The International Boxing Hall of Fame announced today actors Burt Young and Federico Castelluccio have been named Grand Marshals of the 20th Annual Boxing Hall of Fame Parade of Champions scheduled for Sunday, June 14th at 1 p.m.   “The Hall of Fame is extremely excited about welcoming these two great actors to Canastota to celebrate the sport of boxing,'” said Hall of Fame Executive Director Edward Brophy.  “It is a thrill to have them as the 2009 Parade of Champions Grand Marshals.” Young is an Academy Award-nominated actor best known for his portrayal of Sylvester Stallone’s brother in law “Paulie” in the legendary Rocky film series. Young, who learned his craft from legendary acting coach Lee Strasberg, has appeared in such motion pictures as Back to School, The Pope of Greenwich Village, Transamerica, Convoy and Chinatown. He has also made celebrated appearances on television shows The Sopranos, Law & Order, Miami Vice, The Rockford Files and Walker, Texas Ranger. Young has also received accolades for his paintings, which are highlighted in art galleries around the world.“To be here at the Boxing Hall of Fame, amongst men of courage, valor and decipherment is for me, top draw. Any fighter, whether champion, or aging six rounder, somehow seems touched or stamped with elements of dignity, honor and strength, forever more. Hello to those of you I know, and to the fellows I don't, I certainly do from your life exploits,” said Young.            A talented actor, Castelluccio is best known for his portrayal of hitman Furio Giunta on the critically acclaimed HBO series The Sopranos from 2000-2006. His film credits include Made with Jon Favreau, Fire with Robert Klein and Pink Panther 2 with Steve Martin. He has also appeared on such notable television programs as NYPD Blue and Law & Order: Criminal Intent and soap operas As the World Turns and The Guiding Light. Born in Naples, Italy, Castelluccio is an accomplished artist and has exhibited his paintings in galleries in New York City and Washington, DC.“I am very honored to be a Grand Marshal for the Boxing Hall of Fame. I’ve been a huge boxing fan since I was a young boy and I happen to really admire some of this year’s inductees. I’m looking forward to meeting them on their big day!” saidCastelluccio.The Parade of Champions, set for Sunday, June 14th at 1:00 p.m., will pass through the streets of Canastota and lead to the grounds of the Hall of Fame Museum prior to the start of the Official Induction Ceremony honoring the new class of inductees. Living inductees to be honored at the Official Induction Ceremony are bantamweight champion Orlando Canizales, heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis, junior lightweight champion Brian Mitchell, matchmaker / publicist / promoter Bob Goodman, promoter Akihiko Honda, journalist Hugh McIlvanney and broadcaster Larry Merchant. Posthumous inductees will also be honored. Over 40 boxing stars, including Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Ken Norton, Angelo Dundee, Emile Griffith, Micky Ward and Leon Spinks will be highlighted in the Parade of Champions. "With the lineup of marching bands, boxing celebrities, Burt Young and Federico Castelluccio, this should be our biggest parade ever and an unforgettable day for all," said parade chairperson Charlene Barres.     The 2009 Parade of Champions is sponsored by Nice N Easy Grocery Shoppe. The June 11-14th Hall of Fame Induction Weekend will feature over 20 exciting events including a banquet, boxing autograph card show, cocktail party and the Official Induction Ceremony honoring the Class of 2009. For more information on the Hall of Fame’s 20th Annual Induction Weekend please call (315) 697-7095 or visit www.ibhof.com.

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Believe it or not Mother's Day (May 10th) is less than two weeks away. If there is one thing you do not want to do it is forget mom on her special day.  That is why you need to make your reservations for mother's day brunch today.  Stop procrastinating and pick up the phone.  Many places (The Brewster Inn, and the Lincklaen House for example) are already sold out.  You might be lucky and get on their waiting list.  Two places that still have reservations, and that are just awesome when it comes to brunch are the Colgate Inn in Hamilton and the Brae Loch Inn in Cazenovia. 
The Colgate Inn features a huge selection with fresh fruits, made to order omelets, roast beef, turkey and smoked ham, eggs, french toast, bacon, sausage, and all the other great things you would expect to see at a brunch and some things you might not expect like catfish and seafood newberg.    You really don't want to miss their desserts either.   All of this and more can be had for the reasonable price of $21.95 for adults, and $8.95 for children under 12.  Kids under 5 eat free.  You must have reservations so call the inn at 315-824-2300.
The Brae Loch Inn in Cazenovia has been a favorite for generations.  They are having their Mother's Day buffet from 10-5.  It costs $22.95 and features ham, lamb, beef, breakfast items, pasta, seafood, salads, desserts and more.  Reservations are required so call them at 315-655-3431. 
Of course Madison County is full of great restaurants to enjoy Mother's Day at from the Landmark Tavern in Bouckville to the Hamilton Inn in Hamilton.  It doesn't matter where you take mom, just remember to take her someplace nice.

