2
Opening a New Door to Addiction Treatment Addiction affects all, regardless of background, race,
CROUSE FULL PAGE AD
ethnicity, gender, religion or socio-economic status. In recent years, communities across our nation — including Central New York — have experienced
alarming increases in the number of people needing addiction treatment services. As the longest running treatment program in the region, Crouse Health’s Addiction Treatment Services remains committed to our mission to expand access to care and ensure delivery of high-quality addiction and mental health treatment in our community. We are proud of our new facility that matches the caliber of our staff and provides a nurturing, safe and uplifting environment that is already greatly enhancing our focus on holistic patient care: The Bill & Sandra Pomeroy Treatment Center at Crouse Health. If you, a loved one, friend or colleague is in need of treatment for substance use disorder, please contact us at 315-470-8304 or visit crouse.org/addiction.
Bill & Sandra Pomeroy Treatment Center in Syracuse. The two-story, 42,000 square-foot facility at 2775 Erie Blvd., East, replaces the 100-year-old former location of Crouse’s outpatient treatment services at 410 South Crouse Avenue.
MAY 2022
M I N D & BODY H E ALTH EDITION
3
SYR ACUSE WOMAN MAGA ZI N E
SYR ACUSE WOMAN MAG.COM
4
TABLE OF CONTENTS
may GUEST COMMENTARY Amber Howland 'You are the poster child of early detection'................ 6
32
SPECIAL FEATURE CNY Bucket List: 100 Things to do................................................8 SU student brings indigenous products to the 'Cuse.............................................................................. 14 PAST EVENTS WBOC Wine Wednesday......................................................
28
12
HOME DECOR Brighten your home & your spirit................................................16 ON THE COVER Integrative Medicine Focusing on the whole patient........................................ 19
26
WISE FEATURED ENTREPRENEUR Seema Sureshkumar............................................................... 24
19
WOMEN'S HEALTH Skin Cancer: Prevent. Detect. Live.....................................26 Chef Eric Rose Good-gut goodness.......................................................... 28 INSPIRE Amy Spranger............................................................................ 32 Joanne and David Lenweaver............................................ 34 MOVERS & SHAKERS.......................................................................... 36
34
UPCOMING EVENTS............................................................................. 38
24 MAY 2022
14
6
19
19 M I N D & BODY H E ALTH EDITION
5
ST JOES FULL PAGE
SYR ACUSE WOMAN MAGA ZI N E
SYR ACUSE WOMAN MAG.COM
6
GUEST COMMENTARY
‘You are the poster child of early detection’ Amber Howland
I
n a discussion you never want to have, this was the silver lining my doctors provided. On Nov. 17, I went for my first ever mammogram. After a biopsy and further testing, on Nov. 24, I was formally diagnosed with Stage 1 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma in my right breast. This was when my life changed forever. I was on a fast track to a lumpectomy, genetic testing, and egg preservation, followed by four weeks of radiation. Looking back at those couple of months, it was truly a whirlwind. Time passed too quickly to think twice about what was happening or even be scared. Recovery days all blended together, and side effects were passageways to my survival. You see, when you are 38 and diagnosed with breast cancer, you are forced to make life changing decisions in cold doctor’s offices. You instantly must plan for years ahead, and your treatment will depend on those decisions. This was emotionally and physically traumatic. Not only for me but for my biggest supporters: my soon-to-be husband, my family, and friends. Control, by definition, is the power to influence or direct people's behavior or the course of events. As a woman who defines herself with a strong sense of control, I was spiraling. I could sense it moment to moment. I needed to be in control of decisions. I wanted to call the shots. I wanted to tell my story and so I did. I took to social media and provided updates with every single detail that was happening. I wanted to share because I was technically not of suggested screening age. I have no family history of breast cancer. However, if one person read my post and asked for a mammogram early, I had done my part. If one person who may have missed their mammogram appointment rescheduled, I had done my part. I had control of the narrative and was hell bent on my making this experience positive. Instead of letting cancer control my mental and physical health, I got creative and founded Amber vs. Cancer. I wanted to put all my negative thoughts about cancer into positive outcomes that would help end cancer once and for all. I was told by a doctor early in my breast cancer journey that I was lucky to have the “popular” cancer. I was confused. How am I lucky? There is no question that breast cancer is “popular.” There are countless 5K races, fundraisers, support groups, and a month on the calendar dedicated to breast cancer. There is no question about next steps in my diagnosis and treatment due to relentless funding. People with rare cancers have a much different experience. A rare cancer is any cancer that is not one of the “Big 4,” which include breast, colon, lung and prostate. People with rare cancers, especially children, sometimes do not have a clear diagnosis or treatment plan. All cancers should have the exposure, research and funding that breast cancer does. I may have breast cancer, but I want to stand beside those whose cancer does not stand in the limelight. After some research in where I wanted to put my efforts, I found Cycle for Survival. Cycle for Survival is the movement to beat rare cancers through indoor cycling events to raise funds. 100% of every dollar raised goes directly to research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NYC. On May 14th, I will ride as an extreme rider, at Hudson Yards NYC from 1 to 4 p.m. raising money for rare cancers. I have raised almost $7,000 to date. My goal is to present Cycle for Survival with a check for $10,000! If you want to learn more about Cycle for Survival, the fight for research and the ride in NYC, go to amberhowland.com and donate! Thank you!
MAY 2022
SyracuseWomanMag.com contact@syracusewomanmag.com
PUBLISHER
David Tyler dtyler@eaglenewsonline.com
DESIGN
Andrea Reeves
PHOTOGRAPHERS Alice G. Patterson Nancy Miller David Tyler Sarah Ditterline Brenna Merritt Jessica Montgomery
CONTRIBUTORS
Alyssa Dearborn Lindsey Gaworecki Amber Howland
Eric Rose Jason Klaiber Ken Sturtz Becka Miller Lorna Oppedisano Jennifer Wing
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 © 2022 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.
M I N D & BODY H E ALTH EDITION
7
SYR ACUSE WOMAN MAGA ZI N E
SYR ACUSE WOMAN MAG.COM
8
SPECIAL FEATURE
CNY bucket list
100 THINGS TO DO IN SYRACUSE BEFORE YOU DIE Jennifer Wing
“100
Things to Do in Syracuse Before You Die” by Jamesville resident Linda Lowen is a guide to Syracuse’s unique restaurants, shopping, festivals, annual events and year-round activities, and includes descriptions, photos and itineraries, with each “thing’s” story no longer than 130 words. “In writing this book, I fell in love with Syracuse all over again,” Lowen said. “I’ve been a Syracuse resident for 37 years, and a freelance writer for 25 years, so writing about my hometown was a dream opportunity. And honestly -- it landed in my lap. I’ve been a writing instructor at the YMCA’s Downtown Writers Center (DWC) in Syracuse for over a decade, and people know me as a writer and reviewer. So, when Reedy Press [the publisher] contacted the DWC looking for a writer, Executive Director Phil Memmer recommended me.” Since the publisher had done this sort of book in 100 other spots across the U.S., they provided the guidelines, and the style of the book fit her experience perfectly.
MAY 2022
M I N D & BODY H E ALTH EDITION
9
“This type of writing was once called ‘service’ writing - the kind of writing you used to read in magazines,” she said. “For years that’s how I made my living, writing for nationally-known websites. It’s a style of writing that comes easily to me.” In the book every “thing” tells a complete story about a business, restaurant, local attraction or place to visit, focusing on Syracuse and its immediate suburbs. “Reading the entries in the book is like snacking on potato chips – it’s hard to stop at just one,” Lowen said. “The entries are very brief, but they contain a lot of info, detail and local color.” The book includes many of the area’s most scenic attractions to walk that are free year-round such as the footpaths along the Erie Canal, Onondaga Lake, Onondaga Creek’s Creekwalk, a waterfall hike in Manlius and a downtown historic walking tour you can download to your phone thanks to the Downtown Committee and the Onondaga Historical Association. “The book is not about highlighting places that try hard to be impressive, posh, more like somewhere else than where we live,”
SYR ACUSE WOMAN MAGA ZI N E
Lowen said. “This book focuses on things that arise out of our history, our legacy, our place in the world and our care for each other.” Lowen added that she learned a lot while writing the book. “There’s some incredibly cool stuff that turned up during my research,” Lowen said. “For example, in Syracuse, there’s a very rare tree – it’s kind of a Frankenstein tree, created by a Syracuse University professor and sculptor – that has 40 different fruits grafted onto the base tree. This ‘Tree of 40 Fruits’ is not only a living thing, it’s an art installation, and in the spring it blossoms with red, white, and pink flowers, and it grows everything from cherries to almonds. It has actually been mentioned in internationally-known websites that focus on the unusual and the obscure, yet I suspect only a few locals know about it. As to where it is, well, you’ll have to buy the book.”
