Central New York Magazine - November/December 2021 by CNY Magazine

WRAP STARS O U R T O TA L LY LOCAL GIFT GUIDE

IT’S A TRADITION T H E WAY S W E C E L E B R AT E

THAT’S A DOOR-ABLE W R E AT H S T O W E L C O M E T H E S E A S O N

BREAST HEALTH CARDIAC CARE WEIGHT-LOSS SURGERY UROLOGY PELVIC PHYSICAL REHAB GYN GYN ONCOLOGY

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ON THE COVER Let’s hang a round this season. Wreath by My Vintage Soul. Photo by Alaina Potrikus. For more beautiful creations by local wreath makers, see page 49.

EDITOR MJ Kravec 315-766-7833 mkravec@advancemediany.com

PRESIDENT Tim Kennedy ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER OF THE GOOD LIFE Annette Peters 315-282-8527 apeters@advancemediany.com

CONTENT EDITOR Amy Bleier Long 315-282-8553 ableierlong@advancemediany.com

SENIOR DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Lindsay Marlenga lmarlenga@ advancemediany.com

The Good Life, Central New York Magazine (ISSN 1931-194X) is published six times a year by Advance Media New York, 220 S. Warren St., Syracuse, New York 13202. The Post-Standard © 2021. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic/digital, mechanical photocopying, recording or otherwise, without written permission.

DESIGNER Susan Santola ssantola@advancelocal.com

All material submitted to Central New York Magazine becomes the property of Advance Media New York, publishers of The Post-Standard and Central New York Magazine. It will not be returned. Such a submission, to name a few examples, may be a letter to the editor, a cartoon, a picture, a poem and the like. Any such material may be excerpted, edited for length or content, and may be published or used in any other way. For example, on Syracuse.com or in The Post-Standard.

CUSTOMER SERVICE 315-470-6397

CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Thomas H. Brown 315-470-2053 tbrown@acssyr.com

SUBSCRIPTIONS Contact Jennifer Queri or visit www.readcnymagazine.com

MAGAZINE/EVENTS SALES MANAGER Jennifer K. Queri 315-282-8622 jqueri@advancemediany.com

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Editor ’s letter Want more? Check out our website at readcnymagazine.com for seasonal features, stories, recipes, past issues and more. And don’t forget to drop us a line at info@ readcnymagazine.com. And now, a word from our contributors:

Making spirits bright ing at the Winter Solstice and reflect on our

we threw tinsel

area’s landscape with architectural photog-

on the Christ-

rapher Bruce Harvey.

mas tree. I re-

In other departments, our holiday gift guide

member peering

features unique finds in area shops, Caught

into branch-

Doing Good spotlights an Oneida County cou-

es decorated with glass balls, miniature

ple who brings holiday cheer to local fami-

reindeer with gold ears and my mother’s

lies, CNY Scout checks in with stained glass

homemade ornaments — glittery rings

artist Molly Pratt and Farm to Table offers a

decorated with cotton and miniature

recipe for Butternut Squash Soup from The

elves. The tinsel made everything sparkle.

Inn of the Seasons in Syracuse. In Down to

But then I grew up. And tinsel became

Earth, we introduce you to Enders Creek

tacky. The old ornaments sat in boxes on the

refill store, which seeks to cut down on sin-

basement shelf. Then I had kids and grew

gle-use plastic and Art Profile examines the

up again. And the old ornaments came out

swing dance scene in CNY. Finally, we close

of their boxes to go on the tree, still shiny. I

the holiday edition with John Decker, aka

bought a fresh box of tinsel, too.

Ebenezer Scrooge at Dickens Christmas in

Now the tree has some new ornaments, but most are ones collected over the years —

Skaneateles, which returns after going virtual last year during the pandemic.

my mother’s homemade rings, vintage glass

Before we go, we hope you take advantage

balls that hung on the tree when I was little,

of our annual print and digital subscription

snowflakes that my kids made from puzzle

offerings starting in January 2022. Get all six

pieces. Every piece is a sweet reminder of

issues delivered to your mailbox or inbox and

Christmases past.

keep up on all the good life Central New York

Tinsel just makes it shine even more.

has to offer. Visit readcnymagazine.com to

Katie Hopsicker “While reporting on Syracuse’s swing dancing community, I saw how dance can create and strengthen social connections and relationships. Dance has survived the pandemic and is thriving.”

We hope you embrace your own traditions

activate your subscription now. Makes a great

whether you tinsel or not. In our Novem-

gift idea, too! (You didn’t think we’d pass up

ber/December issue, Central New Yorkers

the chance for a shameless plug). Cheers!

share the meaningful ways they celebrate their winter holidays, local wreath makers offer fresh looks to welcome the season and

Alaina Potrikus “I was so inspired while sourcing and photographing the harvest and holiday wreaths created by area artisans; sharing their talents with readers is the best part of the process! Equally delightful and delicious: styling pies, tarts and galettes baked with love in Central New York.” On writing and photographing wreaths and pies in CNY.

area bakers create unexpected flavor combi-

nations in handmade pies. We’ll also show

mkravec@advancemediany.com

you some new (and very old) ways of look-

315-766-7833

CENTRAL NEW YORK MAGAZINE

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

On writing about CNY’s swing dancing scene.

PHOTOS COURTESY ALAINA POTRIKUS, KATIE HOPSICKER

hen I was little,

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Contents

56 Gimme some oven

Holiday hangouts

Photographs and memories

The longest night

Into focus

Local wreath makers offer different styles of seasonal decor.

The diverse ways we gather, decorate and celebrate the holidays.

Try some new (and very old) ways of celebrating the Winter Solstice.

Experiencing history and nature through the eyes of photographer Bruce Harvey.

CENTRAL NEW YORK MAGAZINE

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

PHOTOS BY SARAH TIETJE-MIETZ, ALAINA POTRIKUS, KATIE HOPSICKER

CNY pie makers create unexpected flavor combinations.

Departments

In every issue

6 Editor's letter 96 Galleries 98 Flashback with OHA: CNY’s turkey farms.

It’s All Good 11 Ways to embrace the season.

99 Last Word: With John Decker, Ebenezer Scrooge at Dickens Christmas.

14 Positive Vibes: Gratitude. 16 Our Town: Minoa. 19 Market Trends: Holiday Gift Guide.

Good News 33 Pinball’s back! 34 Downtown Doings: Live Like a Local campaign. 36 Caught Doing Good: Whitesboro couple spreads holiday cheer.

40 The Seen: A pictorial review of CNY’s social gatherings.

83 Making Good 83 From trash to treasure. 84 CNY Scout: Red Rhino Glass & Print.

87 Farm to Table: The Inn of the Seasons’ Butternut Squash Soup. 90 Down to Earth: Enders Creek Refill Store. 92 Art Profile: CNY’s swing dance scene.

84 92 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

CENTRAL NEW YORK MAGAZINE

The #1 hospital in Syracuse. We are the only hospital in the region to be named a Best Regional Hospital 7 years in a row. Awards are great, but we strive to earn something even more valuable — the trust of the people of Central New York. Our doctors, nurses and specialists work hard to advance our practices and medical technology while providing the highest level of care — every day to every patient.

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It ’s all good POSITIVE VIBES • OUR TOWN • MARKET TRENDS

CALM AND BRIGHT BY M J K RAV EC

When the trees go bare and shiver under frost And night comes early bringing with it Stars blinking like diamonds on black velvet The first snow blankets the earth and string lights on houses make the street more magical Take time to reflect and just be Here are some ways to take in

PHOTO BY SHUTTERSTOCK

the warmth and light of the season now.

It ’s all good

STO RY B O O K E D V I L L AG E The 28th annual edition of Dickens Christmas opens at noon, Nov. 26 and continues noon to 4 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 19, with an abbreviated production (noon to 2:30 p.m.) Dec. 24. With sing-alongs, musicals and other entertainment, horse-drawn carriage rides and appearances by Charles Dickens, Queen Victoria, Scrooge, Father Christmas and Mother Goose. This is a mask-friendly event and will follow all pandemic guidelines. Call 315-685-0552 or visit skaneateles.com.

M Y P L A C E O R YO U R S ? Create your own placecard holders for holiday meals. Secure two cinnamon sticks with twine. Print out names of family members in a script font. Place card between sticks and decorate with a sprig of fresh rosemary.

CENTRAL NEW YORK MAGAZINE

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

SO M E T H I N G TO M U L L OV E R Make a traditional mulled wine for a holiday gathering by combining four cups of fresh local apple cider, three cups of red wine, ¼ cup local honey, the juice and zest of one orange, two cinnamon sticks, four cloves and three star anise. Bring to a boil on stovetop and simmer 10 minutes.

PHOTOS BY MJ KRAVEC, SHUTTERSTOCK

O N T H E WAY H O M E During this time of giving thanks and appreciation, consider donating a My Place Box to Samaritan Center. My Place helps provide basic household necessities such as clean sheets and towels, pots and pans, plates, cups and utensils. Donate as a group or individually and help provide a sense of comfort and stability for Samaritan’s guests who are on their way to self-sufficiency. Call 315-472-0650 ext. 201 or email guestservices@samcenter.org.

GREEN CHRISTMAS Plant parents, don’t leave your babies out of the spirit. Get your houseplants in on the holiday game and use fairy lights to wrap around the trunk of a larger plant or string them throughout the foliage of smaller plants. Now you’re one big happy plant family — evergreens and all.

FIR REAL Spread the holiday cheer and save cut branches from the Christmas trees. Place a branch or two in water to display as a mini tree in another room of the house. Leave it unadorned to appreciate its natural beauty.

W H AT ’ S L E F T Holi-daze leftover turkey sammiches by combining a half cup mayo with three Tbsp. leftover cranberry sauce (you can use canned — we won’t tell), one Tbsp. lemon juice and salt and pepper. Spread on bread and layer with turkey, lettuce and any other favorite fixings.

PHOTOS BY SHUTTERSTOCK

GIRL POWER “Matilda,” the Roald Dahlinspired, Tony Awardwinning musical comes to Syracuse Stage Nov. 19 through Jan. 2. With exciting choreography and music and lots of fun, “Matilda” tells the story of an intelligent, magically gifted little girl who dreams of a better life. For tickets go to syracusestage.org.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

CENTRAL NEW YORK MAGAZINE

It ’s all good

POSITIVE VIBES

GRATI ’TUDE

Acknowledging life’s gifts improves sense of well being

During the month of giving thanks, it’s good to know that do-

Review stated “When we express gratitude, our brain releases

ing so has health benefits. According to a 2020 study, express-

dopamine and serotonin — two hormones that make us feel

ing gratitude was shown to help soothe anxiety and depression.

lighter and happier inside.”

Another study in 2003 found that being grateful was linked to an improved mood, according to Healthline.com. When participants in the 2003 study practiced gratitude for 10 weeks, they became more optimistic about their lives and future. It’s also worth noting that an article in the Harvard Business 14

CENTRAL NEW YORK MAGAZINE

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

Expressing gratitude also helps to shift your focus on the things you do have — not what you don’t. To practice: Make note of one small thing you’re grateful for each day — whether it’s a beautiful sunrise or a great cup of coffee. Let the dopamine flow.

PHOTO BY SHUTTERSTOCK

BY M J K RAV EC

T H E SPA AT T H E I N N S O F AU RO R A

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It ’s all good

OUR TOWN

Minoa BY CHRISTINE DUNNE

Originally known as Manlius Station, the village of Minoa traces its origins to 1839 when it became a stop on the Syracuse and Utica Railroad. While times have changed, the mostly residential Minoa still maintains an active commerce district around the rail tracks. With a population of about 3,500, it’s easy to run into neighbors while out and about in the village, which has plenty of events, a strong school district and a close-knit community where people look out for one another.

GET OUTSIDE

ANNUAL EVENTS

Make your way to Lewis Park for some playground fun, a pickup basketball game or a family picnic. Head over to Rees Field on Osborne Street to catch youth soccer, basketball and lacrosse matchups; ESM Little League is played at Galuski Field. You can also explore the nature trail around part of the Minoa Farms neighborhood or ride your bike through the village — the flatness and sparse traffic make for a pleasurable experience.

The Minoa Fire Department hosts the Annual Fireman Field Days at Lewis Park in early summer, complete with a parade, rides and live music. Another annual event in Lewis Park is the Festival in the Park, featuring live music, a classic car show, attractions for kids (including a magician and face painting), a bonfire, fireworks and more. Minoa also holds a yearly Halloween party in the fire station as well as a Christmas celebration and tree lighting (which was complemented with a holiday cookie train this past year). The village is the site for the annual Teal Ribbon Run/ Walk for ovarian cancer research, awareness and local support.

CENTRAL NEW YORK MAGAZINE

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

PHOTOS COURTESY OF WILLIAM F. BRAZILL

Cruisin’ in the Park on a summer Friday night in Lewis Park.

HAVE A DRINK Meet up with a friend for tea, coffee and a baked good at Spill the Tea Café and Infusion Yoga, which is just a couple doors down from the village offices and holds yoga classes for all ages. Enjoy some brews and music at Charlie’s Tavern, a popular gathering place that’s been family-owned and -operated since 1977. Grab a drink or snack to go at the Sunshine Minoa Food Mart. For wine or spirits, peruse Parkway Liquors.

