This summer, explore the arts in CNY

There is always so much to look forward to during the summer season. As we prepare to enjoy fairs and festivals, barbecues and baseball, I am so grateful for the promise of warm weather and many exciting opportunities to gather. After all, it was not long ago that some of our most cherished and reliable traditions suddenly felt distant and uncertain. However, our creative class has shown incredible resilience. This spirit of determination is especially true for our local artists, entertainers, and cultural venues. We have come a long way since the height of the pandemic, which isolated artists and audiences from each other. But there is still more work to do.

Art has been a lifelong passion for me. As a young girl in Puerto Rico, I always wanted to be a ballerina. This aspiration opened my eyes to the unique relationship between creativity and community. I learned that creativity is a dialogue – a special, tacit conversation between performer and patron. Like any good conversation, these words have the power to tell stories, shape identities, and above all, heal. While studying as a dancer, I also taught English to schoolchildren in San Juan.

At the time, the two were more closely connected than I could have thought possible. It delighted me to see my students learn, grow, and immerse themselves in another culture. One day, while balancing teaching and rehearsals, something clicked. I understood that there are different varieties of language, spoken and unspoken, in which every person – regardless of your heritage! – shares the same fluency. Art is just such a language; universal, timeless, and with an unlimited potential for expression. Love is another.

I have carried those formative memories with me all my life. They have guided me to some of the most fulfilling work imaginable, and often in unexpected ways. Exactly 20 years ago this month, I moved to Syracuse. My big sister Tere had just been offered a job at the university. Looking back, I could hardly imagine the countless ways in which my path would arrive, time and time again, at the intersection between art, language, and community.

In 2006, I accepted the position of executive director at The Spanish Action League of Onondaga County, also known as La Liga. It was my first job in Syracuse. Thanks to La Liga, I enjoyed the great privilege of organizing the annual Latino American Festival, inviting audiences from all walks of life to learn about and celebrate Latino dance, music, cuisine, and vibrant cultural heritage. The festival returns to Clinton Square this August! In time, I would go on to join the New York State Council on the Arts as a Governor-appointed member of the oversight committee.

Today, I am honored to serve as board president for CNY Arts, your regional arts council! Each year, CNY Arts administrates several millions of dollars in grantmaking support for artists and art, culture, and heritage organizations. These funds help make possible so many of the exciting art and culture events available throughout the year in Central New York, and ensure access, equity, and opportunity among our creative community. CNY Arts is the largest geographic regional arts council in New York State, and also hosts the largest regional arts and entertainment online calendar, a one-stop-shop resource that anyone can use to find news and updates about an incredible variety of events, from performances and painting to museums and music. We’re thrilled to announce that the coming months will be full of exciting events, festivals, and entertainment that reflect the rich variety of culture and artistic talent in Central New York.

Warm weather and fresh air offer an opportunity to reconvene with friends, family, and audiences alike. Engaging in shared experience is a powerful and reparative custom. This summer, I encourage you to support your creative peers and explore art as a language that we can all speak and understand, no matter where you’re from. Whether it is the tender sweetness of a freshly prepared mofongo dish, or the timeless rhetoric of Shakespeare, Syracuse has something special for everyone, and everyone contributes something special to Syracuse.

SyracuseWomanMag.com contact@ syracusewomanmag.com

Publisher

David Tyler dtyler@eaglenewsonline.com

Design

Andrea Reeves

Photographers

Alice G. Patterson

Chef Eric Rose

David Tyler

Contributors

Janelle Davis

Alyssa Dearborn

Kathy Franco

Kate Hanzalik

Norach Machia

Rita Paniagua

Chef Eric Rose

Cover photo by Alice G. Patterson

Advertising Sales

Renée Moonan Linda Jabbour 315.657.7690 315.657.0849

Rmoonan@ eaglenewsonline.com Ljabbour@ eaglenewsonline.com

Advertise With Us

Unlike any other publication in the Syracuse area, our feature articles address major topics that interest local women. Each issue includes articles on health, fashion, fitness, finance, home matters, dining, lifestyle and personal perspectives, as well as a spotlight on local Syracuse women. Ads are due on the 15th of the month prior to publication. The print magazines will be distributed locally in over 350 locations and will be in your inbox electronically by the middle of every month.

The publication is available free of charge.

CONTACT OUR HOME OFFICE

315.434.8889 | 2501 James Street, Suite 100, Syracuse, NY 13206

The magazine is published 12 times a year by Community Media Group, LLC and Eagle Publications

2501 James St., Suite 100 Syracuse, NY 13206

Copyright © 2023 Community Media Group, LLC. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or republished without the consent of the publishers. Syracuse Woman Magazine is not responsible for unsolicited submissions, manuscripts, photos or artwork. All such submissions become the property of Community Media Group, LLC and will not be returned.

Emphasizing mental health

A mental health retreat was held at the Doubletree by Hilton in East Syracuse featuring some amazing holistic presenters who helped the 10 attendees heal from their trauma and guide them to their life purpose. All mediums for therapeutic experiences were used such as art, sound and workshops.