Continued on page 10
SYR ACUSE WOMAN MAG.COM
10
SPECIAL FEATURE
CNY bucket list from page 9 The book also touches on Syracuse’s rich history. “We are a city that has been shaped by immigrants settling here and positively impacting our future” Lowen said. “We are located on the ancestral lands of the Haudenosaunee, separate nations who came together after a history of conflict to create a system of leadership and self-governance that influenced our Founding Fathers as they crafted the Constitution.” And Lowen doesn’t forget about Syracuse’s many examples of culinary excellence, including restaurants like Eva’s European Sweets and bakeries like Columbus Baking Company, along with a wide range of offerings, from hot dogs served in an Art Deco landmark at Heid’s of Liverpool to fine dining in a Gilded-Age mansion at the Brewster Inn.
Shop Small Sunday takes place in the rear parking lot of Salt City Market, and “allows ‘makers’ to interact with the public as they sell their wares and talk about themselves and their goods,” Lowen said. “I know a lot of folks who have booths at Shop Small Sunday, and it’s fun to see them and catch up with they’re doing while supporting small businesses right here in CNY.” Lowen said there’s live music and a play structure outside the Market for the kids to climb around “…and, if you feel peckish, you can go inside for a bite to eat. The Market is also a ‘thing’ in the book, and I provide a tip on one meal there that’s my favorite in terms of price and taste.” This year’s dates are May 15, June 19 (Father’s Day) and July 24 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Lowen’s ‘thing’
“It takes a city … and its suburbs”
So, what is one of Lowen’s favorite things to do in Syracuse? Shop Small Sunday. “I love anything that combines local creatives, being outdoors and being downtown – because, after all, the book is centered on the city,” she said. “And this ‘thing’ is two things in one: it takes place outside the Salt City Market, which has put Syracuse on the map as an eclectic foodie town, and it features local artisans.”
When asked who influenced her in writing the book, Lowen said, “Just open up the acknowledgments section and you’ll see evidence of it – it takes a city and its suburbs to write a book, and so many people were generous in offering advice, guidance, and revealing some closely guarded secrets, including where to find the best chicken riggies.” She added that those who read the acknowledgements will most likely recognize some of the names.
MAY 2022
M I N D & BODY H E ALTH EDITION
11
“After all, we’re a small town masquerading as a city, and if you were to look at our connections to each other, you’d see how many of us enjoy that infamous six degrees of separation - and probably much less - which is proof of how community matters to the health and vitality of a region,” Lowen said. “Friends and family ground us and remind us why roots matter.” And although Lowen has lived outside of the area, she is happy to be right here, in Central New York. “Of course, it’s good to explore, to get body and soul out of the everyday, and see the world now and then,” she said. :Yet for me, I have always been glad to come back to my life in Syracuse. A local boy who grew up to be quite famous (and whose legacy influenced several ‘things’ in the book) said it memorably and said it best: ‘There’s no place like home.’” “100 Things to Do in Syracuse Before You Die” is available wherever books are sold. More about Lowen can be found at lindalowen.com. SWM A nonfiction book reviewer for Publishers Weekly, Linda Lowen’s work has been published in the New York Times and in “Tiny Love Stories: True Tales of Love in 100 Words or Less.” Her writing advice has appeared in The Writer and Writer’s Digest magazines. A creative nonfiction instructor for the Downtown Writer’s Center in Syracuse, she’s the founder of AlwaysWantedToWrite.com, which offers online writing classes and is a theater reviewer for the Syracuse Post-Standard. In her former 20-year career as a radio and television producer/host, she earned numerous awards. She was also the former Women’s Issues expert for About.com, now ThoughtCo.com.
SYR ACUSE WOMAN MAGA ZI N E
BOOK LAUNCH May 4 - 6 to 9 p.m. Museum of Intrigue Destiny USA, Syracuse 855-653-7227 100ThingsSyracuse.com Open to the public, ticketed event Presentations & book signings Free and open to the public May 5 - 7 to 8 p.m. Community Library of Dewitt and Jamesville 5110 Jamesville Road 315-446-3578
May 21 - 1 to 4 p.m. Barnes & Noble 3956 Route 31, Liverpool 315-622-0370 Virtual book event May 26 - 7 to 8:30 p.m. Bright Hill Press & Literary Center 607-829-5055 brighthillpress.org/calendar/ Free and open to the public
May 6 - 6 to 7 p.m. River’s End Bookstore 19 W Bridge Street, Oswego 315-342-0077 Also includes discussion with local author Jim Farfaglia May 7 - 1 to 4 p.m. Barnes & Noble 3454 Erie Boulevard E., Dewitt 315-449-2948 May 8 (Mother’s Day) Noon to 3 p.m. McCarthy Mercantile 217 S. Salina St., Syracuse 315-546-4919
SYR ACUSE WOMAN MAG.COM
12
PAST EVENTS
WBOC Wine Wednesday - SKY Social Hour
Photos by Nancy Miller MAY 2022
M I N D & BODY H E ALTH EDITION
13
SYR ACUSE WOMAN MAGA ZI N E
SYR ACUSE WOMAN MAG.COM
14
SPECIAL FEATURE
SU student brings indigenous products to the ‘Cuse Alyssa Dearborn
“I
’m just kind of running around all of the time.” Camila Tirado, the owner of Apuna Handmade Bags, said about her busy schedule. Not only is she a young business owner, Tirado is also a full-time student at Syracuse University – studying biotechnology and French – who finds time to work in a research lab. Despite her already full schedule, she makes time to run her business and share the story of the Wayuu people. “In December 2020, I took a trip to Colombia just to visit a friend of mine. I’ve always wanted to go to South America. I’m from Mexico, so I’ve never been more south than Cancun.” she said when asked about her business’s beginnings, “So I go and I’m with her a couple of days. And then I see the Wayuu bags. So I’m very interested in it and I think to myself, this is something that I’ve never seen in the US. It’s original and it’s beautiful. I just thought that it was so amazing. So what I do is that I buy 15 of the bags and I say, okay, let me see how these sell and if people actually like them. Because maybe I’m just the only one who likes them.”