SHOP LOCAL

The Supreme Pizza at Trappers II Pizza Pub.

GRAB A BITE Enjoy some pizza and pub fare at Trappers II Pizza Pub, a “hub of the village” that is the place to be during SU games; it also has sand volleyball courts for leagues and free play. Another pizza option is Parkway Pizza, which offers wings, subs, Stromboli, calzones and a wide range of appetizers. In the same plaza, you’ll find Happy Wok Minoa, which serves Chinese and Thai cuisine. After dinner, relish a Syracuse Sundae, Monster Energy Milkshake or one of many other ice cream treats at Coneheads Creamery beside Lewis Park.

During the warmer months, stop by the Minoa Farmers’ Market on Main Street for a variety of local items — including produce, plants, honey, leather goods, skincare and artwork. Find a gift for that special someone at Room to Improve, a home décor and gift shop (with a splash of vintage) located in a beautifully renovated former rail powerhouse at Station 217. Kindred Souls Vintage Lovelies is another spot to find a special piece, including antiques and repurposed furniture or custom orders.

THINGS TO DO On Friday nights during the summer, enjoy live music, vendors and classic cars and trucks at Cruisin’ in Minoa at Lewis Park. Walk up the iconic green pedestrian bridge connecting North and South Main Streets and watch the trains pass below (a favorite for children). Find a good read at the Minoa Free Library in the heart of the village. Get a new ‘do at Louie C’s Men’s & Women’s Hair Styling. Stop by Heaven’s Pantry, a food pantry in the Minoa United Methodist Church, to donate food, money or time.

The fire department hosts the Annual Fireman Field Days, which feature games, rides and live entertainment.

“I don’t think you have to be involved in this community. They’re going to involve you.” Christina Hodges, co-owner of Spill the Tea Café and Infusion Yoga

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

CENTRAL NEW YORK MAGAZINE

Stephanie Vavonese operates her business from Commonspace Work, a shared office space for entrepreneurs in downtown Syracuse.

“My goal is to give back to the health and wellof my community. With my donor-advised fu the Upstate Foundation makes it easy

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she recently established a donor-advised fund at the Upstate Foundation.

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It ’s all good

GIFT GUIDE

GI F T I T YOU R A LL BY AMY BLEIER LONG

PHOTOS BY AMELIA BEAMISH

From a token of appreciation to a splurge on someone you love, taking the time to find the right present for someone shows you care. Here are 60+ gift ideas from local retailers, so you can shop small no matter the size of your budget.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

CENTRAL NEW YORK MAGAZINE

It ’s all good

GIFT GUIDE

PRESSING MATTERS Press-on nails, $4, Olive + Fern, 19 North Street, Marcellus, 315-200-2464, facebook.com/ shopolivefern.

NOSTALGIC NOTES Upcycled Book Notebooks by Cassie J Sneider, $10 each, Wildflowers at the McCarthy Mercantile, 217 S. Salina Street, Syracuse, 315-5464919, wildflowersarmory.com.

PAINT THE TOWN “Lower East Side” 5.5-inch print byKeirsten, $8, Inspired, 7468 Oswego Road, Liverpool, 315-622-3000, inspired-vhd.com.

TACTILE TREAT Fidget pop toy, $8.50, The White Sleigh Ltd., 24 E. Genesee Street, Skaneateles, 315-685-8414, thewhitesleigh.com. A LIKELY STORE-Y BlueQ recycled material pouch, $8.99, The White Sleigh Ltd.

CENTRAL NEW YORK MAGAZINE

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

LURE ‘EM IN Hellures deep water lure, $10, The Savvy She Shed, 60 Oswego Street, Baldwinsville, 315-416-1000, facebook.com/thesavvysheshedbville.

MASKED MEN Gentlemen’s sheet mask $8.50, Drooz + Company, 36 E. Genesee Street, Skaneateles, 315-920-8888, droozandcompany.com. CAT’S MEOW Cat change purse, $7.95, Everson Museum of Art, 401 Harrison Street, Syracuse, 315-474-6064, everson.org.

SAVE FOR SPRING A Terrific Tomato heirloom tomato seeds, $4.50, Imagine, 38 E. Genesee Street, Skaneateles, 315-685-6263, imagineskaneateles.com. LOVE THE WINE YOU’RE WITH Heart of Syracuse stemless wine glass $7.99, Onondaga Historical Association, 321 Montgomery Street, Syracuse, 315-428-1864, cnyhistory.org.

SIGN OF THE TIMES Gaming door hanger, $7.99, Colorful Inspirations, 170 Township Boulevard, Camillus, 315-320-4364, colorfulinspirations.com.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

CENTRAL NEW YORK MAGAZINE

It ’s all good

GIFT GUIDE

A GRAND IDEA Stoneware mugs, $12 each, Inspired.

A STITCH IN TIME Cross stitch kit, $20, BeeKind, 118 Milton Avenue, Syracuse, 315-299-6073, beekindsyracuse.com.

ROLL WITH IT My Father La Gran Oferta cigar, $19.22, and Vertigo cutter, $6, Sea Culture, 11 Jordan Street, Skaneateles, seaculturebrand.com.

HIDE YOUR MONEY Men’s canvas camo wallet, $19, Olive + Fern.

CENTRAL NEW YORK MAGAZINE

POUR YOU Ceramic orange pitcher, $22, Salt Point Shop, 100 Brooklea Street, Fayetteville, saltpointshop.com.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING The Daily Sampler desktop affirmations (16 double-sided cards), $14, Witty Wicks, 190 Township Boulevard, Camillus, 315-672-3110, wittywicks.com.

GLOVE THAT FOR YOU Embroidered gloves with cozy lining, $13.98, Pomodoro, 61 E. Genesee Street, Skaneateles, 315-685-0085.

WINTER BLUES Dark Blue Short Vase, $23.99, The Station 603, 603 E. Seneca Street, Manlius, 315-682-8741.

BOOK SMART “The Young Person’s Guide to Conquering the World” guided journal, $16.99, Drooz + Company. COUNT ON IT Number Matching Toy, $24.99, Pride + Joy, 88 E. Genesee Street, Skaneateles, 315-685-7576, skanbaby.com.

SHARD WORKER Syracuse China keychain with bottle opener, $25, Onondaga Historical Association. GOTTA TERRACOTTA Hand-painted pots by Julia, $20 each, Adopted Roots Plant Boutique, 410 S. Warren Street, Syracuse, 315-991-8844. GET YOUR GLOW Favorite Things Co. turmeric tincture facial mask, $15, BeeKind.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

CENTRAL NEW YORK MAGAZINE

It ’s all good

GIFT GUIDE

BEANIE, BABY Waffle Beanie, $37, Sea Culture.

BOTTLE SERVICE Artisan wine rack, $32, Olive + Fern.

MAKING A LIST Embroidered journal, $21, and recycled pen $6, available for a limited time at the Ecodessa shop in Natur-Tyme, 3160 Erie Boulevard East, DeWitt, ecodessa.com.

HYDRATION BUT MAKE IT FASHION Bkr Spiked water bottle in teddy, $42, Skaneateles 300, 2. W. Genesee Street, Skaneateles, 315-685-1133, skaneateles300.com.

SQUISH AND SWISH Basketball pillow, $34, Chloe’s Closet, 107 Brooklea Drive, Fayetteville, 315-637-2513, facebook.com/chloesclosetny.

CENTRAL NEW YORK MAGAZINE

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

ARTFUL EARS Monet Water Lilies I earrings, $36.98, Everson Museum of Art.

LOOKS FAMILIAR Artsy CNY shirt $32, Scholars & Champs, 310 S. Salina Street, Syracuse, 315-560-7430, scholarsandchamps. com.

UNDER WRAPS Microwavable neck wrap, $42, The Local Branch, 4 Jordan Street, Skaneateles, thelocalbranch.co.

HOW DO YOU LIKE THEM APPLES Hard Cider Kit, $48, H. Grey Supply Co., 53 Albany Street, Cazenovia, 315-815-5016, hgreysupplyco.com.

RACE FOR THE PENNANT Devoted Local pennant, $28, Scrap Paper Social, scrappapersocial.com.

I KANTHA BELIEVE IT Kantha blanket, $42, The Wren’s Den, 2756 W. Seneca Turnpike, Marcellus, 315-952-5954, thewrensden.business.site.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

CENTRAL NEW YORK MAGAZINE

It ’s all good

GIFT GUIDE

UKE GOT IT Loog ukulele, $79, Magic Garden Arts, 7070 Cedar Bay Road, Fayetteville, magicgardenarts.com.

BELT IT Workman belt, $86, The Local Branch.

HITTING THE RIGHT NOTE Karaoke microphone, $54, Paola Kay Gifts, 105 Brooklea Drive, Fayetteville, 315-632-2192, paolakaygifts.com.

WRAPPED UP Homecoming Plaid blanket scarf in bubblegum, $58, Boutique Joycé, 119 W. Seneca Street, Manlius, 315-692-2122, boutiquejoyce.com.

BAG THE WHOLE THING Angelica hobo vegan leather bag, $78, H. Grey Supply Co.

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

WOVEN WONDER Black Mbao hand-woven vase, $90.98, Everson Museum of Art.

THE STARS ALIGN Large zodiac necklace, $98, Imagine.

SNAP TO ATTENTION Tka Glacier snap-neck ¼ fleece, $59, Roland’s Men and Boys Store, 14 E. Genesee Street, Skaneateles, 315-685-7389, rolandsofskaneateles.com.

WARM FEELINGS Scarf, $26, hat, $19, gloves, $16, The Rose Cottage, 214 S. Manlius Street, Fayetteville, 315-637-1330, therosecottageny.com.

LEAVE ME STRANDED Kantha necklace, $79.95, Enjoy, 419 E. Genesee Street, Fayetteville, 315-637-3450.

BRUNCH BUNCH Baby blanket, $69, Chloe’s Closet.

BATHING BEAUTY Lollia Imagine bubble bath, $60, Synple, 70 Main Street, Camillus, 585-615-3934, shopsynple.com.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

CENTRAL NEW YORK MAGAZINE

It ’s all good

GIFT GUIDE

FLOWER POWER “Orchid” mineral color and ink on rice paper by Jia Zhou, 16 by 24 inches, $145, Wildflowers at the McCarthy Mercantile.

HUE KNOWS Caryn Lawn navy rainbow sweater coat (back shown), $169, Paul Karaz Shoes, 414 E. Genesee Street, Fayetteville, 315-663-0200, paulkarazshoes.com.

LOVE-SKATE RELATIONSHIP Children’s Rainbow Rider roller skates, $122, Magic Garden Arts. HIT THE DECK Element skateboard, $110, Flower Skate Shop at the McCarthy Mercantile, 217 S. Salina Street, lower level, Syracuse, 315-2940686, facebook.com/flowerskateshop.

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

IN-VEST WISELY Vail reversible puffer vest, $145, H. Grey Supply Co.

IT TAKES A BOT “Gardinia” Woah-Botz sculpture by Jeremy Wilken, $199, Cazenovia Artisans, 39 Albany Street, Cazenovia, 315-655-2225, cazenoviaartisans.com.

GREAT LAKES Lakes sweater, $80, and Cara vintage skinny jeans, $128, Skaneateles 300.

DOWN TO THE WIRE Iron wire flower mirror, $120, Synple.

TRAY COOL Farmhouse Small Tray in satin black, $110, Mixed Methods, 215 E. Water Street Rear, Syracuse, 315-399-1766, letsgetmixed.com.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

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It ’s all good

GIFT GUIDE

COLORFUL QUILT Rainbow stars quilt, $300, Salt City Artisans, 226 Hawley Avenue, Syracuse, 315-479-0400, saltcityartisans.com.

DESIGNER DECOR “Floral Corner 3” one-of-a-kind embroidered upcycled acrylic wall hanging, $600 (visit store for special pricing), Fringed Benefits, 6825 E. Genesee Street, Fayetteville, 315-802-4353, fringedbenefitsdesign.com.

TRAVEL READY MZ Wallace Metro Tote Deluxe in anthracite metallic lacquer, $285, Paul Karaz Shoes.

A SHOE IN Samuel Hubbard Fast for Him in tan leather, $245, Paul Karaz Shoes.

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

PUFF DADDY Canada Goose Crofton Puffer for men, $950, J Michael, 173 Marshall Street, Syracuse, 315-471-4237, jmichaelshoes.com.

PUCKER UP Kozan top, $129, and pant, $189, Floridella Boutique, Syracuse, 315-741-7961, shopfloridella.com.

