Memorial Day observances

Memorial Day ceremonies

Canastota Memorial VFW Post 600 will be the Legion in charge of the Memorial Day ceremonies for 2018. The members are to gather at the post home at 9 a.m. on East Canal Street to get in line to step off at 10 a.m. for the Grand Parade to Peterboro Street to Clark Memorial Park. Speaker at the ceremonies will be Navy veteran Dr. Thomas Hast, pastor of the Baptist Church of Oneida and Rome Baptist Church. Following the ceremonies there will be refreshments of hot dogs and hamburgers at the Charles Miller American Legion Post 140 post home, corner of South Peterboro and Rasbach streets.

Charles Miller Post 140 Canastota American Legion will gather at the post home on Memorial Day, Monday, May 28 at 9 a.m.

The Canastota Memorial Services will be held with the start of the Color Guard of Post 140 traveling to the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery at 9 a.m. for memorial services at the Veterans plot. The parade will start from the VFW600 at 10 a.m. and proceed on Peterboro Street to Clark Me-

morial Park at 11 a.m. for services.

The annual Cazenovia community observance will be held with the Cazenovia American Legion Post 88 Color Guard stepping off the parade to Memorial Park from 10:30 a.m. rain or shine. Due to the solemn nature of Memorial Day the Legion asks that there be no commercial or political activity in this parade. At 11 a.m. the parade will arrive at Memorial Park with Post 88 Commander Richard Benner serving as master of ceremonies. Joining him will be historian Frank Stritter who will read the poem “In Flanders Field” in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of World War I.

Guest speaker will be Lt. General of the United States Air Force Retired Michael J. Bash of Syracuse.

Sherrill Legion Post 230 works with the City of Sherrill to coordinate the Memorial Day Parade. The parade will follow a new route with lineup to take place at the Community Activity Center. The parade will start at approximately 8:45 a.m. There will be a ceremony in Memorial Park at 9 a.m. Following the ceremony everyone is invited to the Legion for free food and drinks.

Sherrill-Kenwood Library

The Community Art Wall at Sherrill-Kenwood Free Library will feature artwork by Linda Evans’ art students during the month of June.

Purse Bingo

St. Patrick’s School will hold Designer Purse Bingo on June 1 at 6 p.m. at Verona Fire Hall, 5555 Volunteer Ave. Doors open at 5 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person in advance $30 at the door. All proceeds will benefit St. Patrick’s School Tuition Assistance Program. Tickets are limited; call (315) 363-3620 for tickets or order online at www.stpatricksoneida.org.

The event will offer 15 different Bingo games and two specials, each one offering the chance to win a different bag from such top designers as Vera Bradley, Coach, Michael Kors, Dooney Bourke and Kate Spade.

Pancake breakfast

VVS Little League will serve a pancake breakfast on Saturday, June 2 at the Community Activity Center in Sherrill. Serving will be from 8-11 a.m. Tickets are $8 for adults, $4 for children and free for ages 6 and younger. Please bring bottles/cans as they will have a bottle drive as well.

The menu includes pancakes (gluten free available), sausage, bacon, orange juice, coffee and tea.

Rabies vaccination clinic

The Madison County Department of Health will hold a rabies vaccination clinic on Saturday, June 2 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Wampsville Highway Department, 139 N. Court St. Public Health Law requires all dogs, cats, and ferrets to be vaccinated by 4 months of age.

Vaccinations are available free of charge to Madison County residents. A $5 donation is requested to help defray clinic costs. All animals must be at least 3 months of age and be properly restrained.

Mansion House

Join Craobh Dugan at the Oneida Community Mansion House for an amazing musical story on Sunday, June 3 from 3-4 p.m. In the historical Mansion House Hall, the musicians of Craobh Dugan will bring the history to life of how Irish immigrants helped to build the Erie Canal. The entertaining, one-hour presentation will feature the traditional Irish music they played and songs they sang.

The program is free for children younger than 12; $3 for students 12 and older; $5 for OCMH members and $10 for general admission. Parking is available across the street from the Mansion House.

