Livin’ in Liverpool: Former tram driver now top scientist studying NYS lakes

Dave Matthews – no, not that Dave Matthews – the Dave Matthews who was raised right here in Liverpool, well he has always been fond of our long-troubled Onondaga Lake.

Decades ago, he worked a summer job for Onondaga Lake Parks, driving a tram which hauled visitors up and down the eastern lakeshore here.

Over the past 20 years, however, Dave has emerged as one of the state’s top scientists actively monitoring the Empire State’s waterways. He presently serves as technical director and senior scientist for the Upstate Freshwater Institute, a Syracuse-based non-profit. David A. Matthews received his academic degrees, including a Ph.D., from SUNY-ESF and has conducted fundamental and applied research on lakes, rivers and streams across the state for more than 20 years.

His research has resulted in more than 60 articles published in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

Why no algal blooms here?

Earlier this month, the Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology (the MOST) down in the city hosted Dave giving a talk about blue-green algae. In lakes across New York State, cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (CHABs) have impacted aesthetics, recreational uses, and public water supplies. Certain cyanobacteria known as blue-green algae produce toxins that limit the use of our lakes for recreation and drinking water during summer and early fall. Using data collected from 168 New York lakes by the Citizen Statewide Lake Assessment, Matthews documented the occurrence of CHABs in New York and identified factors associated with CHABs and elevated toxin levels.

Surprisingly, the much-maligned, long-polluted Onondaga Lake is one of the few lakes in the Central New York region that has not experienced a CHAB in recent years. Matthews discussed potential explanations for this apparent paradox; upstatefreshwater.org.

Sugar Blossom coming soon

Start sharpening those sweet teeth!

A creative new cake shop is set to open later this month at 304 Tulip St., across from the Cobblestone.

Co-owned by bakers Kaleigh Ligoci and Lauren Scarpelli, the Sugar Blossom Cake Shop will specialize in custom cakes but also plan to offer French macarons, specialty brownies and bars, breakfast pastries, cupcakes and cookies along with coffee and tea. As soon as we hear about the grand opening, we’ll let you know; sugarblossomcakeshop.com; 315-214-5637.

Trapper called twice

Newly hired village wildlife trapper Mike Walker answered two calls for service last month. The first brought him to Third Street where he investigated reports of a red fox on the loose.

True to its crafty reputation, the fox in question made itself scarce and avoided capture, but Walker advised neighbors how to react if the animal shows itself again.

Then, on Oct. 15, Walker responded to a call from village Judge Tony LaValle who had caught an opossum in a trap on his property at the base of Tulip Street. Walker humanely relocated the critter and returned the cage to the judge.

Seafood for Thanksgiving?

As Gov. Andy Cuomo advises citizens to avoid large family gatherings due to the ongoing pandemic, we’re all wondering what to do to celebrate Thanksgiving on Nov. 26.

Here are my two best recommendations. Liverpool’s best restaurant, The Retreat at 302 Vine St., will prepare a traditional turkey dinner with all the fixings, for takeout only, for $18.95 per person. Each meal will be completed by a slice of pie – your choice of apple or pumpkin with slice of pie, your choice between apple and pumpkin. Make sure to call your order in by Nov. 23, then you can pick up your Thanksgiving feast between noon and 1 p.m. Nov. 26; 315-457-6358.

For a somewhat less traditional meal, the Flaming Grill Buffet at 244 Northern Lights Plaza, in Mattydale, will complement the turkey and potatoes with plenty of lobster, mussels, oysters, butterfly shrimp, black pepper shrimp, crabmeat, sushi, ribeye steak, short ribs and, of course, desserts. The cost is $16.99 for adults and $10.99 for kids; (315) 455-1888; flaminggrillbuffetsyracuse.com.