Syracuse Woman Magazine April 2023

At the WISE Women’s Business Center (WBC), we’re often asked about why we do the work we do. We love this question! The short answer is that our center is wholly dedicated to helping Central New York women achieve their potential as business owners.

At WISE, we recognize the barriers women entrepreneurs face when starting and scaling a business. We support as an expert partner to make sure the steps to starting are just a little less overwhelming and that the path to scaling is as efficient as possible.

Counseling, education, and high-impact training programs are core to our everyday work. The magic however is in the people who conduct the work. Enjoy getting to know part of the team through a fun Q&A with our small business counselors. All counselors own their own small business and work with WISE as business consultants.

BARB STONE

Principal owner, Build Your Path LLC

Self-described traits/approach: Meeting the client where they are; listening - focused and globally; being present

What traits do you value in a small business owner and why?

There are so many! Being hardworking, asking for help, and having a learning mindset are just a few. But awareness is one of the most important traits that small business leaders need! It incorporates so many different aspects. First, awareness of yourself as a business owner. What are your values and the purpose you are reflecting in your business? Secondly, how aware are you of others? Your customers? Vendors? What do they need? And, finally, awareness of everything around you. Your market. Your environment. Your business landscape. Trends in your industry.

What is a piece of advice that you have for new business owners given the current small business landscape?

As a new business owner steps into launching their business, they need to see this as a journey. There isn’t always a right or wrong way of doing the steps to developing your business, but you need to surround yourself with the right people, your tribe, to support you on this journey. Don’t do it alone!!! Tap into the resources in your community (hint, hint, WISE WBC) to guide you in the right direction. Ask questions, have dialogue, network, and benchmark!

Being aware will help you keep a pulse on and in your business.

Continued on page 7

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Alyssa Dearborn

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Kate Hanzalik

Norah Machia

Chef Eric Rose

David Tyler

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Thinking about starting or scaling a small business? You don’t need to do it alone!

Cover photo by Alice G. Patterson

DANA ZANDERS

Owner, Phil Financial, Inc.

Self-described traits/ approach: Encouraging, attentive, goal-oriented

What is the best question you’ve received in a coaching session?

As a small business owner, what do you know now that you wish you would’ve known when you first started? What advice can you give as a result?

The journey is more important than the destination. Trust the process! Embrace the twists and turns! Put the work in and constantly work on making improvements along the way. It’s a rewarding experience yet there are always unique challenges that can ultimately help to shape the success of your business. View each challenge as a learning opportunity. Learn from your mistakes.

What is one of your favorite questions to ask a small business owner?

What are the top three things that you would like to accomplish in your business right now?

This question often forces small business owners to dig deep to assess and prioritize the three things that currently matter most or that currently require the most attention. It also allows for responses that trigger additional discussion (questions, dialogue) to help with insight into their goals and move past potential challenges and barriers.

Creatography

KELLY WYPYCH Co-Founder, Vertric

Self-described traits/approach: Tailored, supportive, results-oriented

How do you define success for a small business owner?

I have always believed that happiness needs to be considered part of everyone’s ROI. Success for a small business owner isn’t only about meeting financial and other metrics. True success includes taking the time to gain clarity about what you want your life to be like, both at work and everywhere else. Gaining the tools and skills needed to take a step back and be strategic about work and life, and then creating goals that align with this bigger vision - well, meeting these goals is the real definition of success.

What skills do you recommend owners invest in and why?

It depends on the knowledge and skills the business owner brings to the table. It’s important to be self-aware of your capabilities and get clarity about where you might have gaps. But one thing is universal - get a coach or participate in an accountability group! Having someone on your side who can support you, challenge you, push you, and praise you makes a big difference. Being a leader in a small business can be a lonely job. Invest in yourself and your future by getting the coaching you need to feel confident and supported!

WISE WBC Small Business Counseling is offered at no cost to women who reside in Central New York (Cayuga, Cortland, Jefferson, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, and Oswego counties). Topics covered range from creating a business plan and financial projections to customer acquisition and navigating resources. Interested in learning more or getting involved? Visit wisecenter.org/counseling

WISE is funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration and is hosted by Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University. WISE supports hundreds of women annually with access to training and resources to move their small business dreams forward.

Love & Ladies

The Love & Ladies brunch was held Saturday, Feb. 25 at the Hotel Syracuse Imperial Ball Room. The fundraiser for the American Heart Association’s Syracuse Go Red for Women campaign featured brunch, a drag show and plenty of laughs. Sponsor included Maker’s Mark and Hornitos. Syracuse Go Red for Women is dedicated to addressing cardiovascular and brain health issues.

SUPPORT THESE AWESOME, LOCAL, WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES!

Bridal beauties

Sunday, March 5 was Girl’s Day Out in royal fashion in the grand ballroom of the Fair Haven Events Center at Colloca Estate Winery. Local vendors from all facets of the wedding industry were there to inspire and energize future brides as they planned for their special day. Bliss Bridal of Baldwinsville was one of the gown sponsors for the event.

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St. Patty’s Day fun

SKY Armory had a full house for their annual Parade Day Party, which is always a good craic (Irish for fun)! Live music played on every floor, Irish dancers from the McDonald School of Irish Dance and Francis Academy performed and a good time was had by all at the March 11 event.

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Nectar Espresso Bar & Vintages

CREATING A SPACE FOR COFFEE AND COMPANY

Alyssa Dearborn

In the McCarthy Mercantile under Wildflowers Armory in Downtown Syracuse, you can find handcrafted coffee drinks and unique antiques at Nectar Espresso Bar and Vintages. The idea for an espresso bar and vintage shop was conceived during the pandemic. Today, Nicole Guindon’s cafe serves delicious lavender lattes, sells classic vintage pieces, and hosts inclusive events for the community.

How she came up with the idea for her business?

“I’ve kind of always wanted to open a coffee shop. And at the time, it was right when the pandemic hit. We moved back to Syracuse from Philadelphia where we were living at the time and my dad had introduced us to auctions. So we were doing a lot of that, which was fun. And we really got into it. You could buy a whole box of really cool vintage things for $5. And we were like, this is amazing. Obviously, you can only have so many things, and maybe we should resell some of this. Some of the things we like to do are grab coffee and go shopping, go vintage shopping, go to thrift stores, things like that.”

“And the espresso bar part,” she continued, “we were like, let’s just go with full on European style. These are the kind of drinks we like. Everyone in Syracuse does more of the bigger drinks with more milk, more sugar, more of the American style coffee drinks I guess. So we were like, let’s just go with what we’re used to, what we drink, and let’s just see how it goes.”

