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Fall is in the air, and our feathered friends are about to descend on their annual journey to the south, which is known as migration. The celebration will begin at the Great Swamp Conservancy Sept. 18 and 19, featuring an Antique Show & Sale and Kid’s Konservation Days. The two-day event is for antique lovers and families to enjoy nature, environmental and conservation fun with an educational twist. Antique appraisal will take place on Saturday only from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. by a certified appraiser from the Colony Shop Antiques & Art.
Bring your items for appraisal to the GSC main office building in a private setting for a donation of $3 per item or two for $5.
There will be a Quail Medallion Treasure Hunt, which entails finding a Quail Medallion on the GSC grounds; clues are given out at the GSC membership table. Only one will be hidden and when found by a family or individual, a $25 cash prize will be awarded.
Wild Bird Center of Manlius will offer all kinds of bird seed, bird houses and nature gifts.
A guided “Walk the Quail Trail” by a naturalist will point out things you may have never noticed before, and it all ends with a small token for participants and a stamp in the Nature’s Passport booklet (picked up at entrance of trail walk or admissions).
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Local online newspaper the Madison County Courier has a column written by self described "city slicker" Linda Haley.  This week's column highlights the great things happening at the Great Swamp Conservancy in Canastota.  Here is Linda's column as it appeared in the paper this week. 

(Lenox, NY) It started innocently enough: “Dear Linda, we’ve been told the City Slicker should come out and do a story on the Great Swamp Conservancy, when are you available?”

Uh, SWAMP? Did they write SWAMP? I don’t do swamps. Wet, dark, creepy, full of spiders? Wrong writer, I play farm, not swamp! Curiosity got the best of me: “Why do you want me at this Swamp? Why is it great anyways?”

“Because we’ve got a ton of stuff going on here, and no one knows about it! You like trying new things right? C’mon out, then tell folks so they’ll visit, too, and find out for themselves!”

Huh. OK, but NO SPIDERS, got me? I can take wet, cold, dark, snakes, critters and all the mud ya’ got, but I’m allergic to spiders! Laughing, they promised to keep me safe.

I readied my GPS for another adventure. Turns out it was RIGHT there off the Canastota exit, just past Dick & Bert’s Diner on North Main! There’s a swamp in the middle of Canastota? Who knew?

My GPS was still acquiring satellites. And yes, of COURSE I stopped at the diner – I was going to a swamp people. Can you say ‘last meal?’

Shockingly, it was bright, open, green, diverse and inviting. This is a swamp? What’s going on here? At the cheery visitor’s center I receive a hearty welcome from Mike and Rusty Patane, the visionaries behind the Great Swamp Conservancy or GSC.