Craobh (pronounced “crave”) Dugan is the local branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. Located in Utica, Craobh Dugan invites people of all ages to participate in ongoing events, including learning to play an Irish instrument, playing in sessions, and participating in dance workshops. For more information, visit www.uticairish.org.

Bake sale

Clockville United Methodist Church will hold a bake sale on Sunday, June 3 beginning at noon. There will be an array of baked goods. In case of rain it will be held inside the church.

Madison County Camp

The Madison County Children’s Camp Lookout will hold its second annual open house from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 9. The camp is located at 2112 Wheeler Drive, just off Route 26 in West Eaton. Take a tour of the camp and learn about the life-changing experiences that it offers the youths ages 8-13 of Madison County.

Food, music, games, raffles and more will be planned.

Sullivan Leisure Club

The Town of Sullivan Leisure Time Club will have a charter coach bus trip on Wednesday, June 13 to Sackets Harbor. You will depart the Parks & Recreation Department at 7:15 a.m. and the Bridgeport Church at 7:30 a.m. The fee is $60 with senior resident discount or $65 for all others. Deadline for reservations is June 1 or until seats are filled. A $25 deposit is required at sign up.

You will start the day at the Tibet’s Point Lighthouse located where Lake Ontario meets the St. Lawrence River. Lunch is included at the Sackets Boathouse Restaurant. There are five sandwich choices: grilled chicken, turkey, ham, Mediterranean veggie or a cheeseburger.

Please choose when making your reservation. After lunch you will meet a costumed guide for the tour of Sackets Harbor. See the battlefield historic site, the visitor’s center, the Navy Commander’s house and the church featuring Tiffany windows and an impressive pipe organ.

Herb & Flower Festival

The 22nd Herb & Flower Festival will take place June 16 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Parker F. Scripture Botanical Gardens, located at the Oneida County Farm and Home Center, 121 Second St., Oriskany.

The event will include four classes for gaining new gardening knowledge, and nearly 50 garden merchants selling trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetable plants. Other items related to gardening are also available for purchase. The Master Garden booth offers information on a variety of topics and the chance to ask specific gardening questions.

Erie Canal Boat Float

People are invited to bring their boats and travel the historic Erie Canal at the Old Erie Canal Boat Float.

Participants are invited to bring their kayaks, canoes and even stand-up paddle boards to paddle the waters on Saturday, June 16.

There are four locations to start from so paddlers can self-select the mileage of their journey. No matter what location is chosen all paddlers end at the Boat Float Bash at 2 p.m. at the Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum. For traveling the Erie Canal, paddlers will receive a copy of the brand new Old Erie Canal Paddle Guide.

At the Bash, food trucks, music, blacksmith demonstrations and family activities will be offered. A drone will be on site to take a final aerial photo. The event is free.

Here are the launch locations and starting times:

Launch Site 1: Cedar Bay Park launch in DeWitt. Meet at 8 a.m. Total distance to bash, 9.4 miles.

Launch Site 2: Manlius Center Road. Meet at 10 a.m. Total distance, 7.20 miles.

Launch Site 3: Pool’s Brook Park launch. Meet at noon. Total distance, 3.2 miles.

Launch Site 4: Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum launch right at the site of the Boat Float. Meet at noon. Out and back paddle.

More detailed directions to the launch can be found on the event website: www.tourthetowpath. com/boat-float/

Participants need to bring their own kayak, canoe or stand-up paddle board as well as a personal flotation device.

Kayak rentals are available from Oswego Expedi- tions. Participants are responsible for their own return transportation.

Registration isn’t required, but it does help event organizers prepare the right amount of materials. Register for the free event at www.tourthetowpath.com/boat-float/

Canastota Library thanks

A note from Liz Metzger, director of the Canastota Public Library:

The Canastota Public Library vote PASSED!

Thank you for all of your support. We truly appreciate serving this fine community.

In case you didn’t know...

We have a “Plant Swap” this week -- bring one, take one -- with a variety of flowers, perennials, etc.

And, of course, our Seed Library is open and waiting for you to select something for your garden.