Most of the cups you drink out of and the furniture that you sit on when you enjoy your beverage at Nectar are available for purchase. Nicole strives to create a space where customers can enjoy their drinks in an atmosphere that is, as she described it, “a chill, fun, cute thing.” The same amount of work that goes into building a comfortable atmosphere goes into the selection of beverages offered. The crafted coffee drinks range from the seasonal–such as the iced lavender blue bear–to the classic–like a cappuccino.

They started Fatties and Baddies as a plus-sized market because there was nothing similar in the Syracuse area.

“As a plus sized person, where do you go clothes shopping? You got Target or Torrid. Or you’re going online. And a lot of people like to try clothes on and I like to shop secondhand, like, helping the earth and it’s also cheaper,” she said. “So doing an event like that helps bring everyone together, just offer new options as plussized people.”

“The LGBTQIA+ events, that kind of happened organically. We started with board game nights, which is just casual. We were like, oh, we should have queer board game night. Kayla is part of the LGBTQIA+ community and so are all of our friends. So this makes sense. Then we can all hang out. And then, all of a sudden, we just started hosting and [collaborating] with all of these other events.

So we just organically became a little more involved with that market. But again, I think that’s just something that happened because that’s what this area needs.”

When asked about the most enjoyable part of her work, Nicole returned that idea of community. Coffee has the power to bring people together and that is something she gets to see at Nectar.

“I really like the community that it creates.” she said, “I’ve met a lot of really awesome people, like other business owners and even just random people and regulars. We get people traveling through who see us online or randomly stopped in. And it’s nice to hear their stories. And then we also have our regulars that we get to know and become friends with. So that’s a lot of fun. And then it’s also nice to create our own space, like, these are the things I like. I’m doing it because I like it. And that’s really fun.”

“Probably one of my favorites is our pineapple espresso,” Nicole said when asked about some of her favorite menu items. “It’s pineapple juice and espresso, which I know sounds odd, but it’s kind of like the whole orange juice and espresso if you’ve ever heard of that. That’s supposed to be a very popular thing, too. It’s similar to that. It gives it a little bit of a different edge. So that’s one of my favorites. And espresso and sparkling water, separate. I just love the combo of those two.”

But Nectar Espresso Bar and Vintages is not just a place to grab a coffee. Nicole uses the cafe to host a variety of fun events, including yarn clubs and book clubs. But many of the events–particularly Bored Gays and Board Games Night and the market night called Fatties and Baddies – are geared towards LGBTQIA+ and plussized people.

“Mainly we do those events specifically because it’s things we know, things that we are, and things that we’re passionate about. We’re not really trying to do things that we don’t understand or that we’re not about. And it’s things that we feel are needed.”

Creating a space for more people to enjoy coffee and company is something that Nicole hopes she can do in the future.

“I think that’s kind of where we’re at now. I think we want to expand that a little bit more. We obviously want to grow and have our own space and be bigger and offer more events, maybe just like different things, too. So definitely just create a space for more groups and more people.” SWM

If you are interested in learning more about Nectar Espresso Bar and Vintages, please visit them at nectarespressobar.squarespace.com/.

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DEVAN ROBINSON

COACHING PEOPLE PAST THE BARRIERS IN THEIR LIVES

Alyssa Dearborn

Social conditioning affects most women at some point in their lives. Although some types of social conditioning – such as people-pleasing, perfectionism, among others – are learned at a young age, conditioning can be unlearned. Helping people overcome these obstacles was the goal this month’s WBOC Leading Lady, Devan Robinson, had when she founded her business, Developing with Devan.

“I use the [term] ‘social conditioning’ as an overarching umbrella.” Devan said when asked how she would define social conditioning, “What social conditioning is is…the things that society has told you that have put you into some sort of box and created some type of obstacle for you to get through. And a lot of times, we don’t realize it.” When asked what types of obstacles her clients seek help with, Devan said, “There’s so much. Everybody is so different, but there are some themes. Some of the common themes are perfectionism, people-pleasing, procrastination, the negative self-talk, comparing ourselves to others, not having any boundaries, saying ‘yes’ when you want to say ‘no.’ Those are the common themes. Those are just a handful of the social conditioning type issues that we work through. It’s personalized, one-on-one coaching because nobody is the same. I do have an overarching framework that I follow, like specific tools that I have to pull from, but not everybody needs every single one of those tools and so I do a lot of customization for each person based off of where they want to go.”

Devan started her coaching journey in 2020 when she began contemplating what she was passionate about. Through this process, she realized that there were personal patterns that she was working through that other women were also dealing with.

“From there I figured out what type of training I needed, what skills I needed, which ones I had and which ones I didn’t. I worked on getting the ones that I didn’t and worked on the ones that I did. And then I got my DBA and took that first step.”

“I noticed some patterns going on in the lives of people, especially in women, and I realized that this pattern also was something happening to me.” she continued, “So when I realized that I was helping myself already, I wanted to offer to help other people through the same path. That was when I debated how I would help people. What job helps people in this realm? And that was how I landed on coaching.”

Developing with Devan offers a range of coaching services to work with clients seeking empowerment and help breaking through societal barriers. Devan offers her clients group coaching, a yearly women’s summit, and, of course, one-on-one coaching. When asked how these personalized sessions work, she explained.

“We take a test at the beginning of the session. If we’ve met before, we talk about what happened the last time, we answer some of the questions, like ‘what are your wins?’, ‘what are you thankful for?’

Just taking a little bit of time to reflect on what has happened because a lot of the time we don’t do that in our personal lives. And then we take a few more minutes to figure out exactly what is in your way that is weak and what you want to work through. And we kind of dig a bit deeper.”

“Sometimes people come with a more open-ended issue and they’re not quite sure. They know they’re stuck, but they’re not really sure why they’re stuck. So I help them by taking a look through and listening to

what they’re saying, asking them some questions to kind of dig deeper. And that way, each session involves some sort of problem. We walk away with some type of next steps. And so that’s kind of what we spend the rest of the session on. We reflect and review, we hone in on what you want to solve and then we work through it and figure out the next steps of what we’re going to do. Then we’re going to repeat that every week.”

As she developed her business, Devan was able to find mentorship and networking opportunities through the WBOC. As a member of the WBOC, she took on a leadership role right away and became an active member of the organization.

“I joined the WBOC last year and I immediately hopped onto the board because you get what you put in. You get out what you put in and I can see the value of just showing up and being there in the presence of other women who are focused on the same types of things. And so, for me, the WBOC has increased my network, it has taught me some new skills. Being on the board I had to learn a lot of new things. It also helped me realize where some of my strengths lie that I wouldn’t have realized if I hadn’t joined the organization.”

