january 2009 insider

When Clay historian Dorothy Heller heard that the Boy Scouts were going to donate something to the town’s historical park, she was pleased. Of course she thought they were making one bench. When it turned out that they’d made 10 benches, she was elated. “I just couldn’t believe they made these for us!” ex-claimed Heller.

“During a recent family vaca-tion, the curator of the Patterson Museum in Corning, NY was happy to explain to me that the benches in the museum were donated,” Den leader Jim Po-lakiewicz said. “So I had an idea.” He figured the benches were an excellent idea for a place with visitors, especially one where the elderly might visit and need a place to rest.

The boys had visited and toured the museum under Hell-

er’s, and her husband Al’s, direc-tion in October to learn all about where they lived. After keeping the boys’ attention and interest for hours, the den leaders wanted to show their appreciation to the museum and its guides. Not to mention that one of the activity badges that the scouts needed to complete this year was the Crafts-man. So Polakiewicz explained about the bench idea.

In one Sunday the boys learned about hand tools, mathematics and safety while building and painting the 10 benches to be do-nated. The parents helped as well with supervision, encouragement and some much needed food.

So on Dec. 14, the scouts of Den 4, Pack 620 of the Hiawatha Seaway Council presented their finished project for the Clay His-

It’s no secret that our country is in financial peril. With the United States unemployment rate increasing to 6.7 percent and over half a million jobs lost in November, many are wondering what the economic crisis means for New Yorkers.

Gov. Paterson estimates that without action the 2009-2010 budget will reflect a $13.7 billion deficit on top of a $1.7 billion deficit for the current year. New York has been hit hard by the economic crisis because the financial markets are a major source of revenue. In 2007, the financial industry accounted for 24 percent of total New York state wages, while only accounting for 8.6 percent of total state

employment. In the past, the financial sector has accounted for up to 20 percent of New York’s state revenues.

The fallout from the financial crisis will lower revenue from both corporate and personal income taxes. In addition, the dramatic downturn in the real estate market, which is at the root of the crisis on Wall Street, will reduce real estate taxes. And on top of that, taxes collected on goods and services will decrease as consumers spend less.

So, like everyone else, the state must tighten its belt. Now more than ever, we need to eliminate government waste and make

Jan

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Do you have news? Contact your editor, Melissa Renahan,

at [email protected]

It’s Gym Month................Pg 2

New Party Trend...............Pg 3

Inside Town Hall...............Pg 5

School News...................Pg 6

Helping Locally .............Pg 10

In Business.....................Pg 11

In Good Faith.................Pg 12

Local Success...............Pg 13

Out to Eat.......................Pg 14

Local Calendar.............Pg 16

Worthwhile Gamble..... Pg 17

Family Budgeting..........Pg 18

Classifieds....................Pg 19

www.clayinsider.com

IN THIS ISSuE:

After Christmas...Find out what the best gift in America was - even if it came in the smallest box!

See page 4 for more

Please see Boy Scouts, page 3

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Please see Budget, page 2

Gov. Paterson’s budget means tough decisions for state lawmakers

By Al Stirpe, 21st District State Assemblyman

Boy Scouts mark Clay park with handmade

(From left to right) Row 1: Jack Phoenix, Thomas Racketa, Sheryl Parsons, Dorothy Heller, Jack Polakiewicz. Row 2: Bobby Baker, Ben Stock, Ben Perrine, Zach Dwyer, Tyler Salmon. Row 3: Wayne Morris and Jim Polakiewicz. Not picturedfrom the troop: Vinny Baker and Zack Salmon.

By Melissa Renahan

Clay Insider, 2 January 2009

It’s January already, and the Christmas wrapping and trees have been put out to the curb. The menorah has been put away and even the different shaped cookie cutters are back in the drawers. The holiday celebrations that we worried about for so long are now just fond family memories in our minds. So now it’s time for resolutions.

If you research the top 10 New Year’s resolutions on the internet they all have to do with improving oneself. Always in the top three on any list was some variation of losing weight, eating healthier, and/or working out more. There are also quite a few resolutions about debt reduction since everyone is starting to open their credit card bills from Christmas shopping… but that is another article!

There are many ways people can try to accomplish the resolution of getting in shape. In January there is a higher percentage of people signing up to join the health clubs, be it Gold’s Gym, Aspen Fitness or Kelly Lyn (the all women’s gym). If you already have a membership at one of these gyms you will see an increase in the volume of people next to you on the treadmill. Though predictably, you’ll notice a decrease within a few months!

Kelly Sherwood, owner of Kelly Lyn, will tell you that it’s the combination of the nutrition and working out that gets people in shape. The gym designs a workout program for the individual. There is a nutritional consultation to work on healthier eating. The variety

of classes offered helps people to stay on track and not get bored with the routine. The hot class right now is Zumba, which is a Latin dance class. Just getting started with some activity, any activity, is the key. You can always work your way up to longer periods of time or more strenuous workouts.

Since this is Clay, and we are known for our winters, what are some other avenues for exercise? There are plenty of ways to stay in shape at every level. Besides the gyms, outdoor activities abound. Some of these include downhill skiing at Song Mountain, Labrador and Toggenburg; cross -country skiing and snowshoeing at Beaver Lake Nature Center; ice skating at the suburban rinks and at downtown’s Clinton Square; and hiking the many trails that criss-cross through Central New York. Onondaga Lake Park is popular in the winter too. The truly hardy CNYers will be out jogging on the streets, walking their dogs or sledding down neighborhood hills with their children.

When looking for information, there are many websites that are as close as your mouse pad and quick as a click. From www.weightwatchers.com for nutritional advice to www.shapemagazine.com for just about everything having to do with fitness, there is no lack of information.

There are also just as many websites, advertisements, and books toting all the “miracle cures” for losing weight, from getting fabulous abs to losing up to 10 inches in a week, and blah,

Resolutions are due...so did you join a gym yet?

By Susan Lindsley

Sometimes you need help to get motivated and stick to your resolutions. The staff at Golds Gym is ready for that and the boom in membership this month. Above is Michelle Dougan, a certified personal trainer, and Kulaa Bacheyie, director of sports and personal training for the Golds in Liverpool and Dewitt.

blah, blah. Let common sense prevail. “If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is too good to be true.” If any of these really worked, would we be in this situation year after year, going from dancing to “Auld Lang Syne” to Richard Simmons’ “Sweating to the Oldies” in a matter of days?

Of course, as we do every year, we have to find out what works best for us. Do we reduce

our calories and eat more vegetables? Try to get to the gym three times a week? Do our yoga routine at home? Send away for that “miracle” that will help us lose weight? You may find that you try one and give up in order to try another. In the end,only you know for sure what will work for you. And the true test will be what you are able to stick to once this talk of resolutions fades.

What is your resolution for 2009? Send it to [email protected] and in the spring we’ll run some stories about

people who have stuck to theirs!!

sure government is accountable to the taxpayers.

The governor has announced his proposal to cut spending and raise revenue. There will be things we agree on and things we won’t. For instance, the governor has recognized the need to reform the Empire Zones program. Taxpayers have already invested more than $3 billion in this initiative that is clearly flawed and fails to deliver the promised results. Reforms to this program are long overdue.

However, the governor did not include in his proposal a measure I believe will protect middle income families from bearing the brunt of our fiscal crisis. I continue to support a plan to increase the amount of income tax paid by those making a million dollars a year or more

– these people earn more than $20,000 a week. These wage-earners enjoy the same tax rate of 6.85 percent as individuals earning just $20,000 a year. This proposal can help offset many of the cuts and fee increases the governor has proposed.

Over the next few months, my colleagues and I in the Legislature will study the governor’s plan, listen to our constituents and work with the governor to come up with a final plan that we believe will move the state forward and turn our economy around. As we decide on the appropriate course of action, I will be working to:

• not balance the budget on the backs of middle income families and seniors by nickel and diming them with hundreds of new or increased fees and fines;

• ensure that we don’t put our children’s futures in jeopardy;

• avo id h i t t ing a l ready overburdened property taxpayers by passing on excessive costs to local governments;

• ensure we invest in economic development projects that will help turn things around; and

• take the opportunity to produce fundamental reforms that will leave us better off tomorrow than we are today.

The coming months won’t be easy, but it’s time for us to roll up our sleeves and make tough decisions. We must stick to our principles and trim the fat without neglecting those who are struggling. It’s going to take time, but I believe that we can place New York state on the road to recovery.

Assemblyman Stirpe is entering into his second term in Albany after winning a relection bid this November.

Budgetfrom page 1

The days of Tupperware, Longa-berger and even Pampered Chef are behind us. Having your co-workers, girlfriends and neighbors over for two hours to share in appetizers and shop is still a great way to socialize, but like everything else, it has evolved. Not to mention that now it involves making a substantial profit, as opposed to re-ceiving one fancy basket for every 25 sold to your guests. The newest trend in party throwing involves something more precious and pricey than soy candles: gold.

The premise is similar to other hosted parties; you invite a group of people over, there is a representa-tive there from the organization to organize the festivities, and you reap the benefits of your guests’ involve-ment. The difference lies in the fact that the guests are not spending any money and the party rep is not selling anything. In fact, it is the other way around entirely.

Guests are encouraged to bring any old gold they have lying around – be it broken bracelets, tangled necklaces, coins, mismatched earrings or even gold teeth. They each take turns sit-ting with the appraiser, who generally comes equipped with a scale, jeweler’s magnifying loupe, gold tester (which looks like a handheld PDA) and a large book full of blank checks. Dur-ing this appraisal guests can also find out what’s real versus what’s fake and in some cases, also sell off their silver or platinum pieces.

The gold is then purchased based on the karat and total weight by the gram. The prices paid are based on that day’s price of gold, which in recent weeks has climbed as high as $732 per ounce. Checks are cut on the spot and the guests can go back to chatting and sampling appetizers with the extra spending cash. The host is rewarded with a 12.5 percent commis-sion of what is sold at the event.

“I was surprised at how easy it was. I’d been wondering what to do with the few yellow gold pieces I have that I never wear anymore. I was a bit skeptical when I heard the concept, but figured even five dollars was better than letting them sit in my jewelry box. I got to the party, mingled and suddenly it was my turn. Ten min-utes later I had a check!” recounts first-time gold party attendee Carrie Mellin.

Those not looking to turn their own profit can host a gold party as a fund-raiser for a specific cause, in which case they receive a 15 to 20 percent commission on all party transactions. Plus the attendees are offered a chance to match or partially match that amount themselves, thus allowing for more money to be raised.

