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

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 International Boxing Hall of Fame and Museum announced today the newest class of inductees to enter the Hall. Living inductees include multi-division champion Thomas “Hitman” Hearns, two-division champion Mark “Too Sharp” Johnson, “Let’s Get Ready To Rumble” ring announcer Michael Buffer, trainer Freddie Roach, broadcaster Al Bernstein and journalist Michael Katz. 

            “We’re extremely excited about the Class of 2012 and very much looking forward to honoring the 23rd class of inductees,” said Executive Director Edward Brophy.

            The 23rd Annual Hall of Fame Weekend is scheduled for June 7-10th in Canastota, NY. Over 20 events, including a golf tournament, banquet, parade and autograph card show, are planned. An impressive celebrity lineup of boxing greats of yesterday and today will attend this year’s Induction Weekend. The highlight of the weekend will be the Official Enshrinement Ceremony on the Hall of Fame Museum Grounds in Canastota, New York on Sunday, June 10th to welcome the newest members. 

            The Hall of Fame also released names of posthumous honorees: Cocoa Kid in the Modern Category; Newsboy Brown, Leo Houck and Jake Kilrain in the Old-Timer Category; promoters Hugh D. McIntosh and Rip Valenti in the Non Participant Category; and James Wharton (Young Molineaux) in the Pioneer Category. Inductees were voted in by members of the Boxing Writers Association and a panel of international boxing historians.

            For more information on the events planned for the 2012 International Boxing Hall of Fame Weekend, please call the Hall of Fame at (315) 697-7095, visit online at www.ibhof.com, on Facebook at www.ibhof.com/InternationalBoxingHallofFame and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BoxingHall.

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COMMENTS UPON RECEIVING INDUCTION NEWS

“To me this is an amazing accomplishment. It makes me so happy to know that I made it after all these years and so many fights. I’m thrilled! Muhammad Ali is my idol. He’s the man that got me into the boxing business. It’s great that I will be on the Hall of Fame Wall with him.”

                    - Thomas Hearns

“This is wonderful! This is an awesome moment for me. The Hall of Fame is the biggest award that an athlete can receive. I strived my whole career to be in the Hall. I can’t say enough. This is a dream come true, just wonderful.”

                    - Mark Johnson

“Oh my God. I’m so overwhelmed. I can barely speak. I’m instantly overwhelmed. When I think of all the great inductees, from legends from 100 years ago to so many great fighters and non-participants that are now being inducted, to be thought of in such great company is the greatest compliment I can receive in my career in boxing."

                    - Michael Buffer

“I appreciate this very much. This the best day of my life! It’s a great honor to join trainers like Ray Arcel, Eddie Futch and Angelo Dundee in the Hall of Fame.”

                    - Freddie Roach

“I appreciate this very much. I’m actually kind of dumbstruck. Wow! I’m overwhelmed, really. (Hall of Fame broadcaster) Don Dunphy was a great mentor to me and a great idol. Just the thought of being in the same place as him is special. I’m very active in the sport of boxing and I have lots of things I’m looking forward to in the future and this is great because it validates the past, it validates being involved in the sport. I couldn’t be more excited. One of the unique qualities of the Boxing Hall of Fame is the fact that it places an importance on those of us who aren’t boxers but hopefully have added something to the sport.”

                    -  Al Bernstein

“I’m very, very excited! I’m more than honored. I’m shocked to be listed with guys like Jimmy Cannon, Dan Parker, Dave Anderson and one of my all-time idols Barney Nagler. This is incredible and one of the greatest all-time honors that I could ever imagine.”

                    - Michael Katz

This It was a great weekend in Madison County, we hope you enjoyed the weather.  It was a little on the hot side, but the humidity broke leaving nice dry air in its place.  Here is a recap of some news stories of interest from the past weekend.
Arise and Ride at the Farm (Madison County Courier) This is a benefit for the ARISE Farm in North Chittenango.

Smoking Loons performing at International Boxing Hall of Fame Amphitheater July 28 (Oneida Daily Dispatch) The summer concert series continues.

Open Farm Day Proves Popular and Productive (Oneida Daily Dispatch) Caitlin Traynor's write up complete with videos.

Greyrock Farm CSA in Cazenovia (Syracuse.com) Maria Salatino of the Post Standard gives us a short slideshow of the happenings at one of the Open Farm Day stops.

Library to feature Abstract Expressionism Exhibit (Madison County Courier) Another fantastic exhibit by the Cazenovia Public Library.  With the internet, Kindles, and more Libraries have to keep putting on good programming and Cazenovia excells at it.

Cuomo Signs Legislation Boosting New York's Wine Industry (WBNG TV) This new law could lead to the opening of satellite tasting rooms, expanding the wine and tourism industries.  Can you see a Finger Lake's Winery taking advantage of a downtown Cazenovia store front?  We sure hope so.

It's a day late because of the 4th of July holiday yesterday, so we will combine the Monday Morning recap with the Tuesday Things column.  It was a fantastic 4th of July here in Madison County with weather that was picture perfect.  Thousands enjoyed parades and fireworks in both Hamilton and Cazenovia yesterday.  Boaters were out on the lakes, grills were running all burners go and it just felt good to be an American.  Here is a trip around the internet and some of the fine things we found over the weekend.

Hundreds Celebrate America's Independence in Hamilton (Oneida Daily Dispatch) I'll argue with their numbers and say there were over 1,000 people lining the streets in perfect weather for the parade.

The Onion Satires the Boxing Hall of Fame (The Onion) You know you've made the mainstream when The Onion chooses to make fun of you!  Congratulations to the Boxing Hal of Fame.

Best Fishing Spots in Chittenango Creek (Guide to Fishing) A couple of SUNY ESF students talk about fishing Chittenango Creek.

