Six more inches of snow fell last night in Chittenango with a little more the further south you go in Madison County.  The snowmobile trails are open and in great shape.  The rain earlier this week served to create a frozen base and the new snow on top has created outstanding snowmobiling conditions.  Don't forget to order your snowmobile map from us and enjoy safe sledding.

If riding is not your cup of tea, you might think about heading out for snowshoeing this weekend.  Madison County offers miles of trails for cross country skiing and snowshoeing.  You can check out many of the area trails right here.  My two favorite spots to go are the Stone Quarry Hill Art Park in Cazenovia and the Great Swamp Conservancy in Canastota.  Both places give you ample opportunities to get out and enjoy the beautiful winterside in Madison County.  Take you camera and send us some pictures of your adventure and we will post them right here!

 
 

The third annual series of Canalside Talks for 2009 has been set according to Joe DiGiorgio, president of Canal Town Corporation, sponsors of the popular historical talks.
Leading off the monthly wintertime series will be "Railroad Days in Canastota" by longtime Canastota newspaper editor and publisher Mike Milmoe on Monday, January 12, at 7 p.m.  The talk and slide presentation will be held at the Canal Museum Education on North Canal Street, three doors east of the Canal Museum. The talk is free and refreshments will be served.

 
 

The International Boxing Hall of Fame and Museum announced today the newest class of inductees to enter the Hall. Living inductees include bantamweight champion Orlando Canizales (USA), heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis (UK), junior lightweight champion Brian Mitchell (South Africa), publicist / matchmaker / promoter Bob Goodman (USA), promoter Akihiko Honda (Japan), journalist Hugh McIlvanney (UK), and broadcaster Larry Merchant (USA).     “We're extremely excited about the Class of 2009 and very much looking forward to honoring the 20th class of inductees,” said Executive Director Edward Brophy. “All living inductees are anticipated to attend and participate in 2009 Hall of Fame Weekend festivities.”

    The 20th Annual Hall of Fame Weekend is scheduled for June 11-14th 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 14th to welcome the newest members.  Make your trip to the induction ceremonies a wonderful vacation for the whole family.  Find a unique place to stay near the festivities and enjoy great events and attractions all weekend long.

For more information on the events planned for the 2009 International Boxing Hall of Fame Weekend, please call the Hall of Fame at (315) 697-7095.

 
 

It is the final weekend before Halloween and your chance to pick out that pumpkin for a jack-o-lantern is running out.  You will still find dozens of places to pick a pumpkin this weekend so do not despair.  If you already have your pumpkin, here are a few more ideas for you this weekend:
1. Visit a Haunted House at Creepy Camp--Central New York's largest & scariest haunted attractions with completely re-designed indoor walk-through attractions plus novelties, food, games, giveaways, special nights and so much more.  It is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
2. The National Abolition Hall of Fame celebrates its inductees this weekend with a commemoration event at Morrisville State College.  The events are open to the public and it is a great opportunity to take in the history of the abolition movement.
3. Fall Festival Night at the Chenango Canal-- Festival Night lights up the Chenango Canal Towpath Trail in Bouckville. Come to this free community event in costume to be judged for a prize, follow a clues hunt on the trail and enjoy a Halloween cookie and cider at the Bouckville General Store. Hosts are in costume and guide you to indoor and outdoor games and crafts for the children. The trail offers spectacular Halloween displays, entertainment and music to haunt you!
4. The Colgate Inn is having a brew dinner on Saturday night featuring their awesome food paired with beers from Omegang Brewery.  Call the Inn at 315-824-2300 for more information.
5. On Sunday the Great Swamp Conservancy in Canastota will hold its Great Halloween Fun Day.  It is a non-scary fun day especially for children, includes displays, crafts, games, Features: pinata, stories, costumes encouraged great day of kids events. $3.00 per child 12 and under.
Of course there are a ton of other events going on around the county.  Visit our homepage and our calendar of events for more details.  Happy Halloween everyone!!!

 
 

On Saturday evening October 25th, a banner honoring Carmen Basilio will be raised to the rafter at the Onondaga County War Memorial, where the “Canastota Clouter” won his first world welterweight championship (June 10, 1955) and regained the crown (Sept. 12, 1956). The ceremony is scheduled for 7 p.m., prior to the Crunch hockey game vs. Rochester.

Carmen plans to attend what promises to be an emotional event. The banner’s colors are maroon and white, emphasizing the Canastota connection. 

