sutomcat
No recent Cali or Iggy awards; Mr Irrelevant
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Welcome to National Soft Ice Cream Day!
Mister Softee, Dairy Queen, and Carvel may all come to mind when you think of soft ice cream, also known as soft serve, the most popular ice cream in the United States. Lucky for us, it's National Soft Ice Cream Day, so it's perfectly acceptable to indulge in a little or a lot of it today!
The first references to soft ice cream appear in the first half of the twentieth century. Stories conflict to its origin, with both Carvel and Dairy Queen laying claim to inventing it. The Carvel story says that on Memorial Day in 1934, the truck that Tom Carvel had been selling ice cream out of got a flat tire. Instead of trying to find a way home, he pulled his trailer into a nearby pottery store parking lot and continued to sell his ice cream. After being out so long, his ice cream started to melt, and he began telling customers that the partially-melted ice cream was a new type of dessert. His ice cream became a hit and he continued to sell it. He opened the first Carvel store that year. Carvel ice cream contains egg yolks, so technically it's custard.
Dairy Queen claims that founder J.F. McCullough and his son, Alex, invented soft ice cream in the mid-1930s. The pair had been making hard ice cream, but made some new ice cream where they changed its temperature from -5°F to 23°F, which McCullough thought brought out its flavor. They continued to experiment, and used 5% or 6% butterfat instead of 10%, and settled on 18°F for the temperature. In 1939, they purchased a machine from someone selling frozen custard, reconfigured it, and opened Dairy Queen in 1940, where they sold their soft ice cream.
SU News
Rome Sentinel
Syracuse basketball adds 6-9 Serbian prospect Petar Majstorovic to 2024-25 roster (PS; Waters)
Syracuse coach Adrian Autry went overseas to find a late addition to the Orange’s 2024-25 roster with the commitment of Petar Majstorovic.
Syracuse University issued a release on Friday, announcing that Majstorovic had signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the Orange.
Majstorovic, whose parents are Serbian, was born in Somber in the province of Vojvodina, Serbia. He has spent the last three years playing in France’s Under-21 league. In 2023-24, he played with Asvel, a well-known basketball club in France. In 34 games with Asvel, Majstorovic averaged 9.7 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists. He also made 62.4% of his field goal attempts and shot 68% at the free throw line.
Majstorovic, a 6-foot-9 forward/center who just turned 19 years old in July, will enter Syracuse as a freshman.
In his 34 games with Asvel’s Under-21 team last season, Majstorovic recorded seven double-doubles. His game consists of a variety of post moves, passing skills and the ability to pick-and-pop with a nice, soft touching touch.
The addition of Majstorovic bolsters Syracuse’s frontcourt at both center and power forward. The only centers on SU’s roster were Eddie Lampkin, a 6-10 fifth-year transfer from Colorado; and Naheem McLeod, a 7-foot-4 senior. McLeod started the first 14 games last season before injuring his foot and sitting out the rest of the year.
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Syracuse lands front court depth with Petar Majstorovic (orangefizz.net; Burstein)
Just when it seemed like the 2024-25 roster was finalized for Syracuse Men’s Basketball, the Orange made a change yesterday. Petar Majstrovic, a Serbian-born center who has played in France the past few year, signed his NLI with Syracuse.
A Syracuse press release has Majstrovic listed as a center, but with a 6-9 frame, a stretch role between the four and five positions seem more likely.
While the committment was dropped without any notice and is by a player who doesn’t garner much name recognition, Majstrovic may be a perfect depth piece for Syracuse in the 2024-25 season.
The guard positions have been stacked for the Orange, but as you move to the front court, a lot was in the air past the starters. Majstorovic may be able to help answer these.
This past season with the ASVEL Basket Lyon-Villeurbanne U-21 team, Majstorovic was productive with 9.7 points and 7 rebounds per game. This was the third year of U-21 french action for Majstorvic, and as had been shown the past few years, French basketball competition is getting higher and higher quality. (Victor Wemenyama, anyone?)
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How Petar Majstorovic Impacts Syracuse Basketball | Syracuse Orange Podcast
Syracuse Basketball recently added Serbian big-man Petar Majstorovic to complete its 2024-25 roster. Adrian Autry's squad now features three centers: Eddie L...
