AREA STYLISTS PUT A LUXURIOUS SPIN ON PICNICS FRESH LOOKS FOR WARMER WEATHER
TAILS TO TELL MEET THE PETS OF CNY SHOPS
ON THE COVER
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
EDITOR MJ Kravec 315-766-7833 mkravec@advancemediany.com CONTENT EDITOR Amy Bleier Long 315-282-8553 ableierlong@advancemediany.com DESIGNERS Chris Boehke cboehke@advancelocal.com
CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Thomas H. Brown 315-470-2053 tbrown@acssyr.com MAGAZINE/EVENTS SALES MANAGER Jennifer K. Queri 315-282-8622 jqueri@advancemediany.com
Bailey stops to smell the roses, well, geraniums at Carol Watson Greenhouse. See story page 54. Photo by Alaina Potrikus. Design by Susan Santola.
Susan Santola ssantola@advancelocal.com CUSTOMER SERVICE 315-282-8622 SUBSCRIPTIONS Contact Jennifer Queri or visit readcnymagazine.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 © 2022. 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.
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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:
Spell bound non-customers) alike, feature six local or-
in on Sunridge Ave-
ganizations that offer emotional support
Nicole Moss Underwood
nue in Camillus will
to area kids and find fresh looks for spring
always be the epitome
from CNY boutiques.
“I love talking with women who are courageous risktakers. Hearing about how they went from an idea to a brick-and-mortar business with no prior entrepreneurial experience is inspiring.”
of springtime. Probably because my father
In other departments, Our Town spotlights the village of North Syracuse,
planted a fruit tree for each of his kids,
Downtown Doings checks in with two new
two plums and two cherries for my broth-
beverage lounges offering space for com-
ers and sisters and a peach tree for me. In
fort and community, Caught Doing Good
May, the backyard branches blossomed
catches up with Agape Lounge, an af-
pink and white over green grass like vel-
terschool program for middle and high
vet and a swing set where you could fly up
school-age children on Syracuse’s South
into a periwinkle sky and back down to
Side and Down to Earth offers tips for sus-
earth, again and again. An ordinary back-
tainable spring fashion. In Farm to Ta-
yard was a magical place to be in spring.
ble, you’ll find a recipe for French-style
As CNY comes back to life in bloom and
Quiche from The Sweet Praxis and Art
buzz, doesn’t it feel as if someone waved a
Profile examines Syracuse Opera’s new
magic wand? And doesn’t it also feel like
collaboration with its counterpart in Bing-
everyone is under the same spell, con-
hamton.
nected and caught up in all this super natural-ness?
Finally, in Last Word, we sit down with Sycamore Hill Gardens owner Karen Han-
It’s a good feeling.
ford to find out what it takes to maintain
Ellen E. Mintzer
In our May/June issue, we hope to bring
those beautiful garden spaces and who
Interviewing folks from the opera world was an absolute pleasure. I didn’t know much about opera previously, but their passion for the art form was electric and infectious.
you more good vibes as we highlight area stylists who put a decadent spin on picnicking, visit area shops and the friendly fur babies that delight customers (and
does all her weeding. All good things to make the most of CNY’s most blooming-est season. Cheers.
MJ mkravec@advancemediany.com 315-766-7833 6
On writing about two new women-owned businesses, 210 Teas and Nectar Espresso Bar & Vintages.
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On writing about Syracuse Opera’s collaboration with Tri-Cities Opera in Binghamton.
PHOTOS COURTESY NICOLE MOSS UNDERWOOD, ELLEN E. MINTZER
T
he backyard I grew up
Contents 46 Blanket Statement
8
54
64
72
Paws-itive Energy
Healthy Inside and Out
Family Ties
Meet the friendly fur babies who work their tails off at CNY shops.
Six organizations that offer emotional support to area children.
The stories of four families who combine kinship and business.
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PHOTO BY PICNIQUE 315
Area picnic stylists put a luxurious spin on outdoor gatherings.