The Crunch organization is also recognizing Breast Cancer Awareness on Oct. 25th with free pink tee shirts to the first 2000 fans through the turnstiles. Advance sale tickets are priced at $13, $15, and $17, with an additional $3 charge if purchased on game night. A group rate of $150 for 10 game tickets includes a VIP reception with Carmen at 6:30 p.m. The Golden Gloves package for $300 includes 20 game tickets, VIP reception, ribbon light message, and an insert in the game program. An $11 group rate is also available. Individual tickets and group packages can be ordered by calling the Crunch office at 473.4444.

 
 

Now that fall has kicked it into high gear, there is a huge number of things to do on the last weekend of September.  The fall foliage is starting to move towards peak colors, and as these lucky people found out on Tuesday, now is the perfect time for a hot air balloon ride in Madison County.   If you are looking to stay a little more grounded this weekend, check out the top five events for your last weekend of September:
1. The Colors of Autumn at the Great Swamp Conservancy in Canastota -- This free program runs from 10 to 11 AM  Fall flowers, berries and changing leaf coloration make autumn a colorful time of year. Take a guided tour  to see for yourself.
2. National Alpaca Farm Days -- From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., on Saturday September 27th, BMR Acres will welcome guests to join them on their farm. Enter a free drawing to win a gift made from the luxurious aplaca fiber. BMR Acres is located at 2542 Pine Ridge Road, in Canastota. There will also be alpaca products available for purchase. Alpacas, cousins to the llama, are native to the Andean Mountain range of South America, particularly Peru, Bolivia, and Chile and have been raised for 7,000 years for their exquisite fiber.
3. 37th Annual Wheel Days in Brookfield.  A perfect weekend drive to enjoy the changing leaves and all things wheel related at the county fair grounds.
4. Wolf Oak Acres and Critz Farms Fall Celebrations.  Corn Mazes, harvest fun and great local products for purchase.  Need I say more>
5. Barefoot Truth-- At the Earlville Opera House on Saturday night.  Their heartfelt, melodic songs are performed with a wide array of instruments including upright bass, lap steel guitar, congas, didgeridoo and lead harmonica.  Capturing the true essence of 'Organic Rock', Barefoot Truth puts on an energetic show, full of good vibes. Mixing rootsy acoustic sounds, with meaningful storytelling lyrics, the band pulls their audience closer, only to want more. 

 
 

Is it really the end of summer?  Boy I hope not, but I have been seeing more and more maple trees with orange in their palate of leaves.  Well the Labor Day weekend is traditionally a time to have that last summer BBQ and enjoy friends and family.  This year is no different and I have some great ideas for you this labor day weekend.
1. The weather is going to be outstanding, so why not check out one of the great parks in Madison County.  From Chittenango Falls to Oxbow Falls there are plenty of places to light a BBQ grill and start a softball game or take a hike.  In fact, Oxbow Falls even offers a disc golf course which is a perfect family activity.
2. Pick up all the supplies you need from beef to beefsteak tomatoes at a farmer's market.  This is the best time of year to visit the farmer's markets in Canastota, Cazenovia and Hamilton on Saturday.  All of the produce is in season and the farmers will sell you the freshest direct from their fields.
3. While in Cazenovia check out the business district as they take it to the curb.  This first time event allows visitors to show off their sidewalk art skills.  Shops will provide the chalk you provide the artistic inspiration and maybe even find some back to school bargins.
4. Start the weekend right by stopping by the Colgate Inn tonight for live music fromMyoclonic Jerk.  They will perform from 7-10 and the Inn will have end of summer dinner specials.
5. On Sunday in Canastota it is the annual Labor of Love.  This is an all day event to raise money for the Erick D Stevens scholarship fund. Live Music, Food , Basket Raffle, Quilt raffle and Auction. 11am to 9 p.m. At ZEMS ICE CREAM on Main Street in Canastota.

Whatever you decide to do this weekend, remember to do it safely and make your own special occasion right here in Madison County.

 
 

Can you believe it? The last weekend in June is nearing which means July is just around the corner. Wow, the summer really does go by fast! Lucky for you, there are summer events planned nearby to allow you to stop for a minute and really enjoy the summer season.

Cazenovia and Hamilton: One of my favorite things about summer is an abundance of fresh veggies and fruit grown locally. The tastes of this produce is incomparable to any other and we get a chance to support our local economy which is always a rewarding thing to do. Every Saturday throughout the Summer there are farmers markets taking place in Cazenovia and Hamilton. I have been to both and they are equally as fantastic...so fantastic in fact that you should make a day of it and check out both of them. There are also local artisans and crafters that use the farmers market to showcase their talents and sell their goods. Aside from the produce and art, there are other homemade products for sale such as jams and maple syrup. Its the time for planting gardens, so pick up a few plants while you're there. The Cazenovia Farmers Market is open from 9am-5pm. For more information visit the Cazenovia Chamber of Commerce website. The Farmers Market in Hamilton begins at 8am and ends at 1pm.