MAY 2022
The colorful styles and prints represented in authentic Wayuu bags have become popular as more people learn about indigenous arts and cultures. But an authentic bag handmade by the Wayuu people is more than a fashion statement. As Tirado became more acquainted with the Wayuu people, she learned just how important these bags are to the people’s livelihoods. “I think one of the things that makes me want to continue this is the Wayuu people and the richness of their art and their accessories that they have,” she said. “Now, [my friend] no longer works with me, I am the person contacting them. I have so much more contact with them and familiarity with the culture. Our cultures are similar to me because we’re Latin American, but there’s so much difference too. And now that I’ve gathered a group of Wayuu people, they’ve really helped me understand why these products are so rich.” “A big part of it is economic independence,” she explained. “A lot of Wayuu people live in these places called rancharias, where it’s not rich per say. You have agriculture, so it’s really common for them to
M I N D & BODY H E ALTH EDITION
15 grow a certain kind of fruit and then sell it. So, what else do you do? Weaving is one of those things. They’re really able to be independent and provide for their families and not have to depend on metropolitan areas around Colombia. They’re able to keep their spaces as sacred and not have to necessarily move to the bigger cities, or let the bigger cities move to them.” Aside from the economic freedom that comes with making and selling these bags, Tirado says that these bags represent cultural and emotional expression. This expression is what makes this art form so relatable across cultures. “They feel different.” She said about the bags, “One might be harder, one might be a little looser. And that’s just the expression of the person who did it, of the women who weaved it. How tight she wanted to it, how loose, how she was feeling at the moment. I think that’s why they’re so loved by many people.” Although bringing this unique art form to the Syracuse area is important to Tirado, it is even more important to her that everyone that she works with is paid fairly. “I am in contact with a lady, her name is Vivian and she has her workshop. With Vivian of course, I speak in Spanish to her, that’s how the communications are,” she said. “It’s really cool because Vivian has this philosophy that she lives by, but now it’s almost like a rule in the Wayuu tribe…She doesn’t try to buy them for less. This gives me a lot of peace because I know that I’m getting not just a good price, but these people know that their work and their dedication is being valued. And that’s important too because I would never want to sell bags here, and put a face up and know that in the back that people may not be getting paid well or might not have the best work conditions. I feel like I’m leaving a good impact in their community and they’re leaving a good impact on me. It’s a two-way relationship.” When considering better business practices, Tirado also sees it as a business owner’s responsibility to address their own environmental impact. “I’m in the process of becoming as low waste as possible. For example, when I ship the bags, instead of using plastic packaging, I use a compostable one. Another bag that I put the bag in for protection, that’s reusable. And it’s a very nice bag, so people are able to reuse it. So no plastic essentially except for the shipping label.” “So that’s environmentally what I’m trying to do,” she continued. “It’s the little things. It’s always shocking to me when I see Amazon boxes and mailers just so full of plastic and things that are not recyclable. It’s not too hard. It is a little more costly, but you can still get a good deal. So, I invite brands, especially small brands, to try it.” With all of the hard work that goes into running a business that brings beautiful art pieces to Syracuse, Tirado wants her customers to remember that there is always another person behind a product. There is always another human being who is responsible for creating goods that are bought and sold every day. “There is someone behind everything. Someone’s story, someone’s success, someone’s pain. Not that they’re in pain when they do this, but they bring so much of that emotion into a bag. There’s personality behind each bag and I want each person to know that, to rejoice in that if they ever get a bag from me. There is a whole group of people who benefit immensely from their business and they are definitely carrying a story. Their bags make people appreciate beauty. They make people appreciate art and something done with love and passion. I think that’s one of the reasons why the bags are so beautiful.” SWM Patrons can check out Camila’s selection at the Regional Market on Saturdays or on her Etsy page at www.etsy.com/shop/shopwayuubagsus.
SYR ACUSE WOMAN MAGA ZI N E
SYR ACUSE WOMAN MAG.COM
16
HOME DECOR
Brighten your home & your spirit Becka Miller
S
pring is finally showing up in Central New York after a long winter. Spring symbolizes life, it's the season of rebirth, joy and love. There is something about opening the windows and welcoming warmer days that inspire us to decorate. We are all experiencing spring fever around here and it can be tempting to do a complete interior design overhaul, but just adding a few spring touches is a good place to start. My love of faux or real flowers in my home designs will never stop, especially this time of year when the outside is still lacking vegetation. Bringing in greenery and color will give you the warm weather vibe we are all craving right now. Spring is also the perfect time to bring your space to life with some new paint, whether it’s a piece of furniture, cabinetry or your walls. After quite a few years of grays and neutrals. spring 2022 is all about color. Yellows, greens, orangey reds and blue are on trend this year. It’s the season of organizing and spring cleaning, adding a basket or two is a great way to reduce clutter and bring in some texture. Switch out your heavy linens and replace them with softer material and colors, put away your pumpkin spice candles and replace with citrus or floral scents. Just a few of these changes brighten up our homes, and hopefully our spirit. SWM Becka Miller is a home designer and the owner of Miller’s Crossing Design in Baldwinsville. millerscrossingdesign.com.
MAY 2022
M I N D & BODY H E ALTH EDITION
17
SYR ACUSE WOMAN MAGA ZI N E
SYR ACUSE WOMAN MAG.COM
18
We offer alteration services, shoe dyeing and Touchstone jewelry by Swarovski. We sell top-quality formal wear to fit every budget!
Helping you Make the Right Move! Delivering World Class Service To each Client We Work With! Our Exclusive Listing Program is Designed To: • Sell your home quickly • For the most money • Save you a bundle * * Our average seller saved 30% in listing fees in 2021
• bridal gowns • bridesmaid dresses • mother of the bride gowns • first communion dresses • prom/ball gowns • cocktail dresses • floor length gowns • flower girl dresses • headpieces • shawls • shoes • jewelry • handbags
(315) 638.5200 4 West Genesee St., Baldwinsville syracuseblissbridal.com Hours: By appointment for your safety. Please call for an appointment!
MAY 2022
MaryJo Heitkamp-France ABR, E-Pro Managing Partner
Web: cnysignature.com PH: 315-382-4444 email: maryjorealtor1@gmail.com
CNY SIGNATURE PROPERTIES
M I N D & BODY H E ALTH EDITION
19
COVER STORY
Focusing on the whole patient Ken Sturtz
“I feel like our practice is probably less likely to pull out the prescription pad first. I think most patients that come to our practice are looking for options beyond that.”—Heidi Baldwin
SYR ACUSE WOMAN MAGA ZI N E
SYR ACUSE WOMAN MAG.COM
20
COVER STORY
Focusing on the whole patient from page 19
D
r. Heidi Puc, Heidi Baldwin and Jennifer Kohler began their careers without a hint that they would someday work in integrative medicine. Puc spent several decades as a traditional oncologist. Kohler went into nursing school right out of high school. And Baldwin previously taught English and special education. “When I was teaching special education, if you ever told me that I was going to be the practice manager of an integrative health practice or doing any of the work I do now, I’d have said you were absolutely crazy,” Baldwin says. But all three women eventually gravitated to and embraced integrative medicine, which combines conventional medical care with complementary therapies and a holistic approach aimed at promoting health and wellness. And all three are now practitioners at Integrative Medicine of Central New York, the practice near Chittenango that Puc and Baldwin started in 2018. Puc became interested in oncology when her grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer. After medical school and residency, she spent more than 20 years with Hematology-Oncology Associates of CNY. During that time, she became interested in integrative medicine and received specialty training in integrative medicine through the Scripps Clinic in California as well as completing a two-year fellowship through the University of Arizona. She began practicing integrative oncology in addition to conventional hematology and oncology. In 2015, she left to join The Stram Center for Integrative Medicine near Albany where she focused on integrated medicine, oncology and management of Lyme disease. Baldwin spent 18 years in education, teaching English and special education, but along the way developed an interest in natural health. She was completing a program in holistic nutrition when the school abruptly closed. While teaching, Baldwin says she developed severe allergies to the cleaning chemicals being used in schools, which eventually forced her to leave education. While going through the process of determining what was making her sick, Baldwin started taking Reiki. After her first class she knew she wanted to continue with it. She eventually became a Reiki master and began teaching classes. She also took courses in Pranic healing. Baldwin still felt something was missing; she says it wasn’t until she completed a yearlong program at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition that
Heidi S. Puc, MD, FACP, ABIHM
she began to bring all of her training and education together. She also resolved some health symptoms she’d been dealing with for years. Doctors repeatedly told Baldwin she had chronic fatigue, but she was adamant that something more was wrong and pushed for answers. She was eventually diagnosed with Lyme disease and finally received treatment. “That moment when I found out I had Lyme disease was life-changing for me,” she says. “It wasn't that I just had some mystery chronic fatigue.” In 2018, Baldwin and Puc launched Integrative Medicine of Central New York. The pair already knew each other through a shared spiritual community and the timing turned out to be right.