19
Departments
11 It’s All Good 11 Ways to embrace the season 14 Positive Vibes: Nasal breathing 16 Our Town: North Syracuse 19 Market Trends: Spring fashion looks
29 Good news 29 The first travel guidebook about Syracuse 30 Downtown Doings: 210 Teas, Nectar Espresso Bar & Vintages
In every issue
34 Caught Doing Good: Agape Lounge
6 Editor's Letter
38 The Seen: A pictorial review of CNY’s social gatherings
98 Flashback with OHA
96 Galleries 99 Last Word: With Sycamore Hill Gardens’ Karen Hanford
83 Making Good 83 Show your spirit with customized denim jackets 84 CNY Scout: M Graham Interiors and À la Maison 87 Farm to table: Sweet Praxis spring quiche
PHOTOS BY AMELIA BEAMISH, ALAINA POTRIKUS
90 Down to Earth: Sustainable spring fashion 92 Art Profile: Syracuse Opera teams up with Binghamton counterpart
87
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It ’s all good L I L A C I T L I K E T H AT Make lilac-infused honey by picking individual flowers from lilacs and placing them in a small jar. Pour honey over petals and allow to infuse overnight. Flowers are edible, so there’s no need to strain. Savor in tea or on toast.
HOT BOT Use plastic soda bottles to protect tender young garden plants from the elements. Simply cut the bottom of a bottle off and place in soil over plants. MARKET BELL
YO U R S E C R E T G A R D E N Be one with the blossoms and take a self-guided tour at Sycamore Hill Gardens in Marcellus. Picnics are encouraged, so pack a blanket and light brunch or lunch. Visits are by appointment only. For more information, email owner Karen Hanford (and see our Last Word on page 99) at karen@sycamorehillgardens.com.
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PHOTOS BY STEPHEN D. CANNERELLI, DENNIS NETT, SHUTTERSTOCK
Downtown Farmers Market starts 8 a.m. June 14 in Clinton Square and runs every Tuesday until Oct. 11. Featuring dozens of farmers and produce dealers, fresh seasonal fruits and veggies, baked goods, flowers, plants and more.
It ’s all good
POSITIVE VIBES
WHIFFING IT Breathing through your nose has some immediate health benefits
BY M J K RAV EC
Unless you’re a regular practitioner of yoga, you probably
ters the lungs making it easier for the body to use. Third, na-
don’t often think about your breathing. But research says that
sal breathing increases production of nitric oxide, a molecule
paying a little extra attention to our breath can have signifi-
that opens blood vessels and helps to improve oxygen circu-
cant health benefits.
lation throughout the body.
When we’re stressed, we tend to take rapid, shallow breaths through the mouth. The downside? Mouth breathing is linked to periodontal disease, bad breath and snoring, among other
14
To practice: Try this diaphragm breathing exercise from Harvard Medical School. While sitting upright or lying down,
According to healthline.com, nasal breathing improves the
place one hand on your stomach, the other on your chest. In-
quality of air taken into the body in three ways. First, nose
hale through your nose and focus on drawing breath down to-
hairs filter dust, pollen and other foreign substances, prevent-
ward your stomach. Try keeping your chest level, while feel-
ing them from being taken into the lungs. Second, air taken
ing your stomach expand as you inhale. Slowly exhale while
in through the nose is humidified and warmed before it en-
feeling your stomach retract as air leaves your body. Repeat.
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PHOTO BY SHUTTERSTOCK
health concerns.
The benefits of better air intake? Reduced stress and anxiety, better oxygen uptake and improved sleep.
It ’s all good
MARKET TRENDS
HOT LOOKS FOR WARMER WEATHER
BY AMY BLEIER LONG PHOTOS BY AMELIA BEAMISH
Welcome the sunny season with fresh looks from local boutiques.
WATERCOLOR MEMORIES Isle by Melis Kozan dress, $189, Zenzii necklace, $49, Zenzii bracelet $32, Sandra Roberts blush handbag with bamboo handle, $119, sterling silver ring dipped in 18-karat gold, $44. Shoes, model’s own. Floridella Boutique, 406 S. Franklin, Syracuse, 315-7417961, shoploridella.com. Model: Carey Ringwood of Fayetteville. Shot on location at Adopted Roots, Syracuse.
