Central New York Magazine - Jan/Feb 2023 preview

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Souper Sundays O

n Sundays in the winter, I like to just chill in the kitchen.

The day might start out with a walk over the snowy hills at Drumlins, then home to a waiting kitchen. Depending on the forecast (gray skies, bitter cold and snow, I hope), I might make a vegetarian cashew chili or maybe a time-consuming Cheddar Chicken Chowder (say that three times fast). So much chopping. So many steps. I don’t mind. I’ll light a candle to set the mood. The process forces me to focus on the chopping, simmering and the smudged Cooking Light recipe I’ve used over the years. The reward? A chance to sit down with the fam and savor a bowl of homemade coziness and a delicious aroma that lingers well past dinnertime. It’s the most comforting way I know to spend part of a winter weekend. In our January/February issue, we embrace the spirit of coziness and celebrate the season with a look at area restaurants offering over-the-top comfort food — from grilled cheeses to hot chocolate. Moving outside, we go behind the scenes with CNY’s snowplow drivers to find out what it’s like to operate a 26,000-pound

rig on slippery hills. You’ll also discover all the weirdly wonderful things that a library card can get you, visit an ice castle in Lake George and find inspiration in our annual wedding guide.

In other departments, Our Town visits the Valley section in the City of Syracuse, Market highlights what’s in area shops now, Downtown Doings stops by sommelier Cha McCoy’s new retail wine shop in Syracuse and Caught Doing Good visits the teen shelter Booth House.

In other departments, Farm to Table offers a recipe for Citrus Burrata Salad from Eleven Waters at Marriott Syracuse Downtown, CNY Scout profiles Mattress Makers of Syracuse and Art Profile checks in with longtime violin whisperer Tom Hosmer. Finally, in Last Word, we talked with Shawni Davis, master electrician, fresh off her stint introducing POTUS at the October Micron event at Onondaga Community College.

All good things that celebrate the comfort, coziness and hopes for a bright new year in CNY.

Cheers.

MJ

mkravec@advancemediany.com 315-766-7833

CM McCambridge

“By far, the best part of working on this piece was getting to hear stories about how one person can, through a million little acts of kindness, touch so many lives in such a meaningful way.”

On writing about string instrument repair craftsman Tom Hosmer

“I loved discovering a hidden gem mattress business in Syracuse, but the best part was meeting the business owner. He’s a real hidden gem, too.”

On writing about Mattress Makers in Syracuse

Allison Kenien

MELLOR/COURTESY OF ICE CASTLES

PHOTO BY AJ

It ’s all good

POSITIVE VIBES • OUR TOWN • MARKET TRENDS

COLD SPELL

BY MJ KRAVEC

Frosted window and snow-covered branch, The world wakes in blanketed surprise to crystalline air and pink sunrise natural magic, a season’s glow. Here are 7 ways to relish the here and now.

It ’s all good

SOUR ON

Help ward off colds and flu with a simple breakfast of broiled grapefruit. Simply slice fruit in half and sprinkle each with about three teaspoons of brown sugar. Place under broiler for 5 to 10 minutes. Serve warm.

AN UNFORGETTABLE EVENING

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Symphoria presents Pops III: Nat King Cole Songbook. Join Symphoria and Canadian jazz vocalist Denzal Sinclaire for classic songs “Unforgettable,” “Mona Lisa” and more. 7:30 p.m. Feb. 4 at Crouse Hinds Concert Theater. For tickets, go to experiencesymphoria.org.

LEAF IT

Bring new year harmony into your home with a houseplant. Among those thought to bring good fortune are Peace Lily, Golden Pothos and Rubber Tree plant.

ON BOARD

Take a cue from the world’s happiest people in the coldest climates and embrace your inner board game geek. Pull games off closet shelves and consider dedicating a table space as a play area to encourage spontaneous sit downs. You might just start a new tradition.

