AUGUST --Issue 51

HIKING BEAR SWAMP CREEK TO CARPENTER'S FALLS 
Just one of Cooperative Extension's summer programs within the Skaneateles Lake Watershed, this slideshow shows Saturday's hike to Carpenter's Falls. The hike was led by two members of Cooperative Extension, who stopped to point out the geology and plant life of the area.

JOB OPENING * FILLED *
The Town of Spafford has filled the job opening to serve on the Sub- Division/Planning Board. New to the Planning Board will be Earl Shoemaker.

SIGN FOR SPAFFORD VETERANS MEMORIAL 
The committee met recently to discuss possible new signage for the Spafford Veterans Memorial at the four corners in Borodino. The new sign proposed will be Mt. Airy granite (like the monument) and wrought iron. 

SAHS MEETING AND PROGRAM--  AUGUST 11 AT THE GRANGE BUILDING WILL BE ON 19th C. Landscape Painter, Nelson Bowdish. Speaker Steve White of White & White Antiques in Skaneateles.  More information on the Community page. 

SAHS NEWSLETTER
SAHS Newsletter will be mailed the end of September. September program will be Carl Stearns from Crawford & Stearns at the Grange Building. Dues must be paid by the end of September to be able to vote in SAHS upcoming elections; there will be 3 spots available -- 2 trustee positions, and  recording secretary.

5TH ANNUAL MARCELLUS GOLF TOURNY - AUGUST 21 TO BENEFIT JOHN YUHAS, JR 
The 5th Annual charity event to benefit John Yuhas, Jr, a Marcellus attorney with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) or Lou Gehrig's disease. Mr. Yuhas recently retired as the Town Justice for the town of Spafford. He currently serves as the Chancellor to the N. Central New York Conference of the United Methodist Church.

The golf tournament will be Saturday, Aug. 21 at Vesper Hills Golf Course in Tully. All proceeds will benefit ALS research to help combat this devastating disease. Deadline for sign-up is August 15. Contact the Alford House Restaurant at 315-673-4215. Donations may be made to the John Yuhas J. Benefit Fund, 22 E. Main St., Marcellus, 13108.

GRAMMIE'S PANTRY
Sue Smith of Grammie's Pantry says " We no longer serve Gourmet Lunches. We are doing 2 Teas-- An English High Tea that is a Six course tea party and we are doing a Dessert Tea that is all sweets. Both Teas are by reservation. But people can still come anytime and  have tea and a dessert. Also our hours are 11 AM to 4 PM Thursday, Friday, and Saturdays now until the Saturday before Christmas." Grammie's Pantry is located on 1126 Woodworth Road, off Rt 41 S. For more information, you can contact Sue at 315-636-8111 or 607-749-6434. Email 

BORODINO SCALE LINE MOVES TO ELBRIDGE 
Borodino Scale Line ("The Craftsman's Model Rail Road Supply) owner, Martin Collard moved his unique E. Lake Road shop-in-a-barn from "downtown Borodino" to Elbridge.  Borodino Scale Line opened August 5 in its new location of 1040 Route 5, across from the Elbridge Fire Department. Hours open: Thurs, Friday 3 pm-8 pm; and Saturday, noon-8 pm. [Bullett interviews Martin Collard, July 2002.] 

CRIMINAL ACTIVITY REPORTS IN SPAFFORD 
Incident reports filed with the Onondaga County Sheriff's office are public record, we are always told. I thought I'd go through the process to find out how it works.

No information could be garnered over the phone; I was told that information was available only when a citizen makes a written request to the Records Unit, and only if it is stated that you're making the  request under the Freedom of Information Law, or FOIL.

After several weeks, I received a letter saying my request was under review. In a few more weeks, the Sheriff's Records Unit sent me a letter stating the request had been granted, " please send us $1 and a self-addressed, stamped envelope".  After another week, here's what I received --  

1.) Incident Summary Report: 11/01 through 12-21-2003 (RTF) and

2.) Incident Summary Report: 1/01 through 6/13/2004 (RTF) Source: Onondaga County Sheriff's Office, Records Access Officer, 407 S. State St., Syracuse, NY 13202. Phone 315-435-3010

911 COMMISSION REPORT 
At the website of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks upon the U.S.--you can download the complete report here (7.4 mb), or in smaller portions.