Between the dozens of companies in the market, there are representa-tives in all 50 states and at this time of year most are booking up fast. Check out mygoldparty.com, gold-party.com or goldpartyus.com for more information.

January 2009 Clay Insider, 3

The trendy Gold Rush of 2009 How a new type of party is breaking the bank

By Melissa Renahan

The Clay Insider will be mailed each month to 14,535 single-family homes in the town of Clay.

-That’s every single-family home in Clay-Thousands of copies will be distributed to apartment complexes and businesses throughout Clay.

For advertising information, e-mail advertising@clayinsider or call Matthew Green at 434-8889 ext. 315.

Then you need to be

in the

Do you want your advertisment

in every single-family home in Clay?

For Clay, being chosen to host the

CNY “Parade of Homes” this year

can only be described as the icing

on the cake. First came the Money

Magazine article that listed Clay

as the 59th best small place to live

in the U.S., then came the positive

press surrounding the controversial

police merger with the sheriff ’s of-

fice, and now this. Clay’s been given

the privilege of hosting an annual

event that could bring as many as

22,000 people onto Caughdenoy

Road and into the town, showing

them what we already know – Clay

is a great place to live.Although it is the 17th largest town

in all of New York State, Clay is

still being built and developed as its

population continues to grow each

year. According to the census from

2000, the population was 58,805;

almost a decade later that number is

sure to have climbed.Despite the expected crowds,

however, the event cannot be mea-

sured monetarily for the town and is

not necessarily viewed as a tourism

boost. What it does do is put the

spotlight on a well-deserving, rapidly

growing town while showcasing the

abilities and talents of many local

builders. Clay Town Supervisor Jim

Rowley’s hopes are more focused on

the long-term benefits gained from

hosting, such as reviving housing de-

velopments that have either slowed

in construction or even completely

stopped.

“One piece of the puzzle for Clay

has always been trying to attract

businesses along the corridors of

Routes 31 and 57,” says Rowley.

The construction of the new Lowe’s

on Route 31 is a big deal to the

town and may indicate that “another

boom” is on the way.

Mary Thompson, Executive

Officer of the Home Builders &

Remodelers of CNY, says that host-

ing the event will give Clay a chance

to “celebrate and sell themselves as

a community.” To further that, the

HBRCNY will be hosting a Com-

munity Night on Wednesday, Sept

10, in order to promote the town

itself as a commodity to potential

homebuyers. Things like the rela-

tively low taxes, nominal crime rates,

good school districts, and solid local

government will be at the forefront

of that presentation. Landowners Group One Devel-

opment spearheaded the site selec-

tion by allocating lots to be used

for the Parade. But it takes more

than that to secure the event – the

HBRCNY actually measures inter-

est and development in the town

by the amount of building permits

filed in the past year. By analyzing

that data, the HBRCNY can assure

builders that there is a market for

their homes in the area. Independent

of that process, the builders (who

must be HBRCNY members in

good standing) submit applications

and are chosen by the association to

Sep

tem

be

r 200

8

Do you have news? Contact

your editor, Melissa Renahan,


Inside Town Hall........Page 5Garage Sale Finds........Page 7

In Good Faith............Page 9 Daycations...............Page12

In Business.................Page 13Why Clay?.................Page 16

Local Calendar..........Page 20Classifieds.................Page 23

www.clayinsider.com

In THIS ISSue:

Home Sweet Home here in 13041

Rowley tapped for county job

JMG Custom Homes takes the credit for this 2008 Parade home.

What says “Clay” to you?We’re looking for suggestions

on an icon to use in this space

for upcoming Insider issues.see page 4 details

At a news conference today,

County Executive Joanie Mahoney

announced that she was naming

Clay Supervisor James Rowley

as her pick for the county’s chief

fiscal officer position. The position is being vacated by

Joe Mareane, who has accepted

a job in Tompkins County.

Mahoney said she chose Rowley

for his combination of private

sector experience - he has

been CFO at Polaris Systems in

Liverpool since 2003, possesses

an MBA from Syracuse University

and recently earned his certificate

of school business administration

- and time in public office. She

was especially impressed with

the way he handled the police

merger proposal earlier this

year.“I had known of Jim before,

but I never got to work with him

until January,” Mahoney said. “I

got to see him in action, and I

was very impressed with the way

he handled a very controversial

Please see Parade, page 24Mahoney wants Clay supervisor for CFO position

By Sarah Hall

Please see County, page 3

By Melissa Renahan

Boy Scoutsfrom page 1

torical Museum to the Hellers, Sheryl Parsons, president of the Clay Historical Association and Wayne Morris, Clay recreation director.

“We had the boys build and paint benches so that visitors could rest, think and dream about Clay history,” explained Polakiewicz.

So the next time you visit the Clay Historical Museum, please notice the benches, all adorned with brass plaques that state donated by Webelos 1 Den 4 Pack 620 of the Hiawatha Seaway Council Liverpool, N.Y. They definitely serve a functional purpose, but should also serve as a reminder that the youth of this community are involved and interested in contributing.

“Webelos 1, you should be proud!” said Polakiewicz. And who can argue with that?

Geoff StickelSales Rep

434-8889 ext [email protected]

5901 Firestone Drive Syracuse, NY 13206

Fax 434-8883www.clayinsider.com

Melissa RenahanEditor

[email protected] ext 318


Paul NagleSales Rep


Lisa HotchkissSales Rep


Insider Babysitter ListRachel Shipley 699-6296 or 515-143216 years old, $5/hourAvailable Mon-Fri 3pm-9pm, Sat 10am-9pm & Sun 10am-6pm.

Elea Barker 350-7435 25 years old and attending Bryant and Stratton.Mon & Wed 3- 9 pm, Tues & Thurs 11am- 11-pm, Fri all day

Denise Sakran 451-8586 Over 18 and Red Cross certified Can care for 2-3 children in my home.

To be on the list you must be at least 14 years of age and Red Cross certified. You may not own a child care business or operate a daycare service. If you are under 18 years of age we recommend that a parent be present when meeting the family looking to hire you. If you are in-

terested please send your name, phone number, availability and rates to [email protected]. We will publish and add to the list each month.

There is no charge for this listing.

Many residents have had the unfortunate experience of finding their mailbox damaged after the snow has melted away. Most often these damages are attributed to the heavy amount of plow traffic on town roads throughout the winter. Before notify-ing the highway depart-ment, please read the rules outlined below.

The town of Clay High-way Department under no circumstances will repair or replace a home-owner’s mailbox that fall under these conditions:

• Spindle type wooden post

• Plastic of any kind (incl. Rubbermaid green surround)

• Any post, including metal, which was already in unstable or poor condition

• A mailbox that was popped off the post from the weight of pushed snow (if your mailbox shows no damage, but is just laying there, chances are it was not hit by the plow but the weight of pushed snow took the box off the support)

• No paper tube will be reinstalled,

repaired or replaced• Any that is located on a County

or State maintained Highway

Any damaged decorative type will be replaced with our standard re-placement mentioned below:

• All mailbox posts will be replaced with a standard treated 4 X 4

• All unusable mailboxes will be replaced with a standard mailbox

The town reminds all residents that there are no exceptions to the above rules.

The excellence of a gift lies in its appropriateness rather than in its value.

- Charles Dudley Warner

Years ago if someone gave you a gift at the holidays that you disliked there was no easy way out. You had the choice of admitting to the giver that you hated it and request-ing the receipt or you just kept the gift. Then about a decade ago they invented the gift receipt…and the entire dynamic of gift giving and receiving was forever altered.

In 2007, 57 percent of consumers enclosed a gift receipt with their gifts. This year that statistic was expected to rise again, as it has for the past three years by at least 5 to 7 percent. However, there is a secondary statistic that serves as an explanation for that increase; one-third of consumers will return one or more gifts after the holidays. Having a receipt in hand ensures that the recipient will get the full value for what they are returning, as opposed to the bargain basement prices offered after the holidays are over.

In addition to the rise in gift-receipt enclosures, the holidays this year were also affected by the growing popularity of the gift card. By giving one of those you enable the recipient to get what they want, when they want it…which accord-

ing to a study done in November 2008 was the most important part of gift-giving. That same study, conducted by BIGresearch, esti-mated that $24.92 billion will be spent on gift cards during the 2008 holiday season. Furthermore, at least 53.5 percent of consumers will purchase gift cards as presents for Christmas.

It seems that the days of “It’s the thought that counts…” are gone. Now it is the ease of returns and the simplistic giving of gift cards that counts. Though if that is what the person asks for, what other option is there? Take me for example.

My husband and I used to live completely across the country from our families so we would beg for gift cards. It meant that we could buy what we needed at stores in our area (purchases needing to be exchanged from East Coast-only stores were a waste) while cutting down on superfluous shipping costs. Though our loved ones protested at first – do you not like what we pick out for you? - they eventually realized we were trying to be practical, not hurtful.

So I hope you all enclosed a gift receipt, gave out some gift cards (to stores they like!) and called it a day. The holidays are about making the gift recipient happy – and for once progress is making that a little easier on the giver.

Better than the gift is the receiptBy Melissa Renahan

The Seneca River North Little League (SRNLL) is introducing “a new arm of the program” this month according to the organiza-tion’s president, Vet Mason. And that arm will be throwing some heat this spring as Girls’ Fast-Pitch Softball is added to the New York State District 8 Little League base-ball program in Clay. The SRNLL, which has been an established Little League Charter Affiliate member since 1958, is excited to be offering this Little League opportunity for the first time in the Clay, Liverpool and Baldwinsville area.

In the past girls have been allowed to play regular baseball with the boys, but there was usually only a

small percentage of girls registered. Furthermore, by about age 13, the girls’ registration dropped off sig-nificantly and little league went back to being just for the boys. The hope is that by incorporating girls’ fast pitch into the league, girls’ reg-istration will not drop off and will actually increase.

“There is a measured interest in the community, and we feel com-pelled and in the ideal position to do this right now. We have the sup-port and commitment from Danny Cavallo, NYS LL District 8 admin-istrator and Little League Interna-tional,” explained Mason. “And

InsIde town hall


By JoDee Kelly, Tax Receiver

The town of Clay tax office is responsible for collecting taxes for all parcels within the town. We have approximately 21,000 parcels, and are the largest town in Onondaga County.

We collect town & county, school taxes and additionally village of North Syracuse taxes for those properties located within the village of North Syracuse. Town and county taxes are due on Jan. 31, village taxes are due July 1, and school taxes are generally due the first week of October. We have parts of five school districts within the town. They are North Syracuse, Liverpool, Baldwinsville, Central Square and Phoenix Central school districts. As your elected receiver of taxes, I am personally responsible for over $100 million a year in collections.

