards that may come from Natural Gas.

The next Board meeting is scheduled for Jan. 12 at 7 p.m. in town hall.

These board notes were provided by the office of the town of Nelson.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Erieville, Government & Politics, Nelson Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Best Places for Baby-Making: Visit the Central New York Region for a True Aphrodisiac

December 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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(Syracuse, NY – Dec. 14, 2011) Only in the Central New York Region can you plan a romantic getaway like one you’d find in New York City, pulling out all the stops, and do it a fraction of the cost, plus all on one tank of gas. The Central New York Region offers the very best of New York State, including the ingredients essential to igniting romance: cozy B&Bs, gourmet restaurants, phenomenal spas and upscale concert and theatre venues. All in one central location, all only a stone’s throw away.

Traditions at the Glen Resort & Spa in Greater Binghamton offers guests a full day of pampering followed by a restful night in luxurious accommodations. Nestled amid rolling hills and lush woods, Traditions features spacious suites overlooking magnificent views stretching as far as the eye can see, an 18-hole championship golf course and a full service, state-of-the-art spa allowing guests to fully unwind without having to step foot out of the resort.

The American Hotel in Schoharie County, a romance-inducing place that has been a winner of three historic preservation awards, has also been featured on the Food Network and on HGTV’s Restore America, and praised by The New York Times. This 1847 Greek Revival hotel is on the National Register of Historic Places and presents the ideal atmosphere for a leisurely, candlelit dinner made with the freshest local and regional ingredients. To top it all off, it’s located just 20 minutes from Glimmerglass Opera whose casual elegance, beautiful surroundings and excellent acoustics provide an intimate, one-of-a-kind experience.

Those seeking a more secluded romantic escapade would enjoy Moose River House B&B on Fawn Landing in Herkimer County. Just minutes from Old Forge, Moose River affords guests with a spectacular view of the river surrounded by the serene Adirondacks. Guests can venture to Sisters Bistro, located in a rustic Victorian home built in 1902 in Old Forge, for an exquisite meal at a cozy table for two by the fireplace.

In Oneida County, the renowned Turning Stone Resort’s Ska:ná: Spa provides a paradigm of a retreat for couples. Ska:ná: is where soothing treatments and modern amenities mix with American Indian culture to create a luxurious spa experience. Couples enjoy side-by-side massage treatments, gourmet dinners and luxurious accommodations at the resort, making their getaway complete. Another venue for relaxation in the area is the Munson-Williams Proctor Arts Institute where world famous soloists and ensembles perform, and home to a renowned permanent collection and fascinating exhibitions in an International-style gallery.

The Buckthorn Lodge at Berry Hill Gardens B&B is a unique, private retreat in Chenango County that reminds guests to refocus on simplicity and quality of life. An elegant hideaway, the lodge captures the very essence of luxury and whimsy in a lakefront setting. For a tasty meal nearby and some evening entertainment, guests can make reservations for two at the Yaleville Inn Restaurant and check out the Chenango River Theatre, the region’s only professional, non-profit theatre company.

Pampering guests for more than 80 years now, the Colgate Inn in Madison County is a superb home base for a love-rekindling getaway with its longtime tradition of small town hospitality coupled with modern comforts and fine American cuisine. As it is located in the heart of Hamilton, couples can stroll into some neighboring boutique and antique shops and grab a snack at any of the area’s quaint eateries. Another love-inspiring location is the Brewster Inn in Cazenovia. Guests are welcomed to soak in the panoramic view of Cazenovia Lake, toast with a glass of bubbly in a Jacuzzi bath and savor a gourmet meal in a candlelit room adorned with silver and crystal. Nearby, The Nelson Odeon, modeled after a kind of theater in ancient Greece is a great place to see a show. The Odeon attracts small, well-respected national acts to the Central New York Region as well local talent.

Known as the “Grand Dame” of hotels in Otsego County, Otesaga Resort Hotel features golf and easy access to the main attractions of Cooperstown, such as the National Baseball Hall of Fame, quaint boutiques and fantastic restaurants – all outstanding date-night accoutrements. The Otesaga occupies 700 feet of lakefront on the southern shore of Lake Otsego, the famed “Glimmerglass” of James Fenimore Cooper’s novels. This resort hotel was also selected as a member of the prestigious Historic Hotels of America by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

In the Central New York Region, you can experience an exquisite meal coupled with a Broadway-style show in one of many intimate, glamorous settings without the hassle of driving all the way to New York City. The area truly offers a taste of everything New York-esque, especially when it comes to romantic getaways, all in one convenient location.