Strutting their stuff at The Nottingham

The Nottingham recently hosted a glamorous fashion show at their independent living community. Ten residents took center stage to strut their stuff. The event brought together residents from the memory care, assisted living, and independent living communities at The Nottingham to watch the show. The looks for the fashion show were sponsored by Chico’s in Fayetteville, in celebration of their 40th anniversary. Before the event, the residents visited the Chico’s store for outfit fittings to choose the perfect outfits for the show. Following the fitting, the models returned to The Nottingham for a pizza party.

Take a hike

ADIRONDACK MOUNTAIN CLUB PROVIDES CAMARADERIE AND STEWARDSHIP AROUND THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Norah Machia

Are you interested in beginning a journey toward a healthier lifestyle through outdoor adventure, but don’t know where to start? The Onondaga Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club may be the answer.

The nonprofit organization, also known as the ADK, offers yearround recreational opportunities for Central New Yorkers to explore hiking trails in their own backyards. The group outings are led by ADK volunteers who have a strong interest in sharing their experience and knowledge of the outdoors.

“We welcome anyone to join an outing and find out what we’re about,” said Lisa Druke, Onondaga Chapter Chair. “We have existing knowledge of hiking trails, what equipment to use and how to be safe.” The Onondaga chapter has 1,200 members and is one of 27 chapters statewide that is run by volunteers. The affiliate chapters lead groups on hiking trips, paddling expeditions, and in the winter months, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing treks, both locally and in the Adirondack region. The ADK organization has more than 26,000 members statewide.

Although most members in the local chapter are from Onondaga County, there are many people living in the surrounding counties who have also joined, said Druke.

“We are all like-minded when it comes to being outdoors,” and membership in the organization gives people from all backgrounds the opportunity to become part of a community looking for fun, adventurous and safe outdoor experiences, she said.

While trips are planned in the Adirondacks, many others are held in Onondaga County and the surrounding area. “We really saw an increase in membership during the COVID-19 pandemic” when people couldn’t travel, and really wanted to get out of the house, Druke added.

The ADK outings also provide an opportunity to capture some unique views of forestlands, rivers and wildlife along the trails, said Druke. Anyone interested may try out two free group outings, and will be asked to join the local chapter if they would like to continue participation in the club’s activities.

Adirondack Mountain Club volunteers plan to lead hikes this summer at Clark Reservation State Park, Jamesville; Highland Forest County Park, Fabius; Erie Canal Hike, Kirkville; Camillus Forest Unique Area, and the Oneida Rail Trail Hike.

Paddling trips are also scheduled for Deer Creek (starting in Pulaski), and at Little Long Lake in the Adirondacks. In addition, there are several trips planned along trail systems maintained by volunteers from the local ADK chapter.

The Onondaga Chapter has a vested interest in the Finger Lakes Trail System, which is a combination of state land and private land. The first Wednesday of each month in the spring, summer and fall is usually devoted to trail maintenance. “We stay in touch with the private landowners on a regular basis,” to monitor the trails, she said. “Our chapter maintains many miles along the Finger Lakes Trail,” Druke said. “People volunteer to be trail stewards and keep an eye out for one or two miles of trails.”

Several ADK chapters were involved in building the trail system in the early 1960s, including the Onondaga Chapter, which currently maintains approximately 80 miles of the trail, Druke said.

Continued on page 12

Take a hike from page 11

“A lot of people are engaged in taking care of this trail system,” she said. Volunteers help to maintain trails by clearing brush, picking up litter, building steps and bridges, removing downed trees and painting marks on the trees to help identify the routes.

The Finger Lakes Trail starts at the Pennsylvania-New York Border and runs to the Catskill Forest Preserve, with trail branches to Niagara Falls, the Genesee River Valley, the central Finger Lakes and the Syracuse region.

A portion of the Finger Lakes Trail System is also part of the North Country National Scenic Trail, a national trail system that runs from North Dakota to Vermont and covers approximately 5,000 miles. “We have also adopted trails in the Black River Wild Forest and the Pigeon Lake Wilderness Area” in the Adirondack region, Druke added.

ADK members may book overnight reservations at the Johns Brook Lodge near Keene Valley in the Adirondacks, located in the “heart of the High Peaks area,” said Druke. Members interested in overnight trips can reserve lodge accommodations or stay in cabins or camp sites.

ADK’s Onondaga Chapter has also been expanding its outreach and education programs. As part of a partnership with the Fayetteville Free Library, the chapter offers educational classes on topics such as hiking, backpacking and CPR/First Aid. These classes are open to anyone interested, and “some people have later joined our chapter” after participating in them, Druke said. SWM

For more information about the Adirondack Mountain Club’s Onondaga Chapter visit www.adk-on.org. The ADK’s main website is www.adk.org and includes a listing of all the statewide chapters.