YOUR OWN NOOK

Create what the Danes refer to as a Hyggekrog, or cozy nook, at home where you can unwind at day’s end. Find a small space (small spaces make us feel cozier) or corner of a room where you can situate a comfortable chair and curl up with pillows, throws, a good book and hot drink. Add string lights and candles for warmth.

NATURAL WAY

The next time you wash your bedding, hang it to dry near a heat vent. You’ll add moisture to dry winter air and save on energy bills by skipping use of the dryer.

JOURNEY TO THE PAST

Go back to bygone days of the Russian Empire with Broadway’s “Anastasia.” Inspired by the Disney film of the same name, follow Anya as she tries to find love, truth and family. January 17-21 at the Landmark Theatre. Visit landmarktheatre.org.

It ’s all good MARKET

TRENDS

CAT IN THE HAT: Indoor/outdoor pillow, $44.95, Enjoy, 419 E. Genesee Street, Fayetteville, 315-637-3450.

THE WINTER PEOPLE

BY AMY BLEIER LONG | PHOTOS BY AMELIA BEAMISH

A new year, a new winter to enjoy. As we settle into the season, walk down memory lane with items inspired by previous decades, warm things up after hitting the slopes, show some love and kick off the new year with your mind, body and spirit in a good place.

It ’s all good MARKET TRENDS

WHAT’S NEW IS OLD

ARE YOU JELLY?

Sunjellies Betty Basket in lilac, $36, Drooz + Company, 36 E. Genesee Street, Skaneateles, 315-920-8888, droozandcompany.com.

CLAW YOUR WAY TO THE TOP

Large hair claw, $12, Salt Point Shop, 100 Brooklea Street, Fayetteville, saltpointshop.com.

I’VE GOT RHYTHM

Tote bag, $22, Olive + Fern, 19 North Street, Marcellus, 315-200-2464, shopolivefern.com.

HAIR APPARENT

Satin scrunchie, $6.99, The Station 603, 603 E. Seneca Street, Manlius, 315-682-8741, thestation603.com.

BLACK VELVET IF YOU PLEASE

Velvet jacket, $99, and flared bottoms, $79, Apricot Lane Boutique, 6811 E. Genesee Street, Fayetteville, 315-870-9181.

BOOK CLUB

MIX IT UP

Acrylic mixtape earrings by J. Lieblein, $12, at Wildflowers at the McCarthy Mercantile, 217 S. Salina Street, Syracuse, 315-546-4919, wildflowersarmory.com.

Judy Blume book set, $55.99, Drooz + Company.

RECORD THE MEMORIES

Super Tape Sketchbook, $12, Drooz + Company.

YOU SHERPA ABOUT THAT

Celeste faux suede and sherpa jacket, $199, Synple, 70 Main Street, Camillus, 585-615-3934, shopsynple.com.

A BIT MOODY

Mood ring, $5.99, Witty Wicks, 190 Township Boulevard, Camillus, 315-672-3110, wittywicks.com.

WOOD YOU BELIEVE

Evan top-handle clutch $62, Hap + Main, 4 E. Genesee Street, Skaneateles, 315-685-1105, shopthehap.com.

GIVE PEACE A CHANCE

Choose Peace in wood frame, $279, Nest58, 58 E. Genesee Street, Skaneateles, 315-685-5888, nest58.com.

FLOWER POWER

Celia B Merapi Dress, $413, Skaneateles 300, 2 W. Genesee Street, Skaneateles, 315-685-1133, skaneateles300.com.

It ’s all good MARKET TRENDS

APRÈS-SKI STYLE

SNOW DAY STYLE

Crowded Slopes kids’ hat, $32, Nest58.

SKI YOU LATER

12-inch decorative wooden skis, $12.50, The Rose Cottage, 214 S. Manlius Street, Fayetteville, 315-637-1330, therosecottageny.com.