For more information about the Central New York Region, or to plan a romantic getaway, visit: www.JustGoCNY.com.

 

Filed Under: Announcements, Business & Finance, Cazenovia, Fun & Recreation, Hamilton, Nelson Tagged With: , , ,

Caryn Lin to Perform at Nelson Odeon

December 8, 2011 By Leave a Comment
CarynLin copy

(Nelson, NY – Dec. 20111) Caryn Lin will perform at the Nelson Odeon Saturday Dec. 10 at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7:30.

At a recent show, electric violinist Caryn Lin announced: “This is a Native American, West African, techno-tribal, Australain, cosmic, celtic, rock piece.” She was joking, but only sort of. Caryn’s music isn’t easy to categorize, even for her. Though classically trained as a child, all she wanted to do was jam to her Jackson Browne and Bob Dylan records.

After graduation Caryn moved to Germany to study. During a show on her last night in Germany, a guitarist wondered what would happen if they plugged an echo boxinto the pick up on her acoustic violin. Caryn listened as the sound of herviolin filled the room, accompanying itself, and creating a fantastic soundscape unlike anything else she’d ever heard. It was as exciting as an electric guitar, but it was even closer to her heart. The classical musician who hadalways felt like a misfit had found her place.

Solo or with a band, Caryn can make on-the-spot recordings of her voice, percussion instruments, and other sounds. As she plays the violin, the recorded snippets play back in a continuous loop, adding layer upon layer of sound over deceptively simple melodies. The result is music that is both otherworldly and totally catchy. In recent years she has become a strong lyricist, sometimesadding her crystalline voice to the mix.

Caryn has played everywhere from Lincoln Center to the Crayola Crayon factory, to the 800th anniversary of a Monestary in the French Alps. Her music has been featured on MTV’s the Real World and on 150 radio stations across the county, and she (and her music) appeared in the movie “Philadelphia.”

The Odeon is located at 4035 Nelson Road, just north of Route 20. Tickets available at the door or by visiting nelsonodeon.com.

 

Filed Under: Announcements, Calendar of Events, Dining & Entertainment, Nelson Tagged With: ,

Objects to Magee Earning $27,000 for Land Auction

December 5, 2011 By 2 Comments

To the Editor:

(DeRuyter, NY) A couple weeks ago, I attended the Manufacturers Association of Central New York breakfast where several state representatives attended. They sat on several panels to field questions on a variety of subjects.

My main reason for going was to hear from other business people about their main concerns affecting their businesses and how our local and state government may play a part in those concerns.

The top four concerns from the manufacturing business community was the cost of 1) Workers’ Compensation; 2) mandates and regulations; 3) taxes; and 4) a diminishing qualified labor pool to draw from.

Our panel of senators and assemblymen gave typical answers of working hard for positive changes but things move slowly in Albany.

The comment made next to me was that these are the same issues talked about a decade ago. Business executives have come and gone, but the issues and representatives remain the same. Nothing was mentioned about increased competition in the areas of (1) and (4) that would help.

The politicians boasted about the last budget passed, holding the line on taxes and passing the 2-percent property tax cap. Then, Sen. David J. Valesky said although no relief for unfunded mandates was passed with the tax cap (cutting the counties, towns and schools off at the knees financially), he pointed the finger at them, saying this could be good, believing they are too bloated, needing to be trimmed down, yet he’s unable to see the three fingers pointing right back at him and Albany.

Some of us could not believe the hypocrisy we heard.

So much money has to be taxed locally to feed the spending binge of Albany, due to mandates that take 85 percent or more of the county budget (e.g., Medicaid, pensions, health insurance). Our county and town representatives are then at the mercy of begging Albany or Senator Valesky and Assemblyman Bill Magee (who never showed up for the breakfast, though endorsed by MACNY the last election) for some of that money back to fund basic services like our fire and police departments, maintain our roads and bridges and schools.

Taking Senator Valesky’s exhortation to heart, I decided to take a closer look at these bloated county and town bureaucracies and budgets he was referring to.

Property taxes only remind us who really owns our properties, so I started with the county land auction held Sept. 24 for properties seized for back taxes and the revenue received versus expenses paid. Here Assemblyman Magee did show up: as the auctioneer.

This raised a red flag with me, thinking how did he end up getting this job as a public official with the county beholden to him to get funding from Albany for basic services? Was he being compensated? And how much?