MAY 2022
Puc, who has children here, had continued living in Central New York, but commuted to The Stram Center for work for more than two years. She had hoped the practice would open a satellite office in Syracuse. When that didn’t come to fruition, she decided to open her own practice with Baldwin. Although Baldwin serves as the practice manager, she was also able to bring her areas of specialty – nutritional health coaching, Reiki and medical grade CBD products and essential oils – to the practice. “It was a no-brainer for me because I knew I’d be able to help that many more people,” Baldwin says. Although theirs is a direct pay practice, Baldwin says patients are sometimes able to be reimbursed depending on their insurance. M I N D & BODY H E ALTH EDITION
21
Jennifer Kohler, MS, FNP-BC, CLC
A majority of the practice’s patients are women, though they do treat many men as well. Baldwin says men tend to be more hesitant about integrative medicine and often come in for the first visit at the urging of their wife. While it embraces conventional medicine, Puc says integrative medicine is more focused on all the things that can impact a patient’s health and wellbeing and drilling down to the root causes of disease rather than focusing on a disease process and merely treating symptoms. Getting to root causes takes time, though, and spending more time with patients is one of the noticeable differences from conventional medicine. For example, Puc says a conventional visit to a doctor’s office might last 10-15 SYR ACUSE WOMAN MAGA ZI N E
minutes. At their office she says a follow-up visit with a patient might last upwards of an hour and a new patient visit typically lasts two hours. The purpose is to do a thorough review of everything that could be affecting a patient’s wellness. “If a busy practitioner has 10 minutes with a patient they’re not able to get a full perspective of what is influencing that person’s whole life,” Puc says. “So, I think that’s the limitation unfortunately of the medical system.” Integrative Medicine of Central New York offers a variety of treatment options including everything from herbal remedies, intravenous vitamins and supplements, and individualized Lyme disease treatment, to HeartMath, neurofeedback, and meditation.
Exactly what type of treatment is recommended depends greatly on the individual and what issues they’re coming in with. Puc says she sees many patients with cancer who are looking to incorporate natural remedies with the conventional treatment they’re receiving. Some patients facing a terminal disease are seeking ways to improve their quality of life. People with acute or chronic Lyme disease who aren’t getting the help they need through conventional recommendations make up a sizable portion of their patient population, Puc says. They also see patients with autoimmune diseases, patients suffering from exposure to mold or chemicals, and patients seeking help with pain management as well as those dealing with gastrointestinal issues or who are suffering long-term issues from Covid. Many are seeking natural remedies. “I feel like our practice is probably less likely to pull out the prescription pad first,” Baldwin says. “I think most patients that come to our practice are looking for options beyond that.” Other patients are interested in strengthening their immune system or receiving health coaching to help them deal with things such as diabetes or stress. The practice is also expanding its services. Puc says Kohler, who started in February, is focusing on women’s health including endocrine and gastrointestinal issues. Kohler went to nursing school and, after working as a registered nurse, went back to school and became a family nurse practitioner. She worked at an OBGYN practice until 2011 when she took a position at Upstate Hospital working in high-risk obstetrics. Over the last few years, particularly during the pandemic, Kohler felt patient centered care was getting somewhat lost. “I felt like I was losing that opportunity to truly listen to patients,” she says. “I love the area that I came from, but it also restricts what you can offer patients.” She didn’t want to get stagnant and began to wonder if it was time to change directions. As she explored her options, Kohler discovered there was an opening at Integrative Medicine of Central New York. She was intrigued, but says she didn’t understand the full spectrum of what integrative medicine was. So, she did a job shadow at the office to get a feel for it. “Because this is so different from conventional medicine, I think it is important to get to know it before making that decision,” she says. Continued on page 22 SYR ACUSE WOMAN MAG.COM
22
COVER STORY
Focusing on the whole patient from page 21 “I honestly was just mesmerized for lack of a better word at what I didn’t know was out there to offer patients.” Kohler says having more time to meet with patients has also been a game-changer. She now has the time to really listen to patients when they talk about their health and life and gain a better understanding of the issues they’re facing. That helps patients feel empowered, something she says conventional medicine sometimes fails at. “I want to look at what you’re currently doing, how are you doing and is there anything that we can add in to help,” she says. “I want to work with the patient, work with what they’re currently doing and make it work for them.” Kohler isn’t the only person in the practice who specializes. In addition to Puc and Baldwin, several of the nurses of staff also have specific areas of focus. The result, Baldwin says, is that the practice is capable of serving a broad spectrum of patient needs. “We are really blessed to have an amazing team of providers who work well together,” she says. “Everybody brings something really amazing to the table.” SWM
“I want to look at what you’re currently doing, how are you doing and is there anything that we can add in to help... I want to work with the patient, work with what they’re currently doing and make it work for them.”—Jennifer Kohler Heidi Baldwin, MS, RMT, Holistic Health Coach
MAY 2022
M I N D & BODY H E ALTH EDITION
23
SYR ACUSE WOMAN MAGA ZI N E
SYR ACUSE WOMAN MAG.COM
24
WISE FEATURED ENTREPRENEUR
FEATURED ENTREPRENEUR Seema Sureshkumar Founder Anjani Dance Academy, LLC
S
eema Sureshkumar is the founder of Anjani Dance Academy, where she teaches Kathak and Bollywood dance. Kathak dance is one of the classical dance forms of Northern India. Kathak dancers tell stories with their hand movements, footwork, and facial expressions. Seema has practiced Kathak dance since she was 4 years old, and began teaching it in 2014. Anjani Dance Academy opened in January of 2019. Encouraged by her father to continue dancing, Seema named the academy after him, saying, “Seema is nothing without Anjani.” In addition to teaching dance, Seema can also certify her students as performers or instructors of Kathak dance, allowing her to continue the flow of Kathak dance knowledge into the community. At first glance, you may not expect Seema to own a creative business. Seema works full time in IT administration, in addition to running the dance academy. She comes from a business family, but feels that the dance academy is less of a business than it is a commitment to herself and her students. She started the business with one class of ten students, teaching in her basement. Many of the students at Anjani Dance Academy were born in India, and work in traditional STEM fields, like Seema, and want to dance because they did not get the chance to learn while they were focused on school. Most of her students come to learn Bollywood dances, but then end up curious about Kathak. Seema has considered cutting down on the number of dance classes she is teaching because it is so physically demanding, but as her stamina has grown, so has her commitment to offering space for Kathak to her students. Seema’s commitment to her students helped ease her transition to a virtual environment when COVID-19 hit in 2020. While she did lose some students at the start of the pandemic, Seema found that the students who decided to stay were the most dedicated. Many of the students who stayed began taking the virtual classes twice a week, instead of once a week, and grew their skills even faster. The business did not lose any revenue, a testament to the relationships Seema has built with her students. With her focus being primarily on her students, Seema struggles to keep her social media up to date. It is challenges like this that remind Seema to use the expertise of others. She has leaned into the expertise at WISE by participating in WISE’s Learning and Accountability Group on branding, and is planning to outsource getting her website updated. She waited to build up her cash flow before outsourcing any website work. With WISE, Seema was able to create a business plan and cash flow projections through the Business Plan Intensive (BPI). Creating a business plan allowed Seema to see how many students she would need to have to make the revenue needed to have a brick-and-mortar studio outside of her home, and begin working toward that goal. The business plan gave her clarity, her peers in the class gave her perspective, and WISE gave her support.
Check out www.wisecenter.org for a complete list of upcoming events! Learning and Accounability WISE Women’s Business Building Blocks for Starting Group: DIY Websites Center Orientation Your Business Held Twice monthly! March TBD
In addition to looking for the right studio space, Seema will be teaching the first Kathak dance class at Lemoyne College. Seema’s goal is to grow the business to share the art form, and not to make money. She doesn’t think of the business as her own accomplishment, but rather, that she is the vessel for which the goals and events were allowed to happen. She believes that teaching dance is her life’s purpose, which will drive her to continue to grow her dance community through her business.
WISE words of wisdom…
WISE HAPPENINGS: May 19h 12-1:00pm
Photo by Alice G Patterson Photography
Begins on May 24th 8-9am for 5 weeks Apply @ wisecenter.org
Give yourself time, do not expect anything immediately. – Seema Sureshkumar
All events, unless otherwise indicated, are being held virtually. // WISE Women’s Business Center, Equitable Towers // 100 Madison Street // Syracuse, NY 13202 (315) 443-8634 // wisecenter@syr.edu // www.wisecenter.org // FIND US ON: A Project of the Martin J. Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Small Business Administration. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least 2 weeks in advance. Call (315) 443-8634.
