SWM May 2013 Issue by Barbara McSpadden

may 2013

Jephson Estate INSIDE THE

special feature

STILETTOS OFF, BOOTS ON

deserted attic:

two women find treasures

‘I Am That Lady’

AT HOME WITH

LAUREN GREUTMAN

w w w. s y r ac u s e wo m a n m ag . c o m

syracuseWomanMag.com ::may2013

Signs can include:

• • • •

Regular morning headaches Exhausted during the day Disruptive snoring Having a large neck

May

ETC 7

PLATTER CHATTER: JOLIME CAFÉ

FASHION FORWARD: BEING SIZE FABULOUS

SPECIAL FEATURE: JOY ANTHIS-WEATHERUP

MIZ MATCH: RENOVATE YOUR RELATIONSHIP

FABULOUS FINDS 18 WBOC LEADING WOMAN 20 IN HER OWN WORDS

HEALTHY WOMAN: KNOWING THE UNKNOWN 24

COVER STORY: LAUREN GREUTMAN

FOR A GOOD CAUSE: STRIKING OUT HUNGER

FITNESS: GET FIT IN YOUR HOME

SPECIAL FEATURE: DESERTED ATTIC

MUSIC VIEW: MARKITA COLLINS

SYRACUSE WOMEN INSPIRE 41 SPECIAL FEATURE: THE MOLLY PROJECT

SWM EVENTS 48

OUR TEAM...

Publishers

Kelly Breuer Barbara McSpadden

Editor-in-Chief

Barbara McSpadden

Editor

Farah F. Jadran

Letter from the editor

Creative DIRECTOR

“If I have nothing to sacrifice, I have nothing to gain.” — Catherine Ndereba

graphic design

These are the words of a four-time Boston Marathon champion, a Kenyan woman who has been a running idol of mine since I was about 10 years old.

Photography

I thought a lot about these beautiful words since tragedy struck the running of the 117th Boston Marathon because “sacrifice” is exactly what everyone (spectators, volunteers, first responders and law enforcement included) did in Boston that day. Having run two full marathons myself, I know what that training is like. It’s at least 16 weeks, 20 for some runners, and it’s without a doubt a journey. You learn so much about yourself during that time. You not only learn your pain threshold and ability, but you learn about how much you are willing to sacrifice and your level of dedication. On that very day, I was tracking a family member that was running the race while I was here in Syracuse. I watched as she ran an incredible time, despite a serious injury, and thought, “her sacrifices paid off.” I worried as I waited to get back on the phone with them. The 35-minute window where I couldn’t locate my mother felt like an eternity and thinking about how I wanted my family as far away from there as possible was heartbreaking. I am never going to forget April 15, 2013.

Kelly Breuer

Casey Jabbour Melissa Meritt

Cindy Bell Cathryn Lahm Jussara Potter John Farnach Caitlyn Bom Genevieve Fridley Todd Johnson

Contributing Writers Farah F. Jadran Carolyn Jannetti Alyssa LaFaro Susan Dutch Jasmon Brown Linda Osborne Markita Collins Kimberlee Avery Sarah Hall

The day after this tragedy was the 11th Annual WISE Symposium. We didn’t gather in the Oncenter in Syracuse with our heads down. As the emcee for the event, I wrestled with the idea of mentioning the marathon and asking for a moment of silence. I wondered no more, and included it in my welcome speech that morning. From what I heard it was the right thing to do.

advertising Sales

We moved through the day inspiring one another and learning more about how we can contribute to the world around us. The energy and positive attitude truly uplifted the 1,000-plus WISE Symposium attendees and speakers. If you ask me, the Symposium was a way for us to gather in large numbers to be passionate about what we do just like everyone planned to do the day before in Boston.

Advertise with us...

Syracuse Woman Magazine is tabout celebrating the hard work, sacrifice and dedication women put forth to achieve their dreams. This month is no different. On our cover, you will see a familiar face or maybe a familiar title: “I Am That Lady”. For our Home, Garden and DIY Edition, Lauren Greutman takes us inside her world of saving money and giving back. She shares her favorite rooms, recipes and moments of helping others. Learn more about her on page [28]. Also in this edition are interesting features on women making it in the home design and home décor industries. Read about Joy Anthis Weatherup, a construction manager and designer, on page [14] and gather some great ideas as you enter the Desserted Attic with Tara LaBarge and Erica Marciano on page [36]. And on the opposite page of this letter you will find an opportunity to win entry into the 2013 Syracuse Athleta Iron Girl, an exclusive opportunity you won’t find anywhere else! As always, we’re here to celebrate your ideas and your achievements, but most of all we’re here to talk about what matters most to you. Keep in touch with us online at facebook. com/SyracuseWomanMagazine and on Twitter at @SyrWomanMag. You also can follow me on Twitter for behind-the-scenes coverage of SWM (and lots of tweets about running!) at @FarahJadran.

Farah F. Jadran

ON OUR COVER… Lauren Greutman, owner of IamThatLady.com, was photographed by Cindy Bell, of Focus Studio Inc., which is located at 920 N. Salina St. in Syracuse.

Renee Moonan Linda Jabbour

for advertising information:

Please contact Renee Moonan (315) 657-7690

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 info@syracusewomanmag.com Download our media kit at www.syracusewomanmag.com The magazine is published 12 times a year by InnovateHER Media Group, llc. and Eagle Publications, 2501 James Street, Suite 100, Syracuse, NY 13206. Copyright © 2013 InnovateHER 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 InnovateHER Media Group, llc. and will not be returned.

etc... A NIGHT TO REMEMBER ANNUAL GALA

DOWNTOWN LIVING TOUR

WIN A REGISTRATION FOR SOLDOUT IRON GIRL SYRACUSE

The 7th annual Downtown Living Tour is scheduled to run from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 18. Last year’s event was a huge success and sold more than 2,100 tickets.

Find out why Downtown Syracuse has become the neighborhood of choice as the doors are opened to adaptive reuse and new construction projects featuring market-rate and luxury apartments, live/work spaces and “green” condos.

A Night to Remember is held by the Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund of CNY to recognize sponsors, researchers, volunteers and other supporters. It is also a special night for women who have suffered from breast cancer to celebrate their survival with friends and family as well as a chance to remember those that were taken by this disease. The Turning Stone Casino in Verona sponsors this event. The Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund Inc. supports both new and established researchers investigating the causes, prevention and treatment of breast cancer. This research will include — but not be limited to — studies of the genetic, molecular, cellular and environmental factors involved in the development and progression of breast cancer. A more broad scope of the organization includes an application of the knowledge thus gained to educate medical professionals and increase public awareness for the prevention, detection and treatment of breast cancer; and studies of the outcomes of breast cancer detection and treatment on the patient, their families and society. To learn more, visit findacurecny.org.

This year’s tour features eight tour stops and will be headquartered at the Pike Block. The tour highlights both occupied and available units in several of downtown’s historic renovations in neighborhoods such as Armory Square, Hanover Square and the Heart of Downtown. The tour offers something for everyone, from young professionals and empty nesters looking to live downtown, as well as those interested in historic preservation, interior design, architecture, and urban living.

The tour is designed to be a walking tour, but two free shuttles will be running a special tour route as well. Guarantee your ticket by purchasing advance sale tickets for $12 (which can be purchased online at downtownsyracuse. com/downtownlivingtour through May 16). Day of event tickets are $15. All tickets can be picked up at tour headquarters, the Pike Block, the day of the tour between 12 and 4 p.m.

Missed your chance to enter the field of the 2013 Syracuse Athleta Iron Girl? Or have you been trying to snag a spot for a few years now? Well, it’s your lucky year! Syracuse Woman Magazine, your exclusive women’s magazine of the Iron Girl Syracuse event for the second year in a row, is honored to give one lucky reader the chance to enter this sold-out triathlon. This year’s race, the fourth annual, is set for Sunday, Aug. 7, at Oneida Shores in Brewerton. The 2013 Syracuse Athleta Iron Girl sold out in six hours, so we got together with the race director, Judy Molnar, and we now have the opportunity to award one woman entry into the race. All you have to do is email farah@ syracusewomanmag.com by May 24, 2013, with only your name, birthdate and contact information. Participants must be 18 or older and not already registered for the race. This sprint triathlon is an all-women event. (The contest entry must be made by the interested party, you cannot enter on behalf of someone else.) The winner will be chosen at random and the result will be announced on Monday, May 27, via SWM’s social media: facebook.com/ SyracuseWomanMagazine and on Twitter at @ SyrWomanMag. Swim, bike, run and read Syracuse Woman Magazine… Good luck!

chatter ::platter 8

april 2013 :: syracuseWomanMag.com

JoLiMe:

keeping it fresh for you

BY FARAH F. JADRAN I PHOTOGRAPHY BY CATHRYN LAHM When a supply of stellar chocolate chip cookies sends the demand well over a few thousand, you know there’s something there. For a few years, community members could stop by Chuck Hafner’s Farmers Market and Garden Center in October to not only pick out some pumpkins, but also to get their hands on some of Lisa Caveny’s chocolate chip cookies. Then, in December, it would be a Christmas tree and the infamous cookies. Hot chocolate, apple cider and coffee also were available at the stand, but the cookies were the main attraction.