MULL IT OVER

Mulling spices, $16.95, Rhubarb Kitchen and Garden, 59 E. Genesee Street, Skaneateles, 315-685-5803.

KEEP COOL

Beverage sweater, $17.95, 20|East, 85 Albany Street, Cazenovia, 315-815-4540, 20-east.com.

CARRY ON Mont Blanc tray, $59.95, 20|East.

PROTECT THOSE PEEPERS

Sunski Makani Honey Ocean polarized sunglasses, $58, Salt Point Shop.

A POUR DECISION

Wine carafe with natural cuff, $28, Salt Point Shop.

FOOTWEAR

FLUFFY

Eskimo stitch slipper in pineapple, $145, Paul Karaz Shoes, 414 E. Genesee Street, Fayetteville, 315-663-0200, paulkarazshoes.com.

HALE AND HEARTY

Après All Day cookbook, $27.50, and Delicious Wintertime cookbook, $50, Skaneateles 300.

CHECK YOU LATER

Cabin blanket, $78, leather loop carrier, $36, The Local Branch, 4 Jordan Street, Skaneateles, thelocalbranch.co.

BASE CAMP

Girls Gone Skiing base layer top, $122, Paola Kay Gifts, 105 Brooklea Drive, Fayetteville, 315-632-2192, paolakaygifts.com.

PICTURE PERFECT

Vintage Skiing book, $19.99, Drooz + Company.

SLOW LIVING

Warmies supersized handwarmer, $34.99, Fashion Rescue 911 Boutique, 52 Oswego Street, Baldwinsville, 315-857-6690, fashionrescue911.com.

SLIP INTO SOMETHING

Sheepskin slippers, $180, The Local Branch.

It ’s all good MARKET TRENDS

A LITTLE LOVE IN YOUR HEART

LITTLE LOVE

Ceramic tiny pot by Leslie Green Guilbault, $30, Salt City Artisans, 226 Hawley Avenue, Syracuse, 315-479-0400, saltcityartisans.com.

ON THE WINGS OF LOVE

Cherub planter, $45, The Station 603.

BLANKET STATEMENT

Recycled materials XO throw, $175, Nest58.

OPEN YOUR HEART

AFFIRMING ACCESSORY

“Love is a superpower” satin bracelet, $24, Emma + James, 25 Jordan Street, Skaneateles, 315-685-2747, shopejclothing.com.

HANG

WITH ME

Earrings, $29, Salt Point Shop.

GRAPHIC TEA

Striped teapot, $39.95, Enjoy.

PUSHING BUTTONS

Button, $2.50, H. Grey Supply Co., 53 Albany Street, Cazenovia, 315-815-5016, hgreysupplyco.com.

Annika heart die-cut paper linen luncheon napkins, $8 for 15, The Rose Cottage.

EAT YOUR HEART OUT

Porcelain chip and dip set, $52, Fringed Benefits, 6825 E. Genesee Street, Fayetteville, 315-802-4353, fringedbenefitsdesign.com.

WEAR IT ON YOUR SLEEVE

Tribal light grey mix sweater, $109, Lillie Bean, 57 Albany Street, Cazenovia, 315-655-0677, lilliebean.com.

FOLLOW YOUR HEART

Wall-hung chunky hearts, medium $24, small $22, Paola Kay Gifts.

TRAY COOL

Black & white tray, $49, Mixed Methods, 215 E. Water Street Rear, Syracuse, 315-399-1766, letsgetmixed.com.

HEART AND SOLE

Slippers, $28, Fashion Rescue 911 Boutique.

PATCH WORK

Charlie B heart patch pant, $87, Bev and Co., 18 E. Genesee Street, Skaneateles, 315-685-5064, bevandco.com.

ROSE-COLORED GLASSES

Novelty glasses, $6, Olive + Fern.

It ’s all good MARKET TRENDS

START THE YEAR FRESH

PUT THE SQUEEZE ON Scented stress ball, $7.99, Witty Wicks.