Devan hopes that her business can make a difference in the lives of those who seek her help. When asked what she hopes women get out of her coaching services, she replied,

“I’m hoping that at the end of our session – or somewhere in the middle – that they have a career that makes them so excited to show up to every day because they have the clarity and focus that they need in order to pursue their passion. I hope they have a strong relationship with their significant other. A lot of the times these obstacles make it feel like we’re more like roommates for our partners and we’re not feeling heard or supported. I’m hoping that afterwards, working together, they know how to communicate what they want in a win-win way with their partners. And I’m hoping that after working with me,

they have friendships, they’ve figured out how awesome they are, and they’re confident showing up…And I hope that they feel like an unstoppable force of nature that’s crushing it in life. That is what I hope for them.”

SWM

To learn more about Developing with Devan or the September Women’s Summit in Syracuse, visit https://developingwithdevan.com/

Entrepreneurship: Confessions from the other side

Iris Buczkowski Chief Executive Officer

I will never regret leaving corporate America. A few years ago I found myself at a crossroad where I needed to contemplate what my next move would be. I was recruited to stay under the umbrella or a “sure thing”, otherwise known as the wire houses and broker/dealer world of the financial services industry, I was offered the opportunity to change course and work in the not-for-profit sector, but I ultimately landed on the platform of being the maker of my own destiny by becoming an entrepreneur and starting my own firm. Now, having gone through this experience for almost four years I can look back with both smiles and tears on the good times and the challenging ones. When you are growing it is exciting and the expansion of your business can be extremely rewarding, but starting on this journey six months before a major pandemic that caused the world to shut down was terrifying at times. The keys for success is something I have been learning along the way and here are a few tips that I believe are prudent for anyone considering this journey:

1. Discover your what and why before you dive in two feet first! No, I am not trying to be all up in my feelings and yes, I am dead serious. It is statistically proven that if you have a clear vision on what you want to do and why you want to spend your time, effort and energy doing it, the more likely you are going to be successful. Make sure whatever product or service you choose to do makes you feel good about going to work everyday. Money does make the world go around, but if you love what you do you will not feel like you are working.

2. Assemble a top-notch team to help you! Owning a business is a lot of work and it can even be more intense because of the multiple hats you wear while running your company, especially at the onset. The investment of time you commit upon establishing a company is substantial. Building a solid team both internally and externally is essential for success. Identify the software, marketing, operational supports, and other internal components you need to build a solid platform and never forget to include your attorney, accountant, and financial advisor. Your outside counsel will be critically important to you along the way.

3. Document your business and marketing plans. Create guidelines of how your business will operate and what you expect from the employees you hire. This has dual purpose. As an entrepreneur you will find many grant opportunities available to help you as you get started, but most require a myriad of paperwork to show that you have a structured and well thought out process of how you plan to operate. Additionally, having structure in place helps you in the recruitment process as you grow. Even if you are starting as a party of one, when you look to add to your team there is a powerful message when you can clearly define your mission, values, and your goals looking forward. As you go through the start-up you will find excitement within all of the creativity that will encompass you. Owning a business can be the most rewarding experience you may have, but also need to consider what exit strategies may look whether they are voluntary or involuntary. What would happen to your company if you are gone or can no longer work? How have you protected this incredible asset you have built? When you are ready to retire what is your exit strategy? It doesn’t matter if you are a sole proprietor or an entity with multiple owners or partners, the importance of

proper business succession planning is critical and often an area that entrepreneurs pass over when they are in the creative stages of building and launching their company. You want to make sure that you have business continuity if you cannot work for any reason. Life happens and all of the bad things that come along with it such as accidents, illness, or even death. Your business interests are important assets that provide a return to you and your family, and if something were to happen to you those interests you need to have continuity of operations or be able to monetized. Critical planning items to have in place include:

1. Have an adequate and updated buy/sell agreement in place for your company. If you have a multiple ownership structure this is essential in the event of a death or a disability. You will need the services of an attorney who specializes in business law to construct these agreements. If you are a sole proprietor, you may consider researching options on how to broker a sale of your company and discuss it with your attorney to incorporate it as part of your plan.

2. Fund your agreements once they completed. New businesses often don’t have the cash flow to provide large payouts in the event of a death or replacement income in the event of a disability. Buy/sell agreements are often funded through insurance to cover these obligations. Work with your financial advisor and accountant to determine the most appropriate type and level of coverage that should be maintained over time.

3. Use key-person life insurance where appropriate if you are a sole owner or you have key employees who are essential to the continual operations of your business. Term insurance is often a good fit here as you can secure a large amount of coverage for very little cost.

4. Make sure to have your business formally valuated on a routine basis. This is often one area that is overlooked because although you have financial statements prepared annually, that is not the same as what the fair market value of your company would be if it were to be sold. Many industries that have a niche product or service have to look for specialized providers to have this work completed. The valuations become a key part of your estate planning as well.

5. Identify potential succession candidates as you grow. Nobody wants to work forever and we definitely do not live forever. If you want to see your company survive beyond you, building a solid team that can step in to run your company over time is the first step to accomplishing that goal.

There are many rewards that come with being a business owner. The development of your product or service and the relationships you build along the way will be some of the most meaningful you will experience in your lifetime. For me, it was equally important to build a life that fit my goals for not only my work, but for my family and the quality of life I wanted to have. Being your own boss has its perks! It’s all about balance and corporate America did not offer that to me while I was there. Striking an optimal work-life balance is the best part of being an entrepreneur, but being smart about how you implement and operate your vision is critical to long-term success. If you can put your head on the pillow at night knowing you are well organized, surrounded by the best team you can assemble, and you genuinely enjoy what you do every day, you can safely say you have made a great decision and are transitioning nicely to “the other side.”

CASEY ROSE FRANK

Books for all

FOSTERING INCLUSIVITY AT GOLDEN BEE BOOKSHOP

Norah Machia

CASEY ROSE FRANK

Books for all

FOSTERING INCLUSIVITY AT GOLDEN BEE BOOKSHOP

Norah Machia

When Casey Rose Frank set up a new bookshop in Liverpool, she wanted to make sure readers of all ages and backgrounds would feel welcome. So she filled the shelves with a curated collection of positive books that celebrate both diversity and inclusion.

