Central New York Magazine - July/August 2023 preview

OUR ANNUAL FOOD ISSUE

HOT POTATO!

VIRTUAL KITCHENS DELIVER ON TASTE AND TRENDS

POUR ONE OUT AT NEW AND SOONTO-OPEN BARS

EXPANDING FOOD ACCESS AND LOCAL AGRICULTURE

PRESIDENT

Tim Kennedy

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER OF THE GOOD LIFE

Annette Peters

315-282-8527 apeters@advancemediany.com

SENIOR DIRECTOR OF MARKETING

Lindsay Marlenga lmarlenga@advancemediany.com

CIRCULATION MANAGER

Gerry Bauer 315-470-3118 gbauer@advancelocal.com

MAGAZINE/EVENTS

SALES MANAGER

Jennifer K. Queri 315-282-8622 jqueri@advancemediany.com

ADVERTISING ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE

Debbie Feeley 315-282-8573 dfeeley@advancemediany.com

EDITOR IN CHIEF

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

ASSISTANT EDITOR

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

DESIGNERS Susan Santola ssantola@advancelocal.com

Kimberly Worner kworner@advancelocal.com

CUSTOMER SERVICE

315-282-8622

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Contact Jennifer Queri or visit readcnymagazine.com

ON THE COVER

Potato-based dishes are hot in Syracuse. Image, Shutterstock. Cover design by Susan Santola. See story, page 42.

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 © 2023. 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.

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.

I’ve got hungry eyes

In the movie “Julie & Julia,” Meryl Streep as Julia Child is asked by Stanley Tucci, playing her husband Paul, what she really likes to do.

“Eat,” she proclaims with a mouth full of food.

Me, too. I love eating — especially at restaurants because I don’t like cooking — and we have a wealth of delicious options available to us here in CNY. The creativity, technique and cultural elements expressed through food and drink are always fascinating to me. In this issue we share a look at just some of the many ways a humble ingredient (the potato) can be transformed. We also provide an overview of ten ghost kitchens that have popped up in Syracuse over the last two years and highlight two recently opened cocktail and beer lounges along with a sneak peek of four more bars coming this summer.

The reality is, though, that not everyone in our community has the ability to enjoy fine dining and craft beverages or even has access to healthy options, which is why we felt it was important to call attention to a number of individuals and organizations working to create solutions to food access problems (page 64).

In our regular departments, we stop into a store curating a selection of interesting snacks from around the world, explore the

story behind summer event series Party in the Square, meet the maker behind the most adorable robot sculptures, recognize a teen who turned his own chronic illness into compassionate outreach, and learn more about canning the fresh produce available throughout the season.

While editing these stories, my appetite was whetted more than once. Thankfully I had the privilege of trying a few dishes during photo shoots (and I confess to snacking on a few unique flavors of chips — try the Korean honey chili Doritos). I hope after reading you’ll try the spots that appeal to you and let us know what you liked.

I am honored to share that in the time since our last issue printed, the magazine has won several awards, including first place for Overall Magazine Excellence from the New York Press Association (best in the state!) and Best Magazine at the Syracuse Press Club awards. We don’t do this work for the awards, but it is very nice to be recognized.

We hope you enjoy this issue!

As always, we’d love to hear from you about story ideas, thoughts, tips, suggestions, you name it.

Drop us a line at cnymag@ advancemediany.com.

And now, a word from our contributors:

Amy Bleier Long ableierlong@advancemediany.com

“Noah exudes optimism despite the setbacks he endures with his health. I learned he practices positivity daily, with intention. I’ve taken his lessons to heart in my own life!”

On writing about Noah’s Care Bags

“I don’t typically shoot food anymore but it’s where my career started (RIP Village Voice), so it was such a fun little diversion, tasty too!”

On shooting some of the ghost kitchen dishes

Susan Kennedy

Amelia Beamish

PHOTOS BY KAYLEIGH TARBET, AMELIA BEAMISH, JOHN BERRY

PHOTOS BY ALAINA POTRIKUS BECKETT, RISE, KOFTA BURGER, THE WHISKEY COOP

It ’s all good

POSITIVE VIBES • OUR TOWN • MARKET TRENDS

IN SUMMERY

BY MJ KRAVEC

It’s a pink-orange glow of the morning sun, a whir of crickets and a hint of jasmine. Summer sweetness comes on a breeze and lingers not long enough before she says goodbye. Here are seven of our favorite ways to indulge in the season now.

PHOTO BY SHUTTERSTOCK

It ’s all good

POP STAR

Put leftover watermelon to good use and make popsicles. Combine 2 cups watermelon and ½ cup strawberries in a blender. (For an adult version, you can add one cup of rosé wine). Pour into ice pop molds and freeze. A juicy treat on those extra humid summer days.

ATTA GRILL

Make this summer your best grilling season ever with this tip from foodnetwork.com. After cooking meat on the grill, allow it to rest between five and 15 minutes before serving. The larger the piece of meat, the longer the rest time. Doing so allows juices within the meat to redistribute throughout, resulting in a more succulent bite.