WINTER-PROOF YOUR SKIN

Every Damn Day face lotion with SPF30, $18, Witty Wicks.

HAVING VISIONS

Vision board in a bottle by AE Apothecary, $12, Wildflowers at the McCarthy Mercantile.

MEANINGFUL MAIL

Gratitude Kit, $24, Glow Yoga & Juice Bar, 6823 E. Genesee Street, Fayetteville, 315-446-4141, alignwithglow.com.

SOAK IT IN Anti Bad Vibe Shield bath soak, $5.50, H. Grey Supply Co.

OIL I NEED

Recharge moisturizing body spray, $26, Glow Yoga & Juice Bar.

HIT THE SHOWERS

Dr. Squatch natural soap, $7.25, The White Sleigh Ltd., 24 E. Genesee Street, Skaneateles, 315-685-8414, thewhitesleigh.com.

FACE THE WINTER

Circadia at-home facial kit, $55, Homie, 68 Main Street, Camillus, 315-663-4034, homieish.com.

PASS IT ON Write Your Own Kindness notepad by Ms. AB Art, $3, Salt City Artisans.

ROCK SOLID

Rose quartz meditation stone, $12.50, H. Grey Supply Co.

SPRAY IT, DON’T SAY IT Palo santo smudge spray, $28, H. Grey Supply Co.

A

DROP’LL DO YA Anxiety ally, $35, The Local Branch.

It ’s all good MARKET TRENDS

BODY LANGUAGE

Print by Erin McKenna Nowak, $15, Wildflowers at the McCarthy Mercantile.

news

Thanks to years of efforts by community members, volunteers and organizations CNY D.I.R.T., Stewards of Lipe Art Park, Adapt CNY, Home HeadQuarters and Tomorrow’s Neighborhoods Today, PumpTrackSYR officially opened to the public in October. Adjacent to the art park on Syracuse’s Near Westside, the pump track is an undulating loop of hills and turns meant for BMX bikes; riders use their muscles and the ground to push and pull their way around without pedaling. The benefits of a pump track are many: healthy,

physical activity; fresh air; camaraderie and social circle building; crime and nuisance deterrent; and creative outlet. The track is for new and experienced riders of all ages.

While PumpTrackSYR is closed for the winter to protect its integrity, organizers are fundraising to cap the aggregate material surface with asphalt, which will accommodate small-wheeled devices (scooters, skates and skateboards), as well. A spring event is being planned to kick off the 2023 season.

For more information, visit pumptracksyr.com or @PumpTrackSYR on Instagram and Facebook

PHOTO BY RANDY HADZOR

road warriors

CNY’S UNSUNG HEROES OF WINTER

BY KEN STURTZ | PHOTOS BY N. SCOTT TRIMBLE

In the three and a half years Anthony Cotroneo has driven a snowplow for the city, he’s put in countless coffee-fueled hours on the night shift, confronting blinding snowstorms and threading his truck down narrow car-choked streets. Plowing snow in a 26,000-pound rig has its white-knuckle moments, but there’s only one thing that still really puts him on edge: all the steep hills dotting the city. Snowplow drivers like Cotroneo are the only thing keeping hilly streets from turning into Olympic ski jumps.

ALL THAT

GOODNESS

AREA EATERIES SERVE UP CREATIVE WAYS TO WARM UP FROM THE COLD

STORY AND PHOTOS BY ALAINA POTRIKUS

Perfectly melted grilled cheese. Hot chocolate topped with a mountain of whipped cream. A piping hot crock of chili. It’s the kind of food that warms you up, and Central New York restaurants are filling their menus with creative twists on classic comfort foods this winter. Here’s a look.

Ultimate grilled cheese

Modern

This melt combines cheddar, Swiss and smoked gouda cheeses with fried cheese curds, served on perfectly toasted egg bread with tots or fries. It’s on brand for Modern Malt, which has been serving classic diner fare with a modern twist in Armory Square since 2014 and expanded to a second location in Cicero in 2021.