“Everyone deserves to see themselves represented in books, especially people who are not typically portrayed in traditional stories," said Frank,

owner of the Golden Bee Bookshop, located at 324 1st St., Liverpool. The bookshop offers a wide range of fiction books for children, teenagers and adults, including titles with main characters who represent a variety of ethnic

backgrounds and sexual orientations. The characters may be dealing with family issues, conflicts with friends, mental health concerns or disabilities. However, some books are just adventure, mystery or romance stories whose main characters happen to be less represented in literature.

For example, the store has romance books whose characters are not in heterosexual relationships, and young adult books

featuring characters who are gender neutral. A selection of illustrated children’s books includes stories of children with same-sex parents. The focus is often just the story itself, Frank said. “The main characters are just people who populate the earth” whose experiences and stories aren’t very different from others, she said.

The Golden Bee Bookshop “is a reflection of how it should be” for avid readers who want to see themselves in the pages of

books, Frank said. Books that promote diversity and inclusion are also helpful for people of all ages to better understand others who don’t share the same race, body type or gender identity, she said.

“Books have always been a priority for me,” said Frank, who recalled bringing home the Scholastic Books paper flyer and digging into the couch for change to buy books at the school fair.

Continued on page 26

Books for all from page 25

That passion was always in the back of her mind as she navigated her journey through early adulthood.

Frank initially opened her bookshop in a smaller space at a nearby building. Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit. She quickly adapted by offering curbside pick-up and shopping by appointment (some of the most popular appointments included her reading to children as their parents shopped).

In 2021, Frank decided it was time for a larger location that would allow her to expand her collection of books and hire employees to help with the growing business. At the time, Frank was becoming increasingly frustrated at the censorship of books in schools and public libraries taking place nationwide.

“I became really concerned about it,” said Frank, who identifies as a member of the LGBTQ community. “You can’t fight every fight, but you can start somewhere.”

Her children’s book collection includes stories such as “Papa, Daddy and Riley,” by Seamus Kirst, the story of a young girl with two fathers who must navigate questions from curious classmates. The children’s book helps to “normalize same-sex parents,” Frank said. “Call Me Max” by Kyle Lukoff, which has been banned by some school districts, tells the journey of a transgender child as he reveals his feelings about his identity to his parents. Also in the children’s section is “A Beginner’s Guide to Being Human,” by Matt Forrest Esenwine, a book about acceptance written to inspire children to be kind and empathetic towards others.

Frank also carries mainstream book titles as well, including selections from several wellknown authors. She has a nonfiction section featuring books on a variety of health topics, along with several cookbooks. But you won’t find any of the typical “diet books” on the shelves. Instead, her collection of books addresses topics such as body acceptance. Next to those books is a sign on the shelf defining “body liberation” as “the freedom from social and political systems of oppression that designate certain bodies as more worthy, healthy and desirable than others.”

Body image is a personal subject for Frank, who served on the board of directors for the nonprofit organization, Ophelia’s Place in Syracuse, for four years (two as vice president and two

as president, stepping down in January 2022). The organization offers educational programming and support services for those who have been impacted by eating disorders, diet culture or body oppression.

After graduating from Cicero North Syracuse High School, Frank earned a bachelor’s degree in theater from Niagara University. She moved to Chicago and briefly studied at Second City Improv Training Center before relocating to New York City, where she was successful in landing roles in some Indie films. But the grueling process of auditioning began to wear her down. “I was rejected for parts after being told I was too fat, I was too thin, I was too short, I was too tall,” said Frank. “How could I be all those things at the same time?”

She decided to stop auditioning and found work as a nanny. “I had no interest in having myself constantly be this object for others to judge,” Frank said. “It just didn’t bring me joy anymore.” Frank and her husband, who was working for a tech company, were renting an apartment in Queens. They eventually decided it didn’t make sense to keep paying the high cost of rent and other living expenses in the city and made plans to leave (her husband’s company then offered him a remote work position). The couple returned to Central New York where they would be closer to their families.

But just a month after moving back home, Frank was shocked when she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. She underwent surgery and radioactive iodine treatment and has since been in complete remission. The experience caused Frank to take time for an inner reflection of her future and start a new journey as she sought to discover her passion in life.

After her recovery, Frank decided to start freelance

writing. For several years, she was a contributing writer to the Syracuse Media Group and wrote a weekly local author column on Syracuse.com, published in Sunday’s Empire Magazine. Frank also served as the municipal liaison for the National Novel Writing Month. “But I still felt like I was wearing a sweater that just didn’t fit well,” she said.

She finally turned to her one constant in her life, and that was books. In the fall of 2019, the Golden Bee Bookshop was opened.

Soon after she moved into the new expanded location, Frank started the next chapter of her life - the birth of her daughter, Adaline Rose. Being a business owner and a mother has been “a really big challenge,” Frank said. She has a part-time nanny, and her in-laws also help care for her daughter. “But I still struggle with that mom guilt,” like so many other women balancing careers and parenthood, she said.

Frank found a way to spend more time with her daughter when she started a weekly children’s story time at the bookshop. Adaline is often in the back of her mind when Frank is selecting books for the children’s section. “I don’t want my daughter to ever feel like she can’t express her true self,” she said.

Frank hosts other community events at the store and opens the doors for local authors to speak and sell their books directly to the audience. The Golden Bee Bookshop also carries bookrelated merchandise, including handmade cards, candles and chocolates, from small businesses throughout Central New York, many of them women-owned.

“Independent bookshops can’t survive without support from the community,” she said. “It’s also important that local business owners support each other as well.” SWM

The Mediterranean Diet

EATING FOR LONGEVITY

Chef Eric Rose

The Mediterranean diet has become increasingly popular in recent years, with many people turning to this way of eating as a means of improving their health and overall well-being. A Mediterranean diet is not only delicious, but it also offers numerous health benefits that can help to reduce the risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.

So, what exactly is a Mediterranean diet? It is a way of eating that is based on the traditional foods and cooking styles of the countries that surround the Mediterranean Sea, including Greece, Italy, Spain, and Turkey.

The diet emphasizes whole, minimally processed foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and olive oil, while limiting the consumption of red meat, sugar, and saturated fats. Fish and seafood are also key components of the Mediterranean diet, as are herbs and spices, which are used to flavor dishes instead of salt.

One of the main benefits of a Mediterranean diet is its ability to reduce the risk of heart disease. Numerous studies have shown that people who follow a Mediterranean diet have a lower risk of heart disease than those who do not. This is likely because the diet is rich in heart-healthy nutrients, such as fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants. Additionally, the Mediterranean diet has been shown to improve cholesterol levels, reduce inflammation, and lower blood pressure, all of which are risk factors for heart disease. Another potential benefit of a Mediterranean diet is its ability to reduce the risk of diabetes. The diet emphasizes whole, unprocessed foods, which can help to regulate blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity. Additionally, the Mediterranean diet is high in fiber, which can help to slow down the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream.