CUTTING EDGE Celtic Knot end-grain cutting board by Cazenovia Cutblock, $225, 20|East, 85 Albany Street, Cazenovia, 315-815-4540, 20-east.com. COZY COMFORT Audrey’s Blanket Squares asymmetrical red, 5 feet by 6 feet, 10 inches, $525, Paola Kay Gifts.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

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Let’s create health and happiness in your home.

here are certain spaces in our homes where we actually create health and happiness. Rooms where water flows and light shines. Enjoy hundreds of bath, kitchen and lighting products in room settings that help you envision them in your home. Experience working displays that allow you to choose with confidence. Frank Webb Home’s friendly experts delight in helping you make these spaces your own. SYRACUSE, NY 6792 Townline Road • 315-552-9599 To find 48 showrooms throughout the Northeast, visit frankwebb.com

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Good news DOWNTOWN DOINGS • CAUGHT DOING GOOD • THE SEEN

FLIPPING OUT If the lights and sounds of a pinball machine bring back fond memories, you’ll flip for Skill Shot Pinball Arcade & Event Space, which opened last month at 5949 E. Molloy Road in Syracuse. The pinball wizards behind the project: John Gambacorto and Alyssa Kessler of United Vending Service and Ryan Zlomek, founder of Syracuse PINheads. Boasting Central New York’s largest pinball collection, the arcade floor features a rotating roster of 23 pinball machines and four arcade games, so there’s always something fresh to play. Skill Shot is open to the public for unlimited play on Wednesday evenings (adults, $15; 12 and under, $10). The arcade will host tournaments and leagues as well, Kessler says. The team partnered with Trapper’s Pizza Pub on catering packages for special events, such as birthday parties, fundraisers and social or corporate gatherings. Guests who come for PHOTO BY RYAN ZLOMEK

unlimited play nights can have takeout from their favorite spots delivered to the arcade. For more information, skillshotarcade.com.

Good news

DOWNTOWN DOINGS

CITY SPOTLIGHTS New campaign features downtown dwellers’ favorite places

Downtown Syracuse has historically served as a cultural hub

ers throughout the city and featured residents and their favorite

for Central New York with its theaters, restaurants and beautiful

downtown spots in the Downtown Committee’s weekly news-

architecture. People come from all over to enjoy the city. Now,

letter. Heather Schroeder, director of economic development,

the Downtown Committee’s “Live Like a Local” campaign wel-

describes the program as, “a way to showcase downtown’s fa-

comes tourists with the smiling faces of those who live there.

vorite spaces and places by the people who know downtown

In early June, the Downtown Committee launched the cam-

best — the ones who live here every day.” Schroeder says the

paign to showcase the favorite places of people who live in the

goal was to give city dwellers the chance to tell visitors about

eight neighborhoods of downtown Syracuse. Staff hung post-

the city’s hidden gems.

CENTRAL NEW YORK MAGAZINE

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

PHOTOS COURTESY DOWNTOWN COMMITTEE OF SYRACUSE

B Y K AT E R E Y N O L D S

“

WE HAVE PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT RACES, NATIONALITIES, AGES, INCOME BRACKETS.” Heather Schroeder, director of economic development, Downtown Committee.

The Downtown Committee’s “Live Like a Local Campaign” includes downtown’s real life residents and their favorite places to visit.

“Who do you go to for the best advice of where to eat, where

Jonah, is Michael Sgro, who runs a Leadership Coaching Pro-

to people watch, where to walk your dog? The people who are

gram. Maggiore describes him as a local celebrity since every-

here every day, the ones who live there,” she says.

one knows his name.

Residents featured on the posters and in the newsletters were

So far, the campaign has not only brought current residents

chosen through the Downtown Committee’s networking circle

together, but it has even helped college students, from outside

as well as through a call to action on the Downtown Syracuse

the area, feel like a part of the community. Schroeder says the

Residents’ Facebook page.

posters are attracting the attention of the student population

“We posted it to Facebook knowing that people really like to be ambassadors for the community. From what we’ve seen, we

and bringing relatability to people who recognize the suggestions being made.

have a lot of social media-savvy followers.” says Alice Maggio-

Those behind the campaign wanted to let city residents know

re, director of communications. “Some of those were downtown

that downtown Syracuse is for everyone, whether you are a res-

business owners. Some of those were folks that were highly en-

ident, student or visitor.

gaged in programs we put out.”

“We have people of different races, nationalities, ages, income

The campaign began with three goals. The first was to give

brackets,” says Schroeder. “So we wanted to showcase for the

recommendations to visitors, the second to feature the differ-

passersby on the sidewalk seeing these posters, just who all lives

ent types of people that live downtown and third to bring the

in downtown Syracuse.”

current residents together. Schroeder says they wanted residents to look at the posters and say “Oh, I recognize that guy. I see him at the coffee shop, OK? He also lives downtown. Maybe next time I see him, I’ll go up and say ‘hi.’” That sense of community is one Downtown’s best qualities. “I love that I can go just about anywhere for lunch downtown and I’m greeted by name. I just think that that’s such a nice personal touch,” says Maggiore. For instance, one resident, featured on a poster with his dog

Passersby are not only exposed to who is pictured on the poster, but the places that are suggested in each. “We always like to say that whatever you’re craving, cuisine-wise, you’re going to find represented across all the menus. And I think the same can be said about life experiences and cultural experiences as well,” says Maggiore. And the city is still growing, she says. “There’s always something new. I mean, we’ve had 21 new businesses open since the start of 2021.” Six additional businesses are set to open this fall. NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

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Good news

CAUGHT DOING GOOD

Joe and Monica Hickel with their daughter Alex.

DEALING WITH GOODS — AND GOODNESS Oneida County couple ensures Thanksgiving and Christmas joy for more than 100 families

Central New York bargain hunters clinched deals on signed

to help others. The duo surpassed their original $5,000 goal by

Buffalo Bills jerseys and Kate Spade handbags because Joe and

April, hit a $7,500 goal in July and cleared $12,000 by the end

Monica Hickel have generous hearts. The Oneida County couple

of August. “People around here all give. They are caring, they

gambled that their wide network of friends and acquaintances

support the community,” Hickel says, quick to credit the donors.

would pay ten bucks for a chance to win items worth hundreds

Twice a week, the Hickels hosted a raffle on their private Face-

of dollars, knowing the profits would go to help area families in

book group, “Clinch the Deal CNY.” Items raffled were donat-

need this holiday season. The Hickels — and now those fami-

ed or purchased with their own money. Members (755 contacts

lies! — won that bet.

and growing) rushed to claim numbers and donate a designat-

The Hickels have raised more than $14,000 (at press time). That’s

ed amount, often $10 per entry. Joe ran the numbers through a

enough for $100 worth of gifts for 120 underserved Utica-area

randomized program and the name slotted in the top spot won.

children and 52 Thanksgiving dinners for families who might

Each raffle took less than five minutes, winners like Tonya Hol-

otherwise go without. “It’s just mind-blowing,” says Joe Hickel.

land got a treat and 100 percent of the proceeds (after the cost of

The couple started raising money in February while stuck in

the item) went to the Hickels’ charity fund. “It’s fun to be a part

the pandemic, hoping to get people together — if only online —

of,” says Holland. “Joey and Monica are selfless, with a network

CENTRAL NEW YORK MAGAZINE

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

PHOTO BY ALLEN BARTNICK, AJ’S PHOTOGRAPHY

BY SUSA N K E N N E DY

Dan Fisher with his wife, Lori Ruhlman, at their home.

Since completing my 35-year career at Welch Allyn, I have dedicated my time and resources to my growing family (grandchildren!) and the Central New York community. When I began searching for a way to engage more deeply in my giving, I established the Dan & Colleen Fisher Fund at the Community Foundation in the memory of my late wife. We shared many interests in organizations that have benefited from this fund, including the Skaneateles Festival, the Seward House Museum and St. James’ Episcopal Church in Skaneateles. The fund continues to grow and allows my giving to reflect my evolving life experience. I was lucky to find love again, and now my wife Lori and I share interests that include conserving the environmental health of the Finger Lakes and improving the social and political health of the country.

COMMITMENT TO GIVING: DAN FISHER

Read more of Dan’s story at cnycf.org/Fisher

315 . 4 22.9538 | CNYC F.O RG

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“

“IT’S OUR OPPORTUNITY

TO GIVE TO OTHERS

CAUGHT DOING GOOD

of friends all invested to see what amazing things they can accomplish.” This effort is a philanthropic side hustle for the Whitesboro couple. Joe works long

WHO ARE

hours as the head chef at his

STRUGGLING.”

family’s Utica restaurant, Club

Joe Hickel

Monarch. Monica handles new accounts and social media for an area golf club. After hours,

they cook up good deeds together. “Our home life is no different than a lot of people’s,” says Hickel. “It’s just what we choose to do in our spare time that makes a difference.” The Hickels and their supporters are investing in kids through the social service agency Integrated Community Alternatives Network (ICAN), much to the wonder of its CEO Steven Bulger. “It’s their heart, their compassion,” says Bulger. After hitting $12,000 over the summer, they spoke to Bulger and decided to direct later raffle proceeds toward Thanksgiving dinners for ICAN families. “When you think they can’t elevate their kindness anymore, they impress you again.” Making things better for children is a mission for both ICAN and the Hickels. Joe lost his father as a teen, and Monica grew up in a home upset by poverty and alcoholism. “It’s our opportunity to give to others who are struggling,” says Hickel, “and for Monica, it’s like making up a little bit for what she grew up without.” This 2021 holiday gift drive is just the latest chapter in the Hickels’ story of personal philanthropy: For a dozen years, they’ve hosted online raffles and coordinated annual events to raise mon-

Above, a selection of the handbags and sports memorabilia the Hickels have auctioned off throughout the year.

ey for various local non-profits. In all, the couple says they’ve raised nearly $150,000 for more than



ten organizations. “We [have] always thought that if more people did stuff like this for everybody, we’d be in a better place,” Hickel says. With the money raised this year, volunteers will shop from a child’s personal wish list and bring SUBMITTED PHOTOS

the gifts to ICAN where the child’s parents will

wrap them to give to their children for the holiday. “A gift,” says Hickel, “keeps a child’s heart open, their mind open. It keeps them hopeful that things can get better.”

CENTRAL NEW YORK MAGAZINE

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

For more information: Visit the “Clinch the Deal CNY” Facebook page and request to become a member or reach out to ICAN, www.ican.family.

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Help us provide advanced care to keep seniors home longer. More than 6,420 telehealth visits helped us to continue to care for individuals remotely during the pandemic. That’s just one of the ways The Foundation helps Loretto innovate care for better living.

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THE SEEN

SEPTEMBER 27 - OCTOBER 1

Syracuse Fashion Week Syracuse Fashion Week returned to the runways after more than a year off. Venues for the event were the chic Aloft Syracuse Inner Harbor Hotel, the elegant rooms at the The Mansion on James and the lobby of the historic Jefferson Clinton Suites. Designers and boutiques created looks ranging from sportswear, men’s wear, fantasy hair and makeup, burlesque, vintage inspired, formal attire, bridal, wearable art and custom couture. The event featured the fashions of: Adornato Couture, Cella V Boutique, JPHii Designs, Manny’s Sport Shop, Lucky Mae’s Closet, ShaMoon, Kalthom Aljiboury, Bliss Bridal Boutique, Akua Designs, Fashion Fix, Sunshadow Designs, Michelle DaRin, Projex214, Ecodessa, Unremorseful Art, The Higher Calling and Salt City Burlesque. An eight-person hair and makeup team and 108 models participated over three shows. The event raised $1500 for the Food Bank of CNY. 1

2. A model wears a handcrafted jacket designed by Susan Fix of Fashion Fix in “Fashions at the Mansion” at the Mansion on James. 3. Karla Reilly wears matching necklace and earrings designed by F Page Steinhardt of Sunshadow Designs at “Fashions at the Mansion.” 1. Dressed in a creation by Marie Adornato of Adornato Couture, Larissa Nichols walks the runway at “Local Love” at the Aloft Syracuse Inner Harbor.

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

PHOTOS BY DENNIS FERNANDO, BRITTANY BACKHAUS

PHOTOS BY DENNIS FERNANDO, EM BURRIS

4. Erica Biedermann wears a custom gown by Marie Adornato of Adornato Couture at “Local Love” at Aloft Syracuse Inner Harbor. 5. Angelica Smith models fantasy hair and makeup in “After Dark” at Jefferson Clinton Suites. Hair by Mo Locastro and makeup by Liz Gleasman. 6. Donnie Monk models a faux fur coat from Ecodessa at “After Dark.”

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

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ESTATES, TRUSTS & PERSONAL PLANNING

Plain talk. Exceptional expertise.

Whether you’re transitioning ownership of your business, planning for a secure future, or gifting to your favorite charity, we understand the importance of sensitive personal financial matters. We also know how important it is to discuss them in straightforward language, so you can make the best possible decisions for your future. Learn more at mackenziehughes.com.

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LUXURY INDEPENDENT LIVING Local favorites on the menu, local friends to reconnect with, local activities to keep your body and mind actively engaged. You’ll be right at home, at The Nottingham. And among friends.

You’re Right at Home. At The Nottingham. Learn how to make your dreams of living worry-free a reality. Virtual and or in-person, we’d love to meet with you to see how you’ll be right at home at the Nottingham. Call today to talk to Marcy, your luxury living concierge at: (315) 459-7887.