Canastota and Chittenango: Now we need something for the kids to do...To a child, what is better than being out in nature and having fun? NOTHING. Well at least thats what I remember from my childhood. Kids love to be outside, so here are a few ideas to get them moving outside while getting some...what I like to refer to as "fun education". First, The Great Swamp Conservancy Inc. will host, "Whats lives in a pond"? This event will take place in Canastota, on Saturday the 28th from 1-2pm and is free to all children and adults. Here is a great opportunity for children (and parents) to get their feet wet and explore nature with the aid of nets, bottles, and magnifying glasses. Pre-registration is required for this event. For more information please visit the GSC website or call, (315)-697-2950.

Next, we move up the road a ways to Chittenango Falls State Park for Children's Nature Journaling. On Saturday the 28th, children in grades 2-5 will get up close and personal look to the park’s natural environment through the outdoor art-based activities of nature journaling. Children will be encouraged to explore the outdoors using all their senses while recording their findings artistically and scientifically in personal nature journals. Art supplies will be provided. This event is part of a children's nature themed program series that will take place each Saturday at 2:30pm at Chittenango Falls State Park. For more information please call, (315)-655-9620.  

Cazenovia: Back to something for the adults...The same people that are bringing you the Children's Nature Journaling are presenting, Create Art in the Park, a series of adult art education programs to take place in Chittenango Falls State Park. These programs will be held every Sunday at 2:30pm starting with Sunday the 29th. You will learn basic nature sketching and watercolor techniques. The program will consist of guided introductory exercises and individual artistic exploration of the park. Art supplies will be provided. Come unleash your hidden artist and express yourself in a relaxing and soothing environment. For more information please call, (315)-655-9620.

So there you have it, something for the family, something for the kids and last...but not least, something for YOU. Whether you are an artist, you want to become an artist or you just want to support an artist...well then this weekends events are tailored toward you. 

 
 

A few raindrops couldn't dampen the spirits of the thousands of fans who lined up along Peterboro Street in Canastota on Sunday to watch over 50 boxing great make their way to the annual induction ceremony.  WTVH was there and had this great report.  The Post Standard had a couple of photo galleries at Syracuse.com, One from Friday and one from Sunday.  If you are already making plans for next year's event.  You might want to start thinking about hotel rooms now so you can find a room closer to the Hall of Fame. 

 
 

Wondering what to do this weekend? Well as it stands we are in for some great weather and you're in luck because there are some really great things to do with the whole family.

The 19th Annual Boxing Hall of Fame Induction Weekend will be held from Thursday June 5th to Sunday June 8th in Canastota. With over 20 events planned, there is sure to be something for everyone. Events include, Museum tours by celebrities, ringside lectures, celebrity boxing, a golf tournament, the parade of champions, induction ceremony and the annual hall of fame banquet at the OnCenter with dozens of champions and hall of famers. Whether you're a die hard boxing fan or just looking for some family fun this weekend, the 19th Annual Boxing Hall of Fame Induction Weekend is for you! Here is the full schedule of events.

Boxing not your thing? How about one of the other events taking place this weekend? How about history and antiques? Head over to Bouckville on Saturday and attend 2 events in one day. First, The Chenango Canal Association features "A Day on the Canal" in support of National Trail Day. Activities will begin at 2:00 pm at the Cottage Museum, with a bus tour of the historic canal, a rubber duck race down the canal and a treasure hunt for the kids. Families can tour the town in a horse and buggy and enjoy music and food on the deck. Call 315-893-7910 or email for more information.

While you're in Bouckville, check out the Madsion-Bouckville Spring Antiques Festival which runs from Friday to Sunday. This is one of the premier antique shows of the spring. Come find antique treasures from various dealers. Food will be available and there will be an ample amount of parking.  You can find more information right here.

Back to Canastota we go...its sure to be a happening place this weekend. The 5th Annual Canalway Trail Celebration takes place from 11am to 4pm on Saturday . Join the Canastota Canal Town Museum on the trail with a walk through of 10 interactive galleries of Canal Town history, culture and folklore. Admission $3.00, Children 12 and under free. On Sunday the Canal Museum will host a Strawberry Shortcake and Sundae Festival from 12-3pm...a perfect (and delicious) way to end to a great weekend!

Take some time this weekend to enjoy the weather and check out all of our fantastic events taking place in Madison County.