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Summer is in full swing and so are all the fun events that make Central New York such a great place to live and visit.  Here are a few events that you don't want to miss this weekend:
1. Fresh Gala-- The FRESH! Gala will be held on Sunday and it is a fund-raising event that celebrates the diversity and vibrancy of Madison County agriculture. The Fresh! Gala will be held at Endless Trails Farm in Hubbardsville with local food prepared by Serendipity Catering, live music, a silent auction, and beer from the Empire Brewery made with Foothill Hops Farm hops. You can still get tickets for the event at Price Chopper and a few will be available at the door.
2. Cazenovia Counterpoint--A festival of contemporary music, art & writing featuring regional artists, CNY natives & guests, presented by the Society of New Music. This 30th year of the festival features The Arts & the Natural World 'ear to the ground & eyes toward heaven'
3. Lorenzo Driving Competition --Join us for the 32nd annual driving competition. Horse and carriage driving competition featuring tests of skill, timing, and style. Exhibits, sales, refreshments, demonstrations. The show runs 8am until 5pm both days and admission is free.
4. Farmer's Markets-- The bounty from Central New York's fields is on full display at farmer's markets in Oneida, Cazenovia, Canastota, and Hamilton this weekend.  Find a ton of fresh produce and support your local farmers.
5. Family Day of Croquet -- Abolitionist Gerrit Smith liked to play a game or two of croquet daily during the summer. In honor of Smith’s summer recreation on a court near his house, the Grounds Squad of the Gerrit Smith Estate National Historic Landmark has planned a Family Day of Croquet on Sunday, July 18 from 2 – 6 p.m. on the grounds of Smith’s 19th Century home. The event will be attended by local croquet enthusiasts and a group dressed in croquet outfits. Croquet can be played by amateurs of all ages, and is enjoying a national resurgence. The public is urged to join in reviving this tradition. Croquet attire of the 19th or 21st Century is encouraged but not required.
Now you have no excuses when someone tells you there is nothing to do this weekend.  Don't forget our event page for a full listing of things happening in and around CNY this weekend.
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This week on Friday Night Fights on ESPN there was a nice recap of the entire induction weekend.  Here is how ESPN saw it.
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The 2nd weekend of June is always a heavy weight weekend when it comes to events.  Two big event headline the card this weekend and the under card is stuffed as well.  Ok, enough boxing puns for this post.  There is a full schedule of events going on this weekend, and here are some best best for family fun.
1. Saturday and Sunday features the 21st annual Boxing Hall of Fame Induction Weekend in Canastota.  Boxing’s greatest names are on hand for a weekend of tributes to the sport & its champions. Museum tours by celebrities, ringside lectures, celebrity boxing, golf tournament Banquet, parade at 1pm on Sunday followed by the induction ceremony.
2. It is a busy weekend in Peterboro as it is the annual Civil War Weekend.  There are activities at the Gerrit Smith National Historic Landmark, the National Abolition Hall of Fame and on the village green.  Step back in time with encampments, skirmishes, period music and demonstrations, children's games, and an authentic General Store. This is a fund raiser for the preservation of Peterboro's historic buildings. Saturday, 10 am ~ 5 pm, Sunday, 10 am ~ 4 pm, Adults $7, Children 6-12 $3, Under 6 yrs free
3. The Skyway Festival takes to Hooks Wiltse field in the village of Hamilton bringing a large variety music to the village.  After the bands are finished playing several will be jamming at local night spots in the village.
4. Farmer's markets can be found in Hamilton, Cazenovia, Oneida and Canastota this weekend on Saturday, buy fresh, buy local.
5. The 15th annual Nate Race/Titletown Run in Canastota begins early Saturday morning.  It is one of the many thrilling events during the International Boxing Hall of Fame induction weekend. Race starts at 8:30am. Start line is near the Canastota Recreation park, on North Main St., Canastota, NY. The course is flat and fast, come ready to run! For complete information and race entry form call 315-697-35-17 or email doug_r_holdrdige@adp.com
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World Middleweight Champ Sergio Martinez
The opening bell has rung on the 21st Annual Hall of Fame Induction Weekend, June 10-13th. A huge gathering of boxing legends of yesterday and today has been assembled to participate in festivities in Canastota.
Among the 45 plus boxing stars slated to participate in the four-day affair include Hall of Famers Carmen Basilio, Carlos Ortiz, Emile Griffith, Ruben Olivares, Aaron “The Hawk” Pryor, Ken Norton, Gene Fullmer, Nino Benvenuti, Don Chargin, J Russell Peltz, Bert Sugar, Angelo Dundee, Emanuel Steward, Lou Duva, Daniel Zaragoza and Bob Arum.
Joining the Hall of Famers will be special guests Christy Martin, Livingstone Bramble, Marlon Starling, Leon Spinks, Micky Ward, Vito Antuofermo, Ron Lyle, Earnie Shavers, Tony DeMarco, Billy Backus, Dickie DiVeronica, George Chuvalo, Gerry Cooney, Ray Mercer, Buddy McGirt, James “Buster’ Douglas, Tommy “The Duke” Morrison, Hector “Macho” Camacho, Joe Cortez and Kenny Bayless.
Also, many of boxing’s top stars including middleweight champion Sergio Martinez, IBF super middleweight champion Lucian Bute, former bantamweight and super bantamweight champion Rafael Marquez, WBO cruiserweight champion Marco Huck and IBF cruiserweight champion Steve “USS” Cunningham will be in attendance.
The four-day Hall of Fame Weekend features over twenty events including a banquet, golf tournament, 5K Race / Fun Run, the Parade of Champions and the Official Induction Ceremony on Sunday, June 14th at 2:30 p.m.
Opening ceremony to officially kick off Hall of Fame Weekend festivities is slated for today (June 10th) at 5 p.m. at the Event Pavilion on the Hall of Fame grounds.
New inductees to be honored are light flyweight champion Jung-Koo Chang (South Korea), featherweight champion Danny “Little Red” Lopez (USA), manager Shelly Finkel (USA), referee / commissioner Larry Hazzard (USA), promoter Wilfried Sauerland (Germany), matchmaker Bruce Trampler (USA) and journalist Ed Schuyler (USA). Posthumous inductees will also be honored.
“The Hall of Fame Weekend is boxing's highlight weekend of the year. In Canastota, boxing fans can mingle with an incredible roster of boxing legends and celebrate the great sport,” said Hall of Fame director Edward Brophy. "The Hall of Fame Weekend is for anyone who loves the sport of boxing."
For more information on the 21st Annual Hall of Fame Induction Weekend, please call 315-697-7095.
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There are many events planned throughout Madison County to celebrate Memorial Day and the unofficial start of summer.  Here is a list of events that we know of that are perfect for the family.  Don't forget to have a safe and happy Memorial Day and please take a few moments to think about those who have made the ultimate sacrifice so we can enjoy living in the world's greatest nation.
Parades:
Canastota Monday May 31 10am with a ceremony to follow in Clark Park
Cazenovia Monday May 31 10:30-11:30
Munnsville: Sunday May 30th, 1pm
Oneida:  Friday, May 28 starting at 6:30 p.m. at Triangle Park.
If you know of others, please leave in the comments below or email us and give us the details.
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The International Boxing Hall of Fame announced former WBO heavyweight champion “Merciless” Ray Mercer will attend festivities planned for the 21st Annual Hall of Fame Induction Weekend set for June 10-13th.  “Ray Mercer was a hard-punching heavyweight and was involved in some truly exciting bouts,” said Hall of Fame director Edward Brophy. “We’re looking forward to welcoming him to Canastota for the first time.”