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How Petar Majstorovic Impacts Syracuse Basketball | Syracuse Orange Podcast (bvmsports.com; Sportsdesk)
Syracuse Basketball has strengthened its 2024-25 roster with Serbian center Petar Majstorovic, joining Eddie Lampkin and Naheem McLeod in a deep frontcourt. The addition enhances the team's overall dynamics, providing significant size and skill as they prepare for upcoming challenges. This episode of the Locked On Syracuse Podcast delves into Majstorovic's potential impact on the team's performance and rotation. Syracuse's frontcourt now includes talents like Donnie Freeman, Jyare Davis, and Chris Bell, raising expectations for the season ahead.
By the Numbers
- Three centers on roster: Eddie Lampkin, Naheem McLeod, Petar Majstorovic.
- New frontcourt combination includes Donnie Freeman, Jyare Davis, and Chris Bell.
While the addition of Majstorovic enhances the roster, questions remain about how effectively the centers will share playing time and roles within the already competitive frontcourt.
State of Play
- Syracuse's coaching staff is evaluating how best to integrate Majstorovic into the existing rotation.
- The team seeks to balance minutes among its three centers, which could lead to strategic shifts in game plans.
As the season approaches, Syracuse will aim to solidify its game strategy, focusing on how to leverage Majstorovic's skills to maximize team performance while navigating roster dynamics.
Bottom Line
The signing of Petar Majstorovic is a pivotal move for Syracuse Basketball, potentially transforming their frontline strength and elevating their competitive edge in the upcoming season.
Auto Draft (ESPN; radio; The 315)
Brian starts things going over a new addition made by ‘Cuse Hoops today; a 6’9″ Center named Petar Majstorovic. He breaks down the move and what he expects from it, then hands things over to Mason for AI Friday.
Mike McAllister "The 315" 8-16-24 (ESPN; radio; The 315)
247Sports Publisher Mike McAllister joins Brian to discuss ‘Cuse hoops newest addition to the roster, chatted about the football team, and more!
MSN (msn; Chakravarthi)
The Under Armour Next Elite 24 showcase wrapped up on Saturday with a competitive game between 24 of the top men’s high school and international basketball players, and nobody came out strong than 2025 Florida four-star recruit Shon Abaev.
Abaev, who attends Calvary Christian Academy, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was seen as a top-40 recruit in the Class of 2025 coming into the weekend, and solidified that status with a 22-point, 10-assist, and seven-rebound performance, while shooting 8-for-19 from the field.
Standing at 6’7”, 185 pounds, Abaev was handling the ball nearly every time he was on the court, commanding the offense as a point-forward, while specifically working well out of the pick and roll, using his leverage to create shot opportunities off the dribble or generating looks for his teammates.
Abaev came out really strong, starting the game with a tough fadeaway jumper on the baseline. A few possessions later, he separated off the dribble to connect on an open three before getting a big slam in open space in transition.
“I’ve been able to shoot since I was younger,” Abaev shared during the weekend. “I was a shooter. I had a feel for the ball since a young age, so I just felt like I had to keep the vertical, keep getting better because that’s something that I had since little. I was always a really good shooter, so I just had to keep on working on and keep getting better.”
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The four-star was battling early with 2025 five-star Nate Ament at the forward position, attacking him on the offensive end, while picking up the assignment defensively as well, leading to the competitive nature that stemmed around the whole game.
After fouling Ament on a drive to the basket, Abaev got his get-back, recording a sweet block on a fadeaway after holding his ground in the post, despite the five-star having two inches on him.
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Syracuse University, backed by Micron, to launch no-cost semiconductor program for military families (PS; $; Racino)
Syracuse University will soon launch a program for military members and their families interested in entering the semiconductor workforce, paid for entirely by Micron Technology.
The new workforce pathway, offered at no cost both online and in-person at military bases across the country, will be run through SU’s D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families and its "Onward to Opportunity" program.
Micron will pay the pathway’s $3 million cost over the next three years.
As the semiconductor company sets down roots in Central New York and expands at locations across the country, it “really wants to tap into the military-connected talent pipeline for bringing on new employees,” said Ray Toenniessen, vice president for strategic initiatives and innovation at the IVMF.
“So they turned to us,” he said.
SU has been “quietly building” the program for some time and only recently signed papers with the Boise-based semiconductor company to secure the funding, Toenniessen said.
The IVMF will roll out a proof-of-concept foundational course this fall. It will serve as a primer for service members about the semiconductor industry and provide the basic technical skills necessary for them to get started.
