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It is commencement weekend here in Madison County, and that means all three of our institutions of higher learning are sending young minds off into the real world.  It also means a large number of people visiting our fine communities.  Let's welcome them with open arms and thank them for spending tens of thousands of dollars here over the last four or five years.  Beyond the graduations this weekend, there are several great events taking place.  Here is a sample of what you and your family can do this weekend.
1. Farmers Markets -- Both the markets in Cazenovia and Hamilton are in full swing for the season.  This weekend's weather will be perfect for working in the garden, so head on our to the markets and pick up some plants for vegetables, landscaping and more.  The Chittenango Garden Club will also be holding its spring plant sale too in Stickel's Park at the intersection of routes 5 & 13.
2. The Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum is open for the season on weekends this month.  Head on over with the family and learn about how Chittenango was the center of the boat building universe along the Erie Canal.  It is the 25th anniversary of this great museum this year, and it is a gem in our own back yard.
3. The Madison County Historical Society will host its first ever donation auction.  They have a ton of great items that have been donated and they are yours for the bidding.  Head on over to the Historical Society on Sunday for bidding at 1pm.
4. OneSong will perform live on Sunday at historic Madison Hall in Morrisville.  Ron & Nancy OneSong specialize in traditional American Music including country, bluegrass, western and gospel. They have performed at Ryman Auditorium and internationally in Canada, France and England and opened for many country music legends like Tammy Cash, John Anderson and Mickey Gilley. The show begins at 2 PM Sunday afternoon... Madison Hall, Route 20 in Morrisville, NY. $15 admission.
For more great events in Madison County this weekend head on over to the events calendar and find out more.
 
 

Former speaker of the House Newt Gingrich will give a lecture at Colgate University on March 26 titled "President Obama & the Future of the American Freedom." Gingrich, a Republican, will speak at 7:30 p.m. at Colgate's Memorial Chapel. The lecture is free and open to the public. It is sponsored by the college's Center for Freedom and Western Civilization and the College Republicans. Gingrich spent 20 years in Congress and helped create the 1994 "Contract with America" that helped the Republican Party regain control of the House of Representatives for the first time in 40 years. In 1995, he was named "Man of the Year" by Time magazine.

 
 

As part of Colgate’s Global Leaders Lecture Series, sponsored by the Colgate’s Parents’ and Grandparents’ Fund, the Dalai Lama will give a talk on campus from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 22. The event is scheduled to be held in Sanford Field House, pending approval from the State Department. A ticket is required to attend the event. All proceeds from tickets sales will benefit the Hamilton Emerald Foundation and Community Action Program.

April 5 – 17: The public can purchase any remaining general admission tickets for $25 or a limited number of VIP seating tickets for $75 by going to www.colgatebookstore.com or calling 877-362-7666. April 14 is the cut off date to mail tickets. Any tickets purchased after that date must be picked up from the bookstore by April 17. For group reservations or special needs, please reserve your tickets online and follow the instructions. The office of special events for advancement will contact you shortly after you make your reservations.