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Family, friends rally to support Caz graduate Accident leaves husband in critical condition By kate Hill Staff Writer Earlier this month, a GoFundMe campaign was launched in support of Cazenovia High School (CHS) graduate Audrey Ekstrom and her husband, Eric, who recently suffered an accident that has left him unable to move or feel anything from his neck down. Ekstrom, whose maiden name is Glathar, graduated from CHS in 2010 and now lives with her husband in Rochester, NY. On July 13, while on a trip in Ocean City, Maryland, Eric was struck by a wave while getting out of the water and lost consciousness. He was airlifted to the Shock Trauma Center at the University of Maryland, where it was determined that he had suffered a severe neck and spinal injury. The Ekstroms are currently expecting their first child, a son. Ekstrom is seven months along and has been diagnosed with a condition that makes her pregnancy high-risk. According to the GoFundMe page, she is scheduled to be checked into the hospital on Aug. 1 so her medical team can moni-
tor her and the baby before she delivers via Cesarean section. Post-delivery, the baby will likely be in the neonatal intensive care unit for at least a couple of weeks. Upon learning of her husband’s accident, Ekstrom flew to Maryland with the support and guidance of her obstetrician and spent the next day in the hospital waiting room as Eric underwent a 12-hour surgery to decompress and stabilize his spine. He is expected to remain hospitalized for at least a few more weeks, after which he will require extensive inpatient rehabilitation. “Both Audrey and Eric’s medical conditions will leave them with an overwhelming amount of medical bills,” said Ekstrom’s friend and former CHS classmate, Ellie Ivers, née Buckhout. “Additionally, Audrey is an oncology nurse and Eric is a beloved history teacher; they will both be out of work for an extended period of time, leaving life expenses to pile up.” The GoFundMe campaign was launched on July 15 to help ease the financial burden on the soon-to-be parents. “Those of us who are fortunate
enough to know and love Eric and Audrey know that they are two of the kindest, most selfless people to have ever lived,” the fundraiser description states. “Eric [sparks] his students’ interest with his fun-loving charisma and wit. To know Eric is to instantly feel at home in his presence. He is the most welcoming person you will ever meet.” On July 23, Eric was transferred to a hospital in Rochester to enable Ekstrom to continue her plan to give birth with her medical team there. “We are so incredibly grateful for all the support we have received thus far,” said Ekstrom’s sister Kate Lynch, née Glathar, on July 25. “The monetary donations and outpouring of thoughts and prayers have been overwhelming and have helped keep everyone’s spirits afloat during this very challenging time. Eric’s neck and spine injuries are quite severe; however, we are keeping the faith alive and reminding ourselves daily that if anyone is going to overcome this horrible tragedy, it will be the two of them. Submitted photos Eric is strong and determined, Audrey Ekstrom, née Glathar’s husband, Eric, recently suffered a severe and there is no better person to neck and spinal injury. Ekstrom is seven months into a high-risk pregCouple l Page 15 nancy and will be hospitalized from Aug. 1 until the baby’s delivery.