SKANEATELES PUBLIC HEARING-- Brought back by popular demand is another public hearing on the Watershed Overzone law at the Skaneateles village board meeting August 9 at 7:30 pm. The August 9 meeting will be at the Skaneateles Community Center, if available. 

GOOD LUCK TO SARA ERRINGTON
Post-Standard reporter, Sara Errrington who has covered news events in Skaneateles town and village, Onondaga town and Spafford town for many years -- has left begin her new job as fulltime city firefighter. Taking her place at Neighbors West will be Meghan Rubado. [Bullett interviews Sara Errington February 2002]

MARCELLUS TRIES TO LOWER WATER DISTRICT COSTS 
Post-Standard/Neighbors West article 7/29/04
Marcellus town board has asked help to lower costs from NY Rural Water Association and RCAP Solutions, to conduct mail-in income surveys in Marcellus, Otisco and Spafford. Results of the survey might help the project qualify for grants and low-interest loans from the Department of Agriculture or State Environmental facilities.

SAVES ADDS STAFF
Jerry Schinaman, spokesperson for Skaneateles Area Volunteer Emergency Services, welcomes Pompey resident, Jeff VanBeveren as their new Director of Operations. This is a newly added paid position formed in 2003. VanBeveren will be responsible for the ongoing operation of the ambulance corps, supervising both paid and volunteer staff. He has extensive EMS experience, with both NAVAC and Marcellus ambulance, and most recently with CNY EMS.

SAVES was once an all-volunteer organization, and now has paid medics on their staff to ensure 24-hour service. SAVES responds to about 900 calls each year, and the number is steadily growing.

Source: Marcellus Observer, August 4, 2004, by Jerry Schinaman

RECENT ADDITIONS 
If you are interested in the history of Spafford, or are perhaps researching your family geneology, you will enjoy this excerpt from Central New York Geneological Society's quarterly publication, Tree Talks, which includes the index and notes of the Berry Letters, by Bill Breihan. Mr. Breihan is a descendant of Jonathan Berry, one of the first settlers of Spafford in the early 1800s. 

We have received a collection of external links to c.1860 maps by Bill Hecht of Union Springs, NY. On this page you will find links to maps of Borodino, Mottville, Otisco, Elbridge, Skaneateles, Marcellus, Marcellus Falls, and Manlius. 

NEW:  Mr. Hecht has recently added maps of Geddes and canal, Spafford hamlet, Brewerton and Fayetteville.

RECENTLY ARCHIVED -- July issue of NewsStand.

Poker run benefits children of soldiers killed in Iraq Moon Dance Restaurant in Marcellus to sponsor poker run this Saturday.
(Link takes you to Post-Standard article)

NEWLY ADDED 

ADELPHIA CABLE UPDATE 

ELECTION DAY 2003: WHAT REALLY HAPPENED? -- Spafford Election inspectors speak up, readers can decide for themselves.

"COLEVILLE" PHOTOS -- At this year's annual bash at "Coleville", partygoers wrap chicken wire around the stage to protect Slo-Ride band members from mosquitoes. [more...] 

BORODINO AERIAL PHOTOS [here]

HAPPINESS IN BORODINO--  For list of pancake breakfasts and other community events.

COMING SOON

REDISTRICTING SPAFFORD 

CLASSIFIED ADS 

Journey Down Bear Swamp Creek

Saturday, August 14 @ 11:30 AM 

For more information, call Kelly Somerlot (315) 424-9485 ext. 230 -- Cornell Cooperative Extension of Onondaga County

Spafford In the News

• Pancake breakfast has classic car theme

• Ireland seeks to cut negative comments

• 1820 House serves up splendid food by Yolanda Wright

• Town tries to lower water district costs

• Committee to examine creating waterfront park

Index of archived articles

• Skaneateles Press

• Post-Standard

Borodino Barns, by Susan Spencer

Downloads 

Spafford Forest map1, by Chris Somerlot  

Spafford Forest2, by Chris Somerlot