Things to do, places to eat, shows to see, places to stay in Madison County, NY      

The Cazenovia College Art Gallery in Reisman Hall will host the Annual Juried Student Exhibition from Monday, Feb. 20 through Friday, March 2. An opening reception is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 20, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., in the Gallery

The Annual Juried Student Exhibition will include work by students majoring in studio art, photography, fashion design, interior design, and from several majors outside the Art and Design Division. Student work will be juried by program faculty from which the work was generated.

Image: One of the pieces accepted for exhibition is "Memory," India ink on 18 x 24" watercolor paper, created in Foundation Studies drawing class by Lauren Rabideau, freshman interior design major.

The gallery will be closed from March 5 through 12, reopening on March 13 with an exhibition of work by bachelor of fine arts 2012 degree candidates. The Cazenovia College Art Gallery in Reisman Hall, 6 Sullivan St., is on the corner of Sullivan and Seminary streets in Cazenovia. Hours during the academic year are: Monday through Thursday, 1-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.; Friday, 1-4 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday, 2-6 p.m. Summer hours vary.

For information, contact Jen Pepper, gallery director, by e-mail to jpepper@cazenovia.edu. Information is also on the Web at www.cazenovia.edu/art-gallery.

If you have ever had the chance to visit the Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota during their annual induction weekend, chances are your path crossed with Angelo Dundee.  I know it has for us here at Madison County Tourism. 

Dundee died yesterday at the age of 90.  He was famous for training Muhammad Ali and other great fighters like Sugar Ray Leonard, Carmen Basilio and George Foreman. 
I had the chance to sit next to Dundee at a fight once, during the Hall of Fame induction weekend.  At the time I thought it to be the equivilant of sitting next to Casey Stengel while watching a baseball game.  He was very gracious and talked to me about the fight the whole time.  I'll never forget that.  Rest in Peace Angelo Dundee.

_ The Oz-Stravaganza! committee is proud and honored to announce that Gregory Maguire will serve as Grand Marshal of the 34th annual  Oz-Stravaganza! parade, themed "The Wonderful Witches of Oz", which kicks off at 2:00 PM Saturday June 2nd.

_In addition he will be part of the Friday June 1st kickoff program at Chittenango High School. Many new and exciting guests and events as well as the longtime favorites will be part of Oz weekend, June 1st - 3rd. Check in often at: www.oz-stravaganza.com to keep up to date with the latest information.

Many  Oz-Stravaganza! sponsorship opportunities are available, contact Colleen Zimmer at 315-415-8546 or colleen@oz-stravaganza.com for further information.

It may be snowing outside but the planning has already begun for the 2012 Madison County Fair in Brookfield.  Mark you calendars now to check out one of the oldest and longest running county fairs in America.

_The Directors of the Madison County Fair are busy making plans for the 2012 Fair slated to take place July12th-15th. Over the recent long holiday weekend five members of the Madison County Fair Board traveled to Rochester to attend the 124th Annual New York State Association of Agricultural Fairs Convention At the convention it was announced that once again the New York State Association of Agricultural Fairs (NYSAAF) and New York State Showpeople’s Association (NYSSA) are in process of accepting applications for their annual scholarship program, which will award up to ten $1,000 scholarships in 2012.
These scholarship are available to students who are New York State residents, who currently are (or have previously been) active in a fair that is a member of the NYSAAF or the NYSSA and who plan to attend (or already attend) college in pursuit of a degree. The fair where you have been active or the NYSSA must endorse your application and will submit it for you. Madison County Fair President, Jeff Mayne, will gladly accept applications at the Beaver Den Diner in Brookfield or mail to: Madison County Fair, PO Box 114, 1968 Fairgrounds Rd., Brookfield, NY 13314. The deadline for applications is Friday, April 13th.
For further information on the scholarship program and application forms, please visit

After a couple of years of hard work, it was time to celebrate last night for Matt Whalen and Carrie Blackmore.  The pair are the owners of Good Nature Brewing in Hamilton, and their fledgling brewery took over the main line taps at the Colgate Inn last night in Hamilton.

A crowd of well over 100 people were waiting at 5:30 for the first keg to be tapped and the crowd stayed strong for several hours as people enjoyed the five different beers that Good Nature has developed. 
It was clear from the reception that everyone enjoyed the beers and Good Nature is off to a good start as Madison County's first brewery.  You can still grab a taste for yourself as their tasting room will continue regular hours from here on out.  You can taste their beers Tuesday-Thursday from Noon until 7 and Friday and Saturday from Noon until 8.  Their beers will also continue to be on tap at the Colgate Inn.  From all of us here at Madison County Tourism, CHEERS!

_ Join Madison County Friday, February 24th for Shades of Green in Madison County: A Green Living Experience being held at the STUAC Conference Center at Morrisville State College in Morrisville, New York.   This free, full day event features over twenty-five speakers to help advance green initiatives throughout the county.  The topics have been geared to be sure there is something for everyone, whether a homeowner or a business owner or a community organization.  

Individuals and business owners can learn how to obtain free energy audits to lower their utility bills and gain access to low interest loans to make desired upgrades. Hear how easy it can be to start composting or install a rain garden.  Find out how to take advantage of new renewable energy initiatives including Solarize Madison, which is a new county-wide initiative to help home and business owners lower the costs of installing solar panels on their buildings.

Business owners can also learn what the phase out of standard light bulbs means to their business and about the benefits of and means to offering locally grown food and products on their shelves and in their menus.  