The Mediterranean diet has also been linked to a reduced risk of certain types of cancer, including breast cancer and colon cancer. The diet is rich in, which help to protect cells from damage and inflammation.

Some of the most popular Mediterranean foods and dishes include:

• Hummus - a dip made from chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice and garlic

• Tzatziki - a dip made from Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic and dill

• Falafel - deep-fried balls made from ground chickpeas, herbs and spices

• Tabouli - a salad made from parsley, mint, tomatoes, onions and bulgur wheat

• Moussaka - a baked dish made from eggplant, ground lamb or beef and a creamy béchamel sauce

• Paella - a rice dish made with saffron, seafood, and vegetables

• Spanakopita - a savory pastry made with spinach and feta cheese

• Caponata – a salad/relish with the bold lively flavors of cooked eggplant, tomatoes, capers and olives

Continued on page 30

The Mediterranean Diet from page 29

The popularity of Mediterranean foods has been on the rise in recent years, with many people turning to this way of eating as a means of improving their health. As a result, a number of Mediterranean concept restaurants have opened up across the United States and around the world. These restaurants offer a wide variety of Mediterranean dishes, from traditional Greek and Italian fare to more modern, fusion-style cuisine.

The Syracuse area features several popular Mediterranean restaurants including:

Shawarma Paradise - Syracuse The Kabob House - Liverpool

Kiki’s Authentic Greek Food - Camillus King David’s - Syracuse

Sinbad Restaurant - Syracuse Otro Cinco - Syracuse

Lafa Mediterranean - New Hartford Baghdad Restaurant - Syracuse

Byblos Mediterranean Café - Syracuse Loumies - Ithaca

Rachel’s Mediterranean Grill - Syracuse

Simply said, a Mediterranean diet is a delicious and healthy way of eating that can offer numerous health benefits. By emphasizing whole, minimally processed foods and limiting the consumption of red meat,

Caponata

Caponata is a fun and versatile dish whether you serve it as an appetizer, a side dish or a light meal. Traditionally, caponata was served alongside fish or meat dishes.

Caponata offers bold, lively flavors that will complement grilled entrées and late summer feasts, and it packs well for picnics.

Makes 4 servings

sugar, and saturated fats, the Mediterranean diet can help to reduce the risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

So why not try incorporating some Mediterranean-inspired dishes into your diet today? Your taste buds and your body will thank you!

Easy tips to a Mediterranean diet

The easiest way to make the change to a Mediterranean diet is to start with small steps.

You can do this by:

• Sautéing food in olive oil instead of butter

• Eating more fruits and vegetables by enjoying salad as a starter or side dish, snacking on fruit and adding veggies to other dishes

• Choosing whole grains, cauliflower, and hearts of palm options instead of refined breads, rice, and pasta

• Substituting fish for red meat at least twice per week

• Limiting high-fat dairy by switching to skim or 1% milk from 2% or whole milk SWM

DIRECTIONS

1. Cut the eggplant and zucchini into large chunks.

2. Peel and finely chop the onion, then peel and finely slice the garlic.

3. Pick and chop the parsley leaves and finely chop the stalks. Rinse, soak and drain the capers.

4. Roughly chop the tomatoes.

5. Toast the almonds, if using, under a hot grill or in an oven until light brown.

6. Get yourself a large pan, pour in a couple small flush of olive oil, and place

Cauliflower Tabouleh Salad

Makes 4 servings

INGREDIENTS

3 cups cauliflower ²/₃ cup flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped ¹/₃ cup of mint, finely chopped 1¼ cup cucumber, chopped

1¼ cup cherry tomatoes, quartered ½ cup scallions, chopped

3 Tbsp quality olive oil

3 Tbsp lemon juice (fresh is best)

¼ tsp cumin Salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS FOR THE CAULIFLOWER RICE:

1 Cut the cauliflower in half. Cut out the hard core. Cut into pieces that fit in the food processor.

2. Place pieces in food processor. Pulse about 5 times or until pieces are the size of rice. You can also use a hand grater for this step.

3. Transfer the cauliflower rice to a microwavable bowl. Microwave for 2½ minutes. This leaves the cauliflower rice with a little crunch, which we love for tabbouleh salad! If you want the cauliflower rice to taste more like actual rice, microwave for 3 minutes.

DIRECTIONS FOR THE SALAD:

Literally, just add everything to a bowl and mix. But there are a couple important tips if you want a more authentic tabbouleh salad: Tabbouleh tip #1: It’s all about the parsley. Parsley should be the main ingredient in the salad—get some fresh parsley!

Tabbouleh tip #2: Make sure the parsley and mint are dry before adding to the salad. Use paper towels or a spin dryer. Any extra water in the salad is bad.

Greek Chicken Burgers with Tzatziki Sauce

Makes 4 servings

INGREDIENTS FOR TZATZIKI SAUCE

1 small cucumber

½ Tbsp chopped fresh mint

1 Tbsp chopped fresh dill ½ Tbsp lemon juice

1 clove minced garlic

1 cup plain, low-fat Greek yogurt

INGREDIENTS FOR CHICKEN BURGERS

2 oz reduced-fat feta

1 egg

1 cup chopped fresh spinach

10 chopped/pitted kalamata olives

1 pound 95-97% lean ground chicken

2 tsp olive oil

2 sliced tomatoes

1 small head iceberg lettuce,

1 Tbsp cornstarch cut into eight bun-sized pieces

1 tsp dried oregano

2 cloves garlic, chopped

½ tsp salt

¼ tsp pepper

DIRECTIONS FOR TZATZIKI SAUCE

1. Chop half of the cucumber into small pieces, and place in a small bowl.

2. Slice remaining cucumber into thin slices for sandwiches and set aside.

3. Add remaining sauce ingredients to small bowl and refrigerate until ready to use.

DIRECTIONS FOR CHICKEN BURGERS

1. In a large bowl, combine the first nine burger ingredients.

2. Add chicken and mix lightly but thoroughly. Shape into four burger patties.

3. Moisten a paper towel with oil, and, using cooking tongs, rub on grill rack to coat lightly. Add burgers, and grill covered, over medium heat, until a meat thermometer reads 165° F (about 5-7 minutes on each side).