Buy Local Week Begins July 17th (Oneida Dispatch) A week full of activities is planned.

Delectable Dairy at Red Gate (Oneida Dispatch) Part of their Buy Local Week series on local farms.

Fruit of the Fungi Grows Mushrooms (Oneida Dispatch) Another in their series on local farms.
Maple Avenue Farmers Farm Fundamentally (Oneida Dispatch) Caitlin Traynor profiles another local beef farm.
Cazenovia Fourth of July Races (9wsyr.com) 1100 runners participated in this year's races.

There was a lot in the press about Madison County this weekend.  We pretty much dominated the local section of the Post Standard on Sunday!  Here as some links to stories that appeared over the weekend.

Cross Creek to Reunite for Forth of July Celebration (Syracuse.com) A favorite band returns to a favorite festival.
Hamilton Prepares for Film Festival (Syracuse.com) We had the announcement last week, and it is exciting to see the press picking up on this great film festival.
From Russia to Syracuse; Preserving the Planet (Syracuse.com) A group from Russia visited Central New York and made a few stops in Madison County.
Picker Exhibit Featured (Syracuse.com) A review of an exhibit at the world famous Picker Art Gallery at Colgate University.
Boxing Embraces its Fictional Rocky (Cleveland Plain Dealer) We appreciate the publicity about our Hall of Fame.
Teddy Bear Parade Planned (Madison County Courier) It is your chance to walk down Albany St. with your Teddy Bear
Summer Hours Begin for Chittenango Landing (Madison County Courier)
Madison County May Mow Lake Weeds Soon (Oneida Dispatch) It has been a few years since Madison County could afford to operate this contraption, but thanks to a grant this year may be different.
Improved Bus Service Ready to Roll (Oneida Dispatch) Finding solutions to public transportation in rural areas can be difficult.  The Madison County Planning Department has been working hard on this.
Summer Concerts Return to Hall of Fame (Madison County Courier) The popular summer concert series begins in July.

We hope you had a great Father's Day over the past weekend.  The weather in Central New York was just fantastic.  Summer weekends like this make all of that snow and cold in the winter a little more worth it.  So what did you do to enjoy the weather this past weekend?  Let us know in the comments section.  Now, without further ado, here is your Monday Morning Recap:
It sounds like everyone had a nice day at Canal Fest in Chittenango (CLCBM Facebook Page)
Part Two of a review of the Boxing Hall of Fame (Philippine Star)
The publicity amongst boxing fans continues (10 Seconds Out)
You Tube Video of our beloved Chittenango Falls (You Tube)

A great day for golf here in Madison County.  Weather today looks like it is headed for the low to mid 80's.  Summertime is such a nice reward for our sometimes brutal winters.  There are a few links and stories out there this morning to share with you, so without further ado, here we go:

A good story and some nice video of the Peterboro Civil War Weekend (Oneida Daily Dispatch)
The Madison County Courier is celebrating local business this week (Madison County Courier)
The Barnwell County, SC paper has a blurb about local residents who attended Oz-Stravaganza! in Chittenango (The People Sentinel)
I Love NY wants to know what your summer vacation plans are (I Love NY Facebook Page)
The Chittenango Rotary will be hosting a Brazilian Dinner (Madison County Courier)
Boxing Hall of Famer Larry Holmes will get his diploma (The Morning Call)
Plans continue for 40th annual antique show (Auction Central News)
The Red House will be performing Shakespeare in the park Sunday in Cazenovia. (syracuse.com)

A few links to peruse as we enjoy the brand new Central New York Website.  Have a great Wednesday everyone.

It is Canal Fest time in Chittenango (Madison County Courier)
Save 60% on food and drink at Nichols and Beal (syracuse.com deal of the day)
Some people have a hard time grasping the Observer/Contributor category at the Boxing Hall of Fame (Opposing Views)

Things are settling down a little bit from the busy past weekend here in Madison County.  Here are some things of note from the interwebs on a Tuesday morning:
Cartoonist Eric Shanower blogs about his recent visit to Chittenango and the Oz-Stravaganza! (Hungry Tiger Talk)
Author Paul Miles Schneider gives his take on his visit to Oz-Stavaganza too! (Silver Shoes)
Trout Unlimited stocks local streams (Madison County Courier)
A nice recap of the Boxing Hall of Fame Weekend (SecondsOut Boxing News.)
Canastota gets a shout out in the ESPN Power Rankings this week (ESPN.com)
Another recap of this weekends events in Canastota (HuffingtonPost.com)

A lot of fantastic events and happenings in the county over the last weekend.  The Boxing Hall of Fame inducted Mike Tyson, Sylvester Stallone and others, Peterboro celebrated the 150th anniversary of the Civil War and a fiber fair set up along US Route 20 in Bouckville.  A lot of international attention for Madison County was generated by the Boxing Hall of Fame, so without further ado, here is a trip around the internet.

Peterboro marks 150th anniversary of Civil War (Syracuse.com)
Canastota rolls out the red carpet (Syracuse.com)
Mike Tyson arrived alive and well to his induction (Washington Examiner)
Kostya Tszyu is the 4th Australian to be inducted to the Boxing Hall of Fame.  (AUS Boxing.com)
ESPN had full coverage including interviews and stories about the inductees.  (ESPN.com)
Argue all you want, these guys are now hall of famers. (Bad Left Hook)
Canastota Shined as Boxers are Enshrined. (Bud Poliquin, Syracuse.com)
Mike Tyson was moved to tears. (Syracuse.com)
Syracuse.com has video of all the inductee speeches (syracuse.com)
Hall of Fame honors Mexican fighters (Oneida Daily Dispatch)