Taking a step back from the role of tourism today, this blog post is more aimed at our readers who live here and close to Madison County.
Every day we have a lot of choices on where to purchase our goods and services.  With the state of New York passing more and more costs down to our counties, and the governor and legislature showing little fortitude to do anything about it, we can help control some of our fiscal future here in Madison County. 
Our county is made up of a lot of bedroom communities.  Many people live here and work in Syracuse, Rome and Utica.  I've had this discussion with my wife before on buying just the simple things locally, like filling up the gas tank in Chittenango instead of East Syracuse on her way to and from work and the impact it makes on our property taxes.
For example.  My wife spends about $3600 a year in gas for her vehicle.  At today's prices that's somewhere between 900 and 1000 gallons of gas.  At $3.78 a gallon there is about 28 cents of state and local sales tax per gallon, 14 cents of the going directly to our local governments in sales tax revenue.  If my wife buys all of her gas in Madison County that is $140 in sales tax revenue over the course of the year for local governments.  Multiply that by the 25,000 or more people who work outside of the county but who live here.  That comes to $3.5 million dollars that may or may not be going to support the local services we enjoy here in Madison County.  You see, you have the choice on where you spend your tax dollars and the programs that eventually those dollars support. 
So think about it a bit this year when you are looking over your county tax bills.  How much tax money are you giving to other counties, that by spending it here, you could reduce your property taxes or at the very least help maintain the high levels of service we enjoy?

The Central New York Community Foundation has held quarterly contests this year to award $8500 to organizations who garner the most votes for their project.  The CNY85 Giving Project is part of the celebration of 85 years of giving by the foundation.
Several Madison County projects are up for a vote in the latest round of funding which focuses on Arts, Culture, Recreation and Civic Engagement.  The following projects need your support:

The Cazenovia Community Development Association wants to develop a Cazenovia Art Trail.
The Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum wants to building an interactive Dry-Dock exhibit. 
Madison Bouckville Promotions wants to provide benches at their bus stops during the annual Antique Week.
The National Abolition Hall of Fame wants to install a lift to make the museum handicapped accessible.
The Oneida Improvement Committee wants to build walking trails in the city.
The Partnership for Community Development in Hamilton wants to bring a Grammy Award Winning Children's Singer to the Chocolate Wreck Festival. 

Voting takes place over the entire month of December and you are allowed one vote per day per email address. So vote early and vote often to bring this $8,500 to Madison County!

He had to throw the menu together in a hurry, but Chef Andrew Hengst of Ye Olde Landmark Tavern has created another fantastic menu for the Hop Fest Paired Brew Dinner.

Hengst, a graduate of the CIA, has put together a menu paired with beers from Ommegang, Ithaca, Cooperstown and Brooklyn Brewery and foods that highlight the fall flavors we all enjoy in Central New York State. 

The four course meal will begin with an Autumn Squash Soup, featuring apples, pancetta and creme fraiche.  It will be paired with Ommegang’s Rare Vos.

The second course will be a seared scallop with a raisin vinaigrette, cauliflower puree and caper relish.  That will be paired with Old Slugger Pale Ale from Cooperstown Brewing.

The third course is a Roast Pork Tenderloin with a pretzel spaetzle. mustard jus and pickled pear.  The pork will be paired with Ithaca Beer’s CascaZilla.

For dessert and the fourth course Hengst will serve a Pumpkin Honey Cake topped with vanilla ice cream.  This will be paired with Brooklyn Brewery’s Post Road Pumpkin Ale.

Only 12 tickets remain for the dinner. You can purchase your ticket and enjoy the dinner at the Hop Fest website.

A last minute change has moved the 17th annual Hop Fest Paired Brew Dinner to Ye Olde Landmark Tavern in Bouckville.  The dinner is scheduled for Friday September 14th and will feature a menu created by CIA graduate Chef Andrew Hengst.  As soon as the menu is available we will post it here for you.  Tickets are $50 a person and will include 5 courses paired with 5 different beers.  You can purchase your tickets on the Hop Fest page of the Historical Society's website. 