It appeared the auctioneer job had not been put out for bid for more than a decade, and no contract was in place with the county for at least that time and maybe longer. He was paid more than $27,000 for three hours of work.

Sweet!

I know for a fact that if this was put out for bid to other auctioneers, many would have done it for a flat rate of $500 to $1,000 saving the taxpayers of Madison County $26,000 in property taxes. Multiply this times 10 for the past decade, and that’s a good chuck of change that could have lowered our property taxes, currently the highest in the nation.

The next question is who at the county level was making the decision on this sweet gig for Assemblyman Magee at the expense of the taxpayers? To date, I’ve yet to get to the bottom of that, other than the Farm and Land Agency was responsible for this arrangement.

The agency says this was just an administrative oversight.

For 10 or more years? Every time there was a county land sale? Who there at the agency is in charge, and who on the Board of Supervisors had oversight of the agency? Who knew what and when? What else is being overlooked at the county level if this has gone on 10 or more years with no contract and excessive pay for services rendered?

Do I dare ask if this was actually an oversight to begin with, having lasted more than 10 years?

The county’s policy, modeled after the state, requires bidding for the acquisition of products but not services. Where is the logic in that policy? Those who deal in the private sector of business will bid out products and services. What other services are not being put out to bid that could be saving taxpayer dollars?

Could Senator Valesky’s earlier comments have some validity? How could our longterm public servant Assemblyman Magee fleece the taxpayers of Madison County regarding this matter for more than a decade? Are there others we need to look for?

In other county land auctions, does he fleece the taxpayers of Otsego County, too, that’s part of the state’s 111th Assembly District? Does he do this in any other county outside his district?

I am all for the free market enterprise where you should be able to charge whatever the market will bear, but once again, the free market was not allowed to operate by not putting this job out for bid.

This isn’t just a free market or administrative efficiency issue, though. There’s a core problem government cannot resolve.

As the lines of right and wrong are blurred or ignored entirely, slowly chipping away at values, people clamor for more laws written on the books, thinking it will curb behavior versus embracing laws written on all our hearts nurtured through a relationship with our Creator.

The author of Courageous Leadership writes:

“For eight years during the decade of the nineties I went to Washington, D.C., every month to meet in the foremost centers of power with some of the highest elected officials in our country. What I discovered was not how powerful these people are, but how limited their power really is. All they can actually do is rearrange the yard markers on the playing field of life.

“They can’t change a human heart. They can’t heal a human soul. They can’t turn hatred into love. They can’t bring about repentance, forgiveness, reconciliation, peace. They can’t get to the core problem…”

Government is rarely the answer because the law cannot change a person’s heart. Its power is limited by Divine Providence. Its purpose was to limit man’s vices but government is run by man himself. When accountability in government breaks down, we see what happens above. Rev. Jason McGuire of NYCF writes, “Even on its best day, at its greatest moments of achievement, human government leaves us longing for a greater one. Our broken government, which cannot get to the core problem, drives us to our need for the One who can.”

Shawn Skeele, DeRuyter

Editor’s note: Unfunded state mandates consume 93 percent of the Madison County tax levy, according to Madison County Board of Supervisors Chairman John M. Becker and Mark Scimone, assistant to the chairman. The fee of auctioneer Bill Magee of Nelson was not paid for by taxes remitted by residents of Madison County; Magee’s fee and auxiliary expenses of the auction were paid for through a buyer’s premium charged at the time of sale at auction.

Filed Under: Business & Finance, DeRuyter, Government & Politics, Nelson, Opinion-Editorial, Wampsville Tagged With: , , , , ,

Friedman to Perform at Odeon

November 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment
friedman

(Town of Nelson, NY – Nov. 2011) Andy Friedman returns to the Nelson Odeon to paint more portraits of Americana both present to past.

“Andy Friedman is not exactly one of those musicians you play while you’re paying your bills or cleaning the house,” says NPR, “his songs demand that you sit down and listen to them, which is why he is such a hot live act.”

Friedman will perform on Saturday Dec. 3 at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.

While his songs are anything but funny, Friedman has published over a dozen gag cartoons in The New Yorker under the pseudonym Larry Hat. As an award-winning illustrator published under his own name, Friedman’s portraits of cultural figures appear regularly in literally hundreds of magazines and newspapers worldwide, including recent covers for the New York Times Magazine and The New Republic.

The Nelson Odeon is located at 4035 Nelson Road just north of Route 20. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door. Visit nelsonodeon.com for more information.

 

 

Filed Under: Calendar of Events, Dining & Entertainment, Nelson Tagged With: ,
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