The course will be offered in-person at the 16 military bases across the country served by the Onward to Opportunity program, and its online courses will be available to anyone six months out from transitioning from the military as well as to veterans and military spouses.
“That initial training may be enough for some to then connect right to Micron, or maybe another company in the semiconductor industry, and walk right into employment,” Toenniessen said.
But Micron plans to start construction on its first fab in Clay in the spring of 2025, with production expected to begin in 2028, which means those employment opportunities may be minimal over the next few years.
Toenniessen said that while Micron is paying for the program, the company understands that graduates could go to work with other companies.
“This program is going to be available nationally, and Micron doesn’t have a site in every state around the country, and so their goal, first and foremost, is to provide this opportunity for transitioning service members, veterans, military spouses, with their name behind it,” Toenniessen said.
The pathway will be run separately from SU’s Center for Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing, a recently announced $20 million investment meant to position the school and region as a leader in education and research around chip making.
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Biotech venture fund will help founders span the ‘Valley of Death’ (Guest Opinion by Somak Chattopadhyay) (PS; Chattopadhyay)
Being an entrepreneur in Central New York can at times be a vexing and lonely vocation. Our region already boasts engaged and knowledgeable investors coupled with a burgeoning startup ecosystem. There are a slew of talented and committed individuals at organizations like Upstate Capital, 43North and Genius NY, who have corralled talent, capital and resources at an impressive clip over the past decades. But we still don’t have the density or range of capital sources at play in tech hubs like Silicon Valley, Boston or New York City. As a result, founders in our region must work twice as hard to find half the funding, and find they need to compete with better connected counterparts in larger metros throughout the process.
That is why we are thrilled to hear the news that a new biotech venture fund is being launched here in Central New York. Called Upstate Biotech Ventures, the investment vehicle based in the CNY region will draw upon resources in the healthcare space. The sector is one of the top three drawing the most venture investment nationwide, trailing only energy and transportation. We still have significant room to grow in our region as far as seeding these opportunities are concerned, especially at the earliest stages—which is why my team and I are delighted to hear about the new commitment.
For health-tech founders, funding challenges can be particularly acute. Where B2B software companies, for instance, occasionally can bootstrap their way from inception to initial public offering (IPO), health-tech startups invariably require outside funding due to the higher upfront costs. Whether working in diagnostics, devices, hardware tools or significant scientific advances, biotech founders benefit enormously from having early backers who believe in their vision at the idea stage — before prototyping or beta testing.
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Everything you need to know for NYS Fair 2024: Food, rides, music, new attractions and more (PS; Tulloch)
It’s State Fair season in Syracuse.
The New York State Fair opens Wednesday, Aug. 21 at 9 a.m. It’ll run daily until Monday, Sept. 2 (Labor Day). Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to flood the fairgrounds in Geddes over those next two weeks.
Not much has changed at this year’s fair, an event steeped in nostalgia and tradition. But there are a few new attractions on hand and a handful of new food vendors.
And yes, prices are ticking upward. It’ll cost a few bucks more to park and enter the fair this year.
Here’s a rundown of everything you need to know if you’re headed to the fair in the coming days or weeks.
How do I get tickets?
Fair admission is $8 for an adult. Seniors 65 and older get in free. So do kids 12 and under. You can buy tickets online in advance.
You won’t be able to pay cash for tickets at the gate — you’ll need to purchase them on your phone, or using a kiosk at the gate. Your best bet? Get them ahead of time.
The fair is also offering a “frequent fairgoer” ticket for $25 that grants admission all 13 days of the fair.
There are a handful of special days and free admission days for people in certain groups (like military, law enforcement or Native American tribes).
The Wade Shows Midway currently has more than 60 rides, and cost between 3-6 tickets to ride.
- Individual ride tickets can be purchased at any Wade Shows ticket booth during the Fair for $7 for five tickets.
- Wristbands, which grant ride-all-day access, can be purchased online for $28/person (plus fees) until 12 p.m. on Aug. 21. After that, the cost of wristbands goes up to $35 on weekdays, and $45 on weekends.
Dierks Bentley with opening acts Randy Rogers and Chase Rice brought a country vibe to the Empower FCU Amphitheater at Lakeview Friday night, August 16, 2024. (N. Scott Trimble | strimble@syracuse.com)N. Scott Trimble | strimble@syracuse.com
Dierks Bentley shows are what summer nights are made for (Empower Amp review, photos) (PS; $; Crestwell)
For as long as there has been country music, there has been controversy over the legacy, and future of country music. One need look no further than the writings of Amanda Marie Martinez or Grady Smith’s YouTube channel to engage with the conversation about what country music is, and what it isn’t.