MAY 2022 SWM_May 22_Seema Sureshkumar_DRAFT_v.1.indd 1
M I N D & BODY4/8/2022 H E ALTH EDITION 4:00:53 PM
25
Celebrating over 12 years as a Medicare specialist Medicare consultation & enrollment services
SYR ACUSE WOMAN MAGA ZI N E
SYR ACUSE WOMAN MAG.COM
26
HEALTHY WOMAN
Skin Cancer:
PREVENT. DETECT. LIVE. Lindsey Gaworecki, RPA-C, MSPAS
M
ay is National Skin Cancer and Melanoma Awareness Month and summer is right around the corner! With over 5 million cases diagnosed in the United States each year, skin cancer is America's most common cancer, with 1 in 5 people being diagnosed by the age of 70. Despite its widespread danger, early diagnosis is crucial and when detected early, skin cancer is highly treatable. It is recommended to schedule annual full body skin checks with your medical provider and in between visits, perform monthly self-exams using the ABCDEs of melanoma (Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color changes, Diameter changes of any size but pay close attention to any spots greater than 6mm, and Evolving). If you find any new or suspicious spots on your skin, or any spots that are changing, itching, or bleeding, contact our office. At Syracuse Plastic Surgery, our trained providers will do a physical examination with a special scope to illuminate and magnify spots in order to check all parts of your skin including your hands, feet, and scalp.
What is skin cancer?
It is an abnormal growth of skin cells that starts in the skin’s top layer and when changes to these cells occur, the cells grow quickly leading to a cancerous growth. There are several different types of skin cancer including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type followed by squamous cell. Melanoma is less common but is more aggressive because it has the potential to invade nearby tissues and spread to other parts of the body. Whereas, the nonmelanoma skin cancers (BCC and SCC) rarely spread to other parts of the body.
and light eyes are more likely to develop skin cancer. Other highrisk factors include sunlight and tanning bed exposure, a history of blistering sunburns, a family history of skin cancer, and being over the age of 50. You can still have fun in the sun and decrease your risk of skin cancer by following these recommendations: Apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and remember to reapply every two hours even on cloudy days, or after swimming/sweating Seek shade when appropriate and remember the sun's rays are strongest from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wear sun-protective clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) number on the label, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses Avoid tanning beds Protecting your skin is in! We have listed a few of our favorite sunscreens that we recommend to all of our patients and can also be purchased on our website: Noon MultiVit Sun Protector SPF 30- UVA/UVB/HEV/IR protection with the added benefits of vitamins to improve hydration and prevent cell damage Noon Brush & Go SPF 50- Translucent mineral powder giving protection against UVA/UVB/IR rays ColorScience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield SPF 50- iron oxide pigments that bloom in your fingertips to deliver tone-adapting buildable color coverage with a matte finish available in fair, medium, tan, and deep shades ColorScience Lip Shine SPF 35- a touch of gloss with sun protection, available in 5 shades To schedule an appointment, ask for a referral from your primary care physician. You can book online by scanning the QR code below or by calling our office at 315-299-5313. SWM
Am I at risk?
Anyone can get skin cancer but there are some groups of people who are at a higher risk. People who are fair skinned with light hair
MAY 2022
M I N D & BODY H E ALTH EDITION
27
ASSOCIATES FOR WOMEN’S MEDICINE IS PLEASE TO WELCOME THESE AMAZING HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS TO OUR TEAM!
Sarah Schoch, MD
Kaitlin Corona, FNP-C
Mary Kate Hauck, PA-C
Taylor Reardon, PA-C
Cassie Hunsberger, FNP-C
AWM provides a full range of gynecologic services in a quiet and comfortable private practice setting. Our services are devoted to addressing the individual needs and concerns of our patients. We provide routine and preventive care services, as well as’a full range of minimally invasive surgical procedures performed in our fully accredited Surgical Center. For those requiring a hospital setting, AWM physicians can also provide surgical procedures at St. Joseph’s Hospital and several local surgical centers. Our comprehensive Obstetric services include low & high risk pregnancy; infertility; recurrent pregnancy; along with contraception and family planning.
Now Featuring 2 Mammography Centers at our locations for performing 3D Mammography Screenings & Breast Ultrasounds!
For more information, visit afwomensmed.com or call 315-422-2222 to make an appointment!
SYR ACUSE WOMAN MAGA ZI N E
SYR ACUSE WOMAN MAG.COM
28
HEALTHY EATING
Good-gut goodness Eric Rose
“ Make plants — organic vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, whole grains — your top priority when eating to benefit both your brain and body.” — Eric Rose
L
ooking for ways to improve your emotional and mental health? Or even improve that number on the scale and your energy? Food plays a much bigger role than you may have thought! Over the last decade I have studied human nutrition and found there is a very strong connection between the mind and our digestive system, and it inspired me to take charge of my own health as well as help others do the same. As a certified health coach and award-winning chef, I have made it my mission to get the world healthy.
In order to feel healthy, you must be intentional. Intentional about your daily habits like getting enough exercise and sleep, mindset-filling your brain with positive thoughts drowning out all the negativity, and—most importantly — eating a healthy diet. Your stomach and brain are very much connected, and what you fill your stomach with will ultimately determine what neuro and chemical response your body will have, thus affecting how you feel. One of the simplest ways I break this concept down while talking to clients is that from a nutrition standpoint there is only
MAY 2022
one of three things that can happen when you eat: 1. You fuel to build your body and improve health (good minerals and vitamin-packed complex carbs, protein and healthy fats) 2. You fuel your body with unhealthy foods, which breaks your body down and causes it to put things on pause to filter out the junk. (It’s not nutrition your body can use to improve). 3. You fuel your body with too much of a good thing and it can’t use it all at that given moment. So now once again it becomes taxing to your body,
storing the excess as fat which has to detox through your liver. So, you can really have too much of a good thing. The pneumogastric nerve that connects the brain and stomach is the control center that determines what happens next after we eat. Overeating can cause our minds to be clouded, forgetful, and irritable. Keeping our stomach in an optimal state will keep the mind vigorous. One of the best changes you can make in your diet if you are not already eating this way is to make plants—organic vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, whole M I N D & BODY H E ALTH EDITION
29 grains—your top priority when eating to benefit both your brain and body. Reducing the amount of processed foods and refined carbs as much as possible will also have a drastic improvement in your overall health. This is easier said than done because sugar is so addictive, but small changes and swapping out heavily carb-based choices can make a huge difference in your overall health. The best part is that eating healthy doesn’t have to fall short on flavor. Give my fan-favorite healthy recipes a try and follow my additional tips to help ensure you’re optimizing your and your family’s health.
Healthy tips to feeling great and speeding up your metabolism • Eat 6-7 times per day. • Eat 5-6 healthy snacks per day (100-200 calories) and 1-2 meals (300-550 calories). • Space your meals and snacks out every 2-3 hours. • Eat within an hour of getting up to baseline your blood sugar, and then set your phone timer to remind you to eat something every 2-3 hours. This will keep your blood sugar level and you will feel better and have fewer urges for sweets. Plus, it’s like putting kindling on a fire when it comes to your metabolism. • Drink water throughout the day. Water is essential to every function in your body. Adequate hydration is associated with both improved brain health and weight management. It also helps flush all the toxins out of your system and helps you feel fuller. Dilute fresh juices and switch to herbal teas and zero-calorie sparkling waters. • Eat the rainbow in veggies and fruits. Consuming different colors of food plays an important role in making sure you’re getting enough essential nutrients—vitamins, minerals, fiber, and more. Eating this way can help protect against many ailments such as colds and flu as well as help in weight loss and optimal hydration. SYR ACUSE WOMAN MAGA ZI N E
• Opt for fiber from whole fruits and vegetables, not the kind added to products. It will help you feel fuller longer, keep you satisfied, and aid in maintaining healthy gut bacteria. • Get 7-8 hours of sleep per night. Maintain a consistent schedule of bedtimes and wake times, even on weekends, to establish a healthy regimen. Have a noblue-light rule 30 minutes
before you go to bed. Put your phone down. Sleep will provide you with more energy and improve your mood. • Stop…challenge…choose. Ask yourself: Is eating this in my long-term best interest? If I eat this now how will I feel an hour from now? Tomorrow? Am I strong enough to choose not to have something? Can I respect my body enough to not
put (insert unhealthy choice here) in it? Remember, you can have whatever you want, but you are choosing your health. SWM
Eric Rose is an awardwinning chef and certified health coach.
