Meanwhile, the summer 2008 schedule has been prepared, loaded with lots of Seva and adventure opportunities.

A Few Highlights

• Building open every Monday and Tuesday, 5-10pm. (If temperature goes 90° or higher, we will be closed, looking for water based activities instead.)
• Mondays: Kayaking (Nine Mile Creek), 5:30pm
• Tuesdays: Volleyball at Gillie Lake, 6:30pm
• Wednesdays: Seva (Selfless Service) at Samaritan Center, 3pm
• 7/5, 7/12, 8/2: Sunshine Horse Rescue, 9am
• 7/6, 7/17, 8/3, 8/14: Kayaking (South Sandy Creek to Lake Ontario beach), 10am - 10pm A summer favorite!
• 7/10: An afternoon of instruction and experience on Oneida Lake, compliments of CNY Wakeboarding.
• 7/19: Eating Our Way Around The World (Eva’s - Polish Restaurant), 12pm
• 7/20: An urban adventure as we kayak down Onondaga Creek.
• 7/23 - 7/27: Falcon Ridge Folk Festival - We stay with good friend and amazing artist Laurel Tewes in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. Falcon Ridge is one of the best music festivals ever, with emphasis on singer songwriters, dancing, song swaps, food, plus crafts, all in the beautiful Berkshire Mountains setting.
• 8/7: Ithaca Gorges - Waterfalls, swimming holes, and cascades galore!
• 8/10: Chimney Bluffs State Park - A few of us scoped out the NY state park last October and we were blown away!
• 8/12: Moonlight Hiking/Perseids Meteor Shower (Camillus Unique Forest), 9pm
• 8/17 - 8/22: Whale Watch 2008 - The big event of the summer! Cape Cod camping, national seashore beaches, Provincetown, and of course… whales!

Remember, all activities are weather permitting and numbers limited. For more information, please contact Cheryl and David Vermilya at 635-6495.

The Town Shop building will be closed during this construction project. We hope to be able to reopen on Tuesday, June 24. Meanwhile, some activities will continue throughout June.

Notable Dates

• Tuesdays: Volleyball at Gillie Lake, 6:30pm (Weather Permitting)
• Wednesdays: Seva (Selfless Service) at Samaritan Center, 3pm
• 5/29, 6/12, 6/26: Picnic at Onondaga Lake Park, 4pm (Weather Permitting)
• 6/1: Eating Our Way Around The World (Eva’s - Polish Restaurant), 1pm
• 5/24, 6/7, 6/28: Sunshine Horse Rescue, 9am
• 5/31: Kayaking (Clyde River), 11am (Weather Permitting)
• 6/13: Cheryl and David’s 38th Anniversary
• 6/27 - 6/28: Syracuse Jazz Fest

Coming this summer:

There will be more Seva, volleyball, kayaking, concerts, as well as trips which include going to Ithaca Gorges, the Green River Festival (July 17-20), Falcon Ridge Folk Festival (July 24-28), and Whale Watch ‘08 (August 17-22)!

There is a bit of international “flavor” on this current program calendar. April 17th will be the first of a newly suggested program idea; exploring local ethnic cuisine. First stop on the world culinary tour will be The Secret Garden (Japanese & Korean) with future possibilities that include meals from Mexico, Poland, Jamaica, Cuba, Thailand, Italy, India, the Middle East, and China.

On April 18th, the Town Shop will venture down to Hartwick College to see the amazing young Swedish musical group Väsen in concert.

On Tuesday, April 22nd, the Town Shop will host a group of visiting youth workers from Saudi Arabia, visiting the United States for the first time with an interest in visiting youth organizations. They’ll be arriving at 5pm and the Town Shop will be providing pizza and salad for dinner, plus time for casual conversation and interaction. Come greet them and help out with hospitality.