“So many people would tell me, ‘We love your cookies! Are they going to be here again?’” Lisa said. The cookies were so popular that when November rolled around for the next “cookie season,” Lisa had to return to Liverpool early from a vacation so the baked goods could make an appearance. “It felt good to know that people liked something I made so much” Next to baking, Lisa and her husband John have always enjoyed hosting parties in their home. And more than that, Lisa enjoys cooking for those guests. With only one daughter, Megan, the couple sees a home gathering as an opportunity to cook bigger meals. The family of three also inspired what has become a more substantial expansion of the cookie stand: JoLiMe (“Jo” for John, “Li” for Lisa and “Me” for Megan.) While the nursery has been at its Buckley Road location for six years and JoLiMe has only been open for a little more than two years, Lisa says Chuck moved the nursery there always with the intention of having a café attached. The nursery-café was inspired by the style of European fresh garden-cafés. The café has a rustic outdoor feel on the inside. The décor features wooden ceiling beams and wooden tables that were made from the wood in the old Hafner’s Barn. Now, the complex is a 65,000-square-foot nursery featuring seven greenhouses. Because the café is paired with a garden center, the idea of serving fresh and locallyproduced food is anything but an option. “If there’s local produce to be used, we’re using it,” Lisa said. Whether it’s having someone stop at the farm stand in Cicero to gather fresh strawberries for the JoLiMe signature strawberry spinach salad or getting lettuce from Oswego, Lisa says the closer to home the product is made, the better it will taste. “If you’re eating strawberries year-round in a restaurant salad, you’re probably eating California strawberries,” she said. “We’ll only do it in season.” This also holds true for the café’s tomatoes. This approach aids in providing the best and freshest products for customers. The café also serves Paul Di Lima Coffee and does business with other local companies such as Syracuse Banana. A few other seasonal favorites at JoLiMe are the Rueben, strawberry shortcake, tomato and mozzarella salad, the fresh BLT and the cranberry turkey on ciabatta. Plus, Lisa says all items such as turkey or chicken are made fresh at the café. If there’s a roast chicken sandwich, then the chicken was roasted on site that day. The café has had so many satisfied regulars that one even sought out Lisa and John to open a second location in their downtown building. So JoLiMe is now the resident of the ground floor inside the old HSBC building on the corner of Jefferson and Warren in downtown Syracuse. The café will opened on May 1. It does not have a service staff just like the current model, and there is WiFi service and plenty of outdoor seating. While it’s always been fun to host a party for friends and family, Lisa is finding out it can be even more enjoyable to host the community. For catering information and a full menu, visit www.jolime.com or stop by 7265 Buckley Road in Liverpool or the new downtown spot.

forward ::fashion

BY JASMON BROWN I PHOTO BY JUSSARA POTTER

I have been preparing myself for this presentation for two weeks. The day has arrived for me to stand in front of my colleagues and I become extremely nervous. I am not nervous because I have to give a presentation, I am nervous because I have no idea what they will think of me based on my appearance. All I can think about is the fact that I am the only plus size woman in the room. Will I be perceived with disapproval or disgust? Will anyone compare me to my colleague on the right who is attractive enough to be in Vogue? I have no idea, but right as I stand up I have to laugh at myself. I have no reason to think less of myself than any other woman in the room. I am not plus size, I am Size Fabulous! And at that very moment, I know the way I present myself through the way I dress speaks for itself and commands their attention. I will be respected and my presentation will be a success. Being a full-figured woman, I understand the daily struggles we have to achieve our goals. One of the most important factors is how you present yourself. I have found that your clothing choices have a major impact on your mood, your confidence and your self-esteem. My company, Size Fabulous, teaches plus size women how to dress with confidence. We equip women with the knowledge and tools to dress without limitations. The first rule of thumb is to focus on items that will look appropriate and flattering for your specific body type. Although you may find a fabulous item you would like to wear, it may not provide the perfect silhouette. For example, if you’re a rectangular shape, you should look for items that have or will give you the illusion of a cinched waist. If you have an hourglass figure, almost anything will look good on you. You have the perfect balance so don’t be afraid to reach for that pencil skirt you have your eye on! The second rule is to feel comfortable in your clothes. Remember the 3 C’s: Curvy, Comfortable, and Confident. If you have never worn a skirt, it’s OK, the more comfortable you get, the more confident you will become. Always keep variety in your closet. Who wants to wear pants every day? I know I don’t. Items that are a “must have” for your closet are different styles of pants (straight leg, boot-cut and skinny leg), a variety of skirts (varying in length), a variety of tops (blouses, sweaters, peplum, long- and short-sleeve), and a variety of dresses (also varying in length). The last rule, which I enjoy the most, is to have options of different colors, patterns and prints. Nothing gets me more excited than going through a rack of clothes with nothing in black. Although black should be included in your wardrobe, wearing bright colors and bold prints not only looks fabulous but it can also be a confidence booster and put you in a better mood. Don’t shy away from exploring and wearing prints and colors you haven’t worn before. It is all about dressing with confidence. Regardless of your size, be it zero or Size Fabulous, never limit your options. When you dress with confidence not only will you look good, but you will speak, walk and present yourself with confidence. You’ve heard of the term “dress for success,” right? Whether your look is edgy, classic, chic, vintage or casual, let your confidence overflow and success will be knocking at your doorstep! Jasmon hosts body image coaching, image consulting and various workshops. For more information on Jasmon or Size Fabulous, visit www.sizefabulous. com or follow her on Twitter at @SizeFabulous, we already do!

::wise

women

feature ::special 14

may 2013 :: syracuseWomanMag.com

BY FARAH F. JADRAN I PHOTO BY CINDY BELL

“I just never know when I have to be on site and look at land,” said Joy Anthis Weatherup, construction manager and designer.

Without flat out saying it, Joy is, as are all women in the construction management field, a minority in her profession. However, she’s always been “the only one” for as long as she can remember. Since Joy was a young girl in high school, she was working with her father for his fencing business, Central Fence. “My father felt like a kid should learn the value of hard work,” she said. So, while other kids were out playing or meeting up with friends, she was at the office with her dad. Joy would work on cost accounting, review blue prints and her father would even send her to bid openings for large scale municipal jobs, correctional facilities and airports, nothing residential. “Not only was I extremely young, and basically a little girl…I was uncomfortable at first.” But after a while, she was just one of the guys bidding on a big project. Joy was starting to truly understand the business. She was acquiring lots of sales experience and management skills. “I loved how personal it was and managing a project that was hands on.” Early on Joy learned that it wasn’t about gender or how much experience you had when you got started, but how you adapted and how you apply your passion to what you love and what you want to achieve. “The best advice I ever got was from my dad,” Joy said. “When I was still in high school he told me, ‘You could have 10 [college] degrees, but the world is full of people…and if you can’t get along with people, it doesn’t matter how educated you are.’” Instead of worrying about how she had not yet gone to college in the field she was working in or being the only woman on site, Joy began earning trust from the guys she was working with and said she was easily proving that she was just as knowledgeable. “It’s not about women doing traditional careers or men doing traditional careers…we have to get rid of that notion that we belong in certain professions.” Joy went on to earn her degree from Le Moyne College, while still working for her father. And since, she has a New York State Certified Women-Owned Business Enterprise. She’s currently in the process of recertifying her business to capitalize on a commercial construction management component of her business. “I love residential work and working with individual families, but there’s a lot going on with commercial and municipal…I’d be remiss if I ignored that.” Because there is a lack of women construction managers, her business has received even more opportunities because of its unique nature.

Designing Woman

When she isn’t in boots and a hard hat for the construction phase, managing her team, she’s following her other passion — interior and exterior design. Because Joy experienced much excitement after managing renovations in her own home, she realized that this too would be a part of her passion in business. Before moving to a home in the town of Onondaga, Joy lived in a Sedgwick Victorian. This grand house inspired her love for classic architecture and also ideas for modern spaces.

feature

When Joy steps onto a construction site, she’s in charge. Whether the team is working on an electrical phase or a framing stage, and there’s two men or 10, they’re looking to Joy as their leader.

Joy launched the commercial division of her business this month.

::special

She drives around Central New York in her silver Suburban ready for meetings with government entities, but in an instant she can ditch the designer heels for the Timberlands in her backseat.

Joy says more than ever, she has been meeting with several consulting agencies and engineering firms to talk to them about how a womanowned business in construction can help them satisfy government regulations.