If it’s the middle of August, it must be Antique week in Madison and Bouckville. The annual antique show with over 2000 vendors opens on Monday August 13 and runs through Sunday August 19.  It is one of the biggest antique shows in the Northeast and it has quite the reputation of being one of the best among antique dealers and collectors.

During the week, dealers line Route 20 setting up in between the local antique shops so it becomes a continuous flow of antiques. There is no admission cost again this year which makes it a great time to check out what antiquing is all about. Attending the show during the week offers antique collectors a chance to discover exactly what they’re looking for in a relaxing, slower paced shopping environment. There will be food vendors placed along Rt. 20 to take care of the hungry antique shopper. 

There are many places to park throughout the village, some parking lots charge a small fee but there are a couple places that have free parking. The Madison County Visitors Center, located on Rt. 20, offers free parking for up to 200 cars and 20 onsite antique deals to get you started. So get there early and stay all day.  

Returning for the 2012 show is the shuttle service.  The bus will make seven stops from downtown Bouckville to the Madison County Visitor Center.  Now you don’t have to worry about the walking as much, if you get tired, hop on at one of the shuttle stops and ride back to your car.

New this year is the $500 cash giveaway.  When you stop into 10 participating locations Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday you will have the opportunity to win $500 in cash from those merchants.  Just make sure you visit them all and get

Take advantage of attending the early show during the week, beat the weekend crowds and come experience the largest outdoor antique show in New York State.

For more information on the August Madison-Bouckville Antique Week, visit www.madison-bouckville.com. 

Madison-Bouckville Antique Week is part of a great lineup of events in Madison County this summer.  For hotels, restaurants and other arts and entertainment venues in Madison County call 800-684-7320 or visit our website at www.madisontourism.com.

A short drive through the countryside can transport you to a place where $2 dollars can purchase an entire day of exciting family entertainment.  At the Madison County Fairgrounds, 1968 Fairground Rd., Brookfield, NY from July 12th – 15th you can enjoy all the offerings of a traditional agricultural fair;   Animals, Agricultural Exhibits, Midway, Contest, Pageants, & Shows.

Come and experience the 173rd edition of the Madison County Fair for yourself. Meet and learn about exotic animals at the educational interactive show presented by Animal Alley Ministries. Delight to the “Unherd” of Entertainment of Buffalo Barfield. Enjoy a Parade and then root for the Firemen competing in a Push Ball Contest.  Meet Champion Auto Racers and listen to their stories at Brookfield Speedway Drivers Reunion.  Discover Who’s Got Talent at the Talent Show. Witness the crowning of Miss & Mister Madison County.  Experience the Magic of an award winning magician when Matt Episcopo takes the stage.  Dance to the beat of some of the numerous bands appearing on stage; Fritz Polka Band, Jason Wicks Band, Knight Ryders Band, Lion’s Gait Band, and Matt Chase & the Thunder Canyon Band.   All of this and more for a mere $2 general admission fee (under age 5 free everyday/over age 60 free on July13th).

For a few additional dollars you can take a spin on Main Event Amusements thrill rides, enjoy some delicious Fair cuisine, or take in one of the grandstand shows; Truck Pull, Tractor Pull, or Demolition Derby & Rollover Contest.

For a complete schedule of events visit us online at www.madisoncountyfairny.com or for more information call (315) 899-5867.

Acclaimed artist and educator, Kathy Shetler-Pegg is pleased to announce the grand opening of “Kathy’s Gallery Studio” at 3707 State Route 12B (corner of Rte 12B and Rte 20), Bouckville, NY.  The event will take place from 5 until 8 pm on Friday, June 29th. There will be music, food, refreshments and a painting give-away.