Our office works with mortgage companies to supply tax information for escrow accounts and attorneys and title companies who need information for real estate closings. We also work with homeowners. We are the office a homeowner calls after they receive their yearly escrow analysis and things don’t make sense. We will work with both them and their mortgage company to get things straightened out.

One of the challenges we face in our office is getting the tax amounts to the proper bank or mortgage company, if your taxes are in escrow with them. This is a huge undertaking as people change mortgage companies more frequently than ever. We rely on notification from these companies and the property owners. You should know, as the homeowner, you are ultimately responsible for letting us know where the tax bill should be sent. Probably the most important aspect of this is letting us know if you no longer have an escrow account and are going to be paying your own tax bill. If we are not informed, the bill may be sent

to the mortgage company instead of you. If this happens, even if you don’t receive your tax bill until after the due date, penalty, by law, must still be charged.

Another thing that sometimes causes confusion is when a house has been sold. We are not immediately notified of this. If you have recently purchased a house please let us know so that we can get the tax bill to the right place.

One thing we often get asked about is if we accept payment by credit card. Most of the time people that ask about this are interested in getting the “points” that are associated with whatever credit card they have. At this time we do not. The reason for this is that the credit card companies would charge the cardholder a “convenience” fee. The fee is approximately 2.5 percent of the paid amount, which could be quite significant to the taxpayer, and probably not worth whatever points you may earn.

Another type of payment gaining popularity is a form of online payment people use in which a check is generated and sent to us by your bank. We are finding that these checks can take a significant amount of time to reach us and lack a U.S. postmark. Therefore, if they are received after the due date, penalty will be due.

In addition to collecting property taxes, our office also takes the payments for the town of Clay water district. Only a portion of the town is situated within this district. Both water and tax payments can be made by mail or in person at the town hall.

Our office consists of myself and Dawn Brocious, the deputy receiver of taxes, and two part- time water clerks, Jean Purdy, and Christine Rahrle. We also have a seasonal employee, Barbara Russo, who works during the busiest part of tax collection.

Please see Fastpitch, page 15

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By Melissa Renahan

Seneca River North Little League is about to hit it out of the park...with fastpitch


The Durgee Junior High School Leadership Team (DLT) has gone green, and members are busy spreading the word to Baldwinsville elementary students about how they can save energy and natural resources. The DLT is a group of 42 ninth-graders who were selected by their teachers for the team because of their leadership abilities. One of their goals is to create positive ac-tivities that facilitate student devel-opment and create a positive envi-ronment in the junior high school. Over the summer, during their leadership training, the students decided to branch out district wide with world issues that they could educate younger students about.

The DLT has been researching

green statistics, facts, and kid-friendly ideas for saving energy. They’ve also designed a character they named Factelf. He’s promi-nently featured on a webpage the students designed, along with tips for children on how they can save energy, recycle, and create a cleaner environment. The page can be ac-cessed at www.bville.org. Click on the link to Durgee. On Durgee’s page, click on the link to DLT, and look for the Factelf.

In early December the DLT pi-loted their environmental education program in the fifth-grade classrooms of Elden Elementary School. They’re planning to visit the rest of the district’s elementary schools to share their environmental knowledge.

Durgee leaders bring green message to elementary students

DLT recycling at Elden 1- (Left to right) Liz Cacciola, Nancy Canning, Waverly Warren, Casey Devlin, Christina Pompo, and Stephanie Meeker, members of Durgee Junior High School’s Leadership Team, share ways to go green with fifth-graders at Elden Elementary School.

School districts across the state are reeling from the cuts proposed in Gov. David Paterson’s executive budget, and North Syracuse is no exception.

The budget proposal calls for a 6.31 percent cut in state aid to the North Syracuse Central School District, a total of $3,614,413 from last year. Those cuts will come out of the BOCES and special services; hardware and technology; software, library and textbook; and supplemental public excess cost line items.

Superintendent Dr. Jerome Melvin said the district isn’t sure yet how it will affect their budget next year.

“We haven’t projected it out to see what it’s going to mean for us next year,” Melvin said. “Obviously, it’s a huge shortfall. But we’ll be

looking at it in detail over the next couple of weeks.”

Most shocking, Melvin said, was the state’s demand that the district pick up 15 percent of the cost of the Main Street Early Education program, which has always been funded by the state and the county.

“We’ve never had to provide any revenue for the program before,” Melvin said. “If we’re picking up 15 percent, we’re talking about $300,000 to $350,000.”

Melvin said the logistics of that part of the budget will have to be examined.

“Kids from all over the county go to Main Street,” he said. “It’s not fair to ask just the North Syracuse district to pick up that tax increase.”

NSCSD takes $3.6 million hitGovernor’s budget proposal would cut state aid by over 6 percent

By Sarah Hall

Pictured in the front row, from left, are junior Megan Smith, junior Riya Bhattacharya, senior McKay Walsh, junior Micaila Declouette, junior Erica Cotten and senior Shannon Campbell. In the second row, from left, are junior Michelle Jones, senior Alexandra Freytag, senior William Grome, sophomore Brandon Ladd, senior Jacqueline Peck, LHS French teacher Sharon Vowles and senior Madison Drace.

Twelve members of the Liverpool High School French Club performed at Ste. Marie Among the Iroquois on Saturday, Dec. 13.

The students all wore their new French T-shirts as they sang a medley of traditional Christmas songs in French, including favorites such as Winter Wonderland, Jingle Bells, Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer, as well as classic French songs from musicals.

LHS senior William Grome provided music on the French horn, while junior Michelle Jones provided music on the trumpet. Senior Madison Drace performed a solo and was accompanied on the keyboard by fellow senior Alexandra Freytag. After singing inside the main building to an enthusiastic audience, the LHS French Club students braved the elements and went outside to the chapel where they gave a shortened “encore” performance to museum guides and visitors.

The students practiced for several weeks prior to the performance and found the experience of sharing their love of the French language and culture to be most rewarding.

Liverpool French club performs at Ste. Marie

The Liverpool High School Arctic Warriors are ready to start their season of competing in FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics. The team met three times in No-vember and December to prepare for the upcoming season and participated in semi-nars regarding design problems and team organization. The team also held a winter clothing drive to help the community.

UTC Carrier continues to be the team’s corporate sponsor. Every team has at least one corporate sponsor and encourages engineers to participate as mentors for students. Ted Kliszczewicz, an employee

of UTC Carrier, is the team’s lead engi-neer and has helped out all 12 seasons. Al Nagy, a software engineer from Lockheed Martin, has served as a team mentor for six years, and Ray Dromms, an engineer from Welch-Allyn, has served as a mentor for nine years. LHS technology teachers Todd Dischinger and Eric Hubbard are the team’s advisors.

This year’s team is comprised of 45 students from grades nine to 12. In early March, the team will travel to the Roch-ester Institute of Technology to defend its title as the 2008 Finger Lakes Regional Champions.

Arctic Warriors prep for twelfth season


Above: Ashley, Jacob, Anthony and Rachel spend some time together in the writing center in the 4-year-old classroom.

The UCC Nursery School in Bayberry, located at 215 Blackberry Road, is having its annual Open House and Registration night on Friday, Feb. 6. Stop in from 6-8 p.m. to meet the teachers and tour the facility. This September will mark their 44th year!

Thirty-seven students from Baker High School in Baldwinsville have been invited to perform in the 2009 Onondaga County Music Educators Association’s All-County Festival, to be held at Liverpool High School Jan. 16-17.

Students selected for the All-County Band are: Sarah Cerroni, clarinet; Kaitlyn Allen, clarinet; Alan Gribble, trumpet, and Aaron Walters, percussion.

Students selected for the All-County Orchestra are: Sarah Bauer, violin; Zach Brown, cello; Hannah Coburn, violin; Brianna Hoige, percussion; Elizabeth Hoover, violin; Brian Kane, cello; Katie Klapheke, bass; Jacob Martin, cello; Emily Merchant, violin; Justin Mulvaney, percussion; Shane Rahrle, cello; Eric VanderVoort, trumpet.

Selected for the All-County Chorus are: Nick Augello, tenor; Sarah Blewett, soprano; Sarah Boutwell, alto; Cheryl Chapman, alto; Emily Dobmeier, alto; Sarah Hall, alto; David Kahrs, tenor; Robert Kahrs, tenor; Joanna Kenney, alto; Tom Madison, tenor; Marissa McLean, alto; Dan Mullarney, bass; Ali Niemiec, alto; Andrey Peshko, tenor; David Raschella, bass; Zach Rich, tenor; Heather Rosenthal, soprano; Alaina Sawyer, alto; Brian Scott, bass; Brittany Ungleich, alto, and Nick Vecchio, bass.

Thirty-seven Baldwinsville students selected for All-County Music Fest

Some Baker High School band students who will perform in the All-County Music Festival are (left to right) Eric VanderVoort , Justin Mulvaney, Aaron Walters, Brianna Hoige, Alan Gribble, Sarah Cerroni and Kaitlyn Allen.

Liverpool High School will host the Onondaga County Music Educators Association’s (OCMEA) Senior High All-County Music Festival on Friday, Jan. 16, and Saturday, Jan. 17.

For more than 40 years, the All-County Music Festivals at the high school, junior high and elementary levels have showcased the finest young musical talent in Onondaga County.

More than 300 10th through 12th graders from across the county were selected for seats in the All-County Band, Chorus and Orchestra during auditions last November.

A notable guest conductor will direct each All-County ensemble. The orchestra will be under the direction

of David Rudge, director of orches-tral activities at the SUNY Fredonia School of Music. Malcom W. Rowell Jr., director of bands and professor of music emeritus at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, will direct the band. The chorus will be under the direction of Tucker Biddlecombe, choral director from Lawton Chiles High School in Tallahassee, Florida.

During the festival, students will come together for rehearsals Friday afternoon and evening as well as Saturday morning. They will then perform together in the LHS Au-ditorium on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the door for five dollars.

Grace Covenant Church5300 Route 31, Clay NY

For more detailed information please visit www.gracecovchurch.org

3 ways you can impact your life and family. Attend the preview sessions to learn more about these courses before registering!

Please respond so we can plan for you!315-699-1551 or [email protected]

Effective Parenting in a Defective World by Chip Ingram.Raising children is a tough challenge in today’s world. This video series will lead you to a new understanding of how God’s principles for raising children still work today. Packed with practical advice, this series will give struggling parents a vision for their children’s future and life-changing help for today!Preview Sunday, Jan. 4 at 4 p.m. • 9-session course begins Jan. 11 at 4 p.m.