Now, a resident of Pompey, Joy has brought her preferred style into her own home. Everything is one level, “it works for us,” she said, and she feels like her home is the size it needs to be for her family. Joy describes her style as rustic, yet elegant. And this motif echoes through every square foot of her home with earth tone hues and exterior stone used on the inside and out. She also performs heavy research on a historical home in order to preserve the style and incorporate modern design that accentuates the structure instead of changing it entirely. While keeping a classic style such as this one for most of her designs for clients, she said she is sure to target their needs in their home. “I try and get into the heads of my clients. I try to figure out what they need,” Joy said. “I find out what they’re looking for.” She always begins by asking them what they love or hate about their current space and then asks them about how they use their space and how much they need for their family. For example, many clients have issues with their dining rooms. Joy says older dining rooms tend to be narrow and cannot fit china cabinets. She will measure the old one and helps the client determine how much more space is needed. Another popular concept she uses for homes is the pocket door to save room and the walk-in pantry for kitchens. They’re both functional, save space and offer convenience. She has even brought this concept into the bedroom by utilizing an alcove in a client’s home so that a small countertop and electrical outlet allowed for a coffee maker and toaster oven. It ended up being extremely functional, and welcomed the client to make her coffee and a small breakfast in her bedroom in the morning while she got ready for the day. From the beginning of the design process to the final walk-through of a job, Joy said she is not only involved every step of the way, but that her clients are too. Many clients later and many years after working for her father, Joy still knows the true value of putting her passion to work. Even at the age of 80, her father still works and is her biggest mentor. Home design photography courtesy of Joy Weatherup Anthis Construction Management and Design. For more on Joy’s business, visit facebook. com/Joy-Weatherup-Anthis.

syracuseWomanMag.com ::may2013

Enhance the Beauty Of Your Home!

660 Burnet Ave. | Syracuse | www.raulliiron.com | info@raulliiron.com | 474-1370

::miz

match

BY SUSAN L. DUTCH - MIZMATCH

Just because your relationship might have lost a bit of its luster, doesn’t mean it’s headed for the curb. Instead, think of new ways to refurbish it. Just as redecorating can spice up your home, so can adding a little pizzazz to your love life. Before you begin the renovation process, it might be best to assess what you have to work with. Is the foundation of your relationship cracked or caving in, or is it strong and secure? Do you and your partner have similar ideas as how you envision your future together? Does your relationship have good bones? Are you confident that you truly and deeply love each other at the core? If the answer is “yes” to these questions, your relationship probably just needs a little TLC versus an extreme makeover. Let’s start by examining the connectivity or ‘plumbing’ of your relationship. Do you have anything clogging or blocking intimacy? Does your “honey-do list” include your honey? In other words, do you make time for each other? Are you connecting often? And by that I not only mean are you intimate, but even more importantly, do you exchange hugs and hold hands often, call or text during the day just to say “hi” or better yet, “I love you” versus “can you pick up milk on your way home?” It’s the simple fixes that make a huge difference in the flow and inner workings of our relationships. Most of us would agree, (unless you have allergies!) that there’s nothing quite like opening all the windows in early spring to get out the cobwebs, dust bunnies and stale air. Same goes for your relationship. Get off the couch, get outside, walk, talk and reconnect. Make plans to do things as a couple, like planting a garden or taking a weekend trip someplace new, such as a summer festival or an outdoor concert. Expand your horizons, and be

prepared to step outside your comfort zone. A good example of this was when my sister’s husband bought a Harley after their youngest child left for college. She was the last person on earth that I could imagine as a Harley chick. She was an avid biker, as in cyclist. Then one day he decided to give her way of biking a try, and actually loved it. So in time, she jumped on the back of his Harley and discovered she enjoyed his preferred mode of transportation as well. They now take motorcycle trips and enjoy competing in cycling races together, which has sparked new “getup-and-go” in their relationship. Another idea is to reduce the clutter in your life just as you do in your home. Get rid of those things that are making your life messy, causing arguments or building resentment. Are you constantly hammering him about cleaning out the garage? Why not turn on some great tunes, stir up a batch of margaritas and do it together? Is he constantly on your case about spending too much money? Take all that stuff that you don’t need from your newly cleaned garage and have a yard sale! Clutter, whether it’s physical or emotional, can be stifling to a relationship. Get rid of it! Whether you’ve been in a committed relationship for two years or 25, and no matter how much you love each other, there will most likely come a time when things begin to feel a little worn down. Just like your home, what you once thought was so charming about your partner may now be, well, just plain unattractive. But breaking down a few walls, adding a splash of color, and changing things up may be just what the love doctor ordered. Susan Dutch is a local freelance writer who also blogs about love and relationships at www.mizmatch.com. Feel free to contact her at mizmatch@mizmatch.com or follow her on Twitter at @ mizmatchblog.

syracuseWomanMag.com ::april 2013

finds ::fab

fab

Michelle Da Rin Jewelry

MICHELLE DA RIN

Local artist Michelle Da Rin shared some of her latest pieces and a few classics with Syracuse Woman Magazine to help you get ready for spring in style. Her art features one-of-akind hand crafted enameled copper jewelry that’s most certain to start a conversation with any ensemble you step out in this season. At 42, Michelle let go of her ego. She turned to acupuncture, meditation, juicing and infra-red sauna have brought balance to her life and fed her creativity which has inspired her jewelry creations. “Discovering that beauty truly is from the inside out has been empowering,” Michelle says. “My work is a manifestation of that power.” For more jewelry pieces and art, visit www.michelledarinjewelry.com.

BRASS AND ELECTROFORMED ENAMELED COPPER PENDANT Pieces of art are meant to be a focal point in a room, but this jewelry piece is meant to make you the focal point. A large rounded pendant catches contours and has added pizzazz with a deep red accent.

may 2013 :: syracuseWomanMag.com

HAND STICHED LEATHER AND ENAMELED COPPER CROSS BODY BAG

::fab

Different hues and textures of leather mix to make this cross body bag unique. It’s stylish and functional and presents a rustic look for any ensemble.

finds

ENAMELED COPPER BRACELETS, STUDDED LEATHER BRACELET, CASTE SILVER & CORAL RING

Who says you can’t have too many bracelets? Mixing and matching stones, leather and metals can create a look all of its own. The coral ring ties together the intense combination.

BRASS, TURQUOISE & DOMED ENAMELED COPPER PENDANT ON BRASS CHAIN Turquoise is undoubtedly trending, but turquoise and brass makes the style stand out from all the rest. The brass chain created a long line and again, a large pendant creates a dramatic look for a classy look.

BRASS WEDGE NECKLACE & ENAMELED COPPER TUBE NECKLACE Layering beaded necklaces has become popular, but now layering open airy pieces with metal has taken on a look of its own. Mixing to brass wedges and a copper tube forms dimension on the neckline and breaks away from traditional accessories.

syracuseWomanMag.com ::may2013

woman

BY ALYSSA LAFARO I PHOTO BY CINDY BELL

::wboc leading

“I really think that, in business, you need to constantly reinvent yourself,” says Theresa Lotito-Camerino. Perhaps that’s why the Manager/CEO of EDGE Federal Credit Union in Liverpool decided to join Women Business Opportunities Connections (WBOC) in 2011. Theresa first heard about WBOC when the organization partnered with EDGE to help women, especially those just starting a business, to consider and compare credit union financial services over traditional banking services. After becoming familiar with the organization, she herself became a member. “I like to go to the meetings and hear all the different ideas people are sharing with one another,” explains Theresa. “It energizes me. It makes me think about how the business world is constantly evolving, and how we need to be constantly changing with it.” When Theresa walks away from WBOC meetings, she says she summarizes the different things she learned and returns to her staff and says, “Is this something we can try here?” Or she suggests they attend a seminar being held there. “I get a lot of helpful information there that helps keeps my business mind fresh.” Theresa has constantly reinvented herself within her career over the years. It was about 24 years ago that she was working full-time as a stay-at-home mom when a friend suggested she volunteer for a few hours at the local credit union. “I said sure. I’ll dabble. My dabbling lasted for only two months before the credit union offered me a position,” she laughs. In working as the accountant there, she introduced the first PC into the credit union, reinventing the way they conducted their business. Twelve years later, she joined EDGE, and she gradually moved up the ladder to CEO. “I never thought I’d make it to CEO,” she explains. But she has made the most of it, and has helped develop EDGE’s Cub Saver Program, which teaches elementary school children about the importance of saving and understanding financial literacy. “It’s never too early to start teaching kids about money,” she explains. “I think understanding how to use and save your money correlates directly with living a healthy lifestyle. I’d love to see this program expand.” Theresa’s also helped reinvent the atmosphere at the credit union through her unique business philosophy. “I always said that if I did ever become the person in charge I would make sure family values were incorporated. So that’s what I did. Anyone who works for me and has a family is allowed to leave the office to attend their children’s events. I really hold true to that. It has so much value for organizations as a whole. It doesn’t matter whether you are a mother, father or grandparent. Those events are important, and they need to go.” She has brought these values to WBOC, too. “It’s really been about the relationships for me,” notes Theresa. “I have met some wonderful women through the organization that I get together with every couple of months to have coffee, chat and share. I have met some great ladies and formed wonderful friendships. Everyone has such a beautiful story to tell, and I just love listening.” And now, it’s time for Theresa to reinvent herself at WBOC —as treasurer. “I really wanted to participate and do my part for the organization,” she says. “I’d love to introduce more people and more businesses. Spreading the WBOC word would be a great thing for individual members and the organization as a whole.” The WBOC is a non-profit organization that has been empowering professional women in the Central New York area for more than 20 years. Its members are women business owners, women in business and women business start-ups. Syracuse Woman Magazine is a signature sponsor of the WBOC.