 
 

If you are the weatherman, you are the most popular person in town this weekend.  The forecast calls for 70's and 80's and lots of sun.  I know you are itching to get out and do something this weekend, so here are some great options:
1. Earth Day Fun Fly Saturday from 11-4-- Bring your kite or just observe the art in the sky! Celebrate our earth and it's beauty on the Quarry Hill, located just before the entrance of the Stone Quarry Hill Art Park. This is a FREE event, but donations are always accepted. Fun for all ages.
2.Coffee House for Habitat -- Music, coffee & sweet feasting to benefit the Habitat for Humanity Chittenango Build. When: Sat. April 25th at 6-10pm Where: First Presbyterian Church, 118 Arch St., Chittenango (across from the Fire Barn). $5 donation at the door suggested. Music provided by local talent, including Chicken Fried Folk, Imperfect Reflections, Curly & Lil, and Carol and Steve Manglos & Co.
3. Get out and take a hike -- Follow the path of the Link Trail, or visit Oxbow Falls County Park or take a ramble down the gorge at Chittenango Falls State Park.  It will be a perfect weekend to get out and enjoy the sites.  Don't forget your camera and make sure you enter your spring photos in the photo contest. 

 
 

In Madison County, we are quite lucky to have a portion of the North Country Scenic Trail.  It is a network of trails that extends from North Dakota to Crown Point, NY.  When fully complete this trail will be the longest foot trail in the world.  In Madison County, the Link Trail is part of the system.  It runs from the Finger Lakes Trail in the southwestern portion of the county all the way to the Erie Canal Towpath in Canastota.  Today the NY Times travel section featured an article about the trail and a person who has been working his way across America on it.  This will be a perfect weekend with temps in the 70's and 80's for you to get our and explore the link trail yourself or with a group of people.

 
 

The annual Spring Bash Demolition Derby has become one of the most anticipated events at the Madison County Fairgrounds.  This year is again a qualifier competition for the state fair and over $1000 in prize money is up for grabs.  Make plans for May 16th at noon for the chicken bbq and 2pm all the action starts.  The last  6-8 cyl car running and moving takes home $1000 and the last 4 cyl car running and moving takes home $400.

 
 

The planners and committee members for the 31st annual Oz-Stravaganza are working overtime as this year's event is only a few weeks away.  Planned for June 5-7 there will be fun things for the entire family all weekend long including the popular parade.  The organizers have passed along the following information so you can start planning your Oz weekend of fun:

Hot Air Balloon Flights

Oz-Stravaganza! Hot Air Balloon Activities by Airborne Adventures
All Hot Air Balloon Activities are weather permitting
Tethered Rides:
Friday June 5th 7:30pm - 9:30pm
Community Recognition Park
Legion Dr., Chittenango
$15.00 adults  $10 children 12 and under

Balloon launches:
Reservation necessary for launches
$210 per person  discount for groups of 3 or more
Launches take place from the entrance to Sullivan Park, Lake Street, Chittenango

Launch schedule
Saturday June 6th 5:30am and 6;30pm
Sunday June 7th 5:30am and 6:30pm

Reservations and information: Dwight Cramer 315 495-6544

Fireworks and Costume Judging

Oz-Stravaganza! Fireworks
9:30pm Friday June 5th
Community Recognition Park  Legion Dr, Chittenango
Food will be available
www.oz-stravaganza.com
315 430 0765
Oz-Stravaganza! costume judging
Now is the time to get busy on those oz costumes
All Oz movie and book characters will be judged for children from infant through age 12
Judging will take place Saturday June 6th in the parking lot of the Sullivan Free Library at the intersection of Routes 5 and 13.
Registration 12:15pm
Judging 1:00pm
All children in costume are invited to march as a group in the Oz-Parade which kicks off at 2:00pm from the judging area
Costume awards will be presented immediately following the parade on the stage in Oz-Stravaganza! Park Genesee Street, Downtown Chittenango
email: birdbrookbandb@gmail.com
315 415 8546