“The doctor of the future will no longer treat the human frame with drugs but will cure and prevent disease with nutrition.”—Thomas A. Edison
Goat Cheese Zucchini Lasagna Serves 4 INGREDIENTS:
¼ cup of pesto ½ tsp black pepper 20 oz lean ground beef (can use chicken or turkey) 3 oz light cream cheese ½ cup of shredded, reduced fat mozzarella ¼ cup of goat cheese crumbles 12 oz of fresh tomato, sliced 1 tsp salt, divided 3 oz of roasted peppers 12 oz zucchini DIRECTIONS:
1. Using a sharp knife, slice zucchini into ¼ inch slices lengthwise; sprinkle with ½ tsp of salt and let rest for 30 min 2. Brown and drain meat, then sprinkle with salt, pepper and cream cheese. 3. Layer sliced zucchini into a casserole dish; top with a thin layer of pesto, meat mixture, sliced tomatoes, and cheese. Repeat a second layer on top, finishing with a final layer of zucchini slices and cheese. 4. Bake at 425° F until fork tender, about 25 to 30 min. Serve into 4 equal portions. This dish can be made ahead of time. It reheats very well. Continued on page 36 SYR ACUSE WOMAN MAG.COM
30
HEALTHY EATING
Good gut goodness from page 35
“Healthcare happens at your table.”—Dr. Terry Mason Buffalo Chicken Spaghetti Squash Serves 2
INGREDIENTS
1 small spaghetti squash, halved and seeded ½ cup shredded cabbage 10 oz of cooked chicken (pulled rotisserie works well) 5 oz of hot sauce 4 oz reduced fat shredded cheddar 3 tbsp reduced fat bleu cheese dressing ¼ cup scallions ¼ cup diced celery Salt and pepper to taste DIRECTIONS: 1. Preheat oven to 400° F. Place cleaned spaghetti squash face down on a lined baking sheet and cook for 45 min. 2. When fork tender, flip the squash so it’s skin side down. Wait a few minutes for it to cool slightly. Scrape flesh with a fork to create spaghetti like texture, being careful not to burn yourself. Put strands into a mixing bowl. Keep squash shell if you would like to present it in it. 3. In the mixing bowl combine cooked squash with chicken, cabbage, cheese, scallions, and hot sauce. 4. Stuff mixture back in squash shells or portion on a plate. Top dishes with bleu cheese dressing and celery.
Let Us Host Your Visiting Family!
1854 Farmhouse Stay
Quiet Countryside Getaway in Cazenovia NY Complimentary Package with Reservation www.redfoxrunbb.com MAY 2022
M I N D & BODY H E ALTH EDITION
31
SYR ACUSE WOMAN MAGA ZI N E
SYR ACUSE WOMAN MAG.COM
32
INSPIRE
FIGHTING CYSTIC FIBROSIS...
AMY SPRANGER
Jason Klaiber
T
hough she had yet to be informed about the sufferer of the genetic disorder in her own family tree, Amy Spranger’s inner voice told her seven years ago to take a leap at the leading role for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s local chapter. Becoming increasingly interested in the organization’s mission as she made her way through the interview process, the Liverpool resident would proceed to rely on her background in medical supply sales and non-profit work for the relationship-building position of Syracuse executive director. Now, with plenty of advancement made by the national foundation since then, Spranger has found herself settling into an even greater amount of oversight as its new area director for the cooperating regions of Western, Central and Northeastern New York. Together with close to 70 others across the country, those chapters have worked alongside researchers and pharmaceutical companies the world over to discover and roll out different treatments for cystic fibrosis, all in the hopes of one day zeroing in on a permanent cure. Cystic fibrosis is considered rare overall, but out of 75,000 cases worldwide, the United States accounts for about half, according to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) website.
MAY 2022
The disorder is characterized in most instances by the buildup of a thick mucus that traps digestive enzymes, thus causing breathing difficulties while preventing the secretion of these proteins from the pancreas. Damage to the lungs results, whether by inflammation, scarring, the appearance of infections or lowered function to another extent. Some patients also develop diabetes and sinus issues. Back when the CFF was founded in 1955, it was uncommon for anybody born with the inheritable condition to live long enough to attend elementary school, but over the years the organization has made good on its slogan’s promise to “add tomorrows.” Treatments funded by the organization just during Spranger’s tenure have included genotype-based modulators for the roughly 1,700 different mutations of cystic fibrosis. One of those products, called Trikafta, is said to reduce day-to-day debilitation for 90 percent of people dealing with the disorder. “That’s been an incredibly effective game-changer,” Spranger said of the medication. “From what we’ve seen, people on Trikafta who couldn’t walk up the stairs or even change the sheets on their bed without being out of breath for 20 minutes can now run up a flight of stairs without even thinking about it.”
M I N D & BODY H E ALTH EDITION
33
She also said that a spike in pregnancies carried to term by women with cystic fibrosis is a trend attributed largely to the drug, while some individuals have reported a decrease in the time and difficulty of their daily treatment regimens. Such routines normally involve taking enzyme pills, doing monitored exercise and airway-clearing chest compressions, the latter an in-vest therapy achieved with a generator that tends to append aerosol delivery. As a result of modern treatments, some on lung transplant waiting lists have regained their health enough to no longer require the procedure according to Spranger, who said her mother-in-law’s cousin who had cystic fibrosis underwent a double lung transplant soon after she started as executive director. “Within a short amount of time, we’ve made tremendous progress, but the one caveat is that this is a treatment, not a cure, and it also doesn’t help everyone,” Spranger said. “There’s still about 10% that don’t have anything like this, so we want to get a treatment that keeps everyone kind of baseline healthy.” With the passage of the decades, more and more people with cystic fibrosis are living into their 50s, 60s and beyond, but the pursuit of that lasting cure for all has become a personal objective for Spranger. As area director, her involvement has sprouted friendships with family members and caretakers of people battling the sickness as well as the organization’s many volunteers and patients themselves. The community comes together as often as possible for various fundraisers, often picking up steam for the May awareness month and its coinciding Great Strides walks.
SYR ACUSE WOMAN MAGA ZI N E
Supporting the cause step by step, those celebratory strolls act as the top-earning endeavors for the organization along with the direct, year-round campaigns for funds. In the months leading up to events like golf outings, cycling rides and the walks, Spranger has worked with her colleagues to make sure that budgets are met and that the logistics on the planning side are sorted out. She also coaches registrants on how to secure the maximal amount of donations for their team, and she works with corporations to come up with ways they can lend support. Through COVID, the foundation has hosted an order-out, tapasoriented spin on its Southern Tier food-sampling event, a virtual version of its honorary gala and in place of its walks, a car parade. “The one silver lining in COVID is that it really taught us to be kind of creative and think outside of the box,” Spranger said. Though infection prevention and six-feet recommendations around patients were already commonplace at the CFF’s organized indoor events, she said she looks forward to the in-person return of Great Strides and the October gala at the Marriott Syracuse Downtown that will be recognizing Upstate Hospital’s cystic fibrosis care center. Amy Spranger previously worked as the associate director of corporate development for the American Diabetes Association and as a manager of member development and retention for the MedTech Association. SWM In her free time, Amy Spranger likes to camp, kayak and ride bikes in the summertime with her daughter and her husband. In the winter, she enjoys ice skating or snowshoeing if the chance arises.