HIP IN THE SQUARE

Hanover Thursdays is back. The four-week outdoor summer music series started in 2022 and featured local and regional musicians on stage, along with local makers and vendors. Concerts take place 5 to 9 p.m. every Thursday in August in Hanover Square, downtown Syracuse. Free. For more info, visit hanoverthursdays.com.

HAVE YOU HERB?

Keep mosquitoes away with pots of lavender, rosemary, thyme and basil. The plants contain natural oils that emit a fragrance that naturally repels mosquitoes.

PINK ABOUT IT

With the release of Greta Gerwig’s new movie “Barbie” on July 21, Barbiecore is all the rage. This hot pink (or any pink) aesthetic is upbeat, hopeful and bold unlike the subtle colors of last year’s Coastal Grandmother trend. Embrace it in your home decor with fun pink wine glasses, toss pillows or artwork, wear it with hot pink accessories such as shoes, hats or scarves or go all out from head to perfectly pink toes.

BERRY BREAKFAST

With berry season in full swing, start your morning with a seasonal smoothie: Combine one cup of strawberries, one cup of blueberries and one cup of raspberries with one cup milk, one cup Greek yogurt and three to four ice cubes. Mix ingredients in a processor or blender. Serve in a tall glass and sip while watching the summer sunrise.

The American Italian Heritage Museum celebrates the Italian-American experience. Our historic building houses exhibits on immigration, folk arts, music, military service, and more! Visit our gift shop and thrift store with many unique items. Custom tours with dining and food options are available for groups.

We are open and look forward to seeing you. Ciao!

1227 Central Avenue Albany, NY 12205 (518) 435-1979

info@americanitalianmuseum.org www.americanitalianmuseum.org

PHOTOS BY WARNER BROS., SHUTTERSTOCK

S10633738-01

SHAKE IT

Everson Museum of Art presents the art and food series Salt & Pepper, “a lively conversation between a chef preparing their meal, and an artist working on their craft. The artists and chefs will discuss the culture, history and techniques inherent within their given creative practices,” according to Everson’s website. The next event pairs Cake Bar’s Duyen Nguyen and artist Ellen Blalock (left), 6 to 7 p.m., July 20. Go to everson.org/connect/salt-pepper.

July

2023 10am - 4pm

PHOTOS BY SCHWEINFURTH ART CENTER, ALAINA POTRIKUS BECKETT

YOU CAN BED ON IT

BY MJ KRAVEC

The practice of meditation has been around for centuries, used by various cultures and religions as a way to connect more deeply with the inner self and soothe the mind.

According to healthline.com, meditation helps diminish negative thoughts and stress, while helping to manifest positive outcomes and experience the peace of being in the moment. Additionally, research shows that meditating on a routine basis can help lower blood pressure, anxiety, depression and stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, help improve sleep and boost immune function.

Sounds good, right? But many of us lack the time to meditate. If a busy schedule keeps you from taking time for yourself, try sneaking in five minutes a day with “beditating” or meditating while lying in bed. This practice comes from Laurence Shorter, author of “The Lazy Guru’s Guide to Life: A mindful approach to achieving more by doing less.”

To practice: Try these exercises from fitandwell. com. Set your alarm five minutes early. Before getting out of bed, lie on your back with your arms at your sides, palms up and legs straight (or with your knees bent to help stretch your spine whatever feels more comfortable.) Close your eyes and focus on where you are. Notice your breathing, the feel of the sheets against your skin, the weight of the blanket on your body. Listen to the birds outside. Continue focusing on these things until you feel relaxed. Next, think about the day ahead and prioritize what you’d like to accomplish. By giving yourself time to think, you’ll approach the day with a clearer head and focus.

An easy way to meditate makes your morning even better

WE’RE COOL FOR THE SUMMER

BY AMY BLEIER LONG PHOTOS BY AMELIA BEAMISH

Keep it cool this summer with home goods and accessories made with natural materials, a nod to the lake life, striped items inspired by beachside awnings and seersucker, and chic hats for sun protection.

FLOAT ON, Sweet Tooth 8- by 10-inch digital print by Julia Draws, $15, Wildflowers at the McCarthy Mercantile, 217 S. Salina Street, Syracuse, 315-546-4919, wildflowersarmory.com.

IT’S ONLY NATURAL

BAND LEADER

Headband, $10-18, MallyMae Boutique at The Shoppes at Two Twisted Sisters, 25 Syracuse Street, Baldwinsville, 315-430-7544.

DREAM WEAVER

Elena tote natural, $52, Homie, 68 Main Street, Camillus, 315-663-4034, homieish.com.

TROPICAL TOUCH

Sunshine wicker earrings, $22, Bev and Co., 18 E. Genesee Street, Skaneateles, 315-685-5064, bevandco.com.

SNEAKING SUSPICION

Ellery natural sneakers, $89, Floridella Boutique, 406 S. Franklin, Syracuse, 315-741-7961, shopfloridella.com.

TAKE A BOW

Raffia bow clutch, $148, J Michael, 173 Marshall Street, Syracuse, 315-471-4237, jmichaelshoes.com.

BELT IT OUT

Woven belts, $18 each, MallyMae Boutique at The Shoppes at Two Twisted Sisters.