may 2013 :: syracuseWomanMag.com

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words ::in her own

BY LINDA OSBORNE I PHOTOGRAPHY BY CATHRYN LAM

Thirty years ago, my husband and I started a business on a wing and a prayer, determination and drive. Our business, Syracuse Crank & Machine, Inc. has become very successful. However, three years ago I lost three people in a span of eight months. That changes you. With my children grown, it was then that I decided I wanted to do something different with my life. We started our search for a home to run a bed and breakfast. A restrictive deed covenant and lawsuit halted that plan. Since “plan A” didn’t work out for me, and my life is loosely based on “plan B”, we came up with another idea. I also wanted to take my charitable work to another level but wasn’t sure how. We purchased and now live in the historic home of the Davis Baking Powder founder, Robert Benson Davis. This 1905 Queen Anne Victorian house, sits majestically on 8.2 acres overlooking Cazenovia Lake. Also on this impressive estate is the original carriage house and guesthouse. The daughter of the Davis Baking Powder Empire was Lucretia Davis Jephson, a philanthropist in her own right. She believed in woman’s education and donated to the Keuka and Cazenovia colleges. Last year her estate donated $1million to Cazenovia College. We have opened our home to community outreach and it’s now a premier venue for philanthropic, civic and social events. Being given this wonderful gift and responsibility of being the next caretakers of this property, we are honored to share our home for fundraising events. We have become creative. We had a car show, a yarn club, a wine-tasting event, house tours, wedding showers, baby showers, rehearsal dinners and have even had guests stay in our “faux B&B.” We were proud to host the Francis House Auxiliary Tea last year raising $10,000 for this wonderful organization and will hold a fundraising event for the Cazenovia Preservation Foundation this year. One hundred percent of all monies collected go directly to the charity. Most of our events are a part of the “Circles of Change” campaign for Ophelia’s Place in Liverpool, a non-profit dedicated to helping those inflicted by eating disorders, disordered eating and body image issues. A little more than seven years ago I walked into Ophelia’s Place on blind faith to get help for a lifelong eating disorder and have been in recovery ever since. This is my way of giving back to a place that has given me a renewed life. What is Circles of Change? It is a creative way to change conversation around beauty and health; it’s becoming part of a movement. There are so many creative ways to host Circles of Change events. Change the way you have conversations. Be change. Be conversation. Be community. Be You. Don’t be afraid to work hard. If you believe in what you do, no matter what it is, you’ll be successful. This is precisely how I feel living in the “Hillcrest” Jephson Estate. It’s beautiful on the inside and on the outside, which is another reason I can identify it with starting a Circle of Change. And now this gorgeous estate has become home to many fundraisers that are helping others. Being good to people is a wonderful legacy to leave behind. My life has been a crazy ride and an amazing journey. I am truly having a “Lindarella” moment. For more information on the estate, visit www.facebook.com/hillcrestjephson, and for information on Ophelia’s Place, visit www.opheliasplace.org.

April 2013 :: syracuseWomanMag.com

woman ::healthy

BY FARAH F. JADRAN

It isn’t rare, but many mothers-to-be are unaware of a life-threatening disorder. Preeclampsia is most often characterized by a rapid rise in blood pressure that can lead to seizure, stroke, multiple organ failure and death of the mother, baby, or both. It occurs only during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

Kristie passed away in August 2011 from complications from preeclampsia and HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelet count). Shortly after the birth of her son, Brody, Rubino passed away.

Because the awareness and knowledge of the disorder is lacking, Syracuse’s Lorelle Lashway is taking matters into her own hands.

Remembering Kristie Kristie’s mother, Nancy Maprafailo, says she and her other daughter, Koren Rubino, are looking forward to the Syracuse Promise Walk (an event planned to be held annually) because they want to help pass on awareness.

“When I first learned that I had severe preeclampsia, I was in tears,” Lorelle said. Although her pregnancy had been smooth up until that point, her protein count was high, her blood pressure was climbing and her platelets were low.

“I’ve become a medium and started talking to pregnant women,” Nancy said. Like Lorelle, Nancy also had never heard of preeclampsia. “Kristie was so healthy and a go-getter,” she said. “She never slowed down up until the day she checked in to have the baby.”

Lorelle went to the hospital. She was put on Pitocin (strengthens labor contractions during childbirth), and magnesium sulfate. When her daughter Laelyn was born, full term (38 weeks and six days), at a mere 5 pounds, she was sent to the NICU with magnesium toxicity.

Nancy says no one in the family was aware of this pregnancy disorder, but now they want to help others become informed.

“She was referred to as the ‘mag baby,’” Lorelle explained. Her IUGR (Intrauterine Growth Restriction) was another unexpected issue.

“We’ll do anything we can to help the foundation and to help with the walk.”

“The thing I remember the most about my experience was how blindsided I felt,” Lorelle said. “How no one ever really explained what happened, and ultimately how traumatic this process had been for me.”

For Lorelle, her biggest challenge is getting people to understand the symptoms and risks of preeclampsia. But, it’s a challenge she’s ready to conquer. In addition to the walk on June 1, the event will include an opportunity to remember those who have lost their lives and activities for kids such as a bounce house and face painting.

When she found the Preeclampsia Foundation, she said she learned just how lucky she was. “I knew that I had to become involved, and be an advocate, so that I could prevent someone else from feeling like I did.”

“If we can help just one person or family understand what preeclampsia is, and recognize the signs and symptoms, I will consider this walk a success,” said Lorelle.

Now, the area’s inaugural Promise Walk is set for Saturday, June 1, at Onondaga lake Park, not solely because of Lorelle’s experience but also to celebrate the memory of Kristie Rubino.

For more information on the walk, visit promisewalk.org/syracuse or follow the event on Twitter at @SyracusePromise. For more information on this disorder, visit preeclampsia.org.

may 2013 :: syracuseWomanMag.com

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story ::cover 28

may 2013 :: syracuseWomanMag.com

::cover

story

BY FARAH F. JADRAN I PHOTOGRAPHY BY CINDY BELL Every now and then she receives a letter from one of her blog followers letting her know that she helped change someone’s life. While Lauren Greutman, better known as “I Am That Lady,” decided to start her blog and launched a website to share her money-saving and DIY tips, she never knew it would reach such great heights. “You need to believe in yourself and your capabilities as a woman. So often, we undermine what our possibilities are,” Lauren shared. “I started with a passion for what I love to teach people.” Without quoting one of her many satisfied blog followers, Lauren’s genuine character is what has made her so successful in her business. Her attention to detail and wanting to truly share a DIY tip with her followers is important to her —and it shows. “For me, it was always about developing a community in my area,” Lauren said. “I want people to trust me and that’s a part of what I’m doing…starting a business or career change is about getting people on board with my vision.”

were cut up and a plan to pay them off was put in place. “We make sure we have money to buy it. If we don’t have the money, then we don’t get it.” Recently, the Greutmans installed new windows on their home and put in a new deck all with cash, not with a credit card. How the couple got their new windows is actually quite a fun story to be told for years to come. Since Lauren’s always looking for a deal, she keeps an eye out on when they can earn gas points via Price Chopper. Lauren went to her local Price Chopper and purchased $8,000 worth of Lowes gift cards because it would equate to six free tanks of gas. Her purchase of a whopping 87 gift cards actually crashed the computer system at the grocery store. And so, the entire order had to be re-entered. While anyone else might have been embarrassed, Lauren was not in the slightest. “The manager knows me so it was not a problem,” Lauren said. “I held up the line a little bit…but all I have to say is, ‘I am that lady’ and I got six free tanks of gas because of this.” It was completely worth it.

Lauren’s community began with Oswego and has now spread throughout Central New York, the entire state and, from time to time, from coast to coast.

So often people think they can save money with coupons, according to Lauren. However, she told me that it’s how you use the coupon that really matters.

If you truly want to “DIY” you have to be willing to work for it. Here’s what Lauren did…

It’s a great feeling to look inside your refrigerator and see it filled with foods you love, but it’s even better to admire that grocery goldmine when it is purchased for a fraction of the typical cost.

