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Week of Sept. 20, 2023 Home of The Bliss Family
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Seniors plan events, trips
WORK BUY SELL TRADE GET IT DONE
Athletic facility updates discussed
By kate Hill Staff Writer
The Cazenovia Area Senior Association (CASA) has planned several luncheons, day trips, and other events for the final months of 2023. The organization provides educational and recreational activities for seniors ages 55 and older residing within the Cazenovia Central School District (CCSD), which encompasses the Towns of Cazenovia, Nelson, and Fenner. On Sept. 21, the organization is heading to The Shoppes at Johnny Appleseed in Erieville for shopping and lunch. On Oct. 5, CASA will hold its second annual lasagna luncheon at The Brewster Inn, and on Oct. 25, a group will charter an Onondaga Coach bus to Belhurst Castle in the heart of the Finger Lakes Wine Region for lunch, wine tastings, and shopping. The day will conclude with a tour of the Seneca Depot Deer Haven Park. The traditional CASA Thanksgiving luncheon is scheduled for Nov. 16 at the Hampton Inn & Suites Cazenovia. On Dec. 6, CASA will welcome the holiday season with lunch at Phoebe’s Restaurant in Syracuse followed by a Syracuse Stage production of “A Christmas Carol.” On Dec. 14, members will gather for a holiday luncheon at the Lincklaen House and a tour of the decorated mansion at the Lorenzo State Historic Site. Registration is required for all upcoming events. Call 315-825-5710 to reserve a spot. CASA was formed in 2007 to address a recognized need in the community for an organization to provide services, such as recreational activities and social opportunities, to seniors. The group began operating a year later with assistance from the Greater Cazenovia Area Chamber of Commerce. CASA receives funding from the Town and Village of Cazenovia, the Town of Nelson, and the Town of Fenner. The organization works in close partnership with Community Resources for Independent Seniors (CRIS), another Cazenovia-area organization dedicated to helping seniors age within the community. “There is a tremendous need to provide these activities for our senior population, and we continue to strive for expanded awareness of our programs within the three townships that help to fund CASA,” said CASA President Chuck Amos, who also serves on the CRIS board. “[Our] board and officers are all volunteers; we derive our satisfaction from participating in the programs and seeing the support and enjoyment they provide to our members.” According to Amos, all CCSD residents ages 55 and older are automatically members of CASA. Any senior interested in participating in events can call the organization to be added to the mailing list and receive monthly invitations. “There are no dues because costs are covered by the support we receive from the towns and village plus event fees,” Amos said.
Upper field to be completed by the end of the week By kate hill Staff writer
On Sept. 18, Tetra Tech and Campus Construction Management Group updated the Cazenovia Central School District Board of Education (BOE) on the progress of the district’s current capital project, which involves modifying the physical education, sports, and community facilities at the Emory Avenue Complex. As part of the project, both the Buckley-Volo Stadium field and the “upper field” behind the stadium are being transformed into multi-purpose, synthetic turf fields. Kevin Donaghue, executive vice president at Campus Construction Management Group, informed the board that the construction on the upper field, which started in April/May 2023, is near completion. “Right now, there are some final tune-ups, some clean up, we’re still finishing the fencing, [and] we have to hang one more scoreboard, but we look to turn it over to the district on Friday so you can get some practices [in] and start utilizing that field,” Donaghue said. Work on the stadium began in July and is now about 30 percent complete, according to Donaghue. Temporary fencing and barricades will be installed around the stadium to keep students, faculty, and staff on the upper field only and out of the active construction site. Donaghue reported that the project is progressing as planned in terms of timing and that the budget is “still very healthy.” The $10,713,319 project was approved by a capital project referendum vote in March 2022. “With the upper field built out, there is literally over $400,000 left in contingency,” Donaghue said. “We are still holding onto that because we have to build out the stadium, but we feel it is a very good position to be in. Financially, you are in good shape.” Superintendent Christopher DiFulvio thanked Tetra Tech and Campus Construction Management Group for completing the upper field on time or even slightly sooner than originally anticipated. He remarked that it is going to be “huge” for the sports teams and community groups to be able to use that field.
Submitted photos
In other news
The Cazenovia Area Senior Association is inviting seniors 55 and older residing within the Cazenovia Central School District to join in several upcoming luncheons, day trips, and other events. Non-members can attend CASA functions for a slightly higher fee. The organization currently has around 100 active members, defined as those who attend more than one or two events annually. “I am gratified that our efforts to generate a greater awareness of CASA have definitely helped us steadily increase our active membership,” said Amos. Typical luncheons have 60 to 70 attendees and trip events usually draw 40 to 45 members. According to Amos, two CASA events this year were particularly well received. The first was an early spring trip to the Village of Hamilton that included lunch at the Colgate Inn, shopping at the Colgate Bookstore, and the Hamilton Theater’s premier of the film “A
Man Called Otto.” On Aug. 29, CASA members enjoyed lunch at the Springside Inn followed by “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” at The REV Theatre in Auburn. “The performance was superb,” said Amos. For more information on CASA and upcoming events, call 315-825-5710 or visit the CASA Facebook page.
The board also approved a resolution scheduling a capital vote for Dec. 12, 2023, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the middle school auxiliary gym. Voters will be asked to consider a proposed capital project consisting of the removal and replacement of the roofing system at Burton Street Elementary School, the removal and replacement of natural gas fired hot water building heating plants and all associated components at Burton Street, and the replacement of select building automation controls at Burton Street and the Emory Avenue Complex. Assistant Superintendent for Business/School Business Official Thomas Finnerty summarized the proposed project as involving “roofing, boilers, and a little bit of HVAC control work.” The total estimated cost of the project, including any necessary site improvements, original furnishings, fixtures and equipment, architectural fees, and all other costs incidental to the work, is not to exceed $4 million. Cazenovia Central School District Board of Education meetings are usually held at 6:30 p.m. on the third Monday of each month. Meeting dates are listed on the district website and the school calendar. For more information, visit cazenoviacsd.com.
Volume 214, Number 38 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.
Community: Annual Rippleton Schoolhouse Community Day planned.
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sports: Caz football defeats Little Falls in Dome.
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