4. Serve on iceberg lettuce “buns” with tomato slices, the remaining cucumber, and sauce or pita bread.

MADELYN HORNSTEIN & CAROLYN STURICK Cultivating a family-friendly corporate culture

David Tyler

By creating a flexible, family-friendly culture, Robert J. Dermody, John D. Burke and Daniel J. Brown were ahead of their time when they founded their accounting firm – Dermody, Burke & Brown – in 1956.

“Our founders … all had a boatload of kids – and daughters – and they wanted to make sure that the firm was family friendly,” said Madelyn Hornstein, who recently stepped down from the role of chief executive officer and is planning her retirement at the end of the year. “Just as they wanted their daughters to be given the opportunity to be on a partner track or succeed in their profession, they wanted us to, and that kind of filtered down.”

Hornstein, who is in her 40th year with DB&B, has turned over the CEO’s reins to Carolyn Sturick, who herself has been with the firm for 33 years including the last 13 years as chief operating officer. Both are mothers of three and see themselves as beneficiaries of a flexible corporate culture that emphasizes the importance of work/ life balance.

“Thankfully when we were hired many, many moons ago, management was of the mindset that they wanted women and moms such as ourselves to be able to stay in public accounting so the culture is such that we were able to have the best of both worlds and continue along the partner path but also be good moms,” Hornstein said. “And we work very hard to make sure we continue to maintain that for the young people coming up through the ranks.” When Hornstein had young children, she was able to work part-time at the firm until her youngest child was in kindergarten while still staying on a partner track.

“I utilized that same flexibility growing up through the ranks here,” said Sturick, who enjoys hiking in the Catskills and Adirondacks with her family. “Actually being at Dermody this whole time raising them, it’s been able to have the right balance, to be able to have a family and do all the things with the kids and also continue to develop the role and the position here.”

That flexible corporate culture, whether its applied to people with young families or those responsible for the care of aging parents, has created a happy workforce and greatly aided the firm in recruitment and retention.

“Some of the women that we have here today grew up in other firms and are here now because of that flexibility or because of a perceived glass ceiling. I don’t know so much about the local firms, but there’s clearly other CPA firms that if you can’t be full time 2,400, 2,500 hours a year, you’re never going to make partner, and how many moms can do that?” Hornstein said. “So that’s why I think we’ve been able

to retain people that have started here and grown here, but we’ve also been able to attract people that started at other places that are here now, even amongst the partner ranks.”

Having two women in charge who both fully embraced their roles as moms and still made it to the top of the firm provides a strong example for younger staffers that they don’t need to sacrifice their families for their careers, or vice versa. “It lets people see that that’s how it works,” Sturick said. “We’ll take whatever you can give, as long as it’s high quality.”

To meet the demands of the business while making this flexible, family-oriented corporate culture a reality, the firm has between 90 and 100 employees who make up the 80 or so full-time equivalent positions at its four Central New York locations. “I think as the world evolves and people don’t want to work as many hours going forward, we have the right model,” Hornstein said. “It goes back to the culture. It goes back to our willingness to have more people working for us, but not necessarily full-time equivalents.”

As it has for many companies, the pandemic also impacted Dermody, Burke & Brown, but Hornstein said the firm was well prepared and was able to continue on without missing a beat. “When the pandemic hit, the ability that our company had to pickup their laptops and go home and continue to work at home was unbelievable,” Hornstein said. “I just wanted to give our IT guy a big hug.”

The firm has also embraced the work-from-home trend, and offers its employees the opportunity to work from home or from the office, whatever works best for them. And it has adopted a ‘dress for your day’ policy in which employees can dress casually on days when they aren’t meeting with clients.

As she takes on her new role, Sturick said it is important to prioritize both the outward-facing strategic initiatives as well as the inwardfacing goals that make those initiatives a reality.

“[It’s important to] think about the client service that we do and how we have to continue to build those relationships with our clients, make sure we help them achieve what they’re looking to achieve, answering those questions, guiding them, advising them,” she said. That all happens because the corporate culture helps cultivate a team that is devoted to the firm and to its clients.

“We have such a good group of people here in this firm,” she said. “They give 110 percent because they want to be here, rather than just going to a job.”

Looking back on her 40 years with the firm, Hornstein said the expectations of the clients has changed. “In years past, you could have been a generalist,” she said. “Now, clients want you to know their business. If they’re in construction, they want you to know the construction business.” As a larger firm, that also creates a diversity of opportunity for employees who can dig into an aspect of the accounting field they are drawn toward.

It is that consulting role that Sturick really enjoys. “They’re looking to us to try to advise them about what they should and shouldn’t do,” she said. “The fact that they come to us with those questions is probably the most satisfying part of all this.”

As she prepares for retirement, Hornstein feels confident that firm, under Sturick’s leadership, will carry on the legacy that began with the founders in 1956, and was passed down to Hornstein 13 years ago by her predecessor, Bernie Corbishley. “I always tell people, I didn’t create the culture,” she said. “But I’m really trying hard to maintain it, because I know what it did for us.” SWM

KAYLA WAGNER

SU grad launches telehealth solution for diagnosing autism

Janelle Davis

Wait times for diagnostic evaluations for autism have grown at an alarming rate, according to the National Institutes of Health. The reason is because the number of children who need to be evaluated for autism is much higher than the number of clinicians available, a need that Kayla Wagner, CEO of As You Are, noticed got worse during the pandemic. "Approximately 10 to 15 percent of children will screen at risk for autism. We need a fair number of clinicians to meet this need,” said Kayla.

The Syracuse University graduate earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and neuroscience and went on to her graduate studies in clinical psychology where she was an active clinician and researcher at the college. Kayla started working at Quadrant Biosciences in 2017. From her experience as a clinician, doing diagnostics and therapy for children and adults, and working at Quadrant Biosciences, Kayla knew that the challenges associated with the pandemic would increase the wait time for autism evaluation and affect the diagnostic paradigm for autism evaluations. She wanted to do something about this nationwide problem.

In general, the medical space was

starting to shift into telehealth because due to the pandemic, clinics weren’t able to see patients in person. This caused the wait times to increase even more by the day. These circumstances forced autism experts to quickly adapt and develop tools that could be administered via telehealth and reliably diagnose children. There has since developed mounting literature supporting virtual evaluations for autism.

Kayla wanted to be involved. “I knew I had to create a solution to make sure that this diagnostic paradigm was available to children anywhere, at any time because I believe that children should not ever wait to receive a diagnosis that needs timely and effective intervention options,” she said. Kayla quickly pitched the idea of As You Are to Quadrant's CEO Rich Uhlig, and the team immediately began building the business.

She launched As You Are to the public in August 2022.