Locks of Love and Fun Run

Oz-Stravaganza! Locks of Love Hair Cutting
Sponsored by The Chittenango United Methodist Church
Sunday June 7th starting at noon in Oz-Stravaganza! Park, Genesee St, Downtown Chittenango
information: 315 687-3116
www.oz-stravaganza.com
Donate your hair to help children will illness or conditions making them unable to grow hair
All are invited to cheer for those donating their hair
Oz-Stravaganza! 3rd annual  Munchkin Mile Fun Run

Saturday June 6th  Registration: 10am  Race time 11am
registration forms available for download at: www.oz-stravaganza.com  and  www.chittenango.org

Registration fee: $6.00 if received by May 26th
                        $8.00 after May26th and onsite race day

First 100 registrants will received a specially designed T-shirt
all registrants will receive a ticket good for one ride at Oz-Stravaganza!
all registrants may register for a raffle for one of many bike helmets
donated by the Chittenango PBA
the race is open to children 12 and under
participation ribbons will be awarded to all finishers

Information: Tammy 315 687 7115
email: munchkinmile@twcny.rr.com

The Parade

31st annual Grand Oz Parade
Saturday June 6th at 2pm
Genesee Street
Downtown Chittenango
Parade theme" "70 Years Of Movie Magic - 100 Years Along The Road To Oz"
Grand Marshals: The Munchkins of Oz represented by: Munchkins, Jerry Maren, Margaret Pellegrini, Karl Slover, and Ruth Duccini
Come enjoy a high quality music filled parade
315-430-0765
www.oz-stravaganza.com
www.chittenango.org

 
 

Last year's inaugural Emerald City Idol event was such a success at Ozstravaganza in Chittenango, and now it is back for a 2nd year.  The competition begins on May 30th with auditions at Chittenango High School from 11 am to 6pm.  The high school is at 150 Genesee Street in the village.  Email them for more information on the auditions. 
This year's competition is broken into three age groups and prizes are awarded for 1-3 with $1800 in total prize money available. 
If you are chosen to be a finalist you will perform on the main state in Oz-Stravaganza Park on Genesee Street in downtown Chittenango.  Those performances are scheduled for Sunday June 7th starting at noon.  Visit the Oz-Stravaganza website for more information.

 
 

Now that spring seems to be in full swing the events on our calendar have started to fill in a lot better.  If you are looking for something to do this weekend there are several great options out there.  Here are a few of the best bets for things to do this weekend:
1. The Catherine Cummings Theater at Cazenovia college hosts three performances of the "Laramie Project"  It is a play based on the murder of an openly gay college student in Laramie Wyoming.  Show times are at 8pm tonight and tomorrow and a 2pm matinee on Sunday.  Make it a date and enjoy a fine dinner at the Lincklaen House before or after the performance.
2. Learn all about wood ducks this weekend at the Great Swamp Conservancy in Canastota with their Wood Ducks in Our Wetlands presentation.  The program runs from 10-noon tomorrow.
3. Visit an exhibition at either the Oneida Community Mansion House or Porter Studios in Hamilton.  The Mansion House continues to feature the Art of the Oneida Community and its Children and Porter Studios is featuring an exhibit entitled High Plains.
There now you have four good reasons to spend the day and stay the night in Madison County this weekend.

 
 

Spring is here and it is a great opportunity to dust off your wallet and spend some money at one of Cazenovia's fine merchants.  On Friday April 24th village shops and restaurants will have extended hours and they will be offering specials to celebrate spring.  So come on out and socialize, shop and celebrate spring. 

 
Go Fly a Kite 04/16/2009
 

Spring in Madison County is a great time to fly a kite and there are many awesome locations to do so.  One of those locations is the Stone Quarry Hill Art Park in Cazenovia.  On Saturday April 25th the park will host an Earth Day Fun Fly, from 11am-4pm.  You can bring your own kite to fly or just watch everyone else.  Celebrate the earth and it's beauty on the hill just before the entrance of the park.  This is a free event, but as always donations are accepted.
You can also bring your kids along that day for a kite workshop between 9-12.  The cost is $5 per kite and your child will build a kite of their own and learn how to fly it. 
While you are at it, mark your calendar for the annual Art in the Sky Kite Festival on May 30th and 31st from 11-4 each day!