The Saudi Arabian Boy Scouts Association was founded in 1961 and is a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement. There are approximately 100,000 Saudi scouts between the ages of 6 and 21 from urban and rural regions throughout the country. Scouts participate in a variety of charitable activities, including an annual volunteer outreach to assist pilgrims at the Hajj, and study Islam and Saudi history, customs, and tradition. Under the leadership of King Abdullah, the Scouts have been instrumental in the establishment of Gifts for Peace, the largest program ever undertaken by the worldwide scouting movement, which aims to build understanding among young people of different communities and countries.

List of Attendants

• Mr. Walid Mohammed A. Abdulfattah
  Commissioner, Social Service Development, Ministry of Education
• Mr. Saleh Mohammad S. Abdullah
  Supervisor, Scouting Activities
• Mr. Yakoub Elias J. Al Sabt
  Teacher
• Dr. Abdullah Sulaiman M. Alfahad
  Vice President, Saudi Boy Scout Association
• Mr. Mohammad Sulaiman M. Alferaih
  Director of Administration, Training and Scholarships, Ministry of Education

• Mr. Ahmad Mhamoud M. Alfraj
  Teacher
• Dr. Mohammed Abdullah A. Alnatheer
  Assistant Professor, Teachers’ College
• Mr. Khalid Mohammed E. Alshnktie
  Teacher, Ministry of Education
• Dr. Mohammed Saleh I. Altowayan
  Educational Advisor, Agency Affairs School Education of Girls, Ministry of Education
• Mr. Hamad Abdulrahman H. Alyahya
  Boy Scout Leader
• Mr. Waleed Khalid A. Filmban
  Architecture Engineer

• Jamie Hamilton
• Stephanie Hamm
• Jake VanAlstine
• Ethan Camwell
• Robert Wolf
• Dan Nolan
• Amber Micek
• TJ Tompkins
• Maureen Shockey
• Trent Bushek
• Rachael Donovan
• Andre Wilson
• Mark Bloss
• Amanda Arnold
• Sarah Gemmill
• Lauren Young
• Amanda Zuranski
• Brittany Johnson
• Katie Wilson

• Sam Smith
• Josh Carolin
• Mike Serrata
• Josh Harding
• Brittany Young Parker
• Debra Ancillotti
• Kaitlyn Karpenko
• Kristen Pontello
• Cassidy Elhage
• Sahra Roberts
• Tyler Hamlin
• Allie Harrington
• Amanda Doxtator
• Spencer Smith
• Megan Farrelli
• Logan Messina
• Garrett Koloski
• Justin Crawford
• Tom Downie

• Jessica Graves
• Jasmine Barnes
• Ellie Law
• Kevin Pike
• Dan Zharkovy
• Mike Mantor
• Brett Poli
• Crystal DeSteffano
• Brittany Chiasson
• Ryan McShane
• Carolyn Morrissey
• Liz Sikes
• Taylor Merriam
• Tyrene Owens
• Billy Stevenson
• Chelsea Lobdell
• Jeffrey Mann
• Kayla Patrick
• Nicky Cunningham

• Ariel Hardenburgh
• Cory Gutchess
• Stephen Downing
• Nick Geiss
• Taylor Stepien
• Meg Neary
• Mike Pekala
• Stephanie DeSantis
• Jake Christopher
• Corey Birchler
• Talon Pardun
• Erika Daley
• Amanda Newton
• Nicole Rizzo
• Jessica Figuerido
• Christina Johnson
• Mike Ladouceur

By the light of the Moon

Beaver Lake Nature Center

By Lynne Perrine*

This winter the full moon dates are perfect for moonlit outings in January and February. As long as there is adequate snow cover, the Nature Center will remain open around the third weekend of each month until 9pm to give skiers and snowshoers an opportunity to enjoy the snow at night. You will notice that each month we will be open several nights before the actual night of the full moon. That is because the moon rises earlier on those nights and will better illuminate the trails. So grab your skis or snowshoes and get out for one, two, or all six of the moonlit evenings!