Get on the Road to Financial Peace with Dave Ramsey. Financial Peace University is a video-driven small group study that teaches families to beat debt, build wealth and give like never before.Preview Sunday, Jan. 4 at 4 p.m. • Course begins Sunday, Jan.18 at 4 p.m.

The Marriage Course: How to build a healthy marriage that lasts a lifetime. Each week couples will share a meal together and listen to a talk and discuss it afterwards. The course, which is based on time-tested principles, will provide you with practical tools to work through any issue. Preview Sunday, Jan. 4 at 5 p.m. • 7-session course begins Sunday, Jan. 11 from 5-8 p.m.

for the New Year

LHS to Host Senior High All-County Festival

Nursery school open house


Congratulations to the technology program at Roxboro Road Middle School in the North Syracuse Central School District, for being named “Program of the Year” by the Central New York Technology Education Association. Technology Education Teachers Joseph Clayton and Lynn Zajac lead the program at the school and have implemented a student-run television station, WROX.

The North Syracuse CSD Board of Education recognized and thanked Clayton and Zajac for their contribution to the school.

NSCSD technology program named “Program of the Year”

Pictured from left to right: Joe Clayton; Paul Mizner, Treasurer of CNYTEA and Acting President; and Lynn Zajac.

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Santa has put away his sleigh, all the holiday decorations will soon be back in the attic, and many will start to make their resolutions a re-ality. All of that doesn’t mean there isn’t a reason to celebrate. The 2008-2009 girls’ basketball season is in full swing with plenty of cheer to go around. Perennial powers Liverpool and Cicero-North Syracuse return to the court to pick up where they left off, with Baldwinsville hoping for any improvements over last season. Though the new year is just getting started, the hunt for a championship is well underway.

Liverpool reboundsLiverpool had an outstanding sea-

son last year as the team produced 16 wins and exceeded all expectations. Mike Olley, who enters his sixth sea-son as the team’s head coach, hopes to see similar results this year. The Warriors are a very talented team but could face difficulties in trying to match last season’s win total. They have no starters returning and the team features five sophomores and one freshman, so youth is the least of the team’s worries. Ally Zywicki may be the school’s next star as she has scored 31 points through the team’s first four games, including 16 points in an unfortunate loss to Nottingham on Dec. 16. For the team to even think of the word playoffs their of-fense must improve dramatically. The Warriors have scored 40 points or less in two of their first three games.

North Stars in the zoneCicero North Syracuse was very

dominant during the 2007-2008 campaign, posting a 19-4 record and advancing to the playoff semifi-nals for the second consecutive year. Expect no different from the North Stars this year as the team returns four starters, including Breanna Stewart. The dominant Stewart, who aver-aged seven blocks per game a year ago and has a 6’6” wingspan, was recently named the MVP of the Utica Proctor Tourney after posting 19 points and eight blocks.

Eric Smith agrees with all the talk surrounding Stewart, who some have

labeled a force. “She can do every-thing. When she graduates she will probably go down as one of the best to ever come out of CNS” said Smith, now in his fourth year as head coach. Starter Morgan Nandine suffered a broken ankle in late November but could return in time for the playoffs once the team qualifies. CNS has no weak spots according to Coach Smith, whose team has very lofty ex-pectations this year. “My goal all year is to play the best, and if we do that the wins will take care of themselves” said Smith. Currently the North Stars are 5-0 and ranked fourth in the state rankings.

B’ville at the buzzerBaldwinsville’s basketball teams

have more in common than just both being known as the Bees. Both teams are fresh off six-win seasons last year. The girls’ team was actually worse off though, losing 15 games compared to the boys 14, and any type of progress this season will be more than wel-comed.

The girls lost 90 percent of their scoring and the top contributor at this point in the season seems to be Mag-gie Monnat. She has totaled double figures twice during the team’s first six games, including a season high 14 points on the Dec.10 game versus Au-burn. If the team hopes to improve at all this year they should learn a lesson from Monnat and add more points to the scoreboard. In early season losses to West Genny and F-M, Baldwins-ville scored just 28 and 36 points respectively. This may be a very long season for head coach Kathy Morse, who enters her 20th year with the dis-trict.

Girls’ basketball teams look to build on last season in ‘09

By Paul Lyboult

With 2009 now in full swing the teams in Baldwins-ville, Liverpool and Cicero-North Syracuse are working on their resolutions. But for the current boys’ basketball season it may take more than just a few New Year’s reso-lutions to have success. Liverpool, which had one of the best records in their division last year, is facing a possible rebuilding season. Baldwinsville looks to rebound after a dismal six-win campaign in 2007-08, and CNS hopes to build on their promising win total of a year ago. Every-thing is up for grabs and these three squads will be doing anything they can to get ahead.

Liverpool lay-upThe Liverpool Warriors are hot off a 15-6 campaign

one season ago and hope to remain where they were last year…which was on top. It could be extremely difficult to find similar success this time around since the Warriors lost 10 players from last year’s team. Much of the team will be a work in progress but Jessie Gates will help fill the void left by graduation. Gates, a junior, has already established himself as the team’s star by scoring 88 points during the first four games. Don’t look for this production to drop anytime soon as Liverpool coach Jerry Wilcox la-beled Gates the team’s “go to guy.”

Wilcox hopes to see the team improve every single week, and believes that doing a better job at rebounding the bas-ketball will aid in the development of his team. The War-riors have been somewhat mechanical during their first stretch of the season, but Wilcox isn’t worried.

“I believe the blend of new and old players on the team will come together sooner rather than later.” The War-riors are off to a solid start, and despite their new players, could actually prove doubters wrong.

Ball in B’villeIf one could select a word that best describes the 2008-

2009 boys’ Baldwinsville basketball team, “youthful” would be appropriate. The Bees are coming off a very dis-appointing 6-14 season with very little expectations for this year. The team finds themselves lacking experience as they are starting three sophomores. The Bees will look to improve every game, and knowing that the season is young and where they were a year ago, there is nowhere for them to go but up. Coach Tom Cooney, who is enter-ing his 44th year in coaching, has liked what he has seen so far this year and described his team’s efforts as “encourag-ing.” The team has solid leadership among the captains and an ever-improving defense to boot.

6’3” Tyler Monnatt is one of the players to keep an eye on this season. The veteran coach states that Monnatt leads by example and has met every challenge that he has faced, an excellent quality that will be called upon due to the team’s inexperience this year.

With a very young team and at least some uncertainty about the Bees having success in the future, Cooney has

shrugged off any retirement talk. “My long term plan is today and tomorrow” explains Cooney, who plans on sticking around awhile longer. Baldwinsville has the most experience where it counts.

CNS on the court“This team is very capable. We certainly have the

potential to be as good as seasons past.” Those are the words of Cicero-North Syracuse head basketball coach John Haas. The North Stars hope to build on a produc-tive 13-8 record from last year despite the 0-3 start to be-gin the season. CNS lost 8 players to graduation, which includes all 5 starters from last year, but is still a much deeper team than they have been in years past.

“The team is inexperienced, but we will get better,” said Haas, now in his sixth season. The team’s improve-ment from last year will be on the shoulders of Chad Du-biel, who despite averaging just 1.1 points game last year has become the offensive focal point. There were games last year that the North Stars just let slip away from them, something Haas has stressed won’t happen again.

“Favorite or underdog, strange things can happen in the game of basketball!” Haas proclaimed. Whether that means CNS will duplicate last year’s success remains to be seen.


Boys’ basketball teams eye 2009 prominence

By Paul Lyboult

Hal Henty

Liverpool forward Jesse Gates (25) works to get a shot past a Nottingham defender. Gates had 19 points as the Warriors beat the Bulldogs 45-39.

The Liverpool Central School District is seeking nominations for this year’s Fine Arts Hall of Fame.

The Fine Arts Hall of Fame was established in 2003 through the efforts of VITAL (Vision In The Arts at Liverpool), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting the arts in Liverpool.

The Fine Arts Hall of Fame seeks to honor those who have contributed to the arts (music, visual arts, dance and theater). There are three categories in which you may nominate someone for this award: Alumnus, Contributor and Mentor.

Alumnus: A Liverpool alumnus who has distinguished himself/herself in the area of the fine arts (music, visual arts, dance and/or theater).

Contributor: A community member who has given of his/her time and energy for the betterment of the fine arts in Liverpool.

Mentor: A retired Liverpool School District staff member who has supported, inspired and motivated the community in the area of fine arts.

Nominations will be accepted through Feb. 16. For a nomination form, visit the Liverpool Central School District Fine Arts website at www.l iverpool.k12.ny.us/FineArts.

For more information, contact David Perry, coordinator of fine arts, at 622-7145.

LCSD Fine Arts Hall seeks nominations

Update on LHS Alumni Directory

More than 4,000 Liverpool High School alumni have updated their information for the third edition of the LHS Alumni Directory.

At the end of December, some alumni received reminder postcards from Harris Connect asking them to verify information for the direc-tory. These postcards included a toll-free phone number for alumni to call and make changes to their listings.

LHS anticipates a May 2009 re-lease for the alumni directory, and a keepsake print directory and inter-active CD-ROM will be available for LHS alumni to purchase.

Graduates who did not receive a postcard, but would still like to be included in the directory, will have the opportunity to do so at the end of January.


All of us have a variety of hurdles to face in our lives. Some of us face financial hurdles, while others face physical or mental disabilities or similar obstacles that make it harder to make progress in a particular area of their lives.

In the area of physical disability, lacking one of the major senses interrupts the full human sensory experience. Nevertheless, people can still move ahead with their lives and function well within society. Some-times it takes a lending hand by someone or an organization to help one to overcome their obstacles and achieve their personal goals.

One such organization that helps those with vision and hearing im-pairment or loss is Aurora of CNY.

It is a non-profit organization with a 90-year history of providing services to those with any form of hearing or vision loss. Their mission statement includes the following:

• providing high quality services that empower individuals to achieve their highest potential and full-est level of participation in their homes, schools on the job and in the community • advocating for the elimination of barriers and attitudes that hinder this participation • educating all citizens on the causes, treatment and management of these disabilities, and

• organizing resources necessary to support these efforts.

Their list of extensive races ranges from providing assistance in ob-taining technology devices such as hearing aids to help in working with employers to provide jobs for those who have impaired vision or hearing. Aurora’s importance will only in-crease as the population continues to live longer and, naturally, some may experience some loss with their hear-ing and vision. This is the case for many baby boomers who are living longer than their parents’ generation.