Both locations are known for their all-day breakfast offerings — try the Barney Rubble French toast crusted with Fruity Pebbles — which pair perfectly with craft cocktails, mimosa flights or tall milkshakes.

YOUR LIBRARY IS A TREASURE TROVE OF NOVEL RESOURCES

BY JACKIE PERRIN

If it’s been some time since you visited a library, chances are you’re in for a delightful surprise. Libraries are a fantastic solution for reducing waste, getting connected with your communities and staving off the effects of inflation. Whether you want to borrow a gadget to help make your home more energy efficient, try out a new hobby before making a major investment or simply stretch your household budget, local libraries are for far more than catching up on your reading. From baking pans to VR headsets, there’s a wealth of useful items and knowledge to be found.

Check out these examples of what you can literally check out at a Central New York library near you.

Note: Available items, loan periods and borrowing and usage restrictions vary by library branch and system. Many items must be checked out and returned at the owning library. However, they are often available for borrowing to cardholders within a regional library system. Some library systems —such as Northern Onondaga Public Library (NOPL) — offer out-of-county library cards to non-resident households for an annual fee.

AN ICE THING TO DO

Put this experience on your winter bucket list

BY DANIELLE BENJAMIN

Imagine this: It’s a beautiful winter day. The sky is blue. You’re wrapped up in your favorite scarf and mittens. And you’re exploring a massive fortress made out of ice. That’s exactly what you can do in Lake George this winter. The famous Ice Castles event is returning to Charles R. Wood Park after a successful run there last year. Ice Castles has popped up in various cities across the United States since 2011. Lake George, New York was chosen for the 2023 season, in addition to New Brighton, Minnesota; North Woodstock, New Hampshire; Midway, Utah and Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.

Making good

CNY SCOUT • FARM TO TABLE • ART PROFILE

RAD HATTER

Through savvy sewing, Crystal Marco gives previously loved garments new life. Under the label Salt City Caps, she creates one-ofa-kind five-panel hats from sports jerseys, shirts, board shorts and outerwear she upcycles from places like Thrifty Shopper and eBay. A hat collector herself, Marco started watching videos so she could learn to make hats to better fit her small head size. After getting the pattern where she wanted it, she started selling pieces one at a time and the business took off. Marco is currently working on perfecting patterns for bucket hats and six-panel hats and hopes to do custom work — a frequent request — with customers’ own garments in the future. Watch for her to pop up at local events this year.

PHOTO BY AMELIA BEAMISH

Making good FARM

TO TABLE

Tang , go

STORY BY MJ KRAVEC PHOTOS BY ALAINA POTRIKUS

Bright lavors dance in Eleven Waters’ seasonal Citrus Burrata Salad

Flashback

WHEN WE WERE SNOW KING

A look back at the Blizzard of ‘93

BY JORDAN SCOTT

The view along East Genesee Street in DeWitt the day after a snow storm dumped more than 40 inches of snow on the area in March 1993.

It became known as the “Storm of the Century.” Floridians called it the “No Name” March Hurricane. Northerners called it the “Blizzard of the Century.” Syracuse’s Herald Journal proclaimed it was the “snowiest storm in Syracuse history.”

All titles refer to the March storm that swept through North and Central America and the Caribbean 30 years ago. Low air pressure, arctic, polar and subtropical jet streams merging and tropical moisture from the Caribbean Sea concocted the storm. Syracuse received 42.9 inches of snow in three days. The storm began at 6:15 a.m. Saturday and ended on Monday at 10 a.m. Gino Brunetto, a plow driver for 24 years, told The Herald-Journal, “This is the worst I’ve seen it.” Public works departments scheduled plow drivers in 12-hour shifts, paramedics and rescue crews relied on toboggans, and firefighters in Onondaga Hill and Manlius used snowmobiles. People were stuck in cars and at their workplaces.