Dates: January 18, 19, 20 & February 14, 15, 16 (The trails will remain open until 9am on these evening as long as there is adequate snow cover.)

* Lynne Perrine is a Tai Chi instructor and Town Shop volunteer.

Hello all,
So although this isn’t really a Com Veo thing, I thought this would be the best way to let all of you awesome people know about our holiday event at the Camillus Town Shop this year. Here’s the deal:

Pat and Matt from Com Veo having been making music in New Paltz, NY for the past couple of years under the name Igloom. It’s baritone guitar/bass, drums, casio, and some singing. It’s a lot of fun!

We will be playing for the first time in Syracuse on Thursday, December 27th at the Camillus Town Shop. The Town Shop will be open at 5 and the event will start around 7pm or so and it’s free (as always). I’d like to encourage everyone to bring either a friend or some awesome food item. (or both!) We try to make sure that there are at least a few pies every year so if you’d like to help out on that end, that would be awesome.

The main purpose of doing an event this year was to get some kind of group sing-along happening so if you know any holiday tunes or classic songs that everyone could either sing or play along to, then you are more than welcome to do that.

We’re really excited to see everyone and hopefully you’ve all been doing super well!

Some Notable Dates

• Weekly: Seva (selfless service) - Feeding people at the St. Paul’s Samaritan Center. Every wednesday at 3pm.
• Monday 10/8: Kayak down Onondaga Creek through the heart of Syracuse. 11am
• Tuesday 10/9: Rosamond Gifford Zoo 1pm (We have a free group pass)
• Thursday 10/18: Apple picking at Beak & Skiff in LaFayette. 3pm
• Sunday 10/21: Chimney Bluffs State Park 11am
• Monday 10/22: Staff Retreat (Town Shop closed)
• Sunday 10/28: Fillmore Glen (Spectacular gorge and waterfalls) 11am
• Saturday 11/3: Sunshine Horse Rescue 10am
• Friday 11/9 - 11/11: Trip to the big apple (NYC), an urban adventure!
• Tuesday 11/13: Tai Chi Workshop (Free) 3pm, Town Shop opens 6pm

Tai Chi Chuan is an inner martial art. Designed to circulate chi, or life force harmoniously throughout mind and body, it is often referred to as a moving meditation. Its series of slow, circular, relaxed, fluid movements flow one into another and reward the practitioner with a deep sense of peace and well being.

• Thursday 11/15: Dodgeball (East Hill Elementary) 6:30pm
• Friday 11/16: Concert trip to see Ryan Fitzsimmons (He amazed this year at Falcon Ridge) 6pm
• Saturday 11/17: Sunshine Horse Rescue 10am
• Saturday 11/24: Concert trip to see Gandalf Murphy & The Slambovian Circus of Dreams at Night Eagle Cafe. (Talk with DV)
• Saturday 12/1: Sunshine Horse Rescue 10am
• Thursday 12/13: Poetry Open Mic & Song Swap 7:30pm
• Friday 12/14: Town Shop “Sleepover” 7pm
• Thursday 12/20: Dodgeball (East Hill Elementary) 6:30pm
• Saturday 12/22: Sunshine Horse Rescue 10am

The Town Shop is participating in the Camillus Valley Natural Area planning and design workshops on October 10 and November 7. (Everyone welcome, talk with DV)

Coming This Winter

Lots of cross country skiing, showcase concerts, seva opportunities, and winter camping at Highland Forest.

Berkshire Record

By Josh O’Gorman
Lovebirds Andy and Peggy Matlow literally took flight when the newly licensed airplane pilots recently flew together for the first time.

Peggy and Andy Matlow pose in the cockpit prior to their first flight as licensed pilots.

The Matlows had never previously flown together because only licensed pilots can transport passengers. So, while the two had spent hours together studying their aeronautical lessons, they had never had the opportunity to observe each other in action.