COME AROUND

Rora round coffee table, $899, Fringed Benefits, 6825 E. Genesee Street, Fayetteville, 315-802-4353, fringedbenefitsdesign.com.

CARRY YOURSELF WELL

Rattan-wrapped tray with brass handles, $199, Fringed Benefits.

BURN BABY BURN

Handwoven candle, $34.99, Paola Kay Gifts, 105 Brooklea Drive, Fayetteville, 315-6322192, paolakaygifts.com.

TAKING APPLIQUE-TIONS

20-inch cotton and jute applique pillow, $58, Inspired.

NAUTI BY NATURE

Nauti knot napkin ring, $6, Inspired, 7468 Oswego Road, Liverpool, 315-622-3000, inspired-vhd.com.

LIGHT IT UP

Wicker lamp, $34, Smith & Bell Trading Co., 25 Main Street, Camillus, 315-753-9875, smithandbell.com.

It ’s all good MARKET TRENDS

OH BUOY!

Ferris cooler lunchbox in Stripe Saver, $29, First National Gifts, 2 E. Genesee Street, Skaneateles, 855-810-9076, firstnationalgifts.com.

Short sleeve polo Kent ½, $175, Mr. Shop, 259 W. Fayette Street, Syracuse, 315-478-3938, mrshopsyracuse.com

JUST

Scrimshaw

Dawn sail shorts, $54, Synple, 70 Main Street, Camillus, 585-615-3934, shopsynple.com.

COASTING

melamine coasters/ dishes, $6 each, Inspired.

SAIL AWAY

FOR SAIL

CAPTAIN’S ORDER Wine snuggie, $5, Cazenovia Abroad, 67 Albany Street, Cazenovia, 315-655-3433.

SAVE FERRIS

HOLD FAST Boat napkin box and paper napkins, $54, Paola Kay Gifts.

SIGN OF THE TIMES

Wooden sign, $39.99, The White Sleigh Ltd., 24 E. Genesee Street, Skaneateles, 315-685-8414, thewhitesleigh.com.

CAPE CRUSADER

The Cape beach towel, $39.50, 20|East, 85 Albany Street, Cazenovia, 315-815-4540, 20-east.com.

VESTED INTEREST

WOODEN IT BE NICE

Beach couple, $6.99 each, Witty Wicks, 190 Township Boulevard, Camillus, 315-672-3110, wittywicks.com.

SEAS THE DAY

Finlay dress in Regatta, $67, Bev and Co.

WARM FEELINGS

Fish Bellies therapy corn bag, $42, Paola Kay Gifts, 105 Brooklea Drive, Fayetteville, 315-632-2192, paolakaygifts.com.

Hooked pillow, $52, Inspired.

EARN YOUR STRIPES

HOLD IT

Striped ceramic canister,

BeeKind, 118 Milton Avenue, Syracuse, 315-299-6073, beekindsyracuse.com.

PUT IT IN REVERSE

CASUAL COOL

Two-piece reversible bag, $49.95, Two Twisted Sisters, 25 Syracuse Street, Baldwinsville, 315-638-1955, oliveseaterybville.com.

$16,

Hemp Tencel shirt in warm multi stripe, $99, H. Grey Supply Co..

WITH THE BAND Beach towel in teal, $38, H. Grey Supply Co., 53 Albany Street, Cazenovia, 315-815-5016, hgreysupplyco.com.

STAY IN THE LINES

Striped tank, $84, Nicole M. Boutique & Gifts, 7070 Cedar Bay Road, Fayetteville, 315-446-1576.

JUST MY STRIPE

The Emry Shorts, $58, KàBee Boutique, 60C E. Main Street, Marcellus, 315-673-7266, shopkbboutique.com.

THE WIPE STUFF

Seaside Stripes kitchen tea towel, $17, Synple.

A SUCKER FOR IT

Seersucker top, $36, Apricot Lane Boutique, 6811 E. Genesee Street, Fayetteville, 315-870-9181.

COMING IN CLUTCH Beltran clutch, $24, Bev and Co.

DRESS TO IMPRESS

Keya smocked maxi blue dress, $74.99, The White Sleigh Ltd.

TIME IS TICKING

Ticking stripe napkins, $20 for four, Inspired.

It ’s all good MARKET TRENDS

AHEAD OF THE GAME

FEDORABLE

ANOTHER ROUND

CAP-TIVATING Trucker hat, $34, Emma + James, 25 Jordan Street, Skaneateles, 315-685-2747, shopejclothing.com.

SHADY, LADY

Sunhat with white ribbon, $38.99, The Rose Cottage, 214 S. Manlius Street, Fayetteville, 315-637-1330, therosecottageny.com.

GO FISH

Khaki Solarweave Floater hat, $29.98, Roland’s Men and Boys Store, 14 E. Genesee Street, Skaneateles, 315-685-7389, rolandsofskaneateles.com.

WE GOT THE BEADS

Davina floppy hat, $32, Nicole M. Boutique & Gifts.

Wide brim hat pastels, $48, Paola Kay Gifts.

THAT’S

Retro hat, $36, Paola Kay Gifts.