Good news
DOWNTOWN DOINGS
Kahssia Hills opened 210 Teas at 108 East Washington St. in Syracuse.
SIP INTO SOMETHING COMFORTABLE Tea, coffee and community at two new women-owned businesses
It all started in her grandmother’s kitchen on the east side of
To occupy her free time during the pandemic, Hills started
Syracuse, with a pitcher of iced, sweetened Lipton’s tea. It was
an online business selling loose-leaf tea blends. Less than two
always on the counter ready to welcome visitors. Now, Kahssia
years later, 210 Teas has evolved into a brick-and-mortar loca-
Hills is extending that hospitality to Central New York with her
tion on East Washington St. that opened in February with help
own version of her grandmother’s kitchen, 210 Teas. The shop
from WISE Women’s Business Center and local entrepreneur
and gathering space offers loose-leaf tea blends from around the
Tykemia Carman of Crave Dessert Studio.
world and is named after Hills’ grandmother’s address.
30
“It wasn’t easy,” says Hills, who works as a full-time technol-
“I want it to be a place where people can come together and
ogy analyst for a large online payment processing company
exist as they are, bond over tea and have a sense of community
and in her spare time learned “tips and tricks” for how to build
that’s not forced, not exclusive in any way,” Hills says.
her business.
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PHOTOS BY KATRINA TULLOCH
BY NICOLE MOSS UNDERWOOD
BLANKET STAT E M E N T Local picnic stylists put a luxurious spin on open air gatherings BY ALAINA POTRIKUS
In the past year, Toby Jacobs-Mijolovic
house,” says Jacobs-Mijolovic, a family
has styled luxury picnics for elevated date
and consumer science teacher from New
nights, bridal showers and bachelorette
Hartford. “I needed to do something.”
parties, birthday brunches and rehearsal dinners.
Inspired by viral social media videos of luxury picnics on exotic beaches, she started
The intimate celebrations are a swoon-
making a list of scenic landscapes in Central
worthy Instagram image come to life, staged
New York that mirrored the picture-perfect
in scenic locations across Central New York.
backdrops.
Her business, Picnique 315, grew from her
She launched her business last spring.
need for a creative outlet during the early
One year later, her Instagram page has close
days of the pandemic.
to 2,000 followers and her calendar has bookings through the end of 2022.
PHOTO BY ALAINA POTRIKUS
“I kept redecorating every room in my
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PAWS - I T I V E E N E RGY Meet the friendly, four-legged greeters of CNY shops BY M J K RAV EC
PHOTOS BY ALAINA POTRIKUS
They sleep on the job. Stare out the window. Lie around in a sunny spot on the floor. And they’re on Instagram — a lot. A human could never get away with such shenanigans at work. But the dogs and cats in area shops sure can. These fur babies are simply doing their job. They work their tails off (mostly) to bring comfort, connection and companionship to the visitors that stop by the stores. Good cheer guaranteed. No purchase necessary.
Local 315 Brewing Company is home to a donkey named Sanchez, Lab-and-Pit Bull mix Ella and an emu.
ELLA, SANCHEZ AND CO. AT LOCAL 315 BREWING CO. At Local 315 Brewing Company in Warners, whose motto is appropriately Drink. Sit. Stay., people come for freshly brewed
“She loves it when we get deliveries,” Mersfelder says. “She’ll jump right on top of the grain delivery.”
beer, food trucks, live music during the summer and Ella, a
The farm brewery’s Instagram page is filled with Ella photos
nearly 6-year-old Labrador-and-Pit Bull mix owned by brew-
— riding around in a golf cart with her ears flying back, standing
er Josh Mersfelder. Ella might greet visitors showing her teeth,
atop a pile of grain and sleeping by the bar. “She loves just hang-
but there’s nothing to fear. “That’s her smile,” says Local 315
ing out underneath the bar, even though she’s got the office up-
owner Dan Mathews.
stairs, this bed, the yard… She runs the show,” Mersfelder says.