Lauren and her husband were $40,000 in debt and wanted to get out from under it. “It really started with watching prices of things very carefully because we needed to save so much money,” Lauren said. “My husband gave me the time to go out and learn and put it together.” Lauren taught herself based on her needs. “There were weeks we had $25 and had to feed our family, so it was a necessity.” She describes this extremely limited grocery budget as a reason to be forced to pay attention to where their money was really going. “I just spent $100 on what?” Stuff — plain and simple. Then it dawned on her… They had worked for that $100 or whatever the total might be and it wasn’t going to the necessities of food or toiletries. Lauren’s new job was to budget their money in the most effective manner and put it work for them. “If I spent two hours planning (the grocery list) and saved $100 then I just earned a wage of $50 an hour.” The math is there! And if you thought about putting groceries on a credit card when there’s only $25 cash for expenses, you’re wrong. Those plastic bailouts

The No. 1 tip on using coupons right per I Am That Lady’s expertise is that you must watch sales and the sale cycles at grocery stores and then plan your weekly meals around those items. Lauren hosts seminars (Frugal Recipes for Inspiration under $10) specifically talking about recipes for sale items because it may not seem possible at first to make meals on items you do not typically purchase. The next tip is that you only use a coupon for an item when it’s already on sale. “You will save up to 50 percent on your grocery bill.” Never use a coupon just because you have it. More than likely it won’t be as cost-effective as you might imagine. These grocery bill tips and recipes ideas have become second nature to Lauren and they’re now a part of her family’s lifestyle. But for others it has not only become a lifestyle, but also a lifesaver… “One email stood out to me,” Lauren said. “A single mom with four kids, wrote to me and said she hadn’t eaten dinner in over a year because didn’t have enough to feed herself and her family.” The woman said that when her kids would ask why she would cook dinner and not sit down with them to eat, she would say, “I ate at work.” In reality, she went to bed hungry every night. syracuseWomanMag.com ::may2013

The woman attended one of Lauren’s seminars on saving with coupons, budgeting and planning meals. “She told me I made it easy for her and that it wasn’t overwhelming.” The woman was finally able to sit down to dinner and not go to bed hungry for the first time in two years.

::cover

story

“I had given back something to her,” Lauren said. “It was symbolic for her to eat dinner with kids and provide that atmosphere and experience with her kids. I cried and I never thought I could affect someone in that way… Sometimes I feel like I just have a website, but to think about the other end of it is amazing.”

“I want to give back to this area in any way that I can,” Lauren said. “A lot of people think budgeting takes away freedom, but once that debt is gone, you have freedom on the other end to help others.” Whether it is helping someone sit down to dinner with her family, crashing the computer at Price Chopper or knowingly giving back to her community, Lauren is that lady and she is identified rightfully so. For more on Lauren’s savings tips, recipes and DIY ideas, visit iamthatlady. com or follow her on Twitter at @iamthatlady, we do it!

What’s Lauren’s favorite room in her home? The kitchen. “That’s where I cook and people seem to congregate and we socialize there.” But, her living room also is a place where the family gathers a few times a day. It’s comfortable and relaxing. When she’s in the kitchen and gearing up to cook, she does strive to make healthy meals for the family. As previously mentioned, Lauren has many recipe suggestions but also she has her thumb on the pulse of trending cuisine. Her website (iamthatlady.com) offers an array of recipes to people, many of which have healthy eating at the forefront. Right now, her favorite healthy family dinner is tilapia with mango salsa. Even her favorite baking recipe is healthy. Her top treat for the family, lately, has been gluten-free pumpkin bread. “It’s a more sweet bread and it’s amazing,” Lauren raved. Because it sounded so good (and looked good in the photo on her site), we thought it only fitting but to share the recipe with you too. Check out Lauren’s recipe on this page! Outside of the family gathering spaces, Lauren loves rooms with energy. “I would say any hues of blue, something warm…that’s what gives me energy.” For a more calm feeling, Lauren prefers earth tones, like a khaki color, taupe or light brown. Though, she took a different approach to her bedroom. The walls are black and white and there’s even a warm teal on the wall too. The bedding and curtains are donned with toile design. “I like shabby chic…country style,” she said. “It’s funky.” While her husband, Mark, is more traditional, he told her the bedroom’s design and décor was up to her. “It’s a place I felt I could be more creative [with design].” Her office contains cream colored, teal and pink accessories. She has teal working bins, a hot pink wall calendar and the yellows and teals are not far from eye-popping either. She has a simple corner desk with three computers. All three are Macs and one is an external hard drive mounted on the wall. “It’s mellow with neutral and creative tones all at the same time.” Moving outside, past that brand new deck, is a big backyard that has become a favorite place for the family, when Oswego isn’t collecting snow that is. They live right across the street from a park, which also is an ideal destination. Mark and Lauren are a growing family with the kids: Andrew, 7, Hannah, 3, Kaylee, 2, (She had a happy birthday on April 11!) and then the fourth little one (the third girl) is scheduled to arrive Aug. 6. For the record, Lauren has not yet picked the name for this baby girl on the way. “I am completely stumped!” She’s received some suggestions from people to name the baby after them…but she’s still waiting to choose that special name on her own. When it comes to her home, finances or DIY, Lauren says she likes to make sure that everything she’s doing is for the benefit of her family… and her community. Now that they save more money and have more money, they can give back. A close family friend has been working on a mission in Uganda, one that Mark and Lauren are able to assist with since they’re moving in a positive direction with their budget. “Donating is better to me than having everything I want.” At one point, Lauren helped organize a food drive and many readers came out. More than 1,000 food items were collected.

may 2013 :: syracuseWomanMag.com

Ingredients: 3 cups of sugar 1 cup applesauce 3 eggs 2/3 cup water 1 – 15 oz. can pumpkin puree (2 cups if using fresh pumpkin) 3 cups Gluten Free flour (I use Better Batter flour) 2 tsp. cinnamon 1 1/2 tsp. salt 1 tsp. nutmeg 2 tsp. baking soda 1 Tbsp. baking powder Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees Combine sugar, oil and eggs. Then add pumpkin and water, stir until combined. In a separate mixing bowl add all the dry ingredients together. Add dry ingredients to pumpkin mixture slowly, combine until smooth. Pour into (2) greased loaf pans. Bake at 350 for 75 minutes or until bread tests done.

::cover

story syracuseWomanMag.com ::may2013

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cause

BY CAROLYN JANNETTI I PHOTO BY JOHN FARNACH

Jordan grew up watching her mom volunteer at the Samaritan Center in Syracuse, a place that exists to feed and assist the hungry. Altruism runs in the family’s blood, and soon Jordan started tagging along to help. Another formative experience was softball, which became a huge part of Jordan’s life early on.

::for a good

High school is a tough phase of life for many people. It’s a time filled with worry about one’s goals and what one has to do to get there. But Jordan Sheridan, an uncommon teenager, has turned her attention not to herself, but to those in need.

In her sophomore year at Christian Brothers Academy, Jordan put together the Strike Out Hunger campaign, with the help of her family. A supporter can donate a sum of money for every strikeout Jordan pitches, as little as five cents or as much as three dollars. Alternately, you can make a flat donation, anywhere from $10 all the way up to $1,000.

Jordan wanted to help the community in her own way, and what better way than to link her skills on the field with a good cause? In her sophomore year alone, Jordan raised $5,000 and a whopping $10,600 in her junior year. She hopes to raise the same or even more during her senior season. At $1 a meal, that equates to more than 10,000 meals. “The woman I handed my check to at the Samaritan center broke down in tears.” There’s always some nervous tension before a game and Jordan’s desire to raise money compounds the pressure. But she doesn’t let it get to her since she knows that, even if her team loses, there is a good chance she can throw some strikeouts. Even her Coach, Greg Jewitt, says, “Just remember, it was a good day for the Samaritan Center.” Jordan’s supreme work will go on next year as she plans to play softball for St. Lawrence. Her coaches have already agreed to put on similar events so she can help a charity in the area. Jordan feels like she has left a lasting mark on her school. “So many people who I didn’t think would be willing to help my cause have (surprised me). Many donations even come from F-M, our rival school.” Many people and surrounding teams are so inspired by Jordan’s good deeds that they are starting their own charitable causes. The youth of Christian Brothers Academy will be honored this year at The Good Samaritan Award Dinner, with a special recognition for Jordan. Held May 10 at the Holiday Inn in Liverpool, this is an annual event supporting the work of the Samaritan Center. Each year an individual or group is selected as a Good Samaritan Award Winner, representing those who go out of their way to perform acts of kindness for others. The evening will include a sit-down meal, music by the CBA Jazz Band, live and silent auctions, an award ceremony, and a video highlighting the work of the Samaritan Center. For information about the Samaritan Center, visit www.samaritancenter.org.