Communities can learn how to establish community gardens to provide access to wholesome foods while building strong neighborhoods, how to turn community vision into action through an effective comprehensive plan, what resources are available to advance the concept of “farm to school,” and ways to help design our places to help seniors remain and thrive in their homes and communities.

Other presentations include a discussion of green jobs to bring together available opportunities for people to obtain and enhance skills and find employment in the ever-growing green market, information on the new bus routes and stops offered by Madison County Transit, and examples of effective local historic preservation.  Highlights from the success of building a LEED certified public library in the Village of Marcellus will be shared as well as some of the innovative projects put in place at the Madison County Solid Waste Facility including the country’s first landfill to be capped with a solar array system. 

For more information and to register for the free event, please visit the website: www.greenmadisoncounty.com/.  Breakfast and lunch will be provided.  A reception will follow the event featuring local products and businesses including Owera Winery, Good Nature Brewery, Jewett’s Cheese and Kriemhild Dairy Farms.

The Colgate Inn in Hamilton has put together an incredible feast for February 2nd that will feature game meats, wines and beers.  Stretched out over five courses, dessert and cocktails the staff at the inn have designed a deep and well thought out menu.

You can check out the complete menu here, but it is obvious that a lot of time was spent picking beers, wines and game meats that not only showcased the flavors inherent in each, but also that showcase many local products too. 
The beer list includes beers from Good Nature Brewing Company, Ommegang and Middle Ages Brewing, all regional CNY breweries.  The wine list features Finger Lake beauties from Dr. Konstantin Frank, and Lamoreaux Landing. 
Local foods enhance a menu that will feature venison, duck, salmon, trout, and wild mushrooms.  Dessert will be a Sherry Wine with Blackberry Compote. 
The dinner begins with cocktails and a meet and greet at 6pm and the meal begins at 6:30.  You should make reservations soon, as this may be one of the best meals served in Central New York all year long. 

_ Act UP! Youth Theater Camp will be offered during winter break for kids eight to fourteen years of age at The Palace Theater in Hamilton. During the weekdays, February 20 – 25, there will be two different camp sessions, with each set of campers producing a theater production. The first session is 9am – noon and the second session is 1-4pm. The main show presenting both productions will be Saturday, February 25 at 3pm and is open to the public with tickets available for $5. Following the performance audience members can meet the cast at the Act UP cast party.

This theater experience welcomes two new directors: Dr. Robert Garland (Colgate University) and Dominick Pangallo (BA in Theater from Bates College and co-founder of the Salem Theatre Company). Robert Garland will be directing an original play called To Hades and Back. Dominick Pangallo will direct a selection that is yet be determined. Cost for each camp session is $75. Space is limited. For more information and to register, please contact Patricia von Mechow at The Palace Theater, 315.824.1420.

Act UP! traditionally offers a summer theater camp experience for children that inspires them to create and produce an original script. Dates for the summer camp are being determined now. If you are interested, please contact The Palace Theater to be added to the growing list to receive an application form for your child(ren).

The Palace Theater is located at 19 Utica Street in historic downtown Hamilton, within walking distance of boutiques, fine casual dining and a relaxing Village Green. Visit www.palacetheater.org to learn more about upcoming shows and events.

_ Winter Festival

Art Exhibition

St. Peter's Episcopal Church

12 Mill Street, Cazenovia, N.Y. 13035



You are cordially invited to join us for our  36th Annual Winter Festival Art Exhibition

 Come meet the Artists at our Opening Night Reception

on February 9th from 6:30 to 8:30 pm

Show hours are 

 Friday, February 10th from 12:00 – 6:00 pm

Saturday, February 11th from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

and Sunday, February 12th from 12:00 – 3:30 pm

Sponsored by Cazenovia Arts

for more information please call 315-558-8310 or

email BCW13035@gmail.com

Admission is free

_ Madison County is proud to announce the first Shades of Green in Madison County: A Green Living Experience which is scheduled for Friday, February 24, 2012 from 8:00 am through 5:00 pm in the STUAC Conference Center at Morrisville State College in Morrisville, New York.  This exciting full-day event is an initiative of the Madison County Community Economic Development Committee formed to implement the Health Improvement Plan for Madison County.  It is the first event of its kind in the county. The purpose of the sustainability workshop is to help individuals, businesses, and communities advance green initiatives throughout Madison County to achieve more economically viable, sustainable and healthier places to live, go to school, work, shop, and enjoy! 

The event is free and open to everyone, but space is limited.  For more information on the event and to register, please visit the website: http://www.greenmadisoncounty.com/. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. 

The event will have something for everyone, from the home and business owner to the community leader, as it will feature over twenty-five speakers in four breakout sessions with three tracks on topics ranging from greenhouse gas reduction, effective historic preservation, innovations that decrease solid waste, the power of buying local, sustainable building practices, and lessons in smart growth.  Peter Fleischer, Executive Director of Empire State Future, and Cornelius Murphy, the President of the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) are the keynote speakers.  The presenting sponsor of the event is Sysco, a global leader in selling, marketing and distributing food products to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments and other customers.

Space is still available for exhibitors.  If you are interested in exhibiting, please submit the exhibitor form available on the event website: http://www.greenmadisoncounty.com/.

For more information and to register for the free event, please visit the website: www.greenmadisoncounty.com/.  Breakfast and lunch will be provided.  A reception will follow the event featuring local products and businesses including Owera Winery, Good Nature Brewery, Jewett’s Cheese and Kriemhild Dairy Farms.