Two weeks after losing his 15-year-old dog Nicki, Mersfelder
Open year-round, Local 315 welcomes visitors’ pets, which are
rescued Ella from an abusive owner when she was four months
featured on the brewery’s Instagram page making friends with
old. He’s been bringing her with him to work ever since. “She
Ella. Mersfelder says guests regularly check in to see Ella. “Peo-
spent the whole first day here between the refrigerators because
ple get mad at me if she’s not here.”
it was warm,” he says. Now, Ella happily mingles with the guests
Local 315 is also home to six to eight chickens, an emu, eight
— two- and four-legged kinds — has a thing for riding around
goats and a rescue donkey named Sanchez. “Sanchez is a pro-
on golf carts and in Mersfelder’s truck and loves her grains.
tector,” says Mathews. “He will protect [the goats] from coyotes.” M AY/J U N E
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55
INSIDE AND OUT INCLUSIVE WELLNESS OPPORTUNITIES FOR KIDS AND TEENS B Y B E C C A TA U R I S A N O
The mental, social and emotional health of our school-age children has long been a concern for parents. and the events of the past two years have only exacerbated these worries. This school year has been challenging for many young people, due to time lost developing socially and emotionally and the process of reacclimating into school, sports and activities. Parents and guardians are eager for ways to help and strategies to support the development of healthy behaviors. We recognized the demand, so we looked for resources in our area that promote
PHOTOS COURTESY OF YOGA FOR KIDS OF CNY, TEAM ADVENTURE
physical, mental, social and emotional wellness for all ages and abilities.
Left, a Yoga for Kids of Central New York camper explores a creek during the outdoor portion of a summer camp session. Above, participants work together to overcome obstacles at Team Adventure’s facility in Liverpool.
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Clockwise from top left, Neal Purcell and Todd Halbig; Kyle Moore, Fantasia Dunton and their daughters Patience and Promise; Emily Essi and Derrick and Julie Tennant. Opposite, supplies at Purcell’s Wallpaper & Paint Co.
FA M I LY T I E S Family-controlled businesses prove to be ‘Hard work, but rewarding’ BY KENNETH STURTZ
PHOTOS BY AMELIA BEAMISH
From generations-old firms to recent startups, family businesses are part of the lifeblood of Central New York. The decision to start a business can stem from an immigrant’s journey to build a new life or out of necessity for a certain type of product. Four families behind local businesses share their stories.
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Last word
WITH
KAREN HANFORD Owner, Sycamore Hill Gardens BY M J K RAV EC
A quote from Robin Williams — “Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘let’s party’” — sums up this time of year perfectly. We can’t think of a better party place than Sycamore Hill Gardens, the home of George and Karen Hanford where nearly 40 acres of trees, shrubs and perennials mix with stonework, a formal garden, a hedge maze and expansive views. We caught up with Karen to find out what to bring on a late spring picnic, who does all her weeding and why her husband invented a weedwacking lawn mower. What time do you get up in the morning and how do you take your coffee? I get up when the birds do, early in the summer, later in the winter. But in either case, first thing it’s French press, double dark roast, very hot coffee with maple syrup and heated whole milk. It’s a once-a-day production that gets me off to a multisensory start. What’s your favorite season in CNY? I’m a lifelong resident of Onondaga County and my favorite attribute of our area is the weather. Any day the weather is 74 degrees or below is my favorite day! More specifically, what’s your favorite time of year at Sycamore Hill? For me, because I live in a garden, picking a favorite time of year is as inconceivable as choosing between my four children. Spring, summer, fall, winter are all distinctly different and each brings its own special moments of wonder
It’s party time at Sycamore Hill Gardens in Marcellus.
and joy just like our kids and grandkids. Who does all your weeding? Oh, man! We all do. It’s never How would you describe what happens in the spring at SH?
ending, but the earlier the better saves tons — literally, in a
First, a hint of green [appears] as the buds on every tree, shrub and
garden this size — of work.
birds, breezes and rushing water. Then the rustle of leaves returns,
Any suggestions for how to best enjoy a picnic? I’m big
the windchimes move back outside and their magical tones fill the
on high tea crossed with charcuterie or [a] cheese board. Put
air. The light changes, clouds and rain come and go, jackets off,
your veggies in those high tea, soft white bread, crustless
jackets on throughout the day. Dogs watch kids jump in puddles
sandwiches... I know all about baguettes, but picnic time is
and dig holes that fill with water. The days are longer, the air
not the time for excessive chewing. It’s time for decadent
softer. We rake, we shovel, we discover that our boots leak. And
relaxing. And those cold beverages. Don’t bring anything
once again find ourselves lost in time, just as enchanted by the
that needs a corkscrew or bottle opener to your picnic. Just
beauty of renewal this year as we were by all the ones before.