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THE SEEN

2021

100 years of the United Way This year marks 100 years of the United Way’s efforts in our community. Through the spring and summer of 2021, photojournalist Michael Greenlar visited several United Way of Central New York-funded programs to capture the people whose lives are touched every day through generous donations in a series called “The United Difference.” For more, visit unitedway-cny.org. 3

3. Catholic Charities of Onondaga County, Northside CYO after school program.

PHOTO BY MICHAEL GREENLAR

1. Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection program’s “drive thru” celebration ceremony at Manley Field House parking lot. 2. Samaritan Center’s Hot Meals Program.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

CENTRAL NEW YORK MAGAZINE

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THE SEEN

OCTOBER 1

Ain’t It Grand fundraiser Redhouse Arts Center recently celebrated the return to live theatre with their 6th Annual Fall Fundraiser, “Ain’t It Grand.” This special event, which recognizes the past, present and future of the organization, was held at Redhouse. The evening started with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres followed by welcome remarks from Board Chair John Valentino and Executive Director Samara Hannah. Hannah formally introduced new Artistic Director Temar Underwood to the Redhouse family of supporters. The party included a VIP Special Guest appearance by Caroline Strange and Jon Hoche to promote their upcoming performance of Redhouse’s 2022 production of “Macbeth.”

PHOTOS BY BLUEHAT COURTESY REDHOUSE

1. The evening started with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. 2. Redhouse Board Chair John Valentino delivered the welcome. 3. “Ain’t It Grand” was the first in-person fundraiser for Redhouse this year.

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at home 4. New Artistic Director Temar Underwood spoke at the event. 5. Guests enjoyed an evening of food, dancing and fun.

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THE SEEN

SEPTEMBER 17

Everson Annual Picnic The Everson Annual Picnic recognized 2020 and 2021 Everson Award recipients on the museum grounds in September. Paul Phillips and Sharon Sullivan (2020) and Louise Rosenfield (2021) were recognized with the Everson Medal. Assemblyman Bill Magnarelli (2020) and David A. A. Ridings (2021) received the Distinguished Service Award. Docent Marilyn Post (2020) and Members’ Council member Cathy Winger (2021) were recognized with the Lifetime Volunteer Achievement Award. Paolo Arao, Samantha Bittman, Elana Herzog, Anne Lindberg and Sheila Pepe, five renowned textile artists featured in the Everson’s latest exhibition AbStranded, attended the event and the exhibit’s opening the next day. Organizers revealed a newly commissioned work, Faceted Wrap by Derek Porter. Funds raised during the evening went toward the installation, which was played as an animated rendering through the UVP projection system on the façade of the Everson. Diamond Catering provided food, while Second Line

PHOTOS BY JULIE K. HERMAN COURTESY EVERSON MUSEUM OF ART

Syracuse Brass Band provided entertainment.

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

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H LI DAY H A NG OU T S Local wreath makers offer fresh looks to welcome the season STORY AND PHOTOS BY ALAINA POTRIKUS

Hanging on a door or over a mantel, a bright wreath marks the arrival of the holidays with festive flair. We asked several Central New York artisans and vendors to make wreaths inspired by the hues and sentiments of the season. Their creations celebrate the vibrance of autumn and the luminosity of early winter in Central New York.

VINTAGE VIBES This flocked wreath, inspired by a walk through a winter wonderland, mixes new and vintage materials. Adornments include glittered houses reminiscent of vintage cardboard Putz houses, bottlebrush trees, miniature deer and a skiing snowman. Vintage Shiny Brite ornaments add a pop of color. Artist Linda Bien shares her vintage treasures and one-of-a-kind creations through her Etsy shop, My Vintage Soul. $100, My Vintage Soul Etsy: etsy.com/shop/myvintagesoul Instagram: @lindavintagesoul

HARVEST HUES Topped with a burlap and plaid ribbon, this autumnal wreath features lotus pods, berries and fall leaves. The rustic base is accented with birch branches; tufts of pampas grass soften the silhouette. Located in the heart of downtown Skaneateles, Fleur de Lis Floral Design has created bespoke floral arrangements for weddings, holidays and other celebrations for more than 50 years. $200, Fleur de Lis Floral Design 26 E. Genesee Street, Skaneateles fleurdelisfloristny.com

PHOTOS BY

Instagram: @fleurdelisfloraldesignllc

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

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LUXE ABUNDANCE Diane Smith, owner of Colorful Inspirations in the Township 5 plaza in Camillus, begins her design process by finding one standout element — a ribbon, an ornament, a faux flower stem — and layering more details that fit the mood. A burlap “Merry Christmas” ribbon is paired with traditional accents like berries, pinecones and petite rosebuds for a traditional red and green wreath. $225, Colorful Inspirations 170 Township Boulevard, Camillus colorfulinspirations.com Instagram: @ colorfulinspirations_by_diane

CENTRAL NEW YORK MAGAZINE

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

RUSTIC SIMPLICITY At wreath-making workshops, crafters can create this simple gold hoop adorned with evergreens and pinecones, accented with a trio of macrame feathers. “I am most happy lost in the woods somewhere and surrounded by pine trees,” says Claire McKenney, founder of Right Mind Syracuse. “That’s the inspiration behind most of the things I create.” Right Mind’s calendar is filled with seasonal workshops yearround, including jewelry making, fiber arts, painting and planting. Classes currently take place at local restaurants and breweries, but McKenney hopes to open a permanent studio space in 2022. $30 for workshop, Right Mind Syracuse rightmindsyracuse.com Instagram: @rightmindsyracuse

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

CENTRAL NEW YORK MAGAZINE

FESTIVE FLORALS Artist Kathleen O’Dell combined dried florals grown by Susan Poppenger of Pods and Poppies in Skaneateles with other natural items foraged from her own backyard to create a delicate wreath accented with hand-dyed silk ribbons. The duo will help others create their own whimsical creations this fall at Magic Garden Arts, an art and wellness studio for all ages in Fayetteville. $50 for workshop, Magic Garden Arts 7070 Cedar Bay Road, Fayetteville magicgardenarts.com Instagram: @magicgardenarts

CENTRAL NEW YORK MAGAZINE

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

SUSTAINABLE CELEBRATION Take a close look: the feathery evergreens in this unique wreath have been salvaged from bicycle tire treads, and the festive bow is made from the tire’s inner tube. Artist Rob Niederhoff sources his materials from Mello Velo and Advance Cyclery; other pieces he crafts include suncatchers made from bicycle cogs, wind chimes made from bike frames and tables made from wheels. “I try to find a use for every scrap bike part I get, and new ideas are always popping into my head,” Niederhoff says. “I try not to throw anything away unless I truly cannot think of anything to do with it; I try very hard to eliminate new materials from my pieces and the process.” A portion of all sales is donated to New Horizons for Children to support international adoptions. $40, Upcycling4ACause Wildflowers at the McCarthy Mercantile, 217 S. Salina Street, Syracuse etsy.com/shop/upcycling4acause Instagram: @upcycling4acause

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

CENTRAL NEW YORK MAGAZINE

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

G I M M E S OM E OV E N Central New York pie makers are baking up some unique ways to savor the season. Here are six varieties you’re sure to love. STORY AND PHOTOS BY ALAINA POTRIKUS

Pumpkin perfect Miniature pumpkin pies decorated with vanilla whipped cream from The Toast in Cazenovia are perfect for sharing with friends or on Instagram. Also on the holiday menu: Pumpkin (full size), apple, chocolate cream and peanut butter pies; pumpkin cream cheese loaf and homemade cookies.



Pies start at $19 The Toast Bakery & Cafe 126 Nelson Road, Cazenovia Instagram: @toastcazenovia

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

CENTRAL NEW YORK MAGAZINE

Bakeries in Central New York are cooking up holiday menus with unexpected flavor combinations and new ways to serve classic recipes. Traditional pies are joined by tarts, galettes, cakes and pumpkin rolls as local pastry experts prepare for the final months of 2021. Check out the delicious spread of desserts available to pre-order this year.

Hot chocolate weather No need for a mug, the hot chocolate pie at Honeycomb Bakery is topped with marshmallow creme and accented with a cookie-like crust. raspberry crumb, pumpkin and maple pecan pies and pumpkin cream cheese crumb cake.

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Pies start at $20 Honeycomb Bakery 315 Nottingham Road, Syracuse Instagram: @honeycombbakery315

STYLING BY AMY BLEIER LONG

Also on the holiday menu: Apple crumb, salted apple caramel, cran-

Thyme for a galette The vegan brown butter-peach galette garnished with thyme from Fatcat Baking features ground cherries from Wyllie Fox Farms in Cato. Also on the holiday menu: Sweet potato and pumpkin pie, peanut butter pie, classic apple pie and carrot cake. (All offerings are vegan.)

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Galette $15, Pies start at $25 Fatcat Baking Syracuse Instagram: @fatcatbaking

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Cran-tastic Bright citrus flavors, tart berries and a velvety texture combine in the cranberry orange tart from Pie’s the Limit bakery. Also on the holiday menu: Thanksgiving offerings include pumpkin, pecan, cheddar apple, vegan apple and sweet potato pies. The Christmas list includes eggnog tart, peppermint bark pie and cranberry orange tart.

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Tart $20, Pies start at $17.50 Pie’s The Limit Salt City Market, 484 S. Salina Street, Syracuse Instagram: @piesthelimitbakery

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Berry beautiful A perfectly woven lattice crust tops a berry apple pie bursting with flavor from The Sweet Praxis. Also on the holiday menu: Chai pumpkin, and vegan and gluten free options double chocolate dream and pumpkin dream.

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Pies start at $24 The Sweet Praxis 203 East Water Street, Syracuse Instagram: @thesweetpraxis NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

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All about apples The classic apple pie at Exhale Cafe and Bake Shop is adorned with a sweet heart cutout. Also on the holiday menu: Mixed berry, Dutch apple, pumpkin and pecan pies (each also available as vegan); chocolate cream pie and pumpkin rolls. All pies can be made gluten free for an additional $5.

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Pies start at $20 Exhale Cafe and Bake Shop 174 Township Boulevard, Camillus Instagram: @exhalecafeandbakeshop

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S H P A R G O T PHO S E I R O M E M AND NG LEIER LO BY AMY B

stoms of our perform the cu to e m ti l ra tu e are a na inuity from on The holidays creating a cont , es ur lt cu d conions an families, relig ovide welcome aditions can pr tr e es Th . xt ne e generation to th fort. m e in these endnection and co er and celebrat th ga to es iti opportun rkers mark the With so many Central New Yo w ho d re de on s, we w at are of-year month e moments th usly shared th io ac gr ls ca lo t occasions. Eigh em. th meaningful to

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Cecilia Fuller’s children Anna and Ian are dressed as Lucia and a Star Boy for a past Lucia Day celebration.

C E C I L I A F U L L E R , FAY E T T E V I L L E

ecilia Fuller grew up in Sweden and lived there until she was 19 years old. She has memories from a very young age of singing Lucia Day songs and dressing up as either Lucia (St. Lucy) herself, with “candles” in a crown on her head, or as one of her maidens, holding a single candle and wearing a red ribbon around her waist. Lucia Day is a largely Swedish holiday that takes place on December 13. “The idea of Lucia bringing light to the winter

darkness in the north has always warmed my heart,” Fuller says. In Sweden, there are specific songs for Lucia only sung on that day. Traditional baked goods, a saffron

bun called Lussebullar or Lussekatter, are baked at home or bought from bakeries in the few weeks leading up to Dec. 13. “It’s a very special time of the year for kids and adults alike,” she says.

6 a.m. and “forces” them to wear Lucia Day clothes before waking up their dad with a few Lucia songs. Then they all watch the Lucia Day celebration from Sweden together while enjoying Lussebullar and pepparkakor (ginger snaps) for breakfast. “The kids have never complained — out loud anyway — and just go along with my excitement. They know it’s important to me to hold on to a few Swedish traditions.” She also decorates with a few select Lucia Day items from her childhood and takes them down right after Lucia Day in preparation for Christmas, particularly Christmas Eve, which Swedish culture considers more special. 64

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF CECILIA FULLER

Now living here in Central New York, it’s important to Fuller to uphold the tradition. She gets up very early to prepare a tray of homemade goodies and coffee, wakes her children Anna (13) and Ian (11) by

M A R C I A P H I L I P P, E A S T S Y R A C U S E

t may come as no surprise that interior designer Marcia Philipp loves decorating, entertaining and wrapping presents. Throughout her home, she gives details extra care. “I enjoy doing crafts and making special things because I love to entertain. It’s special when you’ve actually created it yourself,” she says.

When friends or family come for a meal, burlap pockets Philipp made

hold napkins and silverware at each place setting. She incorporates the fronts of holiday cards she received in previous years on wrapped presents and loves using parchment paper as it provides lots of options for wrapping, being neutral. Her own holiday cards — of which she sends about 200 — always feature a photograph she took earlier that year. One recent card depicted a peaceful, snow-covered scene she captured at Green Lakes. Christmas decorations start to go up in November so that her grandniece and nephew can enjoy them when they visit for Thanksgiving. Philipp displays several trees: In her living room, a 10-foot (or higher) tree features her mom and dad’s ornaments in addition to her own. A smaller tree showcases the MacKenzie-Childs and Patience Brewster ornaments she’s been collecting for years. And in the kitchen, a mini tree is adorned with glass bird ornaments, many of them gifts from her sister. And she’s not the only one who enjoys all the decorations. She says, “My Abyssinians love the holidays. So much [for them] to get into!”

