Central New York Magazine - Nov/Dec 2021 preview

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

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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CENTRAL NEW YORK MAGAZINE

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

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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

6

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-

MJ

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

W

hen I was little,

Contents

56 Gimme some oven

8

49

63

70

72

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

11

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.

33

72

Good News 33 Pinball’s back!

34 Downtown Doings: Live Like a Local campaign.

36 Caught Doing Good: Whitesboro couple spreads holiday cheer.

87

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.

49

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

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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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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 locked wreath, inspired by a walk thro gh a winter wonderland, mixes new and vintage materials. Adornments incl de glittered ho ses reminiscent of vintage cardboard P tz ho ses, bottlebr sh trees, miniat re deer and a skiing snowman.

Vintage Shiny Brite ornaments add a pop of color.

Artist Linda Bien shares her vintage treas res and one-of-a-kind creations thro gh her Etsy shop, My Vintage So l. $100, M Vintage Soul Ets : ets .com/shop/m vintagesoul Instagram: @lindavintagesoul

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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

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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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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

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