SYR ACUSE WOMAN MAG.COM
34
INSPIRE
JOANNE AND DAVID LENWEAVER
MAY 2022
M I N D & BODY H E ALTH EDITION
35
A pastoral life and a Clean Slate Lorna Oppedisano
N
ot all couples are meant to run a business together. Joanne Lenweaver and her husband, Dave, wouldn’t have it any other way. For more than the past decade, they’ve run Clean Slate Farm together, after moving to the farm in 2009 and starting the brand in 2017. The culinary venture was not their first joint business together, either. Joanne met Dave when they were both at the beginning of their careers. A recent graduate of the University of Buffalo, Joanne was working as a graphic designer at Zausmer Frisch Associates. One day, she was admiring the fireplace in her office building, when a young man walked up the stairs near her with a delivery. “We looked at each other and I said hi. Then, we would make excuses to run into each other. It was just a coincidence really,” Joanne said with a smile. “Then, after that, we started our own firm together.” For the next 19 years, the duo ran Lenweaver Advertising & Design together, leading their small team of talented creatives to work with local companies such as Welch Allyn and Carrier, as well as international clients. “We had the most creative, wonderful people working with us,” Joanne said. “They always say hire better than you are, and we did.” After their first tenure as business owners, Joanne went on to the SPCA in marketing and Dave began to consider pursuing the culinary arts, inspired by some of the niche clients they’d worked with at Lenweaver Advertising & Design. Two years later, Joanne took the position of communications director at Hospice of Central New York and Dave enrolled in the Culinary Institute of America. A few years later, Joanne knew they had outgrown the small space at their cottage-style house in Eastwood and that it was time to look for a new place to call home. After some searching, Joanne and Dave looked at a spot in Fabius, a large plot of land complete with a barn, perfect for the horse Joanne owned. Peering into the windows of the unoccupied house, it was already familiar to them. “It was what the Maine vacation house we’d stayed in for 10 years looked like,” Joanne said. “When we got here, it was like a clean slate.” The beginnings of the couple’s second business together were born when they moved in in 2009, the same year Joanne accepted the position as director at the WISE Women’s Business Center. “I look back and think, for both of these things, what was I thinking?” she said. “It just didn’t even occur to me while I was in it.” As Joanne led the team at WISE, she and her husband began growing the farm. “He started fiddling around with fig balsamic vinegar and then started growing all the garlic that we use in the garlic balsamic vinegar
SYR ACUSE WOMAN MAGA ZI N E
that we make,” Joanne said, gesturing to the hundreds of garlic plants on their property. The couple took their early batches of fig balsamic vinegar to a winter farmers market in Cazenovia and have expanded from there to offer several other items, including olive oils, honey products, skin care products and spice blends, at a variety of area specialty and gourmet stores, farmers markets and with an online store. “We’re in some of the most wonderful shops,” Joanne said. “Those people have really helped us to grow and they’re just so kind.” Looking back at their first business venture together, the Lenweavers agree their roles and applied skill sets have shifted slightly. “One of our clients at the ad agency said to us once that Joanne’s the voice of hyperbole and Dave’s the voice of reason. With Clean Slate, it’s kind of been the other way around,” Dave said, adding Joanne still has the ability to use her creative side to tweak a product until it is just right. “And it continues on. For a year, we’ve been ‘designing and producing’ our new bathroom,” Joanne said with a laugh. Along with expanding to more products in the future, Joanne and Dave plan to have a booth at the regional farmers market this year, as well. Joanne said she’s confident they’re prepared for this big step, after developing a good flow together over the past several years. A few years ago, Joanne was faced with a new challenge. In 2019, a decade into her time at both WISE and Clean Slate Farm, she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. The diagnosis led to Joanne’s decision to retire from WISE, leaving more time to focus on her health and spending time with her husband and business partner at Clean Slate. While Joanne is heading toward a challenging time, she said, it’s the people and things around her that keep her inspired. “I think it’s the blessings that I’ve been given. This beautiful place. A great partner for a long, long time in Dave. Family, for sure. Just being able to grow orchids. I love doing that. I love all of our animals,” Joanne said. She also boxes twice a week and takes balance and strengthbuilding virtual and in-person classes through Empower Parkinson Inc. programming in Liverpool. She’s encouraged by the chosen family she’s discovered there. “There’s a tremendous amount of support from them, so that inspires me,” Joanne said. “It’s definitely the people, the places and the positive attitude that you walk away with.” SWM Empower Parkinson Inc. is celebrating its fifth anniversary on Thursday, June 9, from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Ramada Inn in Liverpool. Learn more at empowerparkinson.org.
SYR ACUSE WOMAN MAG.COM
36
MOVERS & SHAKERS
Named senior VP at Community Bank
Lindsay Weichert has been appointed senior vice president, commercial banking group manager in Community Bank’s Central New York region. In her new role, Weichert will be responsible for overseeing commercial banking operations for the Central New York region, ensuring that the full value of services and products Community Bank has to offer are provided to the market. Weichert brings 18 years of commercial banking experience to her new role. She joins Community Bank from M&T Bank, where she held various positions, including commercial real estate group manager, and where she managed a sales team originating commercial real estate loans. Prior to M&T Bank, Weichert worked at Fitch Ratings as a director of performance analytics, where she worked on a team that rated commercial mortgage-backed securities and authored research on rated transactions and other topics. Weichert is president of the Syracuse City Ballet, treasurer of the Downtown Syracuse Foundation, a board member of HumaneCNY and the United Way of Central New York, a committee member of NUAIR UAS Job Fund and a member of the Syracuse Surge Business Development Workgroup. She was named to Central New York Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 list in 2015. Weichert earned her bachelor’s degree from St. Lawrence University and majored in multilanguage with minors in economics and mathematics. She graduated from New York University with an M.S. in real estate with a finance and investment concentration. She lives in Syracuse and is married with two children.
Solvay Bank announces appointment
Haley Dubnoff has joined Solvay Bank as vice president, business strategy and marketing manager. Prior to joining Solvay Bank, Dubnoff was senior director, marketing, communications and creative services at WCNY. She also held marketing and communications positions at Loretto and United Way of Central New York. Dubnoff earned a bachelor’s degree in public relations from Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.
Dr. Fraser was also the attending physician with full admitting and surgical privileges at Lewis Country General Hospital in Lowville from 2010 to 2016. Prior to that, she saw patients at a small private practice in the Finger Lakes region while serving as the attending physician with full admitting and surgical privileges at F.F. Thompson Hospital in Canandaigua. Dr. Fraser is passionate about the adequate distribution of health care to the LGBTQA+ community, women veterans and women with disabilities. An active volunteer of the Central New York Medical Reserve Corp., Dr. Fraser has volunteered her time to assist with COVID-19 testing and vaccination. She is thrilled to join St. Joseph’s Health and to continue to provide health care to the women of Central New York. Dr. Fraser holds a bachelor of science in mathematics from Cornell University and a medical degree from SUNY Upstate Medical University where she was a nominee for an American Osteopathic Association Award. She completed her residency at Albany Medical Center. Dr. Fraser is currently welcoming new patients at: 615 N. Seward Ave., Auburn, N.Y. and performing deliveries at St. Joseph’s Health Hospital in Syracuse.
SPORTING GOODS
Happy Mother’s Day
First person under 40 ordained in Diocese in many years
In April, The Rt. Rev. Dr. DeDe Duncan-Probe, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Central New York, ordained Meredith Kadet Sanderson to the priesthood. Sanderson is chief of staff and director of communications for the Episcopal Diocese of Central New York. Prior to joining the diocese in 2015, she served as director of programs for Episcopal Charities of New York and as a fundraiser and data analyst with UNICEF USA in New York City. With husband Christopher Carter Sanderson, she is the parent of a preschooler and resides in Liverpool. Sanderson holds a master of divinity from Union Theological Seminary in New York City and a bachelor of arts degree from Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York. She began her ministry as a priest April 24 with the people of Christ Episcopal Church in Jordan. She will also continue her role with the Diocese of Central New York. Sanderson will be the first person under the age of 40 to be ordained to the priesthood in the Diocese of Central New York in several years—in a time when religious institutions are facing significant transitions due to the ongoing pandemic and changing attitudes toward religion.
Named controller at DB&B
Dermody, Burke & Brown, CPAs, LLC recently hired Suzanne Stewart as a controller in the Syracuse office. Stewart received a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Applications from State University of New York College at Brockport. She has more than 20 years of administrative experience including human resources management, payroll, and executive admini-stration. Suzanne resides in East Syracuse.