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MARCIA PHILIPP

Clockwise from top, one of Philipp’s Abyssinians oversees wrapping, a scene at Green Lakes which became one of Philipp’s holiday cards, a holiday place setting.

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CENTRAL NEW YORK MAGAZINE

MCKENZIE HOUSEMAN, CAZENOVIA

n December 2015, McKenzie Houseman’s brother Tim

celebrate his life and the time they shared together.

Hughes died suddenly at 39. He left behind his wife, his

As a group, Houseman, her husband and sons, her parents,

son and daughter who were only 5 and 2 at the time, and

her sister-in-law, niece and nephew visit a Christmas tree farm

a large, loving extended family, as well as a community

and cut down their trees. After all the trees are strapped to the

who mourned the life-long Caz resident and Cazeno-

cars, they go out to dinner. During the meal, Houseman and

via Cutblock founder. “The holidays are a time to come together

her family members take turns regaling each other with “out-

with friends and family, but sometimes the loss of a loved one

rageous” stories of the things Timmy had done. In addition to

makes that very difficult,” Houseman says.

keeping Timmy’s memory alive for themselves, they hope hear-

Hughes was known for his larger-than-life personality and as much as they miss him, “Timmy would have been so upset if he thought we were wallowing in despair on the anniversary of his death,” she says. Instead, the family gathers each December 6 to

ing tales of their father and his exploits brings his children joy and comfort, and a way to know him. “Lastly,” she says, “we raise a toast in celebration to a wildly funny, adorably lovable and wickedly missed man.”

T R AC YA N N L O T H R I D G E , EAST SYRACUSE

Left, McKenzie Houseman’s brother Tim Hughes and his children at a Christmas tree farm in 2014.

or TracyAnn Lothridge, holiday preparations are as much fun as the holidays themselves. She feeds off the energy and chaos of shopping, decorating, cooking, even the cleaning. As hosting duties have

shifted from her parents and in-laws to the next generation, Lothridge has taken up the mantle of bringing everyone together. “I am kind of a mush when it comes to holidays and my family,” she says. “Having everybody here is just so important to me every single year.” With her nearly two decades in food service and deep love of cooking, she creates a slightly different menu each year, bringing back family favorites — some from her grandmother, a longtime cook in New York City restaurants — and adapting new recipes she finds to theme to create welcoming Thanksgiving and Christmas table displays. Brunch on Christmas morning has always been the big meal. When her sons were younger, the days started at 5 a.m. because of their excitement; now she says they enjoy brunch first before opening gifts, which is its own ritual. The family sits in a large circle and one by one, each person opens a present and says who it is from, drawing out the time they spend together. She credits her parents for initiating what she calls the best part of Christmas. “It takes longer but it is just so part of

Above, TracyAnn Lothridge selects a decorative theme each year when she sets her holiday tables.

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our history and our family tradition that I can’t imagine doing anything else,” she says.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MCKENZIE HOUSEMAN, TRACYANN LOTHRIDGE

her family’s tastes. Each year, she picks a decorative

“I

MICHELLE DARIN, JAMESVILLE ’m a freak for Christmas!” Michelle DaRin says. This may be evidenced by the four Christmas trees she now has adorning her modern home: she bought three last year because she wasn’t sure which she’d like best and ended up keeping them

all. The ornaments are bright and cheerful, as is DaRin, known for her colorful, retro-influenced aesthetic; one tree is Disney themed. Or perhaps the tinsel Christmas tree dress she wore to her annual Christmas Eve party a couple years ago, complete with an ornament-embellished jacket that lights up says it best. Really though, it’s the joy of the holiday that she is expressing. “It just feels like a magical time,” she says, noting that the holiday season evokes warm feelings and memories of putting up and decorating a tree with her brother, or her father’s affinity for Christmas music. “You know, good stuff.” A ceramic Christmas tree reminds her of one her mother made in a 1970s ceramics class. A two-story faux-gingerbread house — a Marshall’s find — is a cute, lessmessy nod to the family’s tradition of building the confection-laden houses together. That annual party is a source of joy, too, and not only when it turns into a raucous dance party. The DaRins’ home has often been a place for family and friends to gather at the holidays, particularly those who don’t have local relatives or live too far away to travel back for a quick trip. Even though, according to DaRin, the intention was just to throw a fun party, the family has created a welcoming home for the holidays.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MICHELLE DARIN

A sampling of Michelle DaRin’s bright holiday decorations.

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CENTRAL NEW YORK MAGAZINE

PRISCILLA SANCHEZ, SYRACUSE NEAR WESTSIDE

ood is love, and for Priscilla Sanchez, the Cena de la Nochebuena feast her family enjoys on Christmas Eve is full of both. Everyone gathers to enjoy a meal of traditional dishes such as pernil

(roasted pork), arroz con guandules (rice with peas), pan de telera (similar to French bread), ensalada rustica de papa (a potato salad), pasteles en hoja (a plantain-based pocket filled with meat) and flan for dessert. Ponche (eggnog) is popular as well. In Dominican culture, Nochebuena (which translates as good night) is an anticipatory celebration, though the evening isn’t focused on the religious aspect. “We do actually pray but it’s mainly more cultural, where you have your family gather and have fellowship in

Nathan and Charlotte Pinsky with their menorahs.

that way,” she says. Sanchez says Nochebuena is a Spanish tradition that Americans don’t usually hear about, but that it’s similar to Thanksgiving. After the meal, the family plays dominoes. Maintaining that tradition kept Sanchez closer to her family and culture. When she was 11, not long after her parents divorced, she, her sister and father moved here and felt disconnected from their extended family. Later her brothers also moved here, but she remembers her father roasting the pork and helping the family make the best of it. Now married with a family of her own, Sanchez and her American husband enjoy a blend of their holidays

S A R A H P I N S K Y, M A N L I US

hen you become a parent, part of the fun of the holidays is introducing your children to the traditions you enjoyed when you were young and creating new ones. Among the Pinsky family’s many tra-

ditions — half birthday celebrations, a large (nearly 40 people-strong) Thanksgiving dinner, frequent family trips to Ann Arbor to cheer on Todd and Sarah’s beloved alma mater University of Michigan and being first in line when Sno-Top opens for the season — is a joyful Chanukah celebration.

at Christmas time. “On Christmas Eve, we celebrate

“Chanukah is one of our family’s favorite holidays and has

my heritage and tradition, and on Christmas Day we

so many fun parts to it: candle lighting, playing dreidel, eating

go to his family and have Christmas dinner,” she says.

latkes and exchanging presents,” says Sarah Pinsky. Each member of the family has their own menorah, themed to reflect their personality and interests: daughter Charlotte’s has flowers, son Nathan’s features sports balls. As they light the candles in the menorah, they love singing the prayers together. One twist the Pinskys introduced to their observance of the holiday is hiding the presents that they exchange each night and getting increasingly creative with their hiding spots. They also competitive in the quest for gelt (chocolate coins). She admits making potato latkes from scratch isn’t the most

Pasteles en hoja are part of a traditional Dominican Nochebuena meal.

fun but that the homemade dish is worth it (and she tipped us off that Trader Joe’s has a great frozen version). In recent years, the Pinskys started adding festive Chanukah clothing to their celebrations. “We think it’s festive, the kids think it’s embarrassing,” she says.

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PHOTO COURTESY SARAH PINSKY

have their own “lucky” dreidels, and she says the games get a bit

K AT E H A M M E R , DEWITT

irst thing in the morning, Kate Hammer’s family opens their stocking stuffers, complete with a show and tell. “Stockings are a pivotal part of Christmas for us because there a lot of inside jokes, callbacks and references to things that have happened throughout the year or things

that recur year after year,” she says. Her maternal grandmother began the practice, and her mother has become the primary purchaser of gifts, stockpiling items throughout the preceding months. Hammer says she doesn’t know anyone else who spends the time, thought and money on stocking stuffers (such as the quirky potato peelers her husband receives annually) that her family does, largely for comedic effect, but also for the sheer joy of it. On the other end of the gift giving spectrum: a set of birthstone earrings for Hammer’s daughter Zoe, 9. Hammer became familiar with Haverhill, a small woman-owned jewelry company. She and the owner collaborated on a pair of birthstone necklaces: The first strand includes four stones to represent Hammer, her husband and two children. The second features six gems symbolizing her parents and grandparents. She loves the idea of carrying your family with you

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ALEX DAVIDSON

wherever you go and expanding it to include multiple generations. Developing these pieces prompted Hammer to give Zoe her first

Above, Kate and Zoe Hammer show off their birthstone jewelry.

piece of fine jewelry last year. She wanted to give her daughter an understanding of familial representation, conscious buying and the idea of things being passed down through generations, noting her own necklaces will go to Zoe someday. “Gifts that have lasting significance are especially meaningful and can make such a beautiful impact,” she says.

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T H E L O N G E ST NIGHT Try not to think of it as just the shortest day of the year. Ancient cultures saw the light. Here’s how to rethink the Winter Solstice in a new (and very old) way. BY M J K RAV EC

The shortest day of the year. The longest night. The cold,

Many of the traditions that coincide with the holidays — gath-

dark season ahead. Winter is coming. Dec. 21, to be exact —

ering with family and friends, bringing a pine tree into your

the Winter Solstice. While many people might be dreading the

home or lighting candles — are rooted in ancient Pagan, Ro-

cold winter months, a fresh way to look at the season might

man and German cultures.

help warm cold hearts.

Jeff points out that in December, the ancient Romans cele-

“It’s cozy and comforting,” says Julie Cullen, a practicing

brated Saturnalia, a festival honoring Saturn, the god of time

witch and president of Witches & Heathens of CNY, a group of

and agriculture. They decorated with garlands and wreaths and

about 1,800 members that works with the natural world to af-

exchanged gifts. In 16th-century Germany, Christians brought

fect positive change. Witches & Heathens of CNY celebrates the

a pine tree indoors and decorated it with lights.

beginning of each season — Vernal Equinox, Summer Solstice,

And while Western cultures have adapted some ancient tradi-

Autumnal Equinox and Winter Solstice — with a ceremony, ac-

tions for their own purposes, knowing some of the background

knowledging the unique benefits and natural powers of each.

and intentions behind these customs can promote a better un-

“I feel like a lot of people get depressed in winter,” says Cul-

derstanding of what can be adapted to enhance our own spiri-

len. “But if people celebrate the Winter Solstice like we do, it

tuality, says Jeff, who is also author of “Liber Khthonia, A Con-

can be very cleansing and magical…It doesn’t have to be witchy.

temporary Witchcraft & Devotional Tradition of Hekate.”

All the religions celebrate the return of the sun, the land, birth,

“People want to do what the ancients did. Incorporating the

death and rebirth… It really is such a refreshing time of the year.”

Solstice does not conflict with [religious beliefs]. You can keep

Jeff Cullen, ritual director and scholar of Witches & Heathens

your traditions, just incorporate your own spirituality into it so

of CNY (and Julie’s brother) agrees that the concept of renewal is universal, regardless of religion. “The depression that can come with the season, you have to remind yourself that light will return. You have to surround yourself with light and warmth and people you love,” he says. 70

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you don’t have to abandon your family traditions.” In addition, all these ancient traditions have one thing in common, says Julie. “It’s all nature based,” she says. To bring more light and warmth to your Solstice, try the following rituals from Witches & Heathens of CNY.

Take a Solstice bath. Place magical cleansing herbs like pine, sage, bay and rosemary in a soluble linen bag and soak in the tub. “[The Solstice bath] is actually based in a lot of cultures. It’s a way of washing off the old year and cleansing yourself for the new year,” says Julie.

Use the time during the Solstice to clean your house. Allan Spiers, Witches & Heathens of CNY scholar (and Jeff’s husband), advises to start cleaning from the front of the house and work your way to the back to release negative energy. He advises using a product like Pine-Sol to clean the house. “It’s pine — it’s a cleansing herb.” He says the practice of using everyday products or objects in place of magical herbs (when in short supply) is a practical method stemming from an African American folk magic known as Hoodoo.

Use the practice to cleanse laundry, too, she suggests. Try washing your clothes and sheets with cleansing herbs and place a cloth bag containing pine, sage, bay and rosemary in the washing machine.

PHOTOS BY SHUTTERSTOCK

Take a milk bath between Christmas and New Year’s. Pour a cup or two of milk into the bath water. Say your intentions as you pour the milk to ensure prosperity and renewal in the coming year.

Decorate your own Yule log with pinecones, cranberries, mistletoe and cinnamon sticks. Gather the family around the fireplace (or firepit) and watch it burn. “It represents the blessings for all the things you’ve gotten…” says Julie. Adds Jeff, “In the darkest months you are going to want to keep something burning to balance the darkness with the light.”

Stay close to nature — even in winter. Bring evergreens into the house to remind yourself of earth’s continuous growth and renewal. The spiky leaves of holly were thought to protect against evil spirits, while ivy symbolized immortality, wreaths signified the wheel of life never ending and pine was thought to bring healing and joy to the home. “These are all plants that won’t lose their color in winter,” Jeff says.