As with all non-profit organiza-tions, the issue of funding is always a challenge for Aurora. They accept donations and hold two major fund-raiser events each year: the Musical Feast for the Eyes and Ears and the ForeSIGHT Golf Classic. Other forms of financial assistance include grants from various organizations and personal donations.

With the country in the midst of an economic recession, the effects of it are rippling out to everyone. Despite these conditions, there are certain organizations that need to continue to survivie, like Aurora of CNY. They have immensely helped numerous people in this area and helped made their lives much better.

If you are interested in helping out, please contact Adele DelSavio at [email protected].

Call the Syracuse Realty Group office at

410-0373 for details and to receive your application.

Open to anyone selling a single family home in

Onondaga County.

Applications due by February 15, 2009.

Visit www.SyracuseRealtyGroup.com for details.

in partnership with Jim Boeheim is offering you a

Raising awareness: From left, Adele DelSavio of Liverpool, representing Aurora of CNY, Inc.; Lise Mayo of Syracuse, representing St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center; Elle Abel of East Syracuse, representing SUNY Health Science Center; Glenn Stewart of Liverpool, representing Rehabilitation Counselors of CNY; and Beth Bigness of Syracuse, representing the NYS Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped, joined forces.

By Murugan Pandian

Hurdling obstaclesPreserving history by focusing on the future

The Clay Historical Association has made some history of its own by being around for 135 years; but that might imply that they are stuck in the past, which is certainly not the case. In fact, according to association president Cheryl Parsons, they are just getting started with all they want to do.

“The railroad station needs to be painted again since it’s been 11 years and it is fading,” explained Dorothy Heller, association member who also serves on the Board of Trustees. “And those new benches we had donated should be painted to match that.”

The members are also talking about hosting an open house in the spring, holding a history summer camp for kids and taking trips to local historical sites, like the National Women’s Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls.

“My biggest goal is to form a committee that will work to transfer all of the town historical files onto computers. I started it myself, but there’s a lot and I need help,” said Parsons.

In recent years the Clay Historical Association was given 2.8 acres of land on Route 31, just west of the railroad tracks and the old Clay Hotel. This parcel of land is the current location of the Clay Historical Park. As a result it is the association’s responsibility to act as caretakers for the four buildings in the park.

The old Cigarville Railroad Station houses the museum that provides visitors with a view of life during the early years Clay. In addition to the railroad station, there is the Sellen-Weller barn that dates back to 1840 and a replica

By Melissa Renahan

Please see History, page 12

Clay Historical Association: doing more and moving forward

Local foundation helps the visually and hearing impaired

In busIness


CMYK

As the New Year approaches many people’s thoughts are focused on how they can make their 2009 better than their 2008. Though a favorite Dec. 31 resolution is to “be healthier,” it is often difficult to pinpoint an exact strategy to reach that goal. Time dedicated to the gym eventually dwindles, drinking less alcohol is tough to sustain and going organic with your diet? That’s tough if you like things that taste good or are easily accessible – or so the misconception goes.

Since 1997, the selection of organic food in all major supermarkets has increased about 20 percent. According to the 2007 OTA Manufacturer Survey, the organic industry made $20 billion in 2007, and is projected to reach nearly $23 billion in 2008. Organic food sales are anticipated to increase an average of 18 percent each year from until 2010.

In the four months since owner Mario Pirrello opened the doors of Earth’s Own Natural Food Market in Liverpool, he has been cultivating a customer base. Part of that involved hiring a locally based staff that was knowledgeable about living organic. Among them are two chefs who alternate cooking at the store’s eating area, the Harvest Moon, and are respectively vegan and vegetarian.

Though following an organic and natural diet has been big on the West Coast for years, it is not nearly as established here. The Natural Marketing Institute (NMI) released research this year revealing that consumers are increasingly incorporating organic into their lifestyles throughout the country. With their closest competition being Wegmans and the absence of chains like Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods, Earth’s

Own has cornered a market that is quickly emerging in the CNY area.

“They (Wegmans) offer organic fruits and vegetables but since they are offered alongside regular produce they are not pure. That’s all we have, so ours are not cross-contaminated,” adds Pirrello.

The store’s stock is where the truly interesting things lie. In addition to a wide-array of produce, whole grain and gluten-free products, they also carry supplements, natural pet foods and bulk spices. They currently sell some frozen meat, all of which is organic and grass-fed, but are looking to expand that line due to customers’ requests.

“Our customers talk to us,” he says. “They ask questions, they get advice, they give advice and they trust us. I feel we’re learning every day how we can better serve our community since we truly believe in what we sell.”

A concern that often accompanies keeping a healthier diet is the

increased cost. Some shoppers estimate that eating organic can cost up to 42 percent more than eating conventionally. While it may be true that eating healthier may cost more, the benefits gained from reducing your intake of refined sugar, over-processed foods and pesticides outweighs that cost. An organic diet consists of more sustainable food, meaning it fills you up and provides your body with more nutrients, so you are less hungry. In theory that means you are eating less and therefore spending less on your grocery bill.

The future only looks brighter for Earth’s Own with their plans to add a juicing bar and offer cooking classes that specialize in both vegan and vegetarian dishes. The store is open seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day except Sunday when they close at 6 p.m. The Harvest Moon Café is open during store hours. Visit www.earthsownmarket.com to learn more.

100 percent organic: means containing only organically produced ingredients.

Cage-free: means animals are not kept in cages, and the USDA has no regulation on what the animals are fed or time spend outside.

Natural: means no artificial ingredients, or added colors.

Free range: means the animals spent at least half of their lives outside and is regulated by the USDA.

Grass-fed: means farmers’ food sources is grass, and not regulated by USDA.

Made with organic ingredients: means having at least 70 percent of organic ingredients.

By Melissa Renahan

Eating green is easy at Earth’s Own

Store owner Mario Pirello (far right) is usually on-hand to talk to customers - including the local postman who stops in for lunch every day.

Learning to speak Organic...

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You are about to list your home. You have owned/lived here and you know that it isn’t perfect. There’s a leak in the basement that is noticeable only after a heavy rain, the garage door sticks, the toilet in the master bath runs like a fountain, and the dishwasher is prone to work stoppages.

Every home has a quirk or two. When it is time to sell your home, you have a choice. You can make all of the needed repairs or you can inform the buyer of the problems - especially any potentially serious problems. Some buyers will want a home inspection. Even if the buyers don’t ask for an inspector to examine the house, it is your responsibility to disclose any defects in the property that you know about. A concealed problem will come back to haunt you after the closing. Many lawsuits involve undisclosed defects, and the settlement of these cases makes the cost of the repair or the price concession during the negotiation process look like a real bargain.

So protect everyone involved - disclose what you know.Donna Rausch is the Branch Manager of the Liverpool office of RealtyUSA. Donna is an Associate Broker, holds the prestigious Certified Residential Specialist designation as well as the Seniors Real Estate designation. Donna and her 37 experienced associates can be reached at 622-2111 x124 for additional information regarding any Real Estate Matter.

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Full Disclosure is the best strategy

Organic foods are guaranteed by the USDA to be free of toxic pesticides, fertilizers, hormones, antibiotics, and modified organisms. Below are some terms commonly used when talking about a natural diet:


In good faIth

worshIp lIstIngs

Is your church, synagogue or place of worship missing? Send us the information at [email protected] and we will include it next month.

Congregation Ner Tamid5061 West Taft Rd., N. Syracuse315-461-9226 Sabbath services Friday night at 7:30 p.m.

Trinity Assembly of God4398 Route 31, Clay 315-652-4996Sunday Services: 10:15 a.m. & 6 p.m.

Trinity United Methodist Church8396 Morgan Rd., Clay315-652-9186Sunday Services: 9 and 11 a.m.

Our Lady of Walsingham Parish (Catholic, Western Rite)8573 Van Heusen Rd,. ClaySunday Service: 10 a.m.

Cross of Christ Evangelical Lutheran ChurchRoute 57 and Soule Rd., Clay315-622-2843Sunday Service: 10:15 a.m.

Liverpool 1st Presbyterian Church603 Tulip St., Liverpool315-457-3161Sunday Service: 10:15 a.m.

North Central Assembly of God7463 Buckley Rd., N. Syracuse315-458-0896Sunday Worship: 8 & 10:15 a.m.

Messiah’s Church (Reformed Presbyterian) 8181 Stearns Rd., Clay315-451-2148Sunday Service: 10 a.m.

Community Christian Reformed Church7823 Hicks Rd., Baldwinsville315-638-1664

King of Kings Lutheran Church8278 Oswego Rd., Liverpool315-622-2077Sunday Services: 8:15 & 10:45 a.m. & 6 p.m.

Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church4947 Route 31, Clay315-699-7268

Grace Covenant ChurchStearns Rd. and Route 31, ClaySunday Services: 8:30 and 11 a.m.

Beacon Baptist Church4800 Route 31, Clay315-699-5900

Family Worship Center8480 Morgan Rd., Clay, 315-652-3491Sunday Services: 9 & 11 a.m.

United Church of Christ in Bayberry215 Blackberry Road, Clay315-652-6789 Sunday Worship: 8:30 & 10:30 a.m.

Northminster Presbyterian Church7444 Buckley Road, North Syracuse315-458-0393

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints4889 Bear Rd., LiverpoolSunday Service: 9:30 a.m.

Blessed Hope Church8791 Oswego Rd., Clay315-695-6710

In My SilenceIn my silence, you hear me, in

my silence you use me; In my silence you understand what I’m trying to say…

It all started this past March. It seems like my voice was slipping away. I noticed that I couldn’t laugh as freely as I once could. I found it difficult to sing even simple songs with the worship team. And I couldn’t scream when an itsy bitsy spider came along.

Then, in July I finally went to an ENT to figure out what was going on with my voice. The diagnosis was that improper singing and talking had taken a toll on my vocal cords and I had developed vocal nodules. Thankfully, surgery was

not needed, but complete vocal rest was still my road to a cure. On one hand I was glad I finally had a diagnosis for my strained vocal cords. The doctor said I would need at least one month of this rest – no whispering, no whistling, nothing whatsoever.

But on the other hand I thought this would be an impossible feat, especially with my job as a dental assistant, with all the talking I have to do behind a mask, triaging cases. Besides there was my missionary trip to Hungary coming up…this seemed impossible but with God all things are possible.

In my silence it seemed like no one understood. I felt left out and alienated from the conversations

I wished I could have been a part of. Going to another country where we would be around people who might not understand me even if I wrote my words down, let alone read my lips. I’m sure many people thought I was deaf when they saw me making various signs to my husband. Some signs had to be made up as I went. Talking at night was especially difficult because my husband couldn’t see what my lips were trying to say.

