Picture
I'll be honest,we've slacked over the past week updating you with links about what is happening in the county.  A little vacation here, a little pile on the desk there and it is suddenly Friday.  So without further ado, here are some relevant links from around the interwebs this morning.Canal Fest Eventful Day in Chittenango (Oneida Daily Dispatch)  This event often gets lost as it is only two weeks after the annual Oz celebration, but this National Park recognized gem puts on a great event.

Cyclists Pedal Through Madison, Oneida Counties on Cycling the Erie Canal Tour (Oneida Daily Dispatch) Every year a group of bicyclists take a cross state tour along the Erie Canal. They passed through here yesterday. 

Madison County to Host CNY Firemen's Convention (Madison County Courier) This is a great opportunity for the Hamilton Area to show itself off.  There will be a lot of firemen in town this weekend and it should be a nice economic boost to the area.

Brookfield Speedway Drivers Take to the Track in Reunion (Madison County Courier) Another new event to the county fair was very well received.

Lorenzo Driving Competition in 35th Year (Madison County Courier) A fantastic event that allows us to stake our claim as Equine Alley.

Summer Cycling starts in Cazenovia (Cazenovia Republican) Share the roads with our bikers, the motorized ones and the leg powered ones too.

Video of the Day: Central NY Name Change

Add Comment
 
 
Picture
Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum will be open every day in July and August, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.  It is located at 7010 Lakeport Road on the old Erie Canal and includes exhibits on construction of 96-feet-long cargo boats, workings of the restored dry docks and social history of the canal era. See a canal boat being built, sawmill, blacksmith shop, mule barn, circus on the canal exhibit and archaeological artifacts found on the site. The museum is now part of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor “Passport to Your National Park” program. Admission is $5, 12 and younger are free. Guided tours cost $6 per person. Call 687-3801 for more information.

A Tent & Tag Sale will be held on Friday, July 29 and Saturday July 30 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to benefit the museum. Antiques, collectibles, furniture, household items, jewelry, good toys, and much more will be for sale.

If you have an item to donate, call the museum at 687-3801.

Add Comment
 
 
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.



Add Comment
 
 
Picture
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)
Add Comment
 
 
Volunteer groups and individuals are invited to join the New York State Canal Corporation staff for the annual "Canal Clean Sweep," scheduled for the weekend of April 15-17, 2011.

The events along the 524-mile-long Canal system help celebrate Earth Day and to prepare the canals for the regular navigation season that is scheduled to begin on May 1, 2011.

Brian U. Stratton, director of the New York State Canal System, said, "The Canal Clean Sweep is a great way for community groups and residents throughout the canal corridor to demonstrate a sense of stewardship for their Canal, and to have a little fun while they're at it."

Other partners for the "Canal Clean Sweep" include the private Parks and Trails New York and the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation. Last year more than 90 groups participated in the clean-up weekend.

For more information on the Sixth Annual Canal Clean Sweep, or to help coordinate an event in your community, please contact Wally Elton of Parks and Trails New York at (518) 434-1583 or email canalsweep@ptny.org. To register events online, please visit Parks and Trails New York's website at www.ptny.org.

Individuals or groups interested in joining others in this cooperative clean-up effort should consult the attached list.

For more information about events along the New York State Canal system, please call 1-800-4CANAL4 or visit www.canals.ny.gov.

Add Comment
 
 
Picture
The Canastota Canal Town Corporation located at 110 Canal St. Canastota, NY, is very excited about the latest addition of a Watson Wagon to the extensive collection of items already displayed.  Watson Wagons were manufactured in Canastota in the latter 19th and early 20th centuries.  The wagon purchased from a private party in Meadville, PA, is temporarily stored at Kime¹s Do It Best Hardware and has generated quite a lot of interest from customers as they visit the store.

Please help the community celebrate this magnificent addition by joining us on Halloween Sunday, Oct. 31st for coffee, cider and donuts from 1:00-3:00 PM at 500 South Main St. in Canastota.  There will be opportunities to ask questions and to take pictures with children on or near the wagon with its team of mules.  Also, if children of any age under 100 would like, they can bring their own wagon for others to observe.
Add Comment
 
 
Picture
Event season is in full  swing across Madison County and this weekend there are a ton of things for you and your family to do.  You will find farmer's markets in Cazenovia and Hamilton, and this Saturday the new summer flea and farmer's market in Oneida opens for the season.  You will find it in front of Oneida Commons in the parking lot behind the Kallet Theater.  Of course why not see what all the fuss is about at the Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum.  They won an award from the National Parks System this week, so it only figures you need to get down there this weekend to congratulate them.  We will have more great ideas for your weekend after the jump.....
Add Comment
 
 
Picture
The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Commission is pleased to announce Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum in Chittenango as the recipient of the 2010 Erie Canalway Heritage Award of Excellence. Honorable Mention was awarded to the Historical Murals of Lyons in Wayne County and the Mohawk Towpath Byway, which stretches from Waterford and Cohoes to Schenectady.

“We congratulate and thank this year’s recipients for doing so much to celebrate, preserve, and share the rich history of the Erie Canal,” said Joseph Callahan, Chair of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Commission. “These are not only great places to visit—each has a valuable story to tell about how preserving our heritage can go hand-in-hand with economic and community revitalization.”

The Heritage Award honors significant places of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor and recognizes excellence in advancing the goals of the Erie Canalway Preservation and Management Plan. A five-person independent jury selected award recipients based on a written application and site visit, which included meetings with officials at each site, as well as community leaders, municipal representatives, and other stakeholders.

“Through the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor elements of the Grand Canal system, its past and present, have become united. The Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum appreciates the honor of being publically recognized as one of the Corridor’s integral assets, thus defining the story of the historic dry dock and 19th century canal boat technology,” said Joan DiChristina, Executive Director at Chittenango Landing.

Heritage award recipients will be recognized at an award ceremony on Wednesday, June 30, 2010 at 9:30 am at Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum in Chittenango. The ceremony will precede the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Commission annual meeting at 10:30 am.

For more information about the award and photographs of this year’s recipients, visit www.eriecanalway.org.
Add Comment
 
 
Picture
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.
Add Comment
 
 
Picture
Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum is hosting author Martha Kendall on Sunday, April 25 at the museum, 7010 Lakeport Road. Kendall will present a multi-media program “The Story of the Erie Canal: The Power of a Can-Do Attitude” at 2 p.m. with a 3 p.m. book signing and refreshments afterward.

Included in her presentation will be the story of the Erie Canal, anecdotes about the canal’s history, slides showing the canal today, and music of the era on fiddle, guitar, banjo and penny whistle. Admission is free, donations are appreciated. There will be a limited number of her books available for purchase. For more information please call 687-3801 or visit their website.
Add Comment