GET DOWN UNDER

BRIMMING

YOU’RE COVERED

CROWNING

CAP-TURE

BUCKET

Petite Sedona paper braid camel, $53, Colorful Inspirations, 170 Township Boulevard, Camillus, 315-320-4364, colorfulinspirations.com.

GLORY Halekulani sunhat, $40, KàBee Boutique.

THE FEELING Endless Summer trucker hat, $34, Sea Culture, 11 Jordan Street, Skaneateles, seaculturebrand.com.

LIST Sol bucket hat, $32, Emma + James.

Olive poly/nylon Breezer hat, $29.98, Roland’s Men and Boys Store.

WITH STYLE Laguna raffia/paper in natural/white, $67, Colorful Inspirations.

Good news

DOWNTOWN DOINGS • CAUGHT DOING GOOD • THE SEEN

SNACK ATTACK

Snacking is serious business for Greg Capers and his cousin Leviticus Freeman. Since October 2021, their Solvay store, King of Exotics Snack Shop, has been drawing in the curious and adventurous with items like Smoked Turkey Cheetos, Hot Chili Squid Lays, Cadbury Choco Coated Oreos, Fettucine fruit gummies and a variety of refreshing juices and sodas from around the world.

The products hail from Saudi Arabia, Trinidad, China, Thailand, Greece, Jamaica, Canada and Mexico to name

just a few locations, and offer nuanced flavors with fewer additives than U.S. snacks. Capers works hard to fulfill special requests and to have options for people with allergies or other reasons to not eat certain ingredients (such as pork gelatin).

Beyond satisfying hunger, exploring the ingredients and flavors from other countries helps people appreciate and understand others’ cultures, they say. The store is open six days a week and orders can be placed through Grubhub. Test out free samples on Tuesdays.

For more information: 2010 W. Genesee Street, Syracuse, 315-883-0042, King of Exotics Snack Shop on Facebook, @snaxshop315 on Instagram and TikTok.

PHOTO BY AMELIA BEAMISH

BY JACKIE PERRIN

Syracuse is famous for its salt potato history, but did you know the Central New York restaurant scene is a melting pot of spud specialties? From rich, buttery Irish champ to crispy Latin American papas rellenas, Syracuse has a spud dish to suit every taste. Grab your favorite dining partner and make a date for an international tuber-tasting adventure.

9 TASTY POTATO DISHES TO SAVOR IN THE SALT CITY

Famous $1 Baked Potato

Digging into a creamy $1 baked potato at The Great New York State Fair is a treat that every Central New York visitor should experience at least once. The tradition began when the Fair first opened in 1841, and it’s a treasured one that inspires many return visits annually, says Associate Director of Public Information Alice Maggiore. An astounding 33,629 baked potatoes and 4,224 sweet potatoes were served during the 2022 Fair, says Maggiore. Available in traditional potato, sweet potato and tater tot varieties, the spuds are served with butter and sour cream. Pile on additional fixings such as bacon, chili, steamed broccoli, cheddar cheese and maple syrup for just $.50 each.

THE NEW YORK STATE GREAT POTATO BOOTH

Horticulture Building, The Great New York State Fair, 581 State Fair Boulevard, Syracuse, 315-487-7711, nysfair.ny.gov

August 23-September 4, 2023

RAISING the bar

A TALE OF COCKTAILS, MOCKTAILS AND ALES

STORY AND PHOTOS BY DANIELLE BENJAMIN

The art of making hand-crafted cocktails continues to rise, and the Syracuse drink scene is embracing it with eager taste buds. Coupled with the popularity of craft beer and the newfound appreciation for alcohol-free mocktails, there are plenty of great spots to have an elevated drink experience. This summer, we celebrate the recent opening of two beer and cocktail venues while anxiously awaiting the grand opening of several more watering holes, all of which provide opportunities to imbibe outside.

Opposite, outside at Harvey’s Garden, and above, their Cucumber Dill Collins.

TOWN

The rise of Syracuse’s

virtual kitchens

BY BECCA TAURISANO

The ghost kitchen, or virtual kitchen, is a concept that existed before the COVID-19 pandemic in larger cities, but gained traction in Syracuse when customers demanded more options for takeout and delivery during the 2020 lockdowns. Ghost kitchens are primarily designed for takeout or delivery, typically through the use of third-party apps like Grubhub and DoorDash, and allow restauranteurs to operate in a smaller space with fewer employees and less overhead than a traditional dine-in restaurant. Across Syracuse, several virtual kitchen concepts have popped up in existing brick-and-mortar restaurants or by utilizing commercial kitchen spaces in former churches and community centers. With options ranging from burgers to pho, we think you’ll find all of these ghost kitchens hauntingly delicious.

Bringing everyone to the table

HOW A COALITION IS KEEPING CULTURE AT THE FOREFRONT OF LOCAL AGRICULTURE

BY NORAH MACHIA

utritious eating, which includes a variety of fruits and vegetables, is key to achieving better health and wellbeing. However, access to healthy foods is limited for disadvantaged communities, especially for individuals who don’t own a car. About 32% of Syracuse residents live below the federal poverty line and a census report released last year identified Syracuse as having the highest child poverty rate in the country among cities with at least 100,000 people. Neighborhood grocery stores that carried fresh, affordable produce have disappeared and the stores within walking distance are dollar stores that don’t sell fresh fruits and vegetables. This creates a food desert.