Many people would put their ear to me thinking I was whispering – little do they know that makes it worse! I also noticed people would avoid me simply because I couldn’t talk back! I would say to them if I could, “Go ahead and talk, I can still listen and if I could have the luxury of conversing, I would.”

Because I couldn’t give simple instructions to my husband or give him a vocal “honey-do” list, the running joke from many was, “Your husband is a lucky man!” Not only was this hard to hear, but

far from the truth. He had to do the talking for both of us and be face to face with me in order to converse. Many times I cried in frustration; merely writing words couldn’t fully get the point through to people.

Some good news during my trial helped me look on the bright side. I was on vacation for two weeks of the vocal rest and wouldn’t have to deal with patients unsuccessfully trying to read my lips through my surgical mask. And then, finally my time came.

On Aug. 20, the doctor was able to see me and use a scope to examine the vocal cords. The nodules were completely gone, I was healed! Praise the Lord! While I can talk again, I can’t sing yet. I pray I never take my voice for granted again. I must learn proper vocal exercises to warm up to before I make a joyful noise unto the Lord again.

In my silence, He is my voice; in my weakness, He is my Rock.

Each month the Insider will run an article about faith submitted by a Clay resident. It can be about anything related to your faith and is not limited to the religious aspects of faith. If you are interested in submitting an article, please contact the editor at [email protected]. This month’s article was submitted by Clay resident Angela Carbone of the Calvary Chapel Syracuse in Liverpool.

of one of the first log cabins to be built in Clay.

A few years ago in May of 2005 they hosted the grand opening of the Clay Welcome Center, which houses the rest rooms, a gift shop and an assembly room with a platform stage. Activities are held throughout the year for visitors to tour the buildings. Group tours are also available by reservation.

The association also owns the old School House of District # 5, which is located on the corner of Grange Road and Van Heusen Road. This building is available for small groups to rent and serves as a home office for the association.

“With the responsibilities of preserving the past for the future, we are always looking for new members to join the association,” said Parsons.

If you are interested in joining, visit the town’s website at www.townofclay.org, select the Recreation Department’s link and then scroll down to the Historical Association and follow the directions listed. You can also send your name, address, phone number and/or email to Carl Lepinske, association treasurer, at 4894 Grange Road, Clay, New York 13041. The annual membership fee is five dollars.

Meetings are held on the fourth Monday of each month and are always open to the public. At the upcoming Jan. 26 meeting there will be a presentation on the history of the Bayberry community.

Historyfrom page 10

The Cigarville train station needs a fresh coat of paint to entice new visitors.


local accomplIshments

Know someone who has accomplished something outstanding? Send their story and photo to the Clay Insider at news@

clayinsider.com for our new “Local Accomplishments” page!

Two former Liverpool High School Teachers have just published a children’s book entitled Peace is a Bright Delight.

This book was born and raised on two islands - Martha’s Vineyard off the coast of Massachusetts and Stony Island, seven miles out on Lake On-tario. The first ideas came swiftly af-ter seeing children dancing around with glowsticks one summer night at an outdoor concert. It was magical to see how creative and cooperative the children were, sharing easily and be-ing quite inventive with their swirl-ing sticks of color. The wisdom of the children was totally apparent, as was their delight in working together. A vision of a peaceful world unfolded.

This story tells of seven captivating children who experience excitement, disappointment, curiosity, and finally gain wisdom as creators of peace. This colorful book contains a profound message and is available on Amazon.com and also at local bookstores.

About the authorsGay Montague is a former high

school teacher who works with a grass-roots group in Syracuse called Women Transcending Boundaries (WTB.org). She is active in inter-faith communities, works with refu-gees from many areas, and is a disaster volunteer with the Red Cross. Stony Island provides her sacred space and the inspiration for her writing. Her

five grandchildren are the lights in her life and she lives with her hus-band Len and multiple pets.

Erin Wise is a special education teacher who resides in a log house in Virginia, where she and her husband run a children’s camp. She is a collec-tor of people and has unbounded en-thusiasm for any project that comes her way. Erin coaches cross-country at the school where she teaches and during July she can be found on Martha’s Vineyard, drawing, teach-ing yoga and playing. She claims to get her energy and inspiration from nature.

Both Gay and Erin are active in the Campaign for a US Department of Peace. (thepeacealliance.org).

Teachers take on a children’s story

Three women, 15 months and many emails equals one book

The heartwarming story of Maya’s Journey Home tells of Maya, a baby panda living in an orphanage in China. She, along with her best friend Elsa, learn about families and decide they want one but worry if that day will ever come for them. Then one day they see all different types of bears coming to adopt the baby pandas. Maya learns that families, and love, can come in all different packages. This book is illustrated in watercolor paintings that give the story special meaning.

The women behind the bookTina Christiansen, a single woman, adopted

a baby from China named Maya. She wanted a special story just for Maya and asked her friend Susan Lindsley to write the story. As the story came to be, different ideas were collaborated on between Susan and Tina. When the story was finished, they wondered if Wendy Cannon, a fellow teacher but also an artist, would want to do the illustrations. Wendy read the story and readily agreed. This was the hard part since it took 10 months to create sketches, collaborate on them and then

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Jan. 28 and Feb. 5 from 6 – 8 pm at Willow Field Elementary School, Route 31 (across from Sam Dell Ford)

Jan. 31 and Feb. 7 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Dick’s Sporting Goods, Great Northern Mall

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eventually, generate 23 paintings. All the different parts of the book were completed in

separate locations with lots of email and phone conversations to tie them together. Since the three had been suitemates in college and close friends since then, the process was easier than you’d think. They knew and could trust the different talents of the people involved. With help from Tina’s sister-in-law, Debbie, who lives in Cicero, the book was laid out on the computer and sent to the printer.

The result is a wonderful picture book with a sweet story about families and great pictures. This book not only appeals to the adopted child, but to children everywhere because it is about love.

The book is available at www.suitematespublishing.com.

The hand-painted watercolor cover by Wendy Cannon.


There was full house at the Retreat in downtown Liverpool on Tuesday evening when we stopped for a late dinner. This venerable landmark was beautifully decorated for the holiday season and reminded us of a country inn with its heavy wood booths and tongue and grove ceiling. We were quickly seated at a window booth near the lighted Christmas tree and glowing fireplace. Despite the crowd, it wasn’t noisy except in the separate room with the bar.

A large menu offers 16 appetizers under $9, nine salads under $8, 19 sandwiches under $8, and 20 entrees most under $15. A small specials menu tempted us with a bottle of amazingly good Amado Sur Malbec wine at the top of the wine list pricing at $26. The waitress could have used some training in how to open a bottle of wine, but it was entertaining to watch.

She was predetermined to have onion soup, so we skipped appet izers. Some sounded interesting, like the Maryland Blue Crab Cakes ($8.75) and the Zinger Melt Wings tossed with cheese ($7.50). He had a crock of the daily special Potato Cheddar Bacon Soup ($3.75). The waitress had to be reminded that rolls were to be served with the soup, but this was quickly and graciously remedied. The Onion soup was, unfortunately, ordinary with too many soggy croutons and not enough onion flavor. The Potato Cheddar Bacon, however, was a creamy blend of hardy ingredients with a decidedly smoky flavor. Delicious.

Since it was late, we opted for sandwiches instead of entrees. She had a Cave Man’s Club ($8.75)

with three layers of roast beef, bacon, lettuce and tomato. The roast beef was overcooked and very dry. Perhaps a salad like the Coconut Shrimp salad ($7.75) would have been a better choice. The French fries were excellent, hot, crisp and chewy.

He ordered the Billy the Kid Burger ($7.50) from the six hamburger choices. The half-pound burger was hot, juicy and cooked perfectly medium rare as ordered. Julienned fried onions were an interesting addition to the dish and added a crunchy onion flavor. Alone, they were not as addictive as they looked. We ordered a large side order of fried onion rings ($ 3.75) which did not disappoint. They were large circles of real onion, battered and fried to perfection. A small order ($2.25) would have been plenty, however, and most of the rings went home for a quick reheat in the oven to be an appetizer the next night.

Entrees include steaks, chicken and seafood dishes. Both the Whiskey Pineapple Chicken ($13.95) and Crab Encrusted Grouper ($ 13.95) were tempting…so maybe next time. Desserts include homemade pies, cheesecakes and cakes. This might be a great place to come for coffee and cake in the afternoon or a late dessert. There is a children’s menu with burgers, fingers, spaghetti and wings, all priced at $6.25 including drink.

Our tab with wine, two soups and two sandwiches came to $57.73 since no coupons were available for this justifiably popular Retreat.

- Betty and Richard Wiese live in Clay and spend many of their weekends visiting local eateries.

Retreat offers uneven eveningout to eat

By Betty and Richard Wiese

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We apologize for any inconvenience that the closing of the former DealmakerFord has caused you. We at Fred Raynor Ford Lincoln Mercury would like to offeryou our help in this trying time. Should you require any assistance with your Ford Lincoln or Mercury products,be it for warranty, parts or service, we are currently taking steps in our parts and ser-vice departments to serve you. Please feel free to call Dennis, Kyle or Tom for your service or warranty appoint-ment, or contact Dave or Randy in our parts department. We are located just 15 minutes north on Route 3 West in Fulton. Take Route481 North, then take a left onto Route 3 at Wendy’s. We are two miles out on theright hand side. Stop by for a cup of coffee and allow us to introduce ourselves, or feel free to callus at 592-2222. You can also visit our website at raynorford.com With Fred Raynor Ford Lincoln Mercury, you get a family dealer that has beenserving Central New York for over 40 years, has been awarded every Customer Sat-isfaction award ever offered and appreciates you, for you and your business. We willalso be here for many years to come. Please feel free to stop by and say hello. Yours, Fred Raynor and Staff

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Whether you have made a conscious decision to move from a dual-income to a single-income situation or you find yourself in this position unexpectedly, there are ac-tions you can take to minimize the financial impact. The idea of losing one income due to early retirement, layoff or simply a lifestyle decision can be daunting and quite challeng-ing. Here are a few suggestions for easing the transition.

1. Understand your broad fi-nancial picture. It is important to review all of your finances so you know exactly where you stand prior to living on one income. Gather together all of your financial records and statements to assess your situ-ation. Calculate your net worth by subtracting your total liabilities (debts, mortgage loans, personal loans) from your total assets (bank or other saving account balances, stocks, bonds, home or other per-

sonal property).2. Track income and expenses.