way too much work! Finally, you may have a cooler, but in hot weather the traditional butter, rather than mayonnaise,
On Sycamore Hill’s website, we spotted an image of George
on those crustless sandwiches is still a good choice. Note, if
trimming the hedges with a weedwacker attached to the top of
luxury is what you’re after, well, that Foie gras will warm up
his lawn mower? That’s quite an invention! Only the Red Green
in no time after you pop it out of the cooler and so will those
TV Show, which we actually watched being taped in Toronto
wonderful cheeses you love. And baguettes and cornichons
courtesy of a PBS auction, could inspire something that amazing.
do have their place. M AY/J U N E
PHOTOS COURTESY KAREN HANFORD
flower begin to swell, and soon the gardens fill with the sounds of
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99
Flashback
WITH OHA
IN GLORY
Ukrainians find a home in Syracuse BY CHRIS MELFI
Syracuse has been home to Ukrainian-Americans since the late 1800s and The Ukrainian National Home (UNH) at 1317 West Fayette St. has been a fixture of the Tipperary Hill neighborhood on
Ukraine, Odesa Ukrainian Dance Ensemble, Ukrainian-American Youth Association and many others. Approaching 100 years since its completion, the UNH has
Syracuse’s westside since 1933. The UNH
served the Ukrainian community through
is near the city’s first Ukrainian Catholic
triumphs and duress. The community
Church, erected in 1903. The beautiful
of 30,000 Ukrainian-Americans in On-
Saint John the Baptist Ukrainian Catho-
ondaga County saw their home coun-
lic Church at 207 Tompkins St. was com-
try declare independence from Bolshe-
pleted in 1913 when Ukrainian immi-
vik Russia in 1918, then witnessed Lenin
gration into Syracuse peaked. A statue
declare war on the Ukrainian National
of Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko is
Republic just a few years later. As the
located just across the street and bears
U.S.S.R. shattered in 1991, the leader of
an inscription naming Shevchenko the
the Soviet Republic of Ukraine declared
“bard of freedom.” Saint John The Bap-
independence from Moscow again — an
tist Church served as the cultural hub of
event celebrated in Syracuse by the rais-
the community and was used for dances,
ing of the Ukrainian flag at City Hall and
schooling, language and citizenship les-
a banquet at the UNH. By 2014, Russian-
sons and more.
backed President Viktor Yanukovich
But the growing population needed
turned away from the European Union
a larger, specialized facility. Two orga-
in favor of a relationship with Moscow,
nizations, the Ukrainian Sich Society
and the Ukrainian region of Crimea was
(Ukrainian National Association Club,
taken by Russia, leading to the Russian
Branch 282) and the Rusky-Ukrainian
invasion of Ukraine we see today.
Club, had purchased homes that they
There has been an outpouring of sup-
converted into meeting spaces. In 1929,
port for the Ukrainian people here in Syr-
the wooden building owned by the RuskyUkrainian Club was demolished and the three-story brick structure that stands at 1317 West Fayette St. today was erect-
A statue of Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko is located just across the street from Saint John The Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church at 207 Tompkins St.
ed. In its current form, the building is
acuse and abroad. The UNH, naturally, has led the local effort to gather donations of food, first aid supplies and other necessities. On March 1, the UNH had sold all their Ukrainian flags and by March 9
13,600 square feet and houses five meeting rooms, a dining hall,
had to temporarily stop accepting donations when they ran out
a bar, a dance hall and a full kitchen, and is home to groups like
of storage space. This is an unsurprising act of unity and love
the Women’s Association for the Defense of Four Freedoms for
from a city with a history like Syracuse, but one that hopefully
PHOTO COURTESY OHA ARCHIVES
Chris Melfi is support services administrator at OHA.
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