A diverse population like Syracuse’s faces another type of food insecurity — a lack of options that match the cultural identities present. Finding familiar items or foods native to their home countries is a challenge refugees and immigrants settling in the United States encounter. Food that is culturally relevant is not just about what is eaten. For many, it includes the cultural practices that are part of the preparation and consumption of the food, reflecting their heritage, values and beliefs.

Community members, farmers, businesses and nonprofit organizations have been working together to change the narrative by growing more healthy and culturally relevant foods on Onondaga County farms and expanding access.

Organic seedlings grow in a tunnel at Wylie Fox Farm, a partner of Plum & Mule Community Market.

Making good

RED ALERT

Serve up the spaghetti — there’s a new red sauce in town. The Food Bank of Central New York has partnered with Baldwinsville-based Giovanni Foods to produce Pantry Classics, a private label line of grocery staples. In April, a savory tomato and basil pasta sauce was the first item to launch.

During the pandemic, when supplies of items like sauce were low and need was high, the Food Bank stepped in to alleviate the shortage. The not-for-profit is the primary food supplier for more than 400 community programs in an 11-county region of Central and Northern New York. Partner agencies, including area food pantries and soup kitchens, receive the sauce to feed families in need.

Jars ($3.99 for 24 ounces) are available to the public at more than 30 Wegmans and Tops Friendly Market locations, with more retailers to come. Funds from the sales of this sauce and forthcoming products will support the Food Bank’s ongoing mission to end hunger in our region.

For retail locations: visit foodbankcny.org/pantry-classics

From Guatemala with love

Skaneateles resident brings Guatemalan clothing and culture to CNY

BY ALLISON KENIEN

Jamie Lopez began thinking about Guatemala in 2012. She was captivated by her mother’s tale of a recent mission trip to the country where American volunteers provide services like childcare, construction, education and medical assistance. Based in Skaneateles, Lopez had already volunteered throughout the United States as part of AmeriCorps. Her mom’s mission trip was the perfect next step. Soon Lopez traveled to Guatemala with Safe Passage, a nonprofit that serves families living near the Guatemala City garbage dump — one of the largest landfills in Latin America.

Lopez took Spanish lessons and began to feel comfortable in the community, getting to know kids and their families through her volunteer work.

“I fell in love with the country and the people,” Lopez says. “They love their culture so much. They are so proud to be Guatemalan and Mayan. They might not have much, but they’ll give you whatever they have.”

In 2014, she volunteered with a nonprofit near Antigua called Niños de Guatemala. On that trip, she formed friendships and built a family that would forever connect her to the country and give her a comfortable place to stay on future trips.

For several years she continued to travel to Antigua, a beguiling city filled with colorful baroque architecture, thriving textile markets, unique weaving traditions and towering volcanos. She wished more Central New Yorkers could experience the country’s charm and began thinking about opening a business to sell Guatemalan goods.

Then, the pandemic hit in 2020 and Lopez’s visits ceased temporarily. She watched as tourism dropped by more than 70% that year — devastating to one of the poorest countries in Latin America. The decline in tourism left Guatemalan artisans without a reliable source of income, so Lopez decided to help by selling their goods in

Clockwise from top, Lopez opened Típico Roots in 2020 as a side project to help Guatemalan artisans; this year, Lopez’s inventory will include coffee; her shop offers handmade clothing, totes, home goods and other items that are crafted from secondhand Maya huipiles intricate blouses hand-woven on backstrap looms.

the United States. In August 2020, she was working at Patisserie in Skaneateles and launched her business as a side project using funds from her U.S. government COVID relief checks.

“I felt like that was a good time to start the business to help [Guatemalan artisans] too,” Lopez says.

Since she could not travel outside of the United States, she relied on her contacts in Guatemala to shop at the markets and ship products to her. Once the country reopened in 2021, she could travel to meet the artisans and choose her inventory.

Her business’ name is Típico Roots. Típico is Spanish for “typical,” referring to the Maya fashions seen on the streets of Guatemala. Although the Spanish colonized Guatemala during the 17th century, the native Maya culture is still visibly present through clothing, food and language.

Drawn to the Maya’s sustainable lifestyle and spiritual connections with nature, Lopez uses the store to celebrate and spread those traditions.

Típico Roots offers handmade blouses, dresses, totes, backpacks, home goods, children’s clothing and other items that are crafted from secondhand Maya huipiles, which are intricate blouses hand-woven on backstrap looms. One huipil can take several months to create due to the intricacy of the designs, which usually include birds, flowers, suns, geometric shapes or other natural imagery. Every huipil is different and the unique colors and images symbolize the indigenous communities and heritage.

Given the work put into huipiles, they are rarely discarded. Maya believe that humans and nature are deeply connected, so both people and the earth are damaged by waste and landfills. Maya minimize their environmental impact by reusing and upcycling products. Used huipiles are repurposed into new clothing and accessories, like the items that Lopez sells.