::fitness

BY KIMBERLEE AVERY

New Year’s Day 2013: Time to start exercising. You signed up for your gym membership while all of the new year specials were being offered, bought a new pair of sneakers and headed to the gym. On day one you’re not quite sure where to start, but being the beginning of the year there are lots of other new members and you don’t feel too out of place. The first week comes and goes, and you’ve done well. You made it to the gym three times, walked on the treadmill, tried a few of the weight machines that didn’t look too intimidating and did a few crunches before heading back to the locker room to shower, change and drive home or to work. You feel great and you’re sure this time you’re really going to stick with it. But life intervenes, motivation wanes and within a month or so you’re only going to the gym twice a week. Within three months you’ve stopped going regularly, and within six months you’ve quit entirely, according to the International Health Club Association. The example above describes the experience of millions of Americans who despite the best intentions aren’t able to stick with exercise on their own. With rising obesity rates and exploding health care costs, we as a society need better solutions for overcoming the obstacles we face to achieving fitness. Working out in one’s own home with a qualified personal trainer is a solution that is gaining in popularity and provides an excellent alternative to the typical gym environment. For most of us, the biggest obstacle standing in our way is time. Though most owners of gym memberships live within 15 minutes of the facility, the drive back and forth alone can take up to a half hour, not to mention the time spent preparing. With in-home personal training, your workout is

MAY 2013 :: syracuseWomanMag.com

delivered to you. Throw on some comfortable workout clothes five minutes before your trainer arrives and you’re ready to sweat! Your personal trainer will come with all of the equipment you need to get a quality workout. Tools like TRX suspension trainers, resistance bands, steps, free weights, and balance balls make working out at home just as effective as a gym full of machines. Your in-home personal trainer will make sure you’re fully utilizing the time you have available, performing exercises that are tailored to your specific goals allowing you to reach them faster. Within an hour you can get in a great workout, shower in the cleanliness of your own home, and be on your way to the rest of your day. In-home personal training is also a great solution for women who work from home. Stay at home moms can work with their trainer to build a familyfriendly fitness routine that incorporates the kids. Women who travel for work can hire an in-home personal trainer to help them learn exercises they can take on the road and do from their hotel rooms. Baby boomers and seniors can hire a trainer to help them build strength and flexibility to better enjoy their retirement years. If you are a woman who has been away from regular exercise for some time and would prefer private workouts without the crowds and watching eyes, in-home personal training is perfect for you. In-home personal training can be a great option for just about any woman, so don’t let a busy schedule or other obstacles stop you from achieving the health results you deserve! Kimberlee S. Avery is president of Coach Kimmer & Company Inc. and she’s an American College of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer specializing in women’s fitness programs delivered in the client’s home environment. She is also a running coach offering individual and group training programs from beginner to marathon race preparation. Visit her site at www.coachkimmer.com or follow her at @CoachKimmer.

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feature ::special 36

january 2013 :: syracuseWomanMag.com

BY ALYSSA LAFARO I PHOTO ON LEFT BY GENEVIEVE FRIDLEY

Tara adds: “Each piece tells the story of a larger picture. We love guessing where it comes from, who owned it, and what he or she used it for. We were both just surrounded by all of these period pieces when we were younger, and, eventually, inherited them from our grandparents.” A Vintage Passion Creates A Modern Company

The two best friends combined their love for all things old in 2011 when they opened Deserted Attic, “a vintage décor and prop rental company supplying brides, designers, photographers, and party planners of all kinds looking to add some vintage flair to their next event,” according to their website. “The idea stemmed from my husband and I getting married,” notes Tara. “When planning our wedding, we wanted to bring all these quirky little details from our love of antiquing into the event. Erica was my maid of honor, so it was easy for us to execute this plan because we were both comfortable working with these items. Post-wedding, we thought we could bring that same environment to clients because we know how difficult it can be research such pieces.” So weekend after weekend, Tara and Erica traveled to estate sales and antique shows, discovering great finds like old dressers, which they would then strip down and refurbish. “It was a lot of mile time going to auction houses and hunting down pieces,” laughs Tara. “But it was a great way to spend some quality time with Erica.” The Hunt For A Business Plan

“There was a lot of trial and error in starting the business,” says Erica. “We really didn’t know how to approach it.” Tara adds: “We really had to sit down and discuss what we wanted the business to be like, where we would get our funding, and where we would start with our pieces. We talked about getting pieces we would love to see in our own homes, so we could get comfortable repurposing and using them. Once we had the business plan, we had a good direction.” But, like many small businesses, Deserted Attic grew from connections. Both Tara and Erica agree that if it weren’t for the kindness of the photographers, wedding planners, and others in the industry they have worked with over time, the business would not have grown as positively.

“And Erica is very systematic and controlled,” explains Tara. “She is the one who creates the process for how we are going to carry out that vision.”

feature

“It’s about the nostalgia. My parents antiqued when they were first married,” Erica remembers. “They would buy all of these unique, aged pieces. Those memories have formed my love for vintage items.”

They also focused heavily on each other to be successful. “We’ve really had to rely on each other’s strengths. The rest we’ve just had to learn along the way. Tara has this ability to create a vision. She’s highly creative and can look at the details in a way I can’t always do.”

::Special

For many, antiquing is a hobby — the concept of visiting a store that’s home to thousands of discarded pieces of other people’s things and hunting for a desired object. For others, it’s a craft — buying something old only to make it new again. For Tara LaBarge and Erica Marciano, it’s a lifestyle.

Both work hard to show the bride, or other event host, what she can expect. They set up vignettes to walk the brides through, such as a cocktail scene, filled with antique glassware and bar pieces. “We want to offer a creative passage for those who aren’t sure what the vintage look is,” explains Tara. “It helps to show clients what can be done with our pieces.” An Old-Fashioned Education

Tara and Erica hope to help their future clients truly grasp the excitement and thrill of the find behind the vintage lifestyle. “I want people to embrace the personality of the DIY culture and the pieces that tell a story because that’s really what defines us as people. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and to bring those personal pieces into your event or home to help tell that story. I want people to know it’s OK to have a wedding that’s not so cookie cutter,” explains Tara. “We really want to encourage, whether you are a bride, hosting a party, or a DIY enthusiast, to follow through with your vision,” Erica adds. “We have worked with so many brides who say that no one understands what they are trying to do. But once we work with them, they come back to us and say how positive and amazing the response from their family members was. Don’t be deterred by that lack of support for DIY.” Moms By Day, Antiquarians By Night

Deserted Attic is just a side business for Tara and Erica. Monday through Friday, Tara works as a senior analyst at National Grid, Erica is a high school English teacher, and both play the role of full-time mom. “We have a lot of early and late night communication,” notes Tara. “And we scour on the weekends. That’s our primetime. When you are passionate about something you make time for it. When you work with your best friend it becomes fun. We look forward to that time we have together.” “It’s certainly a challenge to find that balance,” Erica adds, “but it’s something we want to be doing and something we enjoy.” To learn more about Deserted Attic, visit www.desertedattic.com. Product photography by Leo Timoshuk and Todd Johnson.

syracuseWomanMag.com ::may2013

BY MARKITA COLLINS I PHOTO BY JUSSARA POTTER

::music

view

I began singing gospel music at the age of 4. That is all I heard along with jazz and soul music. I was birthed into a family that was filled with gifted musicians and singers. As a child and to this present day, I’ve admired my father and mother for their love of gospel music. Sunday was the best day to me. We would tune in to FM 88 radio station and listen to the gospel show from 7 to 9 o’clock in the morning. Then, at 9 a.m. we would turn to the Bobby Jones Show. Sunday morning didn’t stop there. It was time to go to church. But not just any church, this was my grandfather’s, the late Pastor Sherman Cummings Sr. and the Greater New Testament MBC Church. It was time to sing and see the choir processional (marching down the aisle). That big booming sound of the organ, bass, piano and tambourines filled the church and everyone was happy. Gospel music made sense to me as a child because we were singing about Jesus. Now as an adult I reflect back on all the things I saw as a child and I am so grateful that gospel music stayed with me and I am totally in love with the genre. Spreading the “good news” through song is an honor for me. It lifts hearts and encourages souls. There’s something about gospel music that will just make you let go of hurt and pain, even if it’s for a moment. The tears roll down your face and the peace of God rests on you. My love for gospel music is so genuine, I honestly wouldn’t want to sing another genre professionally. I’m confident when I sing songs like “Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus” or “Lord you are awesome” because they minister to the heart of people. For that alone it makes perfect sense to spread this sound everywhere I go to let people know, this music is joyful and it will bring healing and blessings your way.

may 2013 :: syracuseWomanMag.com

Gospel music from the ‘70s ‘80s ‘90s and the last decade has influenced me in ways I can’t even begin to describe. I can remember listening to my grandmother sing “God will take care of you” by Aretha Franklin, and the whole church would rejoice and lift their hands, clap and sing along. I knew then I wanted to be a gospel singer. In my adolescent stage my sisters and cousins had a group called the “Little Angels” that then turned to “Connections.” As a young group, we would go to churches throughout Central New York and sing gospel songs that our parents used to sing and “wow” the congregations. As we got older, we decided to venture off and do other things. I began singing solo, and was invited to sing at churches, weddings, corporate events, conferences and other events. I always felt comfortable no matter the setting to sing gospel music from my heart. The reaction always remains the same— hearts were lifted and souls were encouraged. I have been singing for more than 23 years and the time has come where now I am stepping into a professional career as a gospel-praise and worship artist. Recently I had my first single release called “Jesus.” It’s currently on iTunes and Google Play. I dreamt of this moment and deep in my heart I knew one day I would be a recording artist, not to make me look good but to make God’s name greater! Currently I serve as the worship leader at New Life Temple of Praise, I also travel throughout the country. To spread the gospel message through song is nothing less than an honor. It’s my desire to serve the Lord and the community through music ministry and to always make Jesus’s name glorious here on earth. Markita Collins is a gospel singer in the Syracuse area. You can learn more about her at www.markitacollins.com.