Cazenovia resident competes at triathlon world championships By kate Hill Staff Writer
Earlier this month, Cazenovia resident Chary Griffin traveled to Hamburg, Germany to represent the United States in the 2023 World Triathlon Sprint & Relay Championships, held July 13-16. Griffin raced as an age group amateur in the 75-79 Age Group Sprint Distance and the 70-79 Age Group Sprint Relay, finishing sixth in both events. The sprint distance race featured a .5 km swim, 20 km bike, and 5 km run. During the relay, four athletes, two men and two women, each completed a mini sprint triathlon — a .25 km swim, 10 km bike, and 2.5 km run — before tagging off to a teammate. “The venue was spectacular,” Griffin said. “The waterfront area of downtown Hamburg, known as the Binnenalster, was the setting for the swim, and the nearby roadways were used for biking, and the run followed
the shoreline. The dramatic finish line was back at the edge of the Binnenalster.” Griffin qualified for the Hamburg races last summer at the USA Triathlon National Championships in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Later this summer, she will return to Milwaukee for this year’s national championship races. She is also headed to Pontevedra, Spain in September to compete in the world championships for the Olympic distance — a 1.5 km swim, 40 km bike, and 10 km run. After her final competition of the race season, Griffin plans to use the fall to rest. “I like to stay fit all year, so I do snowshoe racing in the winter months which is hugely aerobic and easy on the joints,” she said. “Then at Easter, I begin my triathlon training for summer races.” Griffin has been doing triathlons since the late 1980s, at which time she was competing with only two or three
other women in local races. “There were very few women who competed in those days,” she said. “. . . We borrowed our kids’ bikes and did it in shorts and a bathing suit. Triathlon had not become a business yet.” Since then, Griffin has raced in world championships in Australia, New Zealand, Hungary, Canada, England, the US, and now Germany. She also qualified for the championships in Bermuda, Mexico, China, and the United Arab Emirates but was unable to attend due to COVID and injuries. Locally, Griffin has been a longtime supporter of the Cazenovia Triathlon, which is scheduled this year for Aug. 20 at 8 a.m. at Lakeside Park. The race is presented by the CNY Triathlon l Page 2 Cazenovia resident Chary Griffin recently competed in two events at the 2023 World Triathlon Sprint & Relay Championships. Submitted photos
Caz Chamber, Caz Life to present community-wide Block Fest Weekend Friday
By kate Hill Staff Writer
The Greater Cazenovia Area Chamber of Commerce (GCACC) and its recently launched “Caz Life” marketing and events committee are teaming up to present the community’s annual Block Fest Weekend on Aug. 4-6. “Many hands make light work, and the new Caz Life committee of the chamber did not disappoint,” said Barbara Houghton, a member of the GCACC board and Caz Life. “We are making this a whole weekend of events hoping that we can appeal to everyone.” On all three days of the festival, sidewalk sales will be set up outside the downtown shops from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
On Friday evening, CazArts creative alliance will kick off the weekend with a Community Drum Circle in Lakeland Park at 7 p.m.
Saturday
Saturday’s festivities will start off with the traditional Farmers’ Market from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Memorial/Cannon Park. 20|EAST is partnering with several other businesses to present entertainment, food, and activities along Albany Street from late morning to early afternoon. “We wanted to add a little fun on our block on Saturday so as not to interfere with Sunday’s festivities,” said McKenzie Houseman, owner of 20|EAST & Cazenovia Cut Block at 85 Albany St. “I teamed up with Due Passi [Pizzeria]
and the Lincklaen House to bring live music [by Southy’s Keys] from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday. Due Passi is also offering fried dough.” The musicians will be set up in front of Due Passi at 79 Albany St. According to Houseman, 20|EAST & Cazenovia Cut Block will host several returning pop-up shops. Veteranowned North Sea Workshops will offer custom knives and knife sharpening; Farley’s Fairy Hair will have its colored sparkle strands of “fairy hair;” Chef Brian Isbell of Syracuse will offer Block Fest l Page 2 Cazenovia’s Block Fest Weekend is scheduled for Aug. 4-6. The main event, the Block Fest party, will be held on Sunday from 12 to 3 p.m. at Lakeland Park. Submitted photo
Volume 214, Number 31 The Cazenovia Republican is published weekly by Eagle News. Office of Publication: 35 Albany St., Second Floor, Cazenovia, NY 13035. Periodical Postage Paid at Cazenovia, NY 13035, USPS 095-260. POSTMASTER: Send change of address to Cazenovia Republican, 2501 James St., Suite 100, Syracuse, NY 13206.
events: Music in the Meadow moves to the Art Park.
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opinion: A chance to be a fan again.
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Obituaries ���������������� 14
history ������������������������ 7
PennySaver ���������������� 8
letters ������������������������ 6