She stocks her shop based on her customers’ needs and advice of the Guatemalan street market vendors, who point out the most popular items. She looks for bright, energizing garments for spring and summer, and then switches to warmer clothing and hats for fall and winter.

This year Lopez expanded her inventory to include coffee, one of Guatemala’s top exports. She sells De La Gente coffee, a brand that helps more

 For more information: visit tipico-roots.myshopify.com.

than 150 small-scale Guatemalan coffee producers compete with larger plantations. The coffee is grown in mineral-rich volcanic soil that gives it a sweet taste. In March, Lopez had a chance to tour the farms and meet the workers who cultivate the coffee.

Lopez sells products through her website, local craft fairs and other events. She ships across the United States and offers order pickup in Skaneateles.

In the years since Lopez first fell in love with Guatemala, the Maya people and culture have been woven into her life, adding color and vibrance. Now, she wants to spread that enchanting energy throughout Central New York. Lopez hopes that her business will help Central New York neighbors learn about the sustainability and cultural significance of Maya clothing.

“I hope people will understand Guatemala a little bit more when they buy our products and know that each product tells a story,” Lopez says. “I hope they see another side to this beautiful country besides the negativity they see on television. I hope it changes their minds and perspective a little bit.”

In March, Lopez toured coffee farms in Guatemala and had a chance to meet some of the farm’s workers.

Galleries

CAZENOVIA ARTISANS

39 Albany Street, Cazenovia. 315 655-2225, info@cazenoviaartisans.com. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Dave Eichorn: Fine Furniture: Contemporary-Rustic, Live Edge and Inlay. Dave Eichorn, probably best known as a television meteorologist, has been making furniture for his entire adult life. In 2016, he retired from TV and shortly after joined Cazenovia Artisans where you can find his contemporary rustic furniture. Dave combines domestic hardwoods with tropical exotic woods acquired many decades ago for unique pieces (tables, beds, dressers), some quite formal yet with a rustic flare. Most of his work is garnished with rosewood inlay. Artist reception 2 to 5 p.m., Sat. July 8. Runs July 1 through 31.

Daphné Verley: Terra Firma

Daphné is Cazenovia Artisans’ visiting artist for the month of August. She was a founding member of Cazenovia Artisans. A lifetime of exploring the

beauty and potential of clay has fed Daphné’s passion for this ancient gift of the earth. It is Daphné’s visual language, her preferred means of capturing what words sometimes cannot. Daphné’s Totems symbolically honor women she has known and admired. Terra cotta is the chosen clay, selected for its smooth surface and warm tone once fired, an ideal canvas for bold color. Runs Aug. 1 through 31.

EDGEWOOD GALLERY

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.

People Places and Things: David Gandino. Photography collection from a lifetime of seeing. Joyce Backus: sculpture and jewelry made of art glass and mixed media. Through Aug. 11.

Dear World: Amy Bartell. New mixed-media work about the fractured landscape, possibilities of inclusion, the stitches we hang onto at the seams. This project made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrant Program, from NYS Council on the Arts with support of the Office of the Governor and NYS Legislature and administered by CNY Arts. Also Sharon Schuchardt Patsos: Smoked earthenware in organic forms and Caroline Tauxe: Colorful fabric jewelry. Runs Aug. 18 through Sept. 29. Artist reception 6 to 8 p.m., Fri, Aug. 18.

David Gandino at Edgewood Gallery

PHOTOS COURTESY OF EDGEWOOD GALLERY AND CAZENOVIA ARTISANS

Daphné Verley’s Terra Firma at Cazenovia Artisans

Galleries

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. Doug Muir: Coming Home. For photographer Doug Muir (1940-2016), Syracuse was always home, even though he moved away in 1967. Muir grew up on Syracuse’s South Side where — as a twelve-year-old — he embarked on a lifelong passion for capturing moments of daily life. His early snapshots of places and people familiar to him evolved into sophisticated and compelling photographs that documented a changing America while speaking to a fundamental humanity shared by all. Spanning more than 30 years, Doug Muir: Coming Home surveys Muir’s journey as a keen observer of humankind, from his beginnings in Central New York to his adopted home on the West Coast where he made his living as a steamfitter. Although Muir photographed places all over the country throughout his lifetime, Syracuse remained his touchstone and he returned countless times to visit family and friends and reconnect with the source that gave his works such poignancy. Doug Muir: Coming Home marks a final return for the artist to his hometown, a place his heart never left. Runs through Sept. 3.

Pick & Mix: As the Everson prepares to renovate an incredible new storage area for its ceramics collection with hi-tech space saver technology, the ceramics gallery will serve double duty as museum staff unpack and sort collection treasures. To stay flexible and nimble, the ceramics gallery will present Pick & Mix, four small exhibitions centered on art pottery, new acquisitions and more. Pick & Mix will present a variety of sweet and unexpected treats as the museum builds toward the future. Runs through Oct. 1.

