Freedom rings

OWASCO - The mood was mellow at this year's Independence Day celebration at Emerson Park. Even the weather was laid back as showers dissolved into a grey sky with a gentle breeze. People trickled in at their own pace as they sized up the skies and parked themselves in their favorite spot.

“Everything was filled up by this time last year,” Cam Stuart, Emerson Park security guard and retired art teacher, who was busy directing traffic. “We've had a ton of calls about whether or not we'd have the show. If it's misty, Syracuse Symphony will still go on. If the wind is 20 mph and higher, they won't fire off the fireworks.”

Stuart was enjoying his role as he knew many of the drivers pulling up as his former students.