 Mercer compiled an 85-6 amateur record and captured the 1988 Olympic heavyweight gold medal. He turned pro in 1989 and wins over Garing Lane, Ossie Ocasio, Kimmuel Odum and Bert Cooper set up a WBO title-winning clash with Francesco Damiani in 1991 (KO 9). In his first defense he scored a dramatic 5th round TKO over Tommy “The Duke” Morrison. Stripped of the title in 1992, he went on to score wins over Jesse Ferguson, Tim Witherspoon and Darroll Wilson among others. He was unsuccessful in a 2002 WBO title bid against Wladimir Klitschko. Mercer’s pro record stands at 36-7-1 (26 KOs).

 The June 10-13th Hall of Fame Induction Weekend will feature over 20 exciting events including a banquet, Madison Square Garden night, parade, golf tournament, cocktail party, and the official induction ceremony honoring the Class of 2010. Living inductees to be honored at the Official Induction Ceremony on Sunday, June 13th are light flyweight champion Jung-Koo Chang (South Korea), featherweight champion Danny “Little Red” Lopez (USA), manager Shelly Finkel (USA), referee / commissioner Larry Hazzard (USA), promoter Wilfried Sauerland (Germany), matchmaker Bruce Trampler (USA) and journalist Ed Schuyler (USA). Posthumous inductees will also be honored.

 Over 40 boxing stars are scheduled to participate in weekend festivities. In addition to Mercer, other stars slated to appear include Nino Benvenuti, Carmen Basilio, Tony DeMarco, Ken Norton, Aaron “The Hawk” Pryor, Angelo Dundee, Leon Spinks, “Irish” Micky Ward, Gerry Cooney, Lou Duva and many others.

 For more information on the Hall of Fame’s 21st Annual Induction Weekend please call (315) 697-7095 or visit www.ibhof.com.
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A nice spring weekend for mom!
There are a lot of ways you can take mom out and show her your appreciation.  You could take her to brunch, you can take her shopping, or you can pick a great event the entire family can enjoy.  Here are some event ideas for this weekend to help your family celebrate Mother's Day.
1. Last weekend the Hamilton Village Farmer's Market opened for the season and this weekend the good people of Cazenovia get the ball rolling on their summer farmers market.  The Hamilton market is open from 8-1 on the village green.  The Cazenovia market can be shopped at from 9-5 in Cannon Park.
2. The Colgate Bookstore in Hamilton will host the "Meanest Mother"  It is geared towards kids 3-7 and you will hear from them about how mean their mom is.  Then everyone will make presents to give to mom on Sunday.
3. The Earlville Opera House will host Voices of Tabernacle/Blue Parsley Boys – Choral & A Cappella . The Voices of Tabernacle will sing a CHORAL POTPOURRI: with country....blues......jazz and pop!” This mixed chorus has 42 singers led by Anita Humer. Special guests on the program will be the Blue Parsley Boys. Their harmonies are rich and sonorous. A cappella selections will include folk songs, religious anthems and spirituals, barbershop tunes, doo-wop and old standards. $12, $10 members, $7 student.
4. How about a good old fashioned chicken BBQ?  The United Methodist Church of Canastota is hosting a chicken barbeque on Saturday May 8th, 2010 from 11am until sold-out. The church is located at 144 Center St in Canastota. Part of the proceeds from this event will be donated to a United Methodist Mission team which is scheduled to depart for Haiti in late May. The menu includes a half chicken, salt potatoes, cole slaw, roll with butter, beverage and dessert. Donation is $8 for adult, $3.50 for kids 5-11. Take outs are available and the church is handicap accessible.
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The International Boxing Hall of Fame announced today Canastota’s two world champions Carmen Basilio and Billy Backus have been named Grand Marshals of the 21st Annual Boxing Hall of Fame Parade of Champions scheduled for Sunday, June 13th at 1 p.m.
This year the Village of Canastota is celebrating it’s Bicentennial (1810 – 2010). The Hall of Fame is honored to join the community in celebrating this landmark occasion by naming our two world champions the 2010 Parade Grand Marshals.  The distinction of having two world champions from one small village is even more special as they are related – Basilio is Backus’ uncle.
“Carmen and Billy focused world attention on Canastota and the Hall of Fame is extremely excited about paying tribute to them by having them lead the parade,” said Hall of Fame Executive Director Edward Brophy. 
Basilio, nicknamed  “The Upstate Onion Farmer,” was born in Canastota, NY. He twice won the world welterweight title, first from Tony DeMarco in 1955 and then from Johnny Saxton in 1956 before defeating Sugar Ray Robinson for the middleweight crown in 1957.
“I always like being around friends and family. There is nothing like being in my hometown and I am very honored to be named grand marshal along with my nephew, Billy Backus,” said Basilio.
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