You can almost trace the last 20 years of country radio in the sounds of Dierks Bentley’s radio singles, from What Was I Thinkin’, his first number one from 2003, a bluegrass-infused country song to his 2021 collaboration with Breland and Hardy, Beers on Me.
Dierks Bentley has sustained his 20+ year career, not from riding trends, but with a rich, bluesy voice, impeccable song craft, and a deep, abiding respect for the traditions of country music. He affirmed his place in this tradition at his concert on Friday, Aug. 16 at the Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview.
A packed amphitheater enjoyed a nearly perfect hazy mid- August night. Opener Randy Rogers Band brought Texas-flavored country western songs to the amphitheater, with Randy adeptly working the crowd as they filtered in. Chase Rice continued the party, opening his set with Bad Day to be a Cold Beer. While his songs are geared towards the pop country sound, he honored the rock country tradition with a blistering rendition of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Simple Man.
The blend of tradition and new permeated every element of the show. As the audience waited for Dierks Bentley to take the stage, they sang along with the house music between sets. I’m not sure the world needs a dance remix of 90’s/early 00’s country favorites, but the crowd loved every minute of it, with the late Toby Keith’s I Should’ve Been a Cowboy, Shania Twain’s Man, I Feel Like a Woman, and Gretchen Wilson’s Redneck Woman, eliciting the loudest singalongs.
The singalong energy carried over as Dierks Bentley took the stage, opening the show with Gold from his 2023 record, Gravel & Gold, transitioning quickly into his 2005 top 5 single, Lot of Leavin’ Left to Do. While the studio versions of these songs represent very different country sounds, Bentley’s touring band were outstanding: bringing energy, attitude, joy, and as the night progressed, a fair bit of silliness, to Bentley’s catalog.
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When are the free admission days and special days for NYS Fair 2024? (PS; Tulloch)
The New York State Fair opens Wednesday, Aug. 21 and once again features a variety of special days with free attendance and events for specific groups.
General adult tickets to the fair cost $8 (up from $6 in 2023) and are available online. Parking is $12 per vehicle, up from $10 in 2023. Fair admission will once again be cashless (card only).
Seniors 65 and older get into the fair for free every day. So do kids 12 and under.
The fair also will continue its tradition of free admission days for groups that include law enforcement and firefighters.
Parade staff clear the way during the Pride Day parade at New York State Fair, Geddes, NY, Friday Aug. 23, 2019Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.
Here’s a list of all the 2024 fair’s special days:
Wednesday, Aug. 21: Governor’s Day
- The governor traditionally visits the fair on opening day, along with other local and state officials.
Thursday, Aug. 22: Student Youth Day / Agriculture Career Day
- Free admission for youth and students 18 and younger. ID may be requested at the gates.
- Agriculture Career Day is an opportunity to get young people excited about the many possibilities for future jobs in agriculture and give them a chance to learn about a wide variety of career options and connect directly with industry representatives.
Paul and Wendy had their first date at the 1990 New York State Fair. They attended the Michael Bolton and Kenny G Grandstand show. The State Fair has remained an annual tradition during their more than 30 years of marriage.Courtesy of Paul Burke
NYS Fair Love Stories: Michael Bolton and buffalo burgers made for a great first date (PS; $; Croyle)
“I am not a planner,” admitted Paul Burke, a former entertainment reporter for WTVH, Channel 5.
Still, Burke pulled off a nearly perfect first date with his future wife Wendy at the New York State Fair in 1990. Then, 30 years later, he put together a romantic surprise anniversary celebration for two at the New York State Fairgrounds during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The Fair means so much to us,” he said. “It has been our love story.”
Paul and Wendy did not really know much about each other when they attended the Michael Bolton and Kenny G concert at the Grandstand on Aug. 27, 1990.
As a member of the media, Burke got press row passes.
“I was happy to see Wendy was impressed,” he said. “When during the concert, Kenny G came right up to her, almost 20 feet away, playing his saxophone, even I was impressed.”
As far as first dates go, this was going pretty well, he thought.
“Holy crap,” he said. “I could not write this any better.”
The two performers, known for their romantic music, worked their magic on the crowd.
“We arrived together, psyched to get our seats,” Burke said, “but left holding hands like we were never going to let go.”
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