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Inspire

syracuse women

AMY BLEIER LONG Market Editor, Home & Décor

BY CAROLYN JANNETTI I PHOTO BY cindy bell

Most women would agree that it’s hard in today’s market to make it in the fast lane of the professional world, especially working with nationally renowned companies. Amy Bleier Long has made her way down this road in an extraordinary fashion all her own.

Unbeknownst to some, with the title of “editor” comes the task of “writing”. However, Amy learned of this pairing right away after she applied for a position as a features/travel intern at Bridal Guide magazine. Because she was without previous editing experience, she presented her letter in a way that if she were to get the job, she could have a learning curve too. “Because the staff was very small, most of the magazine was written in-house, and they gave me a lot of responsibility fact-checking and writing articles on my own,” Amy said. “It was later, during my time at Bridal Guide and the Oprah magazines, that I realized you couldn’t be an editor without writing first, which I wasn’t so keen on.” Because BG had such a small staff, Amy had additional opportunities such as going on photo shoots with the features editor. It was then that she realized she loved being outside of the office, working with products, seeing things through a photographer’s lens. “It was then that I first realized working with products, and not writing, was an option I could pursue.” With this new interest, Amy pursued an internship position (that actually had the responsibilities of a full-time assistant position!) at O, The Oprah Magazine. “Because there was so much responsibility I had to learn the décor industry, which I didn’t know yet, very quickly,” Amy said. “In addition to learning how to be a market editor. Market editors have to be well-versed in two industries at once — publishing/ editing and the interior design/décor industry.” Soon after, she took a job at Oprah’s sister publication, O at Home, in March 2007 where she stayed for almost two years as the editorial assistant. During her last year there she was doing double duty, still responsible for the credits but also she did the style assistant work. “I had already moved to the style side and wasn’t an editorial assistant for two years before O at Home closed and I went to Traditional Home.” Her position at Traditional Home was transitioned so she was more of a permanent freelancer. “Traditional Home is where I learned much more about the décor industry and definitely more about interior designers and their work,” Amy said. “I started there as markets assistant and worked my way up to associate markets editor. But a sudden and unexpected change occurred when the magazine closed amid the chaos of the market crash of 2008. Resilient, Amy landed on her feet once again by finding a parttime job with Traditional Home where she worked until May 2011. This is where she really learned about the interior design and décor industry. (continued on page 44

inspire

“It changed my entire world and every day became my favorite day.”

::sw

RACHAEL RISTAU

Founder, Fayetteville Memory Garden BY FARAH F. JADRAN I PHOTO BY CATHRYN LAHM

Most of us remember how simple life was when we were 12 years old. You go to school, you have hobbies, you hang out with family and friends and your days are pretty carefree. But if your parents divorce when you’re 3 and then you face your father’s death at age 12, it splits into your carefree world. This was Rachael Ristau’s childhood and those memories are her reality today. Rachael, a Wells College sophomore and Fayetteville-Manlius High School graduate, was her father Michael’s only child. When she was in sixth grade, her father began enduring surgeries for liver cancer. By the following year, he had a liver transplant. Although he was recovering surprisingly well, the cancer suddenly spread throughout his entire body. Any time Michael was in an ICU, he assured Rachael there was nothing to worry about. “I wanted to talk to him about the possibility of him dying, but he would always say, ‘I am not going to die.’ I knew he was just living for my benefit at that point.” The last time Rachael spoke to her father was when he came out of a coma and was so ill that he could barely speak. “He told me, ‘I love you,’” Rachael said. “He saved all his energy to tell me that.” Right away, dealing with this loss was insurmountable. “I couldn’t handle it,” she said. “He gave me all that hope that he was going to live and then he didn’t. I cried a lot.” School became Rachael’s comfort zone. “Everyone was there for me, but like all things not related to you, the concern disappears.” Months later, she was still fighting the battle of grief and she felt like she was alone. Because Rachael was just a kid when she lost her father, she didn’t understand how it was possible for him to die when she was so young. “I was the first one in my grade to lose a parent, I didn’t know anyone else that did,” Rachael said. “I felt like I must have done something for something like that to happen.” One night, during her freshman year at F-M High School, Rachael had a moment where she felt there was no other way around her grief, that there was no solution. “I was lying on the ground crying, screaming and pulling my hair out. I felt like I had nowhere to go.” Because Rachael was in so much pain and couldn’t open up to a solution, she reflected on her father’s battle. “It wasn’t my dad’s choice to go. I decided that if I wasn’t ready to live for myself, I was going to live for the benefit of other people,” Rachael said. “I was the only one who could save me…I woke up the next morning to a better world.” After realizing her new purpose, she “put on a mask” and went to work on her mission. The mask, according to Rachael, was her way of making people think everything was OK while she worked on her grief on a daily basis. She went back to Wellwood Middle School and told the staff they needed a grief group and that she would design the program. A month later, she met with about eight kids who also had lost a parent. “It changed my entire world and every day became my favorite day,” she said. “I was a peer to them.”

may 2013 :: syracuseWomanMag.com

(continued on page 44)

::sw

“I will remember it for the rest of my life, and they will too.”

inspire

KRISTIN EARLE

Director of Resource Development, Syracuse Habitat for Humanity BY FARAH F. JADRAN I PHOTO BY JUSSARA POTTER

The walls are covered in mold from floor to ceiling. Poor insulation sends a chill through the home in the winter and then conversely boils the residence in the summer. Another home is not mold infested, but it has shabby windows that require pieces of ply wood to shield habitants from the elements. The homes are similar in their disrepair, and the neighborhood is downtrodden too. Small children are discouraged from playing outside for fear of the unknown. This is substandard housing and it’s prevalent in many parts of the city of Syracuse. While economic forecasts might predict more of the same, there’s a force within the Salt City that’s not letting substandard become the norm. Syracuse Habitat For Humanity knows all too well the aforementioned scenarios. Knowing is one thing, but taking action is another. The SHFH’s director of resource development, Kristin Earle, is in her own way a force to be reckoned with. This apparent force is driven be her passion for the organization but also her passion for Syracuse. Anyone in the community who truly knows Kristin would agree that she embodies what it means for someone to love this community. “I’m passionate about Syracuse in general,” Kristin said. “I am in the perfect place and doing the perfect thing at the perfect time.” Just last month, Kristin celebrated her third anniversary working for SHFH. Before that, she was volunteering for the organization as a student at Cazenovia College studying communications and events coordination. She did just that for SHFH —consulting and helping with events. During these years, Kristin has had numerous “life changing” moments not only for herself but for the people the organization benefits. “For my first Women Build house, I was brand new to the fundraising world,” Kristin said. “It was a labor of love raising money for the house.” The home was to become the permanent residence for a family of Ethiopian refugees. The family was living in “substandard housing in a dangerous part of the city in a small place with six kids,” according to Kristin. “I wanted to raise the money as fast as I could.” When the home was finally ready for the family to move in, Kristin realized that what she had done in fundraising was bigger than she thought. “I’m not a real emotional person, but standing in their house with their stuff moved in and the family there…I was overwhelmed.” Because she had tears coming down her face, the new homeowner, Acho, stopped in the middle of his “thank you” speech, walked over to Kristin and embraced her. Then, the whole family hugged Kristin. “Sometimes when people are fundraising all the time, they forget what it means, but I haven’t,” she said. “That was my first house and I saw it from start to finish. I will remember it for the rest of my life, and they will too.” A story like that should disprove what Kristin knows is a common misconception of what SHFH does, but she hears too often that the organization “gives away free houses.” This is far from the truth. Rather the SHFH builds homes with a $90,000 mortgage that requires the homeowner to pay it off with zero percent interest in 30 years. (continued on page 44)

syracuseWomanMag.com ::may2013 syracuseWomanMag.com :: april 2013

amy bleier long

RACHAEL RISTAU

KRISTIN EARLE

After two and a half years in this position, Amy was contacted through LinkedIn about a position at Real Simple.

Although the group was meant for grief counseling, there were very few days where there was any crying or sadness. “Most days we honored our parents and reflected on it. It made us stronger once we realized it [a parent’s passing] was not our fault.”

“We’re a hand up, not a hand out.”

(cont)

inspire

Real Simple gave Amy the opportunity to reconnect with old contacts when working with her Oprah team. There she worked as the assistant market editor. The “life made easier” publication created the opportunity to cohesively mesh her past experiences with this new venture, linking with old and new clients alike.

::sw

Many of the same trends pop up with each season but as Amy points out, you can apply the trend differently. You can have a floral theme for the spring, but pair different items together to create a new look. The home market for Amy is a pure form of self-expression. There are so many places to inject your personality. You can create a space that speaks to who you are. Just as people change, your home should evolve to match who you are and how you live. Last year, Amy made the move back to Syracuse to have her second child. It’s difficult working in this industry if you’re not in a major city. But working from home has its perks. Her new chapter in life involves freelance writing. She still considers herself a market editor, but also a writer. Amy is always looking for new products, and buying local is very important to her. But she can’t start until she connects with these stores and their owners. A word of advice for these businesses is to get more involved on social media.