Next, you’ll need to determine exactly what your take-home pay will be once you move to a single-income. Evaluate which of your regular expenses are absolutely necessary and prioritize spending. Eliminate job-related expenses: from commutes and child care fees to lunches out and dry clean-ing expenses, there are added costs associated with working outside the home that can take a huge bite out of a paycheck. When you realize these costs will no longer exist, it’s easy to see why it may be easier than you think to say goodbye to a second income.

3. Take advantage of hidden sav-ings. While you will certainly save money by eliminating work-related expenses, there are additional steps you can take to help reduce the

Going from two incomes to one: how to make it work

By Doris Danchi

Please see Incomes, page 18


since it is still a start-up program,” he added, “I’m cautiously optimis-tic.”

Along with any start-up, howev-er, comes an enormous amount of planning and preparation. Mason has been busy with the recruitment of coaches and volunteers, as well as educating himself on the subtle rule differences, training and develop-ment techniques for swing mechan-ics and pitching as well as the finer points of this fast and growing sport of fast pitch softball. To accelerate his learning, he has been fortunate to receive guidance from Liverpool High School varsity softball coach, Nick Spataro, and Ron Baum, var-sity softball coach at Onondaga Community College and several lo-cal former collegiate softball players involved with the league.

Details on the seasonThe fast pitch league’s inaugural

program will be open to all girls, ages 7 to 16, which reside within the SRN league boundary. The league boundary map for baseball and soft-ball is available on the SRN website at www.srnll.org. Prior to age seven, the SRN Tee Ball program will be available to both boys and girls to introduce the game of baseball and provide a fun, safe environment to learn basic skills and fundamentals in the game.

The regular season, which starts in May, will run through June. In July, several age groups will have the op-portunity to participate in All Star competition vying for NYS cham-pionships or the Road to the Little League Softball World Series. Plans are underway to consider their par-ticipation in a fall league. In-person registration for baseball or softball will be held on four days; Jan. 28 and Feb. 5 at Willow Field Elemen-tary from 6 to 8 p.m., and Jan. 31 and Feb. 7 at Dick’s Sporting Goods in the Great Northern Mall from 11

a.m. to 2 p.m. Online registration is only available for returning league players at www.srnll.org. The web-site also has an abundance of league information to assist families prepare for registration and help answer any questions related to the SRNLL pro-gram. Anyone interested in coaching or volunteering should visit the web-site or contact Mason at [email protected].

“We want to make the transition into softball as seamless as possible and preserve the benefits and value of our existing baseball program and Little League International. We’re focused to ensure it’s a quality program where girls can have fun, coaches are equipped to perform at their best and no one gets turned away,” Mason said.

To start out, the SRNLL girls’ fast pitch teams will participate in the NYS District 8 Softball League. They will compete against other Little League teams in the Onon-daga County area. Depending on community reception, registration enrollment and facilities, they’ll consider future plans to support in-ter-league play.

One girl excited about fastpitch’s arrival in Clay is Alicia Hansen, Age 11, SRN Majors Division participant and All Star.

Fastpitchfrom page 5

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You’ve switched your closet from the sandals with the strap to the boots and shoes that can handle the cold and salt of a Syracuse winter. Your feet will not be seen until the pools open back up next Memorial Day. Yet despite the fact that you are the only one seeing your feet, you should not forget about foot care altogether.

Taking care of your feet is actually more important in the winter due to the outdoor conditions. During wintry weather, our feet remain covered within socks and shoes for long periods of time. This, combined with the lack of moisture in the air when the heat turns on, creates a drying effect to the skin of the feet.

So how can we fight this dry skin in the wintertime? By taking some important steps at home to curb these changes, like these listed below.

• Switch to a more moisturizing soap to reduce the loss of oils from your skin. Irish Spring or Dial may be fine in the summer, but try to switch to

Dove or similar alternatives as the weather cools off.

• After bathing or soaking, apply an emollient such as Aquaphor, Vaseline or Bag Balm to all affected areas rather than a lighter, more water-based cream.

• Cover the feet at night using this same emollient followed by a sock to help enrich the body’s natural oil protectors.

• During the day, wear a sock made of a synthetic fiber such as CoolMaxx or SmartWool to wick perspiration away from your feet, especially during athletic activities.

• Wear properly fitting shoes and boots. Circulation to the small toes is reduced when they are crammed into tight areas. This decrease in circulation combined with cold temperatures increases the risk of cold injuries even on 40 degree days.

- Dr. Smith is a podiatric physician in the Clay area. For more information visit

www.westsidepodiatrycenter.com or www.apma.org.

By Dr. Dan Smith

Seneca River North Little League baseball program is a not for profit organization with a typical enrollment of 500 children throughout

the communities of Clay, Baldwinsville and Liverpool. It is supported entirely by adult volunteers and the local business community.

upcomIng eventsClay’s Fifth Annual Froste Faire

Come out on Saturday, Jan. 24 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Clay Welcome Center & New Stage (at the Clay Historic site behind Immanuel Lu-theran Church) on Route 31. Free Admission for everyone! There will be games, prizes, food and surprises! At 2 p.m. the Chaos Street Theatre Pi-rate Troupe will present “Ja-son and the Arrr-Gonauts”. At 3 p.m. learn to folk dance with the musical entertain-ment. A perfectly silly way to spend a chilly winter day!

Clay Recreation ProgramsFirst annual snowmobile ride for children with special needsClay Recreation, in conjunction with Clay Assessor Rob Bick, would like to invite children with special needs and their parents to this event. A safe closed-course and experienced drivers will be available to allow children, ages 3-16, to enjoy the great outdoors in winter. The event will take place on Jan. 24 at the Clay Town Hall from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please contact the Recreation Department at 652-3800 x 139 or Rob Bick at 652-3800 x 116 for more infor-mation. Individuals or groups are welcome.

Clay ice skating dayThe Cicero Twin Rinks Ice Skating Center (742-7465) would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to their state-of-the art facility. Clay Recreation Department day will be on Thursday Feb. 17, from 1 to 4 p.m. Adults are wel-come too! Just let them know you are a Clay resident there for Town of Clay Day! The fees are as follows: Youth/Adult - $3.50 includes admission and $5 includes admission & rental.

Snow tubing at Four Seasons Snow tubing for ages 8 and up offered on Wednesday, Feb. 18 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Youth may bring a lunch or purchase at Four Seasons Golf and Ski Resort in Fayetteville (637-9023). Bus transportation included with pick-up sites at 9 a.m. at Wetzel Road Elementary School in Liverpool or 9:15 a.m. at the Bear Road Elementary in North Syracuse. Fee is $11, payable at bus stop. Checks made payable to Four Season. Pre-registration is required by calling Clay Recreation Office at 652-3800 or emailing at [email protected].

Liverpool Library Events & ClassesPreschool FairOn Jan. 31 from 10 a.m. to noon in the Carman Community Room. Meet with representatives from local preschools and find out what each school has to offer your child. Activities for children will be available while parents visit with teachers and staff of each school.

January activities for Syracuse Realty Group’s Every Monday Matters..On the Street Where You Live! Monday-1: Replace your light bulbs with energy efficient bulbs (CFLs).Monday-2: Turn off your TVMonday-3: Go ExerciseMonday-4: Clean off your desk

NAMOW needs youThe North Area Meals on Wheels needs kitchen volunteers to prepare salads and do baking from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. any day you can help. Meal preparation is a vital aspect of servicing about 200 clients daily in this organization. If you can volunteer, please contact Donna Barrett, operations manager, at 452-1402 between 9 a.m. and noon. If there are other areas in which you can volunteer with NAMOW, your help would be appreciated.


Have an event to list? Send it to [email protected].

CanTeen Teen Center Reunion & 10 Year Anniversary Celebration

We are trying to track down our past participants and want to know where you landed after spending time with us. Please share the story of your journey with us at [email protected] or [email protected]. Parents are welcome to send us updates as well. The stories will be placed in our 10th anniversary book-let to be distributed at the festivities on Jan. 15 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Can-Teen, 8837 Brewerton Road.

Please join us in celebrating 10 years of serving the youth of our community!

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Bob Leo was a family man with a wife and two small children. He was a recognizable face in the community, whether from living in Clay his whole life or his 25 years spent working as a local UPS driver. Sadly Bob passed away unexpectedly last month and the void is felt throughout the town and among all who knew him.

A benefit has been planned for early February to help with the expenses that the young family has been faced with since Bob’s death. The fundraising event, which goes from 1 to 6 p.m. on Feb. 8 at Drivers Village, will feature live bands, a silent auction, raffles and

activities for the kids. The entrance fee is $10 per person, but kids under 12 get in free. Donations can be made to the Robert Leo Children Fund, HSBC Bank, Route 31, Liverpool, NY 13090. If you are interested in donating an item for the raffle or silent auction, please contact Jacky at 415-9593.

“People have been more than generous from day one and our neighborhood couldn’t be better,” said Nicole Leo. “They’ve all helped so much already.” Her main hope is that people will come out and remember her husband and the joyous life that he led.

Family to hold benefit in memory of well-known local man

David “Jolly Crackers” Murk, shows Shawna Pope (held by Tyra Myhill) how a swabby keeps a tidy ship at the 2008 annual Froste Faire.

As the cold weather sets in for the next few months, indoor activities move higher on the to-do list. Hiking in the Adirondacks gets postponed till spring and renewing that Netflix membership seems like a better plan. What seems even better than the latest DVD release though is sitting in a warm room while tranquil music plays softly and all of your sore shoveling muscles are soothed. That’s the sort of indoor luxury that a spa can offer…which prob-ably sounds ideal right about now as you hear the weather advisories.

Luckily for those of us in Clay, the Turning Stone Resort • Casino is located less than 40 miles away (about a 45 minute drive) and offers two award winning spas to choose from. The Ashi Salon and Day Spa is located within the resort and offers a variety of skincare services, massage therapies and basic salon options including a full menu of nail and hair services.

The other is Skaná, a proclaimed world-class spa where time-honored Native American healing prin-ciples and traditions are combined with modern amenities to create a unique experience. It is located within the Lodge, which is the premiere all-suite

hotel on the property that has been rated four-dia-monds by AAA and accrued many other awards. And Skaná, which is the Oneida Indian word for peace, surpasses that sky-high bar with its own el-egant atmosphere and distinctive services.

The spa embraces the Oneidas’ tranquil way of life, their welcoming nature and their serene spirit. The extensive array of modern treatments offered, combined with these healing principles make Skaná one of the most luxuriously unique spas in North America.

Its newest offering is the Sweat Lodge, where guests are seated inside the lodge on cedar benches surrounding a fire pit. Skaná is one of only a few spas in the country to offer such an unusual expe-rience. The welcoming surroundings incorporate healing herbs provided by nature to restore and re-juvenate your mind, body and soul.