Other recollections from The Herald-Journal: Pete Luck and Dave Bacon were stuck in their truck overnight after helping a family get their car out of the snow. Wegmans in DeWitt, usually open around the clock, closed at 7 p.m. on Saturday, with many employees snowed in at the grocery store. Nurses unable to leave Crouse Irving Memorial Hospital worked five consecutive shifts. The Carrier Dome deflated for the first time since 1984 in order to avoid collapse from the weight of the snow and ice.

But life also went on as usual. Pam Shaffer of Baldwinsville went into labor Saturday night and gave birth Sunday morning to her daughter. Wedding bells rang for Robyn Longuil and Scott Bentley. Syracuse was crowned Snow King for the record snowfall, but perhaps the honor lies more in the community’s adaptability, tenacity and compassion.

Jordan Scott is assistant archivist at OHA.

WITH OHA

SHAWNI DAVIS

BY MJ KRAVEC

What better way to kick off a bright new year than with a master electrician? We checked in with Shawni Davis, CEO of Luminary Electrical and fresh off her stint as POTUS introducer at the October Micron event at Onondaga Community College, on what it’s like to lead the president to the podium and what she’s looking forward to in the new year.

What time do you get up in the morning and how do you take your coffee? I usually wake up between 5 and 6 a.m. I take my coffee with cream, no sugar.

What’s your favorite spot to enjoy the great outdoors in CNY? I love the walking trail at Long Branch Park. I bike the trail occasionally.

Favorite season? Fall is my favorite season. I love fall fashion.

What are you binge watching (or reading or listening to) right now? I don’t get the opportunity to watch much TV. I am listening to “The E-Myth Revisited” by Michael Gerber on Audible. I swear by Audible.

When IBEW business manager Al Marzullo called and asked you about introducing President Biden at the Micron event at OCC, what ran through your mind? I had a hard time wrapping my head around it at the time. To be honest, I am still in a bit of shock. I felt the pressure to do well. I was very nervous.

Did you have a teleprompter? No one on stage had a teleprompter except President Biden. Thank God for the podium. If I had to hold my papers in my hand while on stage, they would have been visibly shaking.

We understand a Secret Service agent told you that you’d be leading Senators Chuck Schumer, Kirsten Gillibrand and Micron CEO Sanjay Mehrotra to the podium — what was that like? I told a joke in that moment regarding the added pressure. I said, “As if introducing the President wasn’t pressure enough, you’re telling me I have to lead THESE people?” They all chuckled, including President Biden.

People commented about how natural you were as a public speaker, have you always been comfortable speaking to large groups of people? I’ve had a lot of people tell me that, but the short answer is not at all. This was only my second time speaking to a larger crowd. The first time was at the NYS Minority- and Women-owned Business Enterprises Forum in

August. There was a crowd of maybe 150 to 200 people. I was on stage with five people, so I think the number of cameras at the Micron event plus POTUS made this one a lot more intimidating. The more I speak publicly, I’m getting more comfortable with it.

When it was over, how long was the adrenaline rush? It definitely took a few days. I didn’t really get a chance to sit and bask in the moment. The minute the speakers closed out, there were a ton of people giving congrats. My phone and email were very busy.

You talk to area high school kids about doing apprenticeships similar to yours, what would you like them (or anyone looking for a career path) to know? I want them to know what a great career path the skilled trades offer. It is an awesome opportunity, that had I known about, I would have taken advantage of sooner. It is not easy. You will work hard. However, you will be paid well for the work you put in.

What are you most excited about for the coming year? I am really focusing on Luminary’s success first and foremost. I’m looking forward to its growth. We are adding more staff soon. I am also excited about my own growth as a CEO. My role will adjust as the company grows, so I’m happy to see my vision unfold before my eyes.

WITH Master electrician, CEO of Luminary Electrical, POTUS introducer