Douglas Muir, Scott Burton Bench, Battery Park, New York City, 1992

PHOTOS COURTESY EDGEWOOD GALLERY AND EVERSON

Amy Bartell, “Crows,” at Edgewood

Off the Rack. Off the Rack is the happy by-product of a major renovation of the Everson’s on-site art storage. As hundreds of paintings and framed works are displaced from their racks while renovations take place, the public has an unprecedented opportunity to view objects that have been in deep storage for years, never-before-seen recent acquisitions and some perennial favorites — all hung together salon-style in our exhibition galleries. This smorgasbord of paintings and works on paper showcases the breadth and depth of the museum’s collections and provides a glimpse into the world of collections management and care. Runs through Dec. 31.

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Charters & Tours 2023 TRIPS

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CASINO

TRIPS

Seneca Niagara - $40/pp

7/11, 8/1, 9/5, 10/3, 11/7, 12/12

Seneca Niagara OVERNIGHT

Veteran’s Salute 2023

Sun.-Mon., November 5-6

$199 pp/double, $259 pp single

Wind Creek Casino & Four Tops Tribute Show

Wed.-Thurs., November 8-9

$299 pp/double, $369 pp/single, $279 pp/triple

BASEBALL

at Yankee Stadium

July 8 vs. Chicago Cubs

Aug. 5 vs. Houston Astros

Sept. 23 vs. Arizona Diamondbacks

All above day trips are $199/pp

at Fenway Park (Boston)

July 17-18 - OVERNIGHT vs. Yankees

NYC ONE DAY — YOUR WAY July 15

MIRACLE OF CHRISTMAS & HERSHEY CHRISTMAS

NY LIBERTY VS. INDIANA FEVER

GO BREANNA STEWART! at Barclay Center, Brooklyn

Sunday, July 23

$159/pp

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Tues. - Sun., August 22-27

Single - $2,199

Double: $1,999

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CLAYTON & ALEX BAY

Fri. -Sat., August 25-26 Single - $299

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Philadelphia Premium Outlets

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Fri.-Sat., November 3-4

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Day Trip - Thurs., December 7 - $199/pp

Overnight - Sat.-Sun., Dec 16-17

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Jonas Lie: “The Black Teapot,” 1911, oil on canvas at Everson

PHOTO COURTESY EVERSON

Galleries

Frank Buffalo Hyde: Native Americana. Painter Frank Buffalo Hyde grew up in the Onondaga Nation, where he absorbed much of the pop culture that is still central to his worldview. Throughout his career, Buffalo Hyde has presented “pop” iconography like UFOs, hamburgers and corporate logos in parallel with Native symbology like the bison on the Onondaga reservation and Indigenous leaders and dancers. Buffalo Hyde’s works grab attention through their bright colors and instantly recognizable iconography but resist easy stereotyping through their embedded messages about the fragmented nature of Native life. Native Americana is a homecoming for Buffalo Hyde, who left Central New York for New Mexico, where he studied at the Santa Fe Fine Arts Institute and the Institute of American Indian Arts. Frank Buffalo Hyde lives in Northfield, Minnesota. His work can be found in the collections of the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian, the Hood Museum of Art, the Gilcrease Museum, the Peabody Essex Museum and Everson Museum of Art. Runs through Sept. 10.

In addition to large-format paintings, Native Americana will include a variety of interactive and mixed-media installations throughout the museum.

CNY Artist Initiative: Mara Baldwin. Mara Baldwin’s work focuses on the impossible dream of utopia and asks if a perfect life can include the imperfect feelings of failure, loneliness and dissatisfaction. Baldwin’s multidisciplinary and research-based work uses textiles and drawings to create serial and narrative forms. She shares her time between Ithaca and the Hudson Valley where she teaches drawing at Cornell University and Bard College, respectively. She is the recipient of a 2022 New York State Council on the Arts grant and has been awarded residencies at, among others, Wassaic Project, Elizabeth Murray Artist Residency program, Ucross Foundation, Millay Colony for the Arts, Djerassi and Saltonstall. Runs through Aug. 6.

CNY Artist Initiative: Marc-Anthony Polizzi. Marc-Anthony Polizzi was born in the post-industrial city of Utica, New York. He attended Pratt Munson-Williams-Proctor, the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University and received his master’s in fine art from Tulane University in New Orleans. Polizzi currently resides in Utica, where he runs and operates his studio. Runs Aug. 12 through Sept. 24.

The Ceramic Nationals: 1932-1972 In 1932, Syracuse Museum of Fine Art director Anna Olmsted created a modest juried exhibition of studio ceramics by artists in New York state to honor the late Adelaide Alsop Robineau. Little did Olmsted know that this first exhibition, which was displayed on draped crates provided by a local coffin company, would ultimately prove to be the bedrock upon which the 20th-century Studio Ceramics Movement was built. Response to the first juried exhibition was immediate. Prominent artists lobbied Olmsted to open the exhibition to artists from other states, and the Ceramic Nationals were born.

PHOTOS COURTESY EVERSON

CNY Artist Initiative features Mara Baldwin’s “All Together Now” at Everson

Frank Buffalo Hyde: Native Americana at Everson

The Ceramic Nationals purchase prizes in the Everson’s collection number more than 200 and tell the story of the birth of the Studio Ceramics Movement in the depths of the Great Depression through its maturation in the 1950s, and ultimately, to the early 1970s, when the field of ceramics splintered into an unwieldy number of factions. Containing early masterworks by seminal artists like Maria Martinez, Peter Voulkos, Marguerite Wildenhain, Minnie Negoro and Edwin and Mary Scheier, the Ceramic Nationals collection represents the most cohesive collection of American Studio Pottery in existence.