Prior to their marriage eight years ago, Peggy had presented Andy with a three-page, single-spaced list of the qualities she was looking for in a husband. Andy met all of the criteria—including being a pianist and an excellent cook—except for one: he was not a pilot.

“I liked the idea of flying, but I didn’t feel I had a natural propensity for it,” Andy said.

By chance, Andy happened to speak with an acquaintance that was a licensed pilot who shared with Andy the joys of flying, and in doing so lit a fire under him to become a pilot as well.

Andy went home and told Peggy he was ready to check off the final item on her list, but with one caveat—she had to become a pilot, too.

Andy said Peggy immediately embraced the idea of taking lessons, adding that she didn’t just want to be married to a pilot, she wanted to fly, too.

The two began taking lessons with Berkshire Aviation Enterprises in January 2006, which is located at the Great Barrington Airport.

Over the next 20 months the two slowly worked toward their pilot’s licenses.

There are no timetables for how long it takes to become a pilot, Peggy said, but rather a series of benchmarks that need to be met, such as night flights, solo flights and written tests.

“Some people solo after five hours, some people solo after 30 hours,” Andy said. “It depends upon your level of comfort.”

Peggy felt the instruction program moved at exactly the right pace.

“When you first start, you never think you can do this alone. But by the time you take each step you’re ready,” Peggy said. “One of the most thrilling moments of my life was when [flight instructor] Tom Vigneron climbed out of the plane and I took off alone.”

The two continued to take lessons intermittently, taking breaks when work and life intruded on their free time, but their pillow talk consisted of discussions of flight plans and radio protocol.

After postponing it several times, Andy and Peggy took their final test with a FAA instructor at the end of August, allowing them to travel together.

Both agreed the test itself wasn’t the hard part.

“The anticipation was worse than the exam,” Andy said.

Peggy agreed, saying, “The hardest part was the couple of weeks leading up to it.”

Labor Day weekend, the two set out together, with Peggy taking off first. She wanted to give Andy an opportunity to look out the window, something he never does while flying.

They toured Berkshire County, noting farms and houses of friends before heading west into neighboring Columbia County, where they landed and switched pilots.

They both agreed that they compliment each other well, with Andy feeling more confident on the radio and Peggy enjoying navigation.

“We both felt confident in each other’s flying,” Peggy said. “We were both taught by the same instructors so we had similar styles.”

The Matlows plan to fly to the Basin Harbor Inn on Lake Champlain in Vermont on September 25, where they will have lunch and celebrate their ninth wedding anniversary.

“It’s the most exciting thing I’ve ever done and it was wonderful to share it with my wife,” Andy said.

• Weekly: Seva - Every wednesday at 3pm followed by brief visit (if desired) to Armory Square. (Sign up with DV)
• Sunday 9/9: Chenango Colorscape Arts Fest - Travel down to Norwich, NY for fantastic one day music and art festival featuring The Kennedys, Aztec Two-Step, Lunasa, Professor Louis & The Crowmatix, plus poetry slams, arts and crafts, and food. Free! 11am (Sign up with DV)
• Saturday 9/15: 6th Annual Onondaga Creek Cleanup 8:30am (Call DV if you want to help)

• Monday 9/17: BOCES ADAPEP David’s first all day monthly meeting.
• Thursday 9/20: The Roots Of Peacemaking (DV is going, talk with him)
• Friday 9/28: Guitar Hero 2 party, with contests, tournaments, and prizes (4-8pm), followed by Halo 3. (8-10pm) (Sign up with host Chris Sauve at 395-6635)

Other Important Dates

• Monday 9/17: Cheryl’s Birthday
• Monday 10/1: David’s Birthday
• Tuesday 10/2: Town Shop reopens. 4pm (Oct/Nov calendar will be available)

Coming This Fall

Lots of Seva opportunities, autumn hiking, dodgeball, Town Shop overnight, apple picking, a trip to the big apple (New York City), and much much more!