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FOCUSING IN Experiencing history and nature through the eyes of Bruce Harvey

PHOTOS BY BRUCE HARVEY

B Y S A R A H T I E TJ E - M I E T Z

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Bruce Harvey working at Clark Reservation with his large-format photography set up. Next pages, trees photographed with an 8x10 camera on Mildred Faust Trail, left, and Cliff Trail, right, at Clark Reservation State Park.

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scroll through Bruce Harvey’s Instagram (@bgharveysyr) reveals a mainly monochromatic feed, awash in black and white snapshots. With his camera and trained eye, Harvey has captured the personalities of an impressive portfolio of structures, with their distinct quirks — timber and stone bones, rooflines and windows, brackets, bargeboards and

chimneys — each photo highlighting what makes the architecture sing. These images document the necessary details required by the National Park Service for the Historic American Buildings Survey, Historic American Engineering Record and Historic American Landscape Survey, and other technical reports and assignments Harvey works on as a consulting historian and documentation photographer. Though stunning, it is in photographing the rugged landscape of Central New York that another facet of his talent has been exposed. “For the most part, architecture is very geometric, and this is as far from that as you can get,” he says of this work. “It’s a very different way of looking that I don’t find particularly easy.”

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“I HAVE A STRONG ANTHROPOMORPHIZING STREAK IN ME. I TALK ABOUT THINGS AS THOUGH THEY WERE PEOPLE.” Bruce Harvey

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A departure from the more stringent parameters of documenting the built environment, these images offer glimpses into the quieter moments of movement and interaction between subjects, especially the cedars and glacier-carved stones of Clark Reservation State Park. In some photographs, a small copse of cedars sway and embrace each other like lovers or dancers, roots entangling in the undergrowth. In others, the trees seem to reject intimacy as they grapple for scarce resources. They evoke all-too-familiar emotions of solitude, resilience and the desire for physical connection, emotions which have been amplified for many throughout the pandemic.

“I have a strong anthropomorphizing streak in me. I talk about things as though they were people,” he admits while hiking past some congregating cedars at Clark Reservation. A CNY native, Harvey’s childhood was one spent outdoors with his family, creating a veneration for the natural world. He entered his freshman year at Allegheny College in Pennsylvania intending to pursue environmental science, but instead found his footing in history and literature. After earning a bachelor’s degree in history from Allegheny, Harvey received a master’s degree from University of South Carolina’s Applied History Program, then a Ph.D. in history from Vanderbilt University. He honed his skills at historic sites and with cultural resource management and engineering firms. In 2009, he became an independent consultant; his work is highly respected and sought after nationally. “The reason I became a historian is [that] I’ve always been aware of the continuity through time. I’ll see things like buildings and in my mind’s eye, I see it as a continuity of what it’s been through and the things that have changed around it.” says Harvey. “That’s just always fascinated me, and it’s just how I see the world.” Opposite, Test Stand 302 at the White Sands Test Facility looking southeast. This page, Canandaigua VA Medical Center Building 33. Harvey shot these images on a 4x5 camera with Kodak TMAX 400 film.

It was through documenting historic buildings for architectural surveys that he developed a deeper interest and appreciation for the art of photography. Two colleagues were

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The United Artists Theater Building stage, taken with a 4x5 camera in January 2021.

influential in his exploration of large-format photography: Pat

On a recent trek through Clark Reservation, Harvey gracious-

fellow photographer and artist John Popiel, who has been Har-

ly took the time to go in-depth about his process. Before even

vey’s friend and mentor on camera and film-related questions.

hitting the trails, he gave a quick lesson on the materials and

Harvey’s consulting work has resulted in a career that brings

technology he’d be using, including how the components of the

him to significant historic sites across the country: the massive

Intrepid-brand 8” x 10” camera worked — bellows, black cloth

L Street Power Station in Boston, the 1926 Monroe Elementa-

and all. As he hiked through the park, Harvey shared stories of

ry School — part of the Brown v. Board of Education National

his work in preservation in one breath, while in the next point-

Historic Site in Topeka — and NASA’s White Sands Test Facili-

ed out his favorite compositions in the landscape. He’s a natu-

ty in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

ral teacher, patient with questions and quick with humor, easily

It was in Detroit that Harvey worked with Ryan Schumaker, lead preservation specialist with the City of Detroit Housing &

large-format photography while he worked.

Wiley, who first showed him how to use a 4” x 5” camera, and

conveying facts on focal lengths and exposure times with such genuine joy that you can’t help but be drawn in.

Revitalization Department on the United Artists Building. Har-

The large-format process demands a more measured engage-

vey was there to document this impressive 18-story amalgama-

ment with his subject, and this has challenged how Harvey sees

tion of Spanish Gothic and Art Deco design built in 1928 as part

and experiences the world around him. The images produced

of a mitigation strategy for its partial demolition. Schumaker,

reveal the quiet beauty of the CNY landscape, and while there

who has gained a following online for his entertainingly frank

are no formal plans for an exhibit, Harvey has entertained the

“Pragmatic Preservationist” Instagram account (@pragmatic_

idea of sharing this series with a wider public, in person and

preservationist), was impressed by Harvey’s depth of knowl-

off Instagram.

edge and breadth of experience. He related how meticulous

“There’s so much strife and divisiveness and acrimony and fin-

Harvey was in his approach to photographing architecture, and

ger pointing and there’s not much real hope. Beauty — it gives

said that “every shot is thought out, with the goal of capturing

you some hope,” says Harvey of this work. “It reminds us that

the subject that gives the most accurate representation possi-

there is good, because the good and the beautiful, they’re con-

ble.” Harvey even treated the on-site team to a crash course in

nected. And if I can share just some of that, so much the better.”

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#goodlifeCNY The holiday season draws so many Central New Yorkers back

multimedia marketing campaign, illustrating the beauty of our

home to see friends, family and the community they love. It’s a

home, with its abundance of jobs, easy commutes and count-

place that’s hard to shake with its unique restaurants and foods,

less entertainment and recreational options in a beautiful cen-

stunning parks and trails, kid-friendly

tral location. Many Central New Yorkers are playing a key role

culture, four-season fun and so many

in telling our story through video testimonials.

SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT THE GOOD LIFE IN CNY

job opportunities. Like other commu-

Among the website’s many features is a job board for hiring

nities in the U.S., many Central New

managers and job seekers that pulls jobs from rapidly expanding

York companies are struggling to fill

companies in Central New York. It lets job seekers share infor-

open positions. That’s why CenterState

mation about their experience and career interests, giving par-

CEO, Onondaga County and several lo-

ticipating employers access to a qualified pool of candidates in-

cal companies are working together to

terested in finding employment in the region. It can be accessed

make sure more people outside our re-

from the Good Life CNY site or by linking directly at https://ca-

gion know about it.

reers.goodlifecny.com.

They have partnered to market our

We all need to share the news about how great life is in CNY

community, its low cost of living, easy

– when it comes to affordability, ease of life and celebration in

commutes, great restaurants, four sea-

every season, our community is hard to beat.

sons and the many job opportunities and career paths local companies have to offer. CenterState CEO, the region’s business leadership organization, is leading several initiatives to help address CNY’s growing shortage of available workers. Along with their partners, they’ve underwritten a campaign to market CNY to candidates who live outside the area. They have also partnered with Advance Media New York to create an all-in-one resource for those companies to help sell the area. The project includes a multimedia marketing effort and a web-

These local companies are working together with CenterState CEO and Onondaga County to support this initiative and promote CNY to build our community: » CPS Recruitment

» C&S Companies

» M&T Bank

» Inficon

» Oneida Nation Enterprises, » TTM Turning Stone Casino » VIP Structures » National Grid » Bristol-Myers Squibb » Rapid Response Monitoring

site that provides potential Central New Yorkers everything they

» Syracuse University

need to know about the region, and entices them to join us in the

» Equitable

» Dermody Burke & Brown » Greater Syracuse Association of Realtors

Good Life. Check out the website at www.goodlifeCNY.com. It’s filled with stunning videos, photos and enticing stories about our home. Share it with friends or family who may be considering relocating, and employers looking for their next new hire. Advance Media New York is telling the CNY story through a

Join the initiative. Use #goodlifeCNY to highlight the fun and beauty of your life in CNY. Follow GoodLifeCNY on social media and post and share your love of CNY.

N OW O P EN I N C L AY, N EW YO RK!

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Marketfair North Plaza, 4100 Route 31 FOLIVERS.COM

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Making good CN Y SC OU T • FA R M T O TA BL E • A RT PROF I L E

TRASH TO TREASURE Mother-daughter duo Rose Levin (née Beamish)

This fall, they moved from a workshop at Levin’s

power tools to the next level. With Beamish Works,

Cicero home into a new, larger workshop space at

they specialize in giving unlikely items — valises,

Delavan Studios in Syracuse, where Beamish also

ammo boxes and washing machine drums — new life.

has a photography studio (ed. note: Beamish shoots

With some sanding, painting, refinishing, reupholPHOTO BY AMELIA BEAMISH

cameras and typewriters, photographs and ephemera.

and Amelia Beamish have taken their penchant for

for Central New York Magazine).

stering and new legs, these salvaged items become ac-

To view and purchase pieces, make an appoint-

cent and coffee tables, bar carts and bookshelves. Their

ment to visit their studio. You can also find Beamish

affordable inventory also includes vintage furniture,

Works seasonally at City Market and on Instagram.

For more information, visit beamishworks.com.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

CENTRAL NEW YORK MAGAZINE

Making good

CNY SCOUT

Artist Molly Pratt shows a recent work in her Delavan Studios workspace. Opposite, examples of Pratt’s varied styles.

A clear talent Stained glass artist Molly Pratt uses an intricate technique in her work B Y S A R A H T I E TJ E - M I E T Z

Molly Pratt translates her whimsical, mythical and dynam-

ter a tattoo artist commissioned Pratt to create a stained-glass

ic designs through a modern twist on the craft of stained glass.

Japanese Hannya Mask (a theatrical mask of a mythological fe-

“You have to learn how to bend what you want to fit the medi-

male demon), she saw that this craft could be a career; she es-

um, not the other way around…and really [let] it speak for it-

tablished her own studio in 2012, which she called Red Rhino

self,” says Pratt, the Syracuse-based artist behind the creations

(a cheeky nod to an inside joke). Prior to this, Pratt worked only

at Red Rhino Glass & Print. “You’re always bending to the glass.

tangentially with glass, her time and focus consumed mainly by

It does not bend to you.”

a successful career in the bar industry, and with being a mom.

Pratt specializes in a stained-glass technique called “mi-

Pratt found inspiration in the work of glass artists Tiffany,

cro-glass,” a more intricate method than standard stained glass.

Marc Chagall and Frank Lloyd Wright, spending hours as a teen

In this process, each design is broken down into multiple, of-

elbow-deep in books on their work at her local library. Her own

ten minuscule, pieces then assembled with copper foil and sol-

work traverses subject matter and style: Geometric designs evoc-

dered like a prismatic puzzle. She learned this style — and the

ative of Wright’s work are showcased alongside southwestern

famous method perfected by Louis Comfort Tiffany — as a teen

landscapes, while flora, fauna and the fantastical are rendered

from a local artist in her Delaware hometown. Years later, af-

with a nod to classic tattoo styles. Pratt labors over the colors

CENTRAL NEW YORK MAGAZINE

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

and textures of the glass chosen for every composition, each being a sum of hundreds of carefully considered decisions — and sometimes as many bits of glass. An interpretation of the Japanese many-eyed demon called Dodomeki ripples in ochres, ambers and yellows while an alarming number of eyes bulge from beneath. It is grotesque and gorgeous all at once, and an undeniable example of Pratt’s skill and artistry. Like glass, Pratt is reflective, her emotions playing across her face like light. She’s admittedly quick to cry — and to laugh — and shares her journey in art and life with a vulnerability edged with gallows humor, particularly when it comes to her struggles with addiction. “I give it all and I don’t hold anything back, even when it comes to my sobriety. It’s such a taboo topic for so many people, but when you make it out of something that is so damaging, I think it’s important to share it,” Pratt says of sharing these struggles so openly online. “There are people that are in the same position that see you still have humor about it and see that that you’re still here. I didn’t just disappear. I’m still loud, still stupid about everything, but I’m still here.” Not only is Pratt still here, she is thriving. In the past, her artwork and alcohol were constant studio mates. Today, she credits her creative pracOPPOSITE, PHOTO BY SARAH TIETJE-MIETZ, THIS PAGE PHOTOS COURTESY MOLLY PRATT, STAY FRESH DESIGN

tice with bolstering her sobriety, saying working on her art now carries with it a clarity, focus and peace she never experienced while she was drinking. Pratt has started to expand her studio work beyond glass, exploring printmaking as an alternative means of expression. Designs are carved into wood blocks or sheets of linoleum, then Pratt pulls each print by hand. Some of this work was featured in a summer pop-up show at Exhale Cafe & Bake Shop



in Camillus, the designs incorporating bright and

For more information: redrhinoglass. com or @redrhinoglass on Instagram.