ONONDAGA HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION

3 21 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.

Syracuse: City Life in Watercolors. This exhibit captures places where people live and work, and everyday scenes they see in Syracuse, by three members of the Urban Sketchers art group, Bill Elkins, Dudley Breed and Dan Shanahan. The artists all work on-site, inside or outside, creating art that gives you a visual introduction to daily life in Syracuse. Runs through Sept. 10.

CNY Artist Initiative features Marc-Anthony Polizzi at Everson

PHOTO COURTESY OF MARC-ANTHONY POLIZZI

CHIPPING IN

BY THOMAS HUNTER

Americans annually consume about 1.85 billion pounds of potato chips, roughly 6.6 pounds per person. That’s a lot of chips! The history of the potato chip may date back to Great Britain in the early-19th century, where a British doctor published a cookbook with a recipe for fried potato slices. The first American version reputedly was made in Saratoga Springs, New York in the mid-19th century.

Central New York has its own affiliation with the production of this beloved snack food. While it would be difficult to pinpoint when the first potato chips were made in Onondaga County, there are many ties to potato chip making.

August Polge, a grocer at 243 W. Onondaga Street in Syracuse, operated a potato chip manufacturing business in the early-20th century. Polge sold his well-established business in 1916 to move west.

George B. Crowell, another early-20th-century grocer, made potato chips at 311 Wolf Street in Syracuse. The Forget-Me-Not Potato Chip Company opened at the same address in 1927. By

1957, Forget-Me-Not’s potato chip machine could produce 700 pounds of chips per hour. By the mid-1960s, the company had moved to 218 Midler Park Drive in DeWitt. It closed around 1970.

Jean’s Foods, a subsidiary of Jean’s Beans, opened a potato chip plant in Syracuse in the 1940s, and later opened stores in Elmira, Carthage, Ogdensburg and Watertown to sell its chips and other locally made food. Only the Watertown store, which opened in 1953, remains today. In 1995, Jean’s Foods was acquired by Terrell’s Potato Chips, another Syracuse-based company.

Terrell’s Potato Chips moved into the former Forget-Me-Not factory location in the early 1970s, where it still makes tasty potato chips today. Founded in 1946 by William Terrell, the company is now managed by his grandson, Jack. Terrell’s makes a Syracuse Style potato chip, a tangy flavor with a “dash of this and a dash of that.” The company relaunched “Terrell’s Tully’s Honey Mustard” chips in May.

Thomas Hunter is museum collection curator at OHA.

A slice of CNY’s crispy potato history

William Terrell and Dan Preston with Terrell’s first delivery trucks in Syracuse, 1962.

PHIL WILLIAMSON WITH

“The Blueberry Guy” from Melody Blues Farm

BY MJ KRAVEC

During the school year, Phil Williamson is an art teacher in the Central Square School District and has a classroom loaded with plants because, he says, “I’m addicted to growing things.” But come summer, he’s the man at the stand that sells those supersized blueberries from Melody Blues Farm in Fulton. His alter ego — “The Blueberry Guy” — is a regular at the Downtown Farmers Market in July and August. So, to close our summer food issue, we decided to find out how it all started with eight bushes and, of course, how he got that name.

Your farm is known as Melody Blues Farm — where did the name Melody Blues come from? Our family has been growing produce in CNY for generations. My sister, Melody, started the farm back in 1990 after she had asked her husband what his favorite pie was. Those first bushes grew and we have been planting more and more each year. We started with eight bushes and they lived through the winter and we were like, “Hey, I think we can grow these.” It takes forever to grow ‘em but we loved it.

What is your position at Melody Blues Farm? Our family all works together to bring some of the finest blueberries to CNY. Although I’m the face of Melody Blues, there are so many people who are part of the team.

What is your favorite season? Summer is my favorite season. You can’t beat summer in CNY and all the activities and festivals.

We understand you’ve been coming to the markets since you were 4 years old? As long as I remember I have been coming to the Syracuse and local markets. This will be my 50th summer season. My parents owned a couple of different farms and my grandparents on both sides had different farming businesses years ago. It goes back generations.

What do you like most about it? I like the hard work, fast pace and seeing our blueberry customers back again. They are like family.

How did you get the name “The Blueberry Guy”? We have always said to our customers, “If you like our quality and freshness, tell a friend.” Many customers have asked other vendors, “Hey, when is The Blueberry Guy going to be here?” It definitely came from the customers and stuck.

When does blueberry season start for you? Blueberry season typically starts right after the 4th of July and runs about six weeks.

Do you have a favorite blueberry recipe? Honestly, I prefer these blueberries fresh, right out of the field by the handful. But I certainly enjoy blueberry pie, lemon-glazed blueberry bread, blueberry scones, blueberry jam and blueberry pancakes.

Anything else you’d like to add? Support your local farmers. Fresh, in-season fruits and vegetables are the best!

Berry well said! (You knew we couldn’t resist.)

Phil with his son Zayne.

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