On display in the gallery will be her abstract fine art, commercial artwork and mural displays. Ms. Shetler-Pegg holds degrees in Art Education and Fine Arts. With over 20 years of accomplishments (including local, regional and international art shows), she will be offering summer lessons for individuals and small groups from ages 6 to 600.  For more information, stop in at the opening on June 29th , call her at (315)542-0305 or go online at http://kathysgallery.blogspot.com

NY Country Jam is right around the corner July 13th and 14th in Bouckville.  The two day show features eight national acts, and local acts as well. 
The ticket sales for the event seem to be going strong at this point so if you want to get in the gate early, and stake out the best seats available you should probably go the pre-sale route.  Walk up sales are expected to be quite large, and you don't want to be stuck in line waiting for a ticket while the bands start to take the stage.  TIckets can be purchased online at www.nycountryjam.com. 
Some of the acts you will be able to see include Gretchen Wilson, Big and Rich, Steal Magnolia, David Lee Murphy, Bo Bice, Tracey Lawrence and more.  Check out the full band line up and get your tickets sooner rather than later.

The Ye Olde Landmark Tavern is hosting its annual Summer Brew Dinner on Thursday, June 28th at 7:00.  This year's dinner features the culinary creations of Chef Andrew Hengst and the brewing creations of Brooklyn Brewery.

Chef Andrew Hengst has put together a fantastic menu and it is paired nicely with five beers from the Brooklyn brew kettles.  Add in the intimate setting of Ye Olde Landmark, and all the pieces for a great food and beer pairing are in place.  The dinner features five courses, each paired with a different beer:

1st Course:
Smoked Asparagus Vichyssoise
crab, pistachio
Beer: Brewmaster's Reserve Gold Standard

2nd Course:
Lamb Carpaccio
arugula, tomatoes, preserved lemon, flatbread
Beer: Sorachi Ace

3rd Course:
Barbecue Duck Tostada
tomatillo salsa, black beans, red onion, ricotta salata
Beer: East India Pale Ale

4th Course:
Ancho-Coffee Braised Short Ribs
cheddar polenta, corn relish, okra
Beer: Brown Ale

5th Course:
Pecan Brownie Torte
vanilla ice cream, salted caramel
Beer: Black Chocolate Stout

The cost of the dinner is $45 a person and reservations are a must.  You can make your reservations by calling Ye Olde Landmark at 315-893-1810.

Fiber, anyone?
            Wool production in New York State in 2010 was 245,000 pounds, according to the U.S. Agriculture statistics Service.  Add to that fiber from alpacas, llamas, rabbits, goats, and exotic animals such as camels, buffalo, and yak, and you have a LOT of yarn!! 
            There seems to have been an explosion of knitters, spinners, weavers, felters and other practitioners of the fiber arts in recent years.  Guilds are springing up in every part of the country.  Getting fiber from local farm to local artist can sometimes be tricky, however. 
            Enter the CNY Fiber Artists and Producers, and the annual fiber fair they host in Bouckville, NY.
            The fair had humble beginnings, held for two years in conjunction with the Madison County Fair, with a handful of fiber vendors.  It became obvious early on that a larger site was needed, according to organizer Pamela Haendle.
            “Our hope was to showcase fiber animals and the products that can be produced from them,” said Pam.  “We saw a need for a local festival that would highlight the many fiber producers in our area, and connect their products with local fiber enthusiasts.”
            Pam obviously had the right idea.  The first year at the site in Bouckville, over 45 vendors sold a variety of fiber, fiber-related, and farm products to over 600 attendees, in spite of a rainy weekend.  There were workshops offered, and well as food, and children’s activities.  Animals, including sheep, alpacas, goats, llamas, and rabbits were on display. 
            This year’s festival will be held on June 9 and 10, at the Butternut Campground on Route 20 in Bouckville.  Workshops will again be offered, as will children’s activities, and maybe a few new surprises.
            “We hope to grow every year, but don’t want to lose our hometown feel,” says Pam.  “If we can educate the general public about our animals, and provide an enjoyable afternoon for people interested in the fiber arts and local farm producers, we will achieve our goal.”
            Visit the group’s website at www.cnyfiber.org for more information on the organization and this year’s festival.