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Big Toys
Kate Hill
CASA hosts fall luncheon Submitted photos
On Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, Critz Farms in Cazenovia presented a “Big Toys” event to support the New Woodstock Volunteer Fire Department. Kids of all ages had the opportunity to get up close to a variety of big machines and even climb up into the driver’s seat of some. The Big Toy lineup featured a rescue truck and pumper truck from the New Woodstock Fire Department, plus some machines from Cazenovia Equipment, Caz Enterprises, Holmes Acres Dairy, Barber & Deline Well Drilling, and The Cunninghams, including a bulldozer, various tractors, a well drilling rig, and a large tractor with a 30-foot field implement. The fire department also set up an information table and gave away fire hats and other goodies to the kids. Critz Farms will be donating $1200 of the proceeds from the weekend to the New Woodstock Fire Department. The event was presented as part of the farm’s Fall Harvest Celebration. For more information on the celebration, visit critzfarms.com/event/fall-harvest-celebration-2023/.
On Oct. 5, the Cazenovia Area Senior Association (CASA) held a luncheon on the porch of the Brewster Inn overlooking Cazenovia Lake. The organization provides educational and recreational activities for seniors ages 55 and older residing within the Cazenovia Central School District, which encompasses the Towns of Cazenovia, Nelson, and Fenner. CASA has several additional events, including luncheons and day trips, planned for the final months of 2023. On Oct. 25, a group will be chartering an Onondaga Coach bus to Belhurst Castle in the heart of the Finger Lakes Wine Region for lunch, wine tastings, and shopping. Registration is required for all upcoming events. Call 315-825-5710 to reserve a spot. Any senior interested in participating in CASA events can call the organization to be added to the mailing list and receive monthly invitations.
Co. (315) joins downtown business community Town board approves 2024 tentative budget By kate hill Staff writer
Christina Liberatore recently opened Co. (315), “an artisan gift shop of practical use,” at 59 Albany St. in downtown Cazenovia. Located in the space that previously housed Liberty’s Dog House, Co. (315) specializes in selling handcrafted cocktail/ mocktail infusers made from dehydrated fruit. “You [simply] fill up the jar with either alcohol or water, put it in the refrigerator for about 24 hours, and then strain out the elixir from the jar to put [it] into your cocktail or mocktail,” said Liberatore, who also noted that a QR code to a webpage with instructions is printed on the bottom of every infuser jar. In addition to her signature “Hot Toddy,” “Sangria,” and “Jalapeño Mango Margarita” infusers, Liberatore also offers an “As You Wish” station for customers to create their own blends. The shop’s other offerings include assorted gifts, wood art carved
by Liberatore, pieces by commissioned local artists, food items from all over the country, FoJo Beans coffee, and some apparel. Prior to launching her business, Liberatore was a stay-at-home mother in Cazenovia for 12 years following what she described as “a series of micro-careers.” The entrepreneur started Co. (315) with the vision of selling her signature cocktail and mocktail infusers, but, after picking up woodworking and a few other skills during the COVID-19 pandemic, she broadened her vision to include creating and selling other items as well. Liberatore launched an online store, co315. com, in 2021 and then started selling some of her products in local hotel gift shops. This past summer, she had the opportunity to run a pop-up store at The HUB co-working space and business incubator in Hamilton for the months of June and July. “Turned out I absolutely loved working in retail
Town candidates – we want to hear from you! With the November election coming up, we are sending questionnaires out to the candidates in our towns. If you are a candidate who had not received the Q&A, please contact Kate Hill at khill@eaglenewsonline.com.
Board schedules public hearing on preliminary budget By Kate Hill Staff Writer
Submitted photos
On Sept. 19, Co. (315) opened at 59 Albany St., Cazenovia. The business specializes in selling handcrafted cocktail/mocktail infusers made with dehydrated fruit.
On Oct. 2, the Cazenovia Town Board approved its tentative budget to make it the preliminary budget for the fiscal year beginning Jan. 1, 2024. According to Supervisor Bill Zupan, the preliminary budget proposes increasing the real property tax rate by three cents per $1,000 of assessed value. The current town tax rate for properties outside the village is $1.55 per $1,000 of assessed value. “So, on a $300,000 house, you’re going to be paying $9 more,” Zupan said. The supervisor thanked Councilor Kyle Reger and Town of Cazenovia Bookkeeper Elizabeth Merrill for their help in getting the budget submitted on time. The preliminary budget is available for public viewing at the town offices and on the town’s website. The town board will hold a budget work session on Oct. 16 at 6 p.m. A public hearing as to the adoption of the proposed 2024 Town Budget is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 6 at 7:30 p.m. at the town offices.
In other news
and showing my work to people and sending pieces home with people who appreciate the time, work, and effort that is put into each piece,” Liberatore said. “So, naturally, opening a storefront in Cazenovia just made sense.” Co. (315) opened its doors on Sept. 19, 2023. “My experience opening a storefront in Cazenovia has been noth-
ing short of delightful,” said Liberatore. “I have [received] such a warm welcome from all the other storefront owners. They have been so helpful, kind, and supportive. I am truly proud to bring my brand here and work alongside such an amazing community of storefront owners.” Co. (315) is open Monday through Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The town will hold a public outreach session regarding the comprehensive plan on Tuesday, Oct. 24 at 6:30 p.m. in the Betsy Kennedy Community Room at the Cazenovia Public Library. According to Reger, there will be a brief summary of the plan to date and an opportunity for community members to offer input. Reger said he thinks the more feedback that is received, the more successful the plan will be. The town board also approved the use of Ridge Road, Ten Eyck Avenue, Lincklaen Road, and Syosset Drive for the Annual Cazenovia Pumpkin Run 5K/Spooky Sprint, a fundraising event for the Cazenovia High School Class of 2025. The race is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 29 at 1 p.m. The November town board meeting will be on Monday, Nov. 6, a week earlier than normal, at the town hall. For more information on the Town of Cazenovia, visit towncazenovia.digitaltowpath.org or call the town office at 315-655-9213.
Volume 214, Number 41 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.
sports news: Girls tennis wins sectional Class C title.
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IN BUSINESS: Stories from the businesses, industries and issues that impact Cazenovia, Fayetteville and Manlius.
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history ���������������������� 13
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