As You Are is a virtual clinic used for autism evaluations where trained physicians can get you a diagnosis in a matter of weeks. “Consistent with current standards, our evaluation process uses the same criteria as in-person evaluations, based on the DSM-5 Manual

developed by the American Psychiatric Association, combined with questionnaires and play-based assessment tools designed for telehealth appointments. We follow evidence-based practices,” Kayla explained.

As You Are hires pedia-tricians and provides them with rigorous training to

evaluate autism. Kayla explains that it is a specialized process that takes a matter of weeks with a lot of quality control and ongoing assessment to ensure their training to identify autism is highly accurate. Even after being well trained, pediatricians are supervised and offered ongoing support as they work with the patients.

The autism evaluation process consists of three separate 30minute appointments with the same trained physician. “The first appointment is a clinical interview where parents are asked questions about their child’s behavior and developmental history," Kayla explained.

During the second virtual appointment, the physician coaches the parents through play-based activities where they can assess the child’s behaviors and how they socially interact. Kayla explained that the child is comfortable during the second appointment because it feels like they are at home playing with mom and dad, where the physician can observe the child's behavior while instructing the parents to complete structured activities. “Having the child in their natural home environment is one of the major benefits of using telehealth versus going to a doctor’s office,” Kayla added.

The third appointment consists of a discussion surrounding the results of the assessment. This appointment is when the physician provides a diagnosis and comprehensive recommendations for treatment options.

Once your child is diagnosed, you have access to As You Are Care Sidekicks. “What they do is wonderful because they help navigate whatever the family needs for support, recommendations, resources, answering questions, and are always there for the families,” Kayla said.

When asked about the importance of a child being diagnosed early for autism, Kayla said it is crucial to get a diagnosis. She was

hearing from parents and their experiences before discovering As You Are. Some families were on seven different waitlists. Other families had to wait two years for their child to be evaluated. "As You Are has filled a need very much present for families," Kayla said.

“Waiting for a diagnosis unnecessarily delays a child’s access to resources that impact so many crucial milestones in those developmental years, also impacting the entire family unit. It is our job to help break down those barriers to protect our future generations.”

As You Are is currently operating in 10 states and is now available in New York. When launched in New York, telehealth services to diagnose autism became available to 40% of the United States child population. Kayla shares that As You Are plans to hit all 50 states.

“Our goal is to make services available to every child in need,” she said.

Signing up for the virtual clinic is easy. Everything you need is at asyouare.com. “Everything we do is standard of care. Families can think of it just like visiting a doctor's office, except it is in the comfort of your home,” Kayla said.

Kayla shared that she grew up around her best friend’s little brother, Kyle, who has autism. “I cherish the unique friendship I have with Kyle. I often wish everyone could see the world through his eyes. He has such a joyful spirit.” She continued, “Just like Kyle, all people with autism have valuable contributions to make and dreams to achieve. I want to be sure that every child has the opportunity to flourish and thrive.” SWM

Cultivating a legacy at Johnny Appleseed Farm

Kate Hanzalik

Among miles of green pastures on Erieville Road, 3402 Old State Road consisted of a vast expanse of acreage, a pond, a barn, and an old farmhouse that needed a lot of work. There wasn’t an apple tree in sight, let alone 2,500 of them – or a large warehouse that houses thousands of items made or collected by over 60 local artisans; there was no furniture business, no gourmet cafe, no pianos on a stage, and no trace of a young entrepreneurial couple who, themselves seeking greener pastures, changed the landscape of the world around them. That was, until Florence and Owen Gilmore, founders of Johnny Appleseed Farm, discovered it in 1963.

“I said [to Owen], ‘Keep driving. I don’t want to live in a chicken coop,’” Florence recollects today as she laughs. At 93 years old, she reflects on all the ways Johnny Appleseed Farm has reinvented itself over the years, all of the hardships, and all of the accomplishments. “This was sort of a dream that came true. It didn’t happen overnight.” The dream was to start an apple orchard, even if the newlyweds had no experience in the field. Florence, a Registered Nurse and Owen,

“It is through Owen and Florence’s dedication and hard work that Johnny Appleseed Farms is such a tremendous asset to this area—attracting thousands of shoppers and visitors from all over this state. But more than that, Owen and Florence and their entire family have constantly and consistently dedicated themselves to bettering their communities through volunteer service.” —New York State Assemblyman William Magee, May 3, 2000

a sales manager at Mohawk Carpets, wanted to take the risk. They gave up their jobs, sold their house in Cazenovia, and planted 2,500 small apple trees. Slowly, as the trees grew, so did the business.

“I was down with my dog at the [farm] stand all the time when the customers came . . . Imagine coming over [to the stand] in the morning by yourself, with your dog, selling apples–with an RN background,” she laughed.

The couple branched out and soon began producing their own cider in addition to selling apples. And because of Florence’s friendships with artisans, and love for local arts and crafts, they sold a small supply of flower arrangements, baskets and quilts. As the years passed, they bought the old farmhouse, worked with an architect to restore it, and raised eight boys, all of whom contributed in some way to the business. But there were challenges: a hail storm and other foul weather, crops in disrepair, and ultimately a seasonal farmstand rather than a sustainable business that operated successfully all year.

So in 1981, Owen decided to expand the business to include unfinished furniture. “The two of us, in an 18-wheeler, got our first [pieces of] unfinished furniture. I’ll never forget it,” Florence said, recalling people asking them, “Can you drive that truck?!”

For the next 20 years, all good things came to fruition. They sold furniture from around the world. They expanded their infrastructure to sell more products and opened The Apple Hill Cafe while still maintaining a few hundred apple trees. By the 1990s, the business was selling $3 million dollars of furniture and $100,000 dollars of apples and food.

“The more children they had, the more people they had to help with the business,” said Erica Gilmore, wife to Florence’s youngest son, Patrick. “Patrick was always working. [He and his brothers] didn’t sleep in on Saturdays. They didn’t watch cartoons. Everybody had a job to do on the farm. As a result of all the hard work, it’s still here.”

Sadly, some of the Gilmores are no longer here, which has raised questions about the future. Owen passed, then their eldest son, who played a leadership role in the business, died of Leukemia.

Continued on page 42

Cultivating a legacy at Johnny Appleseed Farm

“That hurt. That was really hard,” Florence said. “That was where the business really fell off.” Johnny Appleseed Farm closed in 2015, and Florence had to decide what to do. “I thought, what am I going to do? Sell it? I had crazy offers for it. And I decided, no. We’ll do something else.”

Erica said, “Mom, being the entrepreneur that she is, and I came up with a plan with Patrick to re-open it and continue with the legacy that we have here.”