OB-GYN joins St. Joseph’s Health Women’s Health
Longtime obstetrician and gynecologist Cynthia Fraser, MD, has joined St. Joseph’s Health Infant Services. In her new role, Dr. Fraser joins a team of diverse and highly qualified physicians who provide specialized care to women in our community. Dr. Fraser is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist with more than 25 years of clinical experience. Prior to joining St. Joseph’s Health, Dr. Fraser was a laborist at Community General Hospital in Syracuse, where she assisted with deliveries and provided general consultations associated with pregnancies and childbirth.
MAY 2022
Congratulations College Graduates! • Thermos Bottles • Pepper Spray • Swiss Army Knives • Archery Equipment • Darts and Dart Supplies And Much More! STORE HOURS: Mon-Fri, 9:30-5:00 | Saturday, 11:00-4:00 | Closed Sunday
315-472-7874 • 625 Burnet Ave, Syracuse
HERPES BUT HONEST Professional Male Seeks professional non-smoking woman aged 52-64. Must be understanding or have gone through the same unfortunate experience. Reply to: thisplace77@ gmail.com M I N D & BODY H E ALTH EDITION
37
Dr Suzanne Shapero, DMD, MBA, PC Family & Cosmetic Dentistry
“Don’t be afraid of the dentist, Dr Shapero is not only a dentist, but a good friend. Thanks to everyone there for making the trip to the dentist a painless and friendly experience.” - - Phillip E., patient
635-6643 www.baldwinsvilledentist.com
Jussara Potter Photography
Our Advanced Services performed in a safe environment with our state-of-the art filtration system We Accept: Cigna 1 Charlotte Street, Baldwinsville (across from the Police Station) In the old Post Office building opposite the Village Hall
SYR ACUSE WOMAN MAGA ZI N E
*Valid only at the participating store(s) listed. One discount per purchase. Offer not valid on previous purchases, gift cards, optics, DSC memberships or sale items. Offer valid in-store only 05/01/22 to 05/15/22.
LOCATED IN FAYETTEVILLE & CAMILLUS! 5362 West Genesee St. Camillus, NY 315-468-0362 314 Towne Dr. Fayetteville, NY (Towne Center Fayetteville) 315-415-0015 order.wbu.com BIRD FOOD • FEEDERS • GARDEN ACCENTS • UNIQUE GIFTS •
SYR ACUSE WOMAN MAG.COM
38
UPCOMING EVENTS Sunday, May 1
Syracuse Opera presents Cinderella (La Cenerentola)
What: Can love conquer greed and cruelty? Find out in Rossini’s timeless classic, Cinderella! In this touching and hilarious Italian version of the classic fairytale, the kind-hearted Angelina (Cinderella) is forced to work for her wicked stepfather and cruel stepsisters. Meanwhile, Prince Ramiro trades places with his valet to go door to door in disguise and find a maiden who is true of heart. As romance blossoms and Angelina’s stepfamily plots to win the prince, mistaken identities, hilarious hijinks, chaos and — of course — a ball ensue. When: 3 p.m. Where: Crouse Hinds Concert Theater 421 Montgomery St., Syracuse, NY 13202 Info: syracuseopera.org
Monday, May 2
Silverwood Clarinet Choir “Spring Imagination” Concert
What: Enjoy a 12-member choir performing a variety of music on clarinets. Founded in 2006, this group performs original compositions as well as arrangements of well-known pieces of all styles from all over the world. The concert will be conducted by Allan Kolsky, a principal clarinet player for Symphoria. This event is open to the public. Tickets will be available at the door but can be purchased online from the Civic Morning Musical website. Where: St. David’s Episcopal Church 14 Jamar Dr., Dewitt 13066 When: 6 p.m. Cost: $20, student tickets are free Info: www.silverwoodclarinet.com
Saturday, May 7
15th Annual Syracuse Crawfish Festival
What: The 15th annual Syracuse Crawfish Festival offers authentic Cajun music, lively dancing, crafters, vendors and an assortment of food otherside only offered on theh Gulf Coast. This year’s event will feature five local bands, including Brass Inc., Soul Risin, Ripcords and the Confabulateurs. There will also be a mascot dance off, a kids’ area and nine local food trucks will be on hand. All the funds raised at the festival go toward projects supported by Operation Northern Comfort, a local not-for-profit that was originally established to help following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and that has now taken 63 trips to provide relief to areas devastated by natural disasters. When: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Where: Clinton Square, Syracuse 13202 Info: operationnc.org
Friday and Saturday, May 20-21
Fort Brewerton Memorial Walk to Honor Veterans
What: Cicero Youth Bureau, Parks & Recreation partners with Fort Brewerton Historical Society for the second annual Memorial Walk. Come hear stories of valor and sacrifice as we honor departed veterans from the Cicero area. Registration is free, but a suggested $10 donation will be collected at the event to benefit the Fort Brewerton Historical Society. Where: Cicero Cemetery 8554 Route 11 13039 When: 6 p.m. Friday, May 20; 10 a.m. Saturday, May 21. Info: cicero.recdesk.com/community/programs, 315-699-5233 to register
Sunday, May 22
JCC Annual Meeting & Gala
What: The Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center will host its largest annual fundraiser at Owera Vineyards in Cazenovia. The event will feature an awards ceremony recognizing a wide range of outstanding service in support of the JCC. The gala’s “New York City Style Brunch” will again be catered by Essen New York Deli of Brooklyn, following a welcoming cocktail hour with hors d’oeuvres. Where: Owera Vineyards 5276 E Lake Rd., Cazenovia, NY 13035 When: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Info: https://jccsyr.org/jcc-annual-meeting-and-gala-2022/
Sunday, May 22
The L8KES Run to benefit Charity for Children
What: The L8KES Run is a premier running event featuring a unique 8K run, a 5K, a 5K youth division run and a two-mile trail walk. For the fit and adventurous, The L8KE MONSTER features a combined 8K and 5K. The event benefits Charity for Children. Registration deadline is May 20. When: 9:30 a.m. Where: Green Lakes State Park 7900 Green Lakes Rd, Fayetteville, NY 13066 Info: To register and for information: https://runsignup.com/Race/NY/Fayetteville/THEHALF
Saturday, May 7
Masterworks: A Grand Finale
What: Sensational soprano Sari Gruber returns to Syracuse to perform Strauss’ gloriously serene and transcendent Four Last Songs. Copland’s masterpiece Symphony No. 3, with its inspiring last movement based on Fanfare for the Common Man, is featured after intermission for an unforgettable conclusion. Where: Crouse Hinds Concert Theater 421 Montgomery St., Syracuse, NY 13202 When: 7:30 p.m. Info:: experiencesymphoria.com for ticket informaiton
Sunday, May 8
Bones East Concert
What: Founded in the early 1980s by the late Howard Kelley, Bones East is a 25-member trombone ensemble made up of semi-professionals, retirees, and students who volunteer their time and talent. This one-hour concert will feature exciting music composed and or arranged by CNY residents. This family friendly concert is free and open to the public. Donations are encouraged and will help support the church’s community food pantry and Meals on Wheels. Where: St. Joseph’s Church 4600 West Genesee St., Camillus 13031 When: 2 p.m.
Sunday, May 8
Mother’s Day Garden Tour
What: Bring the family to Sycamore Hill Gardens in Marcellus for a one-of-a-kind, outdoor garden experience like no other. At this self-guided event, you can stroll the lawns and paths through 30+ acres of these vibrant gardens. Bring a picnic lunch or buy lunch at The Chicken Bandit food truck at this fun family day full of exploration and wonder around every turn. All garden tour proceeds benefit Baltimore Woods Nature Center. When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Where: Sycamore Hill Gardens 2130 Old Seneca Turnpike, Marcellus 13108 Cost: $15 Info: baltimorewoods.org MAY 2022
M I N D & BODY H E ALTH EDITION
39
UPSTATE FULL PAGE AD
SYR ACUSE WOMAN MAGA ZI N E
SYR ACUSE WOMAN MAG.COM
DRIVERS VILLAGE FULL PAGE