“Heightening spiritual awareness, this purifying and cleansing tradition that has been handed down through the generations is for many, a truly life changing event,” explained a spa spokesperson.

The Sweat Lodge is only open seasonally and will re-open in the spring...but then again, some things are worth waiting for. In the meantime, you can treat yourself to luxurious accommodations, ex-quisite food and unforgettable pampering, coupled with unparalleled service at this nearby resort.For more information visit www.turningstone.com/spa.


BALDWINSVILLE OFFICE35 Oswego St., Baldwinsville, NY 13027

Phone: (315) 638-0233

LIVERPOOL OFFICE105 2nd St., Liverpool, NY 13088

Phone: (315) 457-1280

NORTH SYRACUSE OFFICE201 N. Main St., N. Syracuse, NY 13212

Phone: (315) 458-6543

Serving CNY Since 1928

Seneca Federal Is Raising The Curtain On Its New Logo and New Website!

2009

New Logo...Same Seneca Federal!New Website... Same Senecca Federal!We will be unveiling our new logo soon!

You can view our new updated website early in 2009 at www.senecafederal.com

We’ve added security and additiona’ features, like “Money Matters for Students.” Our new Kids Corner features “Dollar the Dragon” with games and activities for kids. We look forward to 2009, and

we wish you and yours a happy and prosperous New Year.

Visit the office nearest you!

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Couples can enjoy simultaneous treatments like massages and hyrdo-therapy in the VIP suite at Skana, the spa at Turning Stone.

Spas that promise relaxation and deliver it with ease

By Melissa Renahan


Budgeting. It seems like the buzzword of 2008 after being in the news so often. It is one thing to budget for yourself, and quite another to budget for a family, especially when that family includes children. Many parents try to minimize the effects of financial changes on their children. It’s an admirable sentiment, but sometimes it can be a difficult task.

Tips abound on things that a family can or should do. Lots of them sound good in theory but are a little difficult in practice. For example, a common tip is to cut out things like eating out. But when a family is concerned not only about the bottom fiscal line but also about preserving some semblance of the life they were accustomed to, there is another solution.

Many local restaurants offer a “Kids Eat Free Night.” Small things like this, paired with drinking water, can make a big difference because they do save some money, but are not too extreme. For example, if a family of four goes to a casual, eat-in restaurant, they can expect to spend about $8 per adult and $5 per child on food and maybe $2 per person for drinks. That makes for a total meal cost of $34, plus a tip. If the family goes to the same restaurant on a “Kids Eat Free” night and orders water to drink, their bill shrinks to just $16, less than half of the original cost. Even in a struggling economy, $16 can be found in the budget now and then to have a little family fun.

Another big tip is to really keep track of spending. Using cash is mentioned as a way to prevent extra spending. That is probably very helpful for some, but the garden variety shopaholic is not deterred by little things like paper money! For the shopaholic, it might be helpful to do a “budget journal.” Similar to what someone on a strict diet does, it may make

a difference to write down each and every purchase and be accountable to a spouse, friend, parent or other support person. It is one thing to splurge on that $5 cappuccino if no one will ever know, but quite another to have to log it into the journal and have to explain that choice at the end of the week. This can also help to track spending and identify areas that can be tightened down or changed in order to save a little.

The internet is also a great resource for families looking to save. Websites like betterbudgeting.com abound with tips and hints on how to make a big difference in your life, and do it in a practical way. They also offer budgeting sheets and forms to help keep track of expenses and make a plan for the future. Some other clever ideas for family- style budgeting (that doesn’t mean massive changes) are:

- Buy groceries with re-use in mind. For example, plan several meals over a two or three week span that use the same basic ingredients so that you make sure to use all of what you buy, and then buy economy sized packs of meat, veggies, and other ingredients.

- It sounds silly, but don’t shop when you’re hungry and leave the kids home. Impulsive buys can add up, so avoid them any way you can.

- Use coupons! In the paper, in local mailers, and even in books that you have to pay for and then use throughout the year, coupons can make groceries more affordable, but they can also cut costs on special events like bowling, a trip to the MOST, miniature golf and eating out.

- Shop the sales. Buy next winter’s clothes for the kids now, while they are marked down to $1 or $2 and put them away. It takes discipline to plan far ahead, but the kids can wear name brand clothes for garage sale prices.

Budgeting with a family in mind can be challenging

By Christina Lackey

Grocery shopping with kids is difficult no matter the budget. So try and make it fun by including the whole family...that way you’ll know what you bought is wanted!

Incomesfrom page 14

financial strain of living on one income, and at the same time save money.

• Review your home and automobile insurance plans. Consider saving on your premiums by raising your deductible, dropping unnecessary coverage and taking advantage of discounts.

• Review interest rates and investigate refinancing your mortgage to possibly lower your monthly payment.

• With one person out of the workforce, you will generally pay less in overall income taxes. By estimating your new tax bill and adjusting tax withholding for the working spouse appropriately, you may be able to increase your take home pay.

4. Get professional help to stay focused on your priorities. As families look for a balance between the demands of their profes-sional and personal lives, it is often beneficial to consider the advice of a qualified financial advisor who can help you explore options for transitioning from two incomes to one.

You don’t need to be a millionaire to live on one salary, but you do need careful planning, clear objectives, and a dedicated commit-ment to making it work. Often, the rewards of staying true to your priorities can far outweigh any financial concerns you may have.

- Doris Danchi is a financial advisor with Schultz, Danchi & Associates, A Financial Advisory Practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.

This information is provided for informational purposes only. The information is intended to be generic in nature and should not be applied or relied upon in any particular situation without the advice of your tax, legal and/or your financial advisor. Neither Ameriprise Financial nor its advisors or representatives provide tax or legal advice. The views expressed may not be suitable for every situation. Consult with qualified tax and legal advisors concerning your own situation.

All rights reserved.s.

From L to R: Bea Haller, Accompanist. Seated: Jean Esce, Virginia Bollenbacher, Mary Brown, Arlene Fickett, Gerry Barrett. Standing: Sue Stowell, Carol Rose, Oisin McGinty, Nancy Mitchell, Director.

The Young at Heart Choir, sponsored by the town of Cicero Parks and Recreation Depart-ment, was one of many forms of entertainment at the third an-nual “Gather at the Clock and Celebrate Christmas Time” held at Driver’s Village recently.

Singing, dancing, a string quartet, a karate demonstra-tion, and piano music were provided by various members of the community. In addition to the entertainment members

of NAVAC performed blood pressure checks, and a silent auction was held. The focus of the auction was to raise money for NAVAC. Several area businesses donated Christmas trees, wreaths, or both. In some instances, cash donations were received.

New members are always welcome and no audition is required. For more information call the Cicero Senior Center at 452-3298.


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PEYMAN OR MARYAT 698-7557

EOE/DRUG FREE WORK PLACE

Send an email(along with a writing sample if possible)

with a subject line reading “interested writer”to the editor at [email protected]

For Clay, being chosen to host the

CNY “Parade of Homes” this year

can only be described as the icing

on the cake. First came the Money

Magazine article that listed Clay

as the 59th best small place to live

in the U.S., then came the positive

press surrounding the controversial

police merger with the sheriff ’s of-

fice, and now this. Clay’s been given

the privilege of hosting an annual

event that could bring as many as

22,000 people onto Caughdenoy

Road and into the town, showing

them what we already know – Clay

is a great place to live.Although it is the 17th largest town

in all of New York State, Clay is still being built and developed as its

population continues to grow each

year. According to the census from

2000, the population was 58,805;

almost a decade later that number is

sure to have climbed.Despite the expected crowds, however, the event cannot be mea-

sured monetarily for the town and is

not necessarily viewed as a tourism

boost. What it does do is put the

spotlight on a well-deserving, rapidly

growing town while showcasing the

abilities and talents of many local

builders. Clay Town Supervisor Jim

Rowley’s hopes are more focused on

the long-term benefits gained from

hosting, such as reviving housing de-

velopments that have either slowed

in construction or even completely

stopped.

“One piece of the puzzle for Clay

has always been trying to attract

businesses along the corridors of

Routes 31 and 57,” says Rowley.

The construction of the new Lowe’s

on Route 31 is a big deal to the town and may indicate that “another

boom” is on the way.

Mary Thompson, Executive Officer of the Home Builders &

Remodelers of CNY, says that host-

ing the event will give Clay a chance

to “celebrate and sell themselves as

a community.” To further that, the

HBRCNY will be hosting a Com-

munity Night on Wednesday, Sept

10, in order to promote the town

itself as a commodity to potential

homebuyers. Things like the rela-

tively low taxes, nominal crime rates,

good school districts, and solid local

government will be at the forefront

of that presentation. Landowners Group One Devel-

opment spearheaded the site selec-

tion by allocating lots to be used

for the Parade. But it takes more

than that to secure the event – the

HBRCNY actually measures inter-

est and development in the town

by the amount of building permits

filed in the past year. By analyzing

that data, the HBRCNY can assure

builders that there is a market for

their homes in the area. Independent

of that process, the builders (who

must be HBRCNY members ingood standing) submit applications

and are chosen by the association to

Sep

tem

be

r 200

8

Do you have news? Contact

your editor, Melissa Renahan,


Inside Town Hall........Page 5Garage Sale Finds........Page 7

In Good Faith............Page 9 Daycations...............Page12

In Business.................Page 13Why Clay?.................Page 16

Local Calendar..........Page 20Classifieds.................Page 23

www.clayinsider.com

In THIS ISSue:

Home Sweet Home here in 13041

Rowley tapped for county job

JMG Custom Homes takes the credit for this 2008 Parade home.

What says “Clay” to you?We’re looking for suggestions

on an icon to use in this space

for upcoming Insider issues.see page 4 details

At a news conference today,

County Executive Joanie Mahoney

announced that she was naming

Clay Supervisor James Rowley

as her pick for the county’s chief

fiscal officer position. The position is being vacated by

Joe Mareane, who has accepted

a job in Tompkins County.Mahoney said she chose Rowley

for his combination of private

sector experience - he has

been CFO at Polaris Systems in

Liverpool since 2003, possesses

an MBA from Syracuse University

and recently earned his certificate

of school business administration

- and time in public office. She

was especially impressed with

the way he handled the police

merger proposal earlier this

year.“I had known of Jim before,

but I never got to work with him

until January,” Mahoney said. “I

got to see him in action, and I

was very impressed with the way

he handled a very controversial

Please see Parade, page 24Mahoney wants Clay supervisor for CFO positionBy Sarah Hall

Please see County, page 3

By Melissa Renahan

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