pretty expletives to fit the “Rated M” group theme. When Pratt, her family and Red Rhino moved to

quirky, colorful and comfortable. Taxidermy spec-

Syracuse in the winter of 2019, she was welcomed

imens intermix with plants and vintage signs, art-

into the arts community. She credits Jamie Santos,

work by Pratt and friends, and heirloom pieces that

a tattoo artist and arts organizer, with opening the

carry strong family memories.

doors of the Syracuse art scene to her, figurative-

Like Santos did for her, Pratt has made room for

ly and literally: Santos split her own studio space

another emerging local artist to work — her own

in the Delavan Studios to make room for Pratt and

daughter June. The two can often be found in the

her work. Pratt eventually outgrew the shared work

studio together, Pratt working her magic in glass

area and moved down the hall into her own studio

and June painting away. A mother and daughter

this past February. She has set up an atelier that is

bonded by a love for making art. NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

CENTRAL NEW YORK MAGAZINE

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Making good

FA R M T O TA B L E

Squash panache It’s the season for comforting, luxurious fare, like this butternut squash soup from The Inn of the Seasons. BY M J K RAV EC PHOTOS BY ALAINA POTRIKUS

Making good

FA R M T O TA B L E

Just outside the entrance of The Inn of the Seasons, there’s a small tree planted in honor of Syracuse attorney Carl Marino, the man who helped guide the restaurant’s current owners as they opened the establishment in 1989. His daughter Carole Marino-Wiese co-owns the restaurant with husband Brad Wiese. They planted the tree in 2016 after her father’s death. “He was the facilitator in us buying the place,” she says. That appreciation is a consistent theme throughout the family-owned and -operated restaurant high on a hill on West Seneca Turnpike. “We’re a quintessential mom and pop shop,” says Marino-Wiese. Truly a family affair, the restaurant’s staff includes Brad serving as chef, Carole’s sister Tia Marino-Kieffer serving as hostess and creator of all the florals displayed throughout the restaurant and Carole, who makes the desserts and manages the bar. Longtime employee Francesca Buccina, who has worked at The Inn since 2013, works as dining room manager and lead server. To keep its extended restaurant family employed during the pandemic shutdown, The Inn of the Seasons shifted gears to stay open, offering to-go meals and revamping its menu to more casual fare. “We never closed. We kept everybody working,” says Marino-Wiese. “It goes without saying that we wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for our wonderful clientele.” Now back to more normal conditions with socially distanced seating and masked staff, the restaurant offers a menu that’s consistent year-round, with a nod to each season that includes offerings from local farms in daily specials and desserts.

“It’s creamy and luxurious and tasty, but it’s not so heavy, so it’s a great start to a holiday meal.” Carole Marino-Wiese, co-owner of The Inn of the Seasons restaurant

“We are lucky enough to be a stone’s throw from some amazing local farms, and only 15 minutes from the regional market,” she says. Brad goes to Delaney Farms for their sweet corn and uses it for his Chilled Corn Soup and Corn Salsa. When the season starts to close, they’ll buy a bushel of corn, take it off the cob and freeze it to use in their New England-style Corn Chowder.

CENTRAL NEW YORK MAGAZINE

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

Two of the most popular dishes on The Inn of

menu has a following. Any given Sunday we will

the Seasons’ menu are Osso Buco (veal shanks

do as many to-go orders as we do inside dinners.”

braised low and slow with vegetables, wine and

Chef Brad prepares warming soups and chilis dai-

broth) and Baked Haddock Gratin (fresh Georges

ly. The Inn sells them by the cup, bowl or in quarts

Bank haddock topped with a Romano-and-ched-

to go. Varieties include Chicken, Escarole and White

dar cheese gratin).

Bean, Farm Stand Minestrone, Sweet Potato and

When the weather turns cold, the restaurant em-

Chipotle Pepper, Manhattan Clam Chowder and

braces soups, stews, chilis, braised and roasted

Mulligatawny, to name a few. Another highlight of

proteins, among other items, Marino-Wiese says.

the fall season is Brad’s Roasted Butternut Squash

To drink?

“Our old-fashioned Sunday dinner specials, which

Soup, shared here. “It’s creamy and luxurious and

run September through March, are another exam-

tasty, but it’s not so heavy, so it’s a great start to a

ple of comforting cool weather meals — roast tur-

holiday meal,” says Marino-Wiese.

Perfect with a full-bodied Viognier, oak-aged Chardonnay or even an Italian Arneis (a Wiese house favorite).

key, roast pork, pot roast and chicken riggies. All the items are prepared fresh every Sunday. This

“It’s just warm and comforting, I think, and it’s the season for it,” Brad Wiese says.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP From The Inn of the Seasons

TOP PHOTO BY HAWLEY STUDIOS COURTESY CAROLE MARINO-WIESE

Ingredients: 2 whole butternut squashes 1 Tbsp. butter 3 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil 1 cup diced onion ½ cup diced celery ½ cup diced carrot

Salt and pepper to taste 1 tsp. fresh thyme 1 quart chicken stock 1 Tbsp. brown sugar 1 cup heavy cream

» Cut squash in half and remove seeds. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place flesh side down in a roasting pan and roast at 350 degrees about 30 minutes or until tender. Let cool and remove squash from skin. Discard skin and set aside squash. » In a frying pan, add 1 Tbsp. butter, 3 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil, onion, celery and carrot and sauté together until soft. Season generously with salt, pepper and fresh thyme. Owners Carole Marino-Wiese and Brad Wiese rely on local farms to create the restaurant’s daily specials and desserts.

» Next, add roasted squash, chicken stock and brown sugar. Simmer 20 minutes and add heavy cream. Stir to combine and simmer 10 more minutes. Using an immersion blender or food processor, blend soup until creamy. Enjoy!

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

CENTRAL NEW YORK MAGAZINE

Making good

DOWN TO EARTH

Something to pour over New zero-waste refill store aims to help reduce single-use plastic bottles BY M J K RAV EC

Lather, rinse, repeat — with this bottle. That’s a concept Shan-

products and made plans to open last fall, but when the pan-

non Enders is hoping more people are willing to latch onto.

demic started surging again, she continued her research and

Enders opened a zero-waste retail store that allows customers

learned about running a business.

free baby wash, laundry detergent and other products. The idea for the store came to Enders one day last summer.

“I had no business experience. I started reading books, I went to WISE [Women’s Business Center] — they helped me a lot, to just get in that mindset,” she says.

As she was driving home from St. Joseph’s Hospital where she

Enders held her first open house in May. Now, Enders Creek

works as a nurse anesthetist, Enders thought of starting a refill

Refill Store, located in a pole barn near Otisco Lake, offers refills

store that would help reduce single-use plastics by encourag-

on a variety of products and reusable aluminum bottles. Enders

ing people to reuse what they already had.

has also started making appearances at area farmers markets

“We can easily reduce how much [single-use plastic] we use,” Enders says. “If you can save five bottles a year [from] where they’d sit in landfills… I think we have to think of the next generation.” Enders started by testing products, buying biodegradable,

where she’s found people are interested and asking questions about reducing single-use plastics. “It starts with saving all these bottles, these shampoo bottles from landfills,” Enders says.

eco-friendly shampoo and conditioner in bulk. “I didn’t want

Inside the barn store, shelves hold aluminum bottles and

to be selling something I didn’t like,” she says. She researched

five-gallon apothecary-style glass containers “just so it looks

Above and opposite, lower right, Enders Creek Refill Store near Otisco Lake offers refills on a variety of products and reusable aluminum bottles. Opposite, top right, Shannon with son Everett. 90

CENTRAL NEW YORK MAGAZINE

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

PHOTOS COURTESY OF SHANNON ENDERS

to refill aluminum containers with shampoo, conditioner, tear-

a little nicer,” Enders says. Products include sulfate-free, eco-friendly and biodegradable shampoo, conditioner, body wash, laundry detergent and baby shampoo. Scents come in lavender and mint, lemongrass, eucalyptus, coconut milk and honey, unscented and more. Clients can create their own custom scent with the store’s essential oils like eucalyptus and lavender. Enders also offers crossbody bags made from recycled military tents. In just over a month, she’s had 40 orders and is waiting to see if people come back in two to three months to refill. Enders hopes to offer a few more products as interest in the store grows. “I’d like to see people coming back — that means it’s working.”

WA I T, W H AT ? » The United Nations Environment Programme or unep.org says that plastic generation more than tripled between the 1970s and 1990s. In the early 2000s, plastic waste increased more in a single decade than it had in the previous 40 years. » Unep.org reports that every year, we produce 300 million tons of plastic and about 8 million tons of plastic flow into the world’s oceans annually. According to the website, “If current trends continue, our oceans could contain more plastic than fish by 2050.”

W H AT YO U C A N D O : » Save and reuse your plastic bottles and consider using a refill store like Enders Creek. » Recycle plastic bottles (such as shampoo, conditioner and laundry detergent bottles) in the blue bin » Buy larger bottles in bulk. » Avoid single-use coffee cups, water bottles, bags, etc. whenever possible.

1,000 YEARS



For more information: enderscreek.com or on Facebook and Instagram.

Products like the common plastic bag can take up to 1,000 years to decompose.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

CENTRAL NEW YORK MAGAZINE

Making good

ART PROFILE

Shall we dance? Syracuse’s swing dancing scene: The original social network

CENTRAL NEW YORK MAGAZINE

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

B Y K AT I E H O P S I C K E R

a Thursday night in a

small ballroom in Solvay, a stirring mix of blues, contemporary and R&B music invites people of all ages to meet someone new, step out onto a slanted wooden floor and dance to a six-count rhythm. Maria Wormald, of Syracuse, and her now-husband, Jeff, created Westie Night at the Solvay Tyrol Club seven years ago as a way to share her love for West Coast swing dancing. “There was just a void,” she says. “We needed a dance in the area.” As the sun begins to set, the lights dim and people mill around the edges of the room like wallflowers at the prom. But everything changes when the music starts. Phones are turned off and visitors are transported into the elegance and ebullience of an old Hollywood film. A couple joins hands in the center of the floor, lets out a collective breath and sways into a trance of steps, turns and conversation. The dancing has begun. Visitors are never lonely at Westie Night. Because partners rotate throughout the night, Wormald says, everyone in the room has a chance to meet and dance with one another. A small ballroom at the Solvay Tyrol Club is the setting for Westie Night, a gathering of dancers who practice West Coast swing dancing.

“We’ve tried to build up a dance community,” she says. “It brings so much joy to people, and there’s just such a beautiful feeling. Once you start dancing, you get hooked on it.” Some nights begin with a lesson, and Wormald is quick to grab a rookie’s hands and take them under her wing as she explains swing’s rhythm. After a dance with her hus-

PHOTO BY KATIE HOPSICKER

band, she humbly grins, not acknowledging the complexities and effortlessness of her movements. NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

CENTRAL NEW YORK MAGAZINE

“I’m just in the moment,” she says. “I’m in the moment and I’m dancing.” Swing dancing was born from a musical revolution and is rooted in Black history. According to Dance Magazine, swing dancing originated alongside jazz music in the 1920s. The Savoy Ballroom in Harlem became the first integrated space in America in 1926, paving the way for Broadway and Hollywood choreographers to incorporate swing into their dances. The Charleston, Lindy Hop and Jitterbug are often associated with speakeasies, flappers and 1920s glitz, but swing dancing kept evolving long after Jay Gatsby’s funeral. It is now categorized into East Coast and West Coast styles, and social dances can be found in cities around the world. Competitions and conventions are also popular, including jackand-jill events, where strangers are paired at random to compete. While teaching, Wormald describes the basic differences between East Coast and West Coast swing. The technical version: East Coast steps consist of two triple steps and one rock step, while West Coast has two walking steps and two triple steps. In other words, East Coast feels quick and bouncy, while West Coast feels smooth and sensual. Joe Davis teaches swing from his home studio in Ithaca and is a regular at Westie Night. He emphasized how swing dancing, specifically the West Coast style, has thrived for a century thanks to its musical versatility. Even in the last few decades, he said, the community has used new music, resulting in younger people joining the swing community and widening the age range. Wormald also noted swing dancing’s resilience through the years. “You can do West Coast swing to any band that’s playing,” she says. Westie Night, which is part of the Dance Lovers of CNY organization, restarted in July months. On the first night back, the ballroom transformed into a dance family reunion. “It’s so good to see everybody,” says Davis, who Westie Night, which is part of the Dance Lovers of CNY organization, restarted in July 2021 after a COVID-enforced hiatus of about 16 months. On the first night back, the ballroom transformed into a dance family reunion.