The family envisioned a cooperative market where Erica and Florence would be co-owners. Florence knows the community loves arts, crafts, and antiques just as much as she does, so she networked with her friends and found people to set up shop in 2017 at what is now called, The Shoppes at Johnny Appleseed. Today, with more than 60 vendors, good eats, and live music, Florence is endlessly entertained and intrigued by what people create and collect. She’s responsible for interior design and decorating while Erica manages the books, technology, and graphic design. Patrick, with an M.B.A. and a culinary

degree, and his brother, Shawn, an artist and the owner of Route 20 Sofa Company, transformed the cafe into The Apple Kitchen, a place where patrons can enjoy gourmet food in a picturesque atmosphere. The land outside of The Shoppes is open for people to hike, ski and snowshoe.

“I’m glad we never sold,” Florence said. “It is going well. People like it.” She encourages aspiring women to work hard for what they want, to be patient, and to never give up on their dreams. “We never gave up,” she said.

“A family legacy is something you really have to work at,” Erica said. “And [Florence] has been such a great role model and so inspiring to us over the years.” SWM

Nasholts promoted at Loretto

Lindzey Nasholts has had a progressive career in long term care, starting as a certified home health aide, then becoming an Administrator for two area adult homes, and a case manager at Loretto’s Sedgwick Heights and Buckley Landing facilities. She has served as a home care RN, and most recently as Loretto’s housing nurse screener before being promoted to assistant director of clinical services for housing.

“Lindzey’s knowledge of the Loretto system, as well as her experience, passion and commitment have well prepared her to be successful in this role,” said Robin Bennett, director of clinical services for Loretto Housing.

As Loretto’s new assistant director of clinical services for housing, Nasholts provides guidance and leadership to the clinical operations for Loretto’s assisted living, enriched living, and housing functions. This includes strategic planning, organizing, directing, coordinating, and evaluating services and activities; as well as coordinating interdisciplinary teams for resident care, quality improvement, clinical and financial operations to assure safe, effective, and efficient services.

Nye hired at Fulton PrimeCare

Oswego Health welcomes new family nurse practitioner, and experienced registered nurse, Shawnna Nye, to the healthcare system as a new provider at Fulton PrimeCare. Nye earned her master’s degree in nursing – family nurse practitioner in 2022 from SUNY Upstate Medical University and her bachelor’s degree in nursing and health science in 2004 from SUNY Brockport.

Nye previously worked in Oswego at a private practice where she gained primary care and outpatient experience. In addition, she has worked at the VA in Syracuse, Upstate Pediatric and Adolescent Clinic and for 12 years at the Upstate Heart and Vascular Center.

Nye joins Fulton PrimeCare at 98 N. 2nd St., Fulton and will work alongside Dr. Vandana Patil and Deirdre A. Wahl, RN, MSN, FNP-C. The team at Fulton PrimeCare offers primary care including health promotion, disease prevention, health maintenance, counseling, patient education and diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic illnesses.

Exceptional women nominations sought

Assemblywoman Pamela Hunter is accepting nominations of extraordinary women who have impacted the lives of Central New Yorkers.

To nominate someone for the 2023 Exceptional Woman of CNY Awards, visit nyassembly.gov/mem/Pamela-J-

Fox's impact on the CNY Arts Center has been immeasurable. Her vision and dedication have turned a simple idea into a thriving community stronghold, and she has been a fierce advocate for the power of art, pursuing advancements and fighting for resources for the arts in Oswego County.

Mannion’s proclamation recognized Fox for her outstanding contributions and the senator wished her all the best in her welldeserved retirement.

Every Monday in April

Monday Night Salsa

What: Join for a one hour Latin dance class and conclude the evening with an hour informal Latin dance social.

Where: Epicuse, 334 S Salina St., Syracuse, NY 13202

When: 6 to 9 p.m.

Info: Free

Wednesday, April 5

SWM Launch Party and networking event

What: Syracuse Woman Magazine, in conjunction with WBOC, WISE and the Women’s Opportunity Center, will participate in a launch party and networking event celebrating women in business in Central New York.

Where: The Collegian Hotel & Suites, 1060 E Genesee St., Syracuse, NY 13210

When: 4:30 p.m. registration, 5 to 7 p.m. networking fun begins

Saturday, April 15

Bones East Concert

What: The trombone ensemble will perform with the Syracuse University Brass Ensemble.

Where: Cathedral of Immaculate Conception, 259 E Onondaga St., Syracuse, NY 13202

When: 2 p.m.

Info: Free and open to the public

Saturday, April 22

Earth Day E-Recycling Event

What: Spring cleaning collection urges residents to declutter their digital devices.

Where: Destiny USA, Pink parking lot, 1 Destiny USA Dr., Syracuse, NY 13204

When: 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Info: Registration required. Visit www.sunking.com/events

Saturday, April 22

CNY Land Trust’s 50th Anniversary Commemorative Walk-a-Thon

What: Central New Yorkers of all ages who love nature are invited to help raise money to help save our little corner of the earth.

Where: Green Lakes State Park, 7900 Green Lakes Rd., Fayetteville, NY 13066

When: 1 p.m.

Info: www.cnylandtrust.org/walk-for-nature

Sunday, April 23

Auburn Chamber Orchestra Concert

What: Enjoy “The Magic of Movies and Musicals” with music from Indiana Jones, The Lord of the Rings, Mamma Mia! and more.

Where: Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, 6877 E. Lake Rd., Auburn, NY 13021

When: 2 p.m.

Info: Free, donations appreciated.

Tuesday, April 25

YWCA Stand Against Racism Walk

What: Join the YWCA to stand against racism.

Where: Starting at the YWCA, ending at Syracuse City Hall

When: Noon

April 27-May 7

SaltLand Theatre Festival

What: Join for the inaugural SaltLand Theatre Festival

Where: Throughout downtown Syracuse including Wunderbar, Syracuse Stage, La Casita and more.

Info: info@breadcrumbsproductions.com

Saturday, May 6

Exceptional Women Awards Celebration

What: Assemblywoman Pamela Hunter will host her annual Exceptional Women Awards Celebration, honoring women in a variety of categories.

Where: Carmen Community Room at Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool, NY 13088

When: 11 a.m.

Info: nyassembly.gov/mem/Pamela-J-Hunter/

Sunday, May 7

Syracuse Chorale Spring Concert: New Worlds

What: Come and spend part of the afternoon listening to a variety of musical selections.

Where: Pebble Hill Presbyterian Church, 5299 Jamesville Rd., Syracuse, NY 13214

When: 4 p.m.

Info: Cost is $15