(cont)

Once the idea of planting flowers in a parent’s memory came from the group, Rachael saw something bigger, something for the entire community. After about three years of fundraising, conceptualization and establishing a committee, Rachael was ready to present the Fayetteville Memory Garden to her community. Throughout the process, Rachael was spreading her message to groups she would speak to and at fundraising events too. “I wanted to teach people that it’s OK to grieve and that the garden was for everyone,” she said. “The garden would help people heal.” And in turn, Rachael knew she had lived for the benefit of others. “I felt great again and like I was no longer that person on the ground who didn’t know what she was living for.” For more information on the garden, visit www. facebook.com/FayettevilleMemoryGarden.

Amy is excited to be back in Syracuse. With so many changes going on, there is the new heartbeat of a vibrant culture waiting to be explored.

The way Kristin can clearly explain the program is that the workforce that is at or just below the poverty level is stuck in a cycle of poverty. They’re left wasting income on rent and higher utilities because of poorer conditions and without a bank that will provide a conventional mortgage. People stuck in this cycle may never dare imagine what it feels like to be a homeowner, but with SHFH there’s new hope. Establishing this hope and building homes also requires funding for which you already know Kristin has a passion. The SHFH’s 7th Annual Mr. Habitat Live Auction will take place Oct. 12, 2013, at the Landmark Theatre. This will be Kristin’s fourth time running the event and she’s gearing up for an even bigger event this time around. The event features more than a dozen local men who pledge to raise funds beforehand and then they’re auctioned live at the event for either business services or prize packages they put together. The winner is crowned Mr. Habitat — and he does indeed get a crown, a cape and a scepter. “Building the home and watching it change the community…it’s inspirational,” Kristin said. “When I want to feel the impact, I drive around the Near Westside and I see it.” For information on how you can volunteer or donate, visit www.syracusehabitat.org.

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feature ::special BY SARAH HALL I PHOTO BY TARA POLCARO

More than 20 years after losing her mother to cancer, Kristin Atkinson is channeling her grief into helping other women through a way of remembrance. Atkinson of Cicero, Kristin Johnston, of Cicero, and Tara Polcaro, of North Syracuse, started The Molly Project as a way to provide comfort to women affected by cancer and their families. Named after Atkinson’s late mother, The Molly Project got its start a year ago when Johnston’s sister called her, looking for a way to help a co-worker with cancer. “My sister and her co-workers wanted to pool resources together to hire a professional photographer as a gift to Wendy and her family,” Johnston said. “Wendy had voiced her concerns about losing her hair, so they wanted to give her that gift before the process happened. So my sister was shopping around for photographers, and I just kept encouraging her to hire Tara. I put the two of them in touch with each other.” Polcaro said Wendy was looking for family photos that would illustrate happier times before cancer ravaged her body. “She knew that it wasn’t looking good and she just wanted to have family photos of her and her kids and her husband before her hair fell out,” Polcaro said. “Even though it wasn’t looking good, she was still fighting pretty strongly, so she was going to start chemotherapy, and she just wanted some nice photos before all of that started.” Polcaro then went to Wendy’s Baldwinsville home for the photography session.

“Being moms, being women, we wanted to help women,” Atkinson said. “Our focus is on the woman, whether she’s a caregiver or the one that is actually battling the disease.” Atkinson said she thinks of their mother Molly every time a session gets started. “My sister and I have about 10 or 15 photos collectively that actually have my mom in them,” she said. “We have pictures of the dog and the neighbors and all of our friends and holidays, but she’s not in there.” In addition to providing photographs to women affected by cancer, The Molly Project seeks to address that problem: the absence of women in family photographs. “That’s one of the messages we want to get across to everybody, not just women — make sure you put yourself in the picture. It’s so important to your friends and family,” Atkinson said. “We can come up with a thousand excuses not to get our pictures taken. We do it all the time. I still do it. But it’s so important to have those.”

“I went to go do it and just fell in love with them,” she said. “They were so wonderful.”

Though her mother isn’t in many pictures, Atkinson still has fond memories of her. Atkinson said she thought her mother would be thrilled with The Molly Project

Once the session was over, Polcaro said she couldn’t stop thinking about Wendy and her family. She said she wanted to do something to help women like Wendy.

“I think she would love it,” she said. “She would love that we’re doing it together, because her friends were so important to her.”

“She was in such a supportive work environment, but I’m sure there are a ton of women that do not have that kind of resource,” Polcaro said. “It really shouldn’t take all of these co-workers coming together so that she can have these photos taken. That could be a service to women.”

Polcaro contacted Johnston and Atkinson; the three are all moms with 9-yearolds, and they met at the North Area YMCA through their kids. Together, the friends came up with the idea to provide the same service Wendy had received free to women who have been affected by cancer. In the last year, they’ve worked with six different families.

may 2013 :: syracuseWomanMag.com

For more information on the The Molly Project, visit facebook.com/TheMollyProject.

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::swm

events

Syracuse Woman Magazine

11TH ANNUAL WISE SYMPOSIUM I PHOTOS BY CAITLYN BOM

The WISE 2013 Symposium welcomed more than 1,000 women (and some men) into the Oncenter on April 16 to celebrate the spirit of entrepreneurship in women! This year, there were more than 70 speakers featured and more than 140 vendors in the WISE Expo. “We had an amazing crowd of inspired and energetic entrepreneurs and business leaders there to collaborate and learn from each other,” said Lindsay Wickham, Symposium coordinator and April Syracuse Woman Magazine cover woman. “This year, we were excited to add the WISE Talks stage into the interactive Business Expo and conducted one-on-one counseling appointments at the WISE Women’s Business Center Connections Café throughout the day.” Everyone at SWM can’t wait for WISE 2014!

AN ENGAGEMENT PARTY FOR FIGARO & SUSANNA The Events Company teamed up with the Syracuse Opera to host an enchanting evening to celebrate the engagement of Figaro and Susanna. The April 12 occasion was held at the Genesee Grande Hotel to kick off the Syracuse Opera’s upcoming production of Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro.” In attendance was the couple-to-be, soprano Amanda Pabyan, as Susanna, and bass-baritone Thomas Forde, as Figaro. Attendees enjoyed jazz music and even some live opera singing from the Opera’s performers. “The Marriage of Figaro” ran from April 26 at Crouse Hinds Theater, John H. Mulroy Civic Center, in Syracuse

may 2013 :: syracuseWomanMag.com

BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S FASHION SHOW & BRUNCH

The 3rd Annual Breakfast at Tiffany’s event, featuring brunch with mimosas, shopping, raffles, and a silent auction was held on April 14 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. The event attracted more than 250 attendees all supporting the mission of Hope For Heather Ovarian Cancer Awareness of CNY. The day featured a fashion show with styles from Showoffs Boutique, Oleander Boutique, and original designs by Lisa Butler. Also, keynote speaker Shannon Routh, the “Teal Diva,” shared her story of climbing Mount Kilamanjaro after defeating ovarian cancer. And the HFH Media Spokeswoman, also SWM editor, Farah Jadran inroduced her Marathon Mission that will support HFH by raising $100 for each of the 26.2 miles she will run in the San Diego Marathon set for June 2. The Ovarian Cancer Research Fund was a beneficiary of this event.

May

WINE IN THE WOODS WHEN: 5:30 to 9 PM WHAT: Six beverage tasting stations, appetizers and a bonfire with local entertainment and gourmet s’mores, all in conjunction with Camp Good Days. WHERE: Green Lakes State Park TICKETS: 21 & older to attend; $25 Advance tickets only; call (315) 434.9477

2ND ANNUAL SOCCI STILETTO STAMPEDE WHEN: 9 AM WHAT: Event has a 50-yard stiletto dash followed by a traditional 5K. Free beer to all that register 921 & up). BBQ by Smokin Inc. BBQ for a small fee. Live music, raffles and a most outrageously dressed contest. WHERE: Willow Bay Shelter Onondaga Lake Park, Liverpool Registration: Pre Registration $30; Race Day $40; ezracereg.com

RANDY SNOW SEMINAR WHEN: 5:30 PM reception; 6 to 8 PM presentation WHAT: What happens here, stays here…until now! Come hear marketing strategist Randy Snow talk about what makes a marketing campaign strong. WHERE: Crowne Plaza Hotel in Syracuse TICKETS: $35; limited seating; http://wboconnection.org/meetinginfo.php GOAL SETTING & STAYING ORGANIZED WHEN: 5:30 to 7:30 PM WHAT: A WISE Event to encourage convenience, comfort and connection. Certifies Professional Coach Cindy Masingill to present. WHERE: California Closets showroom, 3210 Erie Blvd. East, DeWitt REGISTER: Free to attend; Be entered in $1,000 California Closets gift certificate raffle just by attending! Call (315) 701.4382. syracuseWomanMag.com ::may2013

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