CENTRAL NEW YORK MAGAZINE

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

teared up as he thought about the previous year. “It’s something we hope will stay going.” Jennifer Emmons, of Ballston Spa, drove for

PHOTOS BY KATIE HOPSICKER

2021 after a COVID-enforced hiatus of about 16

“Swing dancing is like a language. The basics are like learning your standard phrases. As you become more fluent, then you can have these full conversations.” Jennifer Emmons

more than two hours to attend the reopening of Westie Night. A self-proclaimed in-

Couples dance at Harlem’s Savoy Ballroom, in New York, in 1953.

trovert, she uses music and dancing to hold what she describes as a candid conversation. “Swing dancing is like a language,” she says. “The basics are like learning your standard phrases. As you become more fluent, then you can have these full conversations.”

ing. “It satisfies something inside of us that nothing else can, and we support it every

way we possibly can to keep it alive. Every place you can find that in the world and create that for other people — it’s just a marvelous thing.” People do more than just clasp hands and move their feet

Emmons took up swing dancing after her husband passed

to music in that small Solvay club. They share an experience,

away. When she lived in Oswego, she would go dancing up to

express themselves and create artistic conversations. Time

five times a week. Even after moving to the Saratoga Springs

passes to the beat of a six-count rhythm. And with a swing

area, she still makes an effort to return to Westie Night as of-

in each step, strangers become friends.

ten as she can.

PHOTO BY AP

authentic selves when they’re swing danc-

“You know what a great analogy is for it?” Emmons says.

“No matter where I relocate, it’s kind of like the hometown

“When you went to the beach or a theme park or a playground

you grew up in,” she says. “That’s where I learned to dance,

and you met some other kid and you played all afternoon.

that’s where my first dance family was, and that will always

You never saw that person again for the rest of your life. But

be my home floor.”

for that afternoon, you were like soulmates. That’s what the

Emmons says she and many others feel like their most

dance floor is like.” NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

CENTRAL NEW YORK MAGAZINE

Galleries

ARTRAGE GALLERY, THE NORTON PUTTER GALLERY

EDGEWOOD GALLERY

505 Hawley Avenue, Syracuse, artragegallery.org. Open 2 to 6 p.m., Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and by appointment for groups. Reservations required.

216 Tecumseh Road, Syracuse. 315-445-8111, edgewoodartandframe.com. Open 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Closed Sunday-Monday. Free. Please wear a mask, observe proper social distancing. Hand sanitizer, gloves and masks are available in the gallery.

Robin Holder: USA United States of Anxiety/We’re In It Together. Robin Holder is a biracial, contemporary artist based in New York/New Jersey. Her research-based, mixed-technique works are saturated with cultural references that reveal the conflicts of our human experience. Holder’s work, exploring societal access alongside lack of empowerment, provides unique opportunities for challenging discussions about socio-economic imbalances and the complexities of identity, class, cultural inequity, race and religion. Runs Nov. 13 through Jan. 15, 2022. CAZENOVIA ARTISANS GALLERY 39 Albany St., Cazenovia. 315-655-2225, cazenoviaartisans.com. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Jeremy Wilkin and Sahi. In November, Cazenovia Artisans introduces two new artists/members: Jeremy Wilken and his exciting, fun, found-object sculptures he calls “Woah Botz” and Sahi, a leather artist who hand tools and stitches beautiful handbags and other items. A reception will be held Sunday, Nov. 7. Artist Trees. In December, the gallery showcases the annual “Artist Trees” decorated with ornaments made by member artists.

CENTRAL NEW YORK MAGAZINE

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

Holiday Show and Sale 2021. Featuring handmade original items by Alison Fisher; including paintings, jewelry, pillows and throws, handbags, ornaments and more unique holiday gifts. Nov. 26 through Jan. 7, 2022. Due to COVID, no reception is planned. Masks are required in the gallery. EVERSON MUSEUM OF ART 401 Harrison St., Syracuse. 315-474-6064, everson.org. Open noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday and Friday, noon to 8 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Closed Monday-Tuesday. $5 suggested donation.

AbStranded: Fiber and Abstraction in Contemporary Art. AbStranded features ten contemporary American artists — Polly Apfelbaum, Paolo Arao, Sanford Biggers, Samantha Bittman, Julia Bland, Rachel B. Hayes, Elana Herzog, Anne Lindberg, Sheila Pepe and Sarah Zapata — who use fiber-based materials to investigate the complex lineage of abstraction. Utilizing a diverse variety of methods, styles and forms, these artists uncover and co-opt textile traditions and material sources to re-assert their validity and relevance in an increasingly global-industrial culture. A prominent use of the hand looms large — through knitting, weaving, quilting and more — and

PHOTOS COURTESY SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES, EDGEWOOD GALLERY, EVERSON MUSEUM OF ART

Jabberwocky murals: Located in the lower level of Bird Library, Syracuse University.

suggests an alternative mode of communication within today’s digital society. Together, the works reveal how artists employ the language of abstraction to speak about the intertwined histories and politics of craft, race and gender. Through Jan. 2, 2022. From Soup to Nuts. Drawn from the Everson’s collection, this exhibition features a range of works that address a basic human necessity: food and drink. Whether attending a formal meal or a casual picnic, browsing the grocery aisle or grabbing a snack, eating and drinking is a part of our shared humanity. Including paintings, photographs, prints and ceramics, From Soup to Nuts is an eclectic multi-course artistic feast. Through Dec. 2021. Mutual Affection: The Victoria Schonfeld Collection. Victoria Schonfeld (1950-2019) was a prominent New York lawyer, collector and philanthropist whose discerning eye was matched only by the fierceness of devotion to her family and friends. From the time she began collecting ceramics in the 1990s, Schonfeld developed lasting friendships with the artists who caught her eye. Schonfeld was particularly devoted to championing female artists, including Betty Woodman, Alison Britton and Carol McNicoll, as well as younger artists like Lauren Mabry and Rain Harris. Her taste encompassed everything from classical beauty to pointedly political works, all linked by her boundless curiosity. Through Jan. 30, 2022.

Left, Alison Fisher at Edgewood Gallery.

Cheryl Dunn: Licking the Bowl. In 2002, while a resident at the Ohio State University’s Wexner Center for the Arts, filmmaker and photographer Cheryl Dunn documented Free Basin, a sculptural project created by the multidisciplinary art collective Simparch. Free Basin was a large, elevated, kidney-shaped skate bowl that was fully accessible to skaters in the community to use during gallery hours. Dunn’s 15-minute film “Licking the Bowl” captures the energy of Free Basin using lyrical passages of skaters in motion punctuated with interviews and stark black-and-white still photographs. Through December 2021.

Below, From Soup to Nuts, “Forbidden Fruits” by Keisuke Mizuno at Everson Museum of Art.

ONONDAGA HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION 321 Montgomery St., Syracuse. 315-428-1864, cnyhistory.org. Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Free but donations encouraged. Check their website for updates.

Kids on Canvas. The Kids On Canvas exhibit showcases a collection of work from various artists, all depicting children from Onondaga County. These pieces were created over the span of a century, between 1830 and 1930. They showcase children in multiple artistic styles and periods, including the Romantic period and the Folk Art style. On display in the small first-floor gallery through December 2021. Framed Faith: Churches of Onondaga County in Artwork. From the early- to mid-nineteenth century, various religious denominations within Onondaga County organized to build houses of worship after years of services held in shops, stores and barns. The exhibit features depictions of the buildings that were central to these religious communities as they made their homes in Onondaga County and left their mark on its history. The religious and architectural diversity that these groups worked to establish is still present in the county today. A Pocket Full of Progress: A Retrospective Look at the Machines Found in our Smartphones. Even in his wildest dreams, Alexander Graham Bell never imagined that in the future, billions of people would be carrying his invention in their pockets. Pocket Full of Progress illustrates the march of technology by exhibiting a wide range of machines from the last 150 years, many of which were built here in Syracuse.

SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES 222 Waverly Avenue, Syracuse, library.syr.edu. Open to the public 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday–Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 6th Floor is open Monday–Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and until 7 p.m. on Wednesdays.

A Courageous Stand: The Story of the Syracuse 8. The Syracuse 8 was a group of Black student-athletes who boycotted the Syracuse University football program until it addressed their allegations of racism in 1970. Miscounted by the media, the Syracuse 8, comprising Greg Allen, Richard Bulls, John Godbolt, Dana “D.J.” Harrell, John Lobon, Clarence “Bucky” McGill, A. Alif Muhammad, Duane Walker and Ron Womack, made their stand at a significant personal cost. However, they made their mark on Syracuse University history by serving as a voice for social justice. The digital exhibition is available online: digitalexhibits.syr.edu/syracuse8. Jabberwocky Murals. Located in the lower level of Bird Library. Many people who lived in Central New York from 1969 to 1985 will fondly remember the former campus music venue Jabberwocky, which operated in the Kimmel basement. Those original murals from Jabberwocky were recently installed at Bird Library. The murals, which had been in private and university storage since Jabberwocky’s closing, depict scenes from Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland.”

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

CENTRAL NEW YORK MAGAZINE

Flashback

WITH OHA

While touring Turkey Hill Farm on West Seneca Turnpike in November 1952, Gretchen Evans, a sophomore at Syracuse University, befriended a tom turkey with some food. The turkey was destined to be the entrée at Thanksgiving dinner that year.

ANYWAY, YOU SLICE IT Onondaga County’s little piece of turkey farming history

BY TOM HUNTER

In a few weeks, many of us will sit down to a Thanksgiving

In the 1950s, Turkey Hill Farm annually raised around 6,000

turkeys eaten in Central New York on this holiday come from

turkeys, selling one-third of their live, dressed, or pre-cooked

other states. But once upon a time, Onondaga County had its

birds directly to consumers at Thanksgiving. Plainville Turkey Farm began raising turkeys in 1923. The farm

In bygone days, it was common to witness farmers in Central

grew to sell more than 600,000 dressed birds annually. By 2007,

New York on foot “driving” their flocks of plump turkeys to mar-

Plainville was the largest turkey farm in the northeast. That same

ket during the autumn. Turkey driving was a difficult task since

year, Mark Bitz sold the family turkey business to Hain Celestial

the turkeys would crowd together and trample each other. They

Group, which created a subsidiary, Plainville Farms LLC. Hain

could be agonizingly slow, moving only at one mile per hour.

operated Plainville as a kosher processing plant for a couple of

After about 1880, commercial turkey farms began to emerge.

years but closed it in 2010. Hain reopened the turkey farm in

Two of the larger commercial turkey farms in Onondaga County were Walter Shulkies’ Turkey Hill Farm on West Seneca Turnpike in Cards Corners and the Bitz family’s Plainville Turkey

CENTRAL NEW YORK MAGAZINE

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

2012 and raised organic turkeys there until 2018. Tom Hunter is museum collection curator at Onondaga Historical Association.

PHOTO COURTESY OHA

own turkey farms.

Farm in Plainville.

dinner with turkey and all the trimmings. Today, many of the

Last word

WITH

JOHN DECKER aka Ebenezer Scrooge at Dickens Christmas in Skaneateles BY M J K RAV EC

You wouldn’t know it to see him as Ebenezer Scrooge at

collected a bunch of movies over the years. When you first

Dickens Christmas in Skaneateles, but John Decker was once

start out, you try different things… My version of a Scrooge —

a substitute teacher, a comic bookstore manager and Santa

it’s kind of like a comfortable old jacket that I put on. But I still

Claus. As a professional actor, Decker has had numerous roles

like to read the text.

on stage at area theaters and at the Sterling Renaissance Festival. And when Dickens starts up for another year, he’ll put on

Any favorite moments from Dickens over the years?

his wig, gray out his eyebrows and beard and add a few wrin-

There are so many — it’s not just one moment, but I really

kles to reprise his role. We checked in with him to see what

love the Revels (where Dickens characters sing and dance in

else he does to prep for Scrooge and why his favorite holiday

crowd scenes) in the middle of the day… At the Revels I come

movies are anything but typical.

out and throw chocolate to the crowd on the last day and that’s really fun. There’s a lot of connection with the crowd.

What time do you get up in the morning and how do you

You want Scrooge to be Scrooge, but you want him to be

take your coffee? Generally I drink tea instead of coffee and

approachable, too.

I take it with lemon and honey. As an actor, getting up in the morning depends on what gig I’ve got going on. When I was

Favorite holiday movies? This is going to sound weird, but

doing Renaissance Festival, I’d get up at 6.

I like “Lethal Weapon” and “Die Hard.” I like crazy action movies from the ‘80s, they’re just ridiculous fun.

Favorite season in CNY? Absolutely my favorite season is autumn.

Much like the characters at Dickens Christmas.

Favorite spot to enjoy the great outdoors? I like the Adirondacks. How long have you been with Dickens Christmas? My first year at Dickens I believe was 2007 when I played Bob Cratchit. Then I was away at Macy’s (in New York City) as Santa Claus next year, in 2013, was when poor Bob (Krigbaum who played Scrooge previously at Dickens) broke his hip… That was when I played Scrooge. Any favorite versions of A Christmas Carol? I really like the made-for-TV movie with George C. Scott as Scrooge. Although Top, John Decker in character. Left, Alan Rickman as Hans Gruber, another embodiment of Scrooge, in “Die Hard.”

I play it much differently than he did, I play it more broadly for comedy. I also like “The Muppet Christmas Carol” with Michael Caine. Do you do anything special to prepare for the role of Scrooge? I read “A Christmas Carol” every year — it’s not very long, it’s a novella. I usually, all through the season, watch several different versions of “A Christmas Carol.” I’ve NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

PHOTO BY DAVID LASSMAN, DIE HARD PHOTO COURTESY THE PLAIN DEALER

for four seasons. Then I played Prince Albert at Dickens. My

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