May 2018
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C O N T E N T S
May
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR......................................................6 CONTRIBUTORS ...........................................................................6
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PAST EVENTS ................................................................................7 FASHION Fashion Forward: Dress for Family Success ........................8
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FOOD Syracuse Eats: Glazed & Confused ................................... 10 WISE WOMAN'S BUSINESS CENTER WISE Woman: Clara Lawrence .......................................... 14 DOLLARS AND SENSE Creating Your Personal Plan ............................................... 16
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HEALTHY WOMAN For a Good Cause: Fight Cancer Fest of CNY ................ 18 In Her Own Words: Lacey Roy ........................................... 22 ON THE COVER The Haven at Skanda ............................................................. 26
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SYRACUSE READS Poison Girls................................................................................ 34 INSPIRE Deanna Fellows .................................................................... 36 Melissa Incassati ...................................................................... 40 Nappa Family ....................................................................... 44
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UPCOMING EVENTS ................................................................ 48 MOVERS AND SHAKERS ........................................................ 50
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LETTER from the Editor
H
OUR TEAM appy May!
Hopefully by the time you read this, spring will have made an official and staying appearance. I know I gave that hope last month — and as I write to you now, I’m looking forlornly out the window at completely ice-covered terrain — but we can hope, right? In honor of Mother’s Day, I’d like to devote this letter to my mom, and share some of our favorite traditions. Happy Mother’s Day, Mom! Roji Tea Lounge trips: One of my favorite places to bring people new to the area is Roji Tea Lounge. Any time I bring someone there for the first time, they ask me, “Lorna, how did you find this place?” And I proudly answer, “My mom brought me here back in the day, during high school! Isn’t she cool?” Yoga: When I was younger, my cousin and I liked to jokingly poke fun at my mom for doing yoga; we’d refer to it as “toppling tree.” I really couldn’t tell you why we thought this was funny. In retrospect, I wish I’d tagged along with her to yoga classes at that point. Now, when either of us needs to recenter — or if we both happen to be free on Tuesday evening for the class at Aspen — we do some yoga. Mom’s usually poised and graceful. I’m getting better, but I still have my moments of toppling over. Karma, perhaps? Green Lakes: It’s another recentering place my mom and I share. Of course, we went to the beach to swim when I was younger, but then I discovered the miles and miles of hiking trails. It’s one of our favorite places. Thrift stores: Yet another topic about which I should have listened to my mom earlier than I did. Mother knows best. And she knows the best thrift stores, too. Ithaca trips: Some of my favorite memories with my mom are day trips to Ithaca. Whether we had a specific purpose or just wanted to get away for the day, it was always a blast. What are some of your favorite traditions with your mother? Connect with us on social media and let us know!
Lorna
Alice G. Patterson Rick Policastro
Publisher David Tyler
Editor Lorna Oppedisano
Design Andrea Reeves
Photography Alexis Emm Mary Grace Johnson Nancy Miller Steven J. Pallone
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Christine A. Krahling Samantha Leader Lorna Oppedisano Colette Powers Carol Radin Lacey Roy Meg Sprague Daniel R. Strauss
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ON THE COVER: Ellen Beckerman and Marion Secor were photographed by Alice G. Patterson of Alice G. Patterson Photography at The Haven at Skanda in Cazenovia. Special thanks for Jillain Salomone, owner of J.Luxe Salon, for Ellen and Marion’s makeup styling.
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The Family Edition
PAST SWM Events
Ronald McDonald House Charities of CNY held its 10th annual Bella Casa Fashion Show at the Holiday Inn, Liverpool, on Thursday, April 5. Photography by Nancy Miller. Hope for Heather held its annual Hope for Heather Fashion Show and Brunch on Sunday, April 8, at Embassy Suites. Photography by Rick Policastro.
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FASHION FORWARD Dress for Family Success
Not-So-Typical Family Photos By Meg Sprague
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hotos stop time. In freeze-frames, they keep our children young forever and the future familiar with past generations. They’re a way of introducing the world to people we care about. Our family photos, while they hang on the walls in our homes, are not truly for us. They’re meant for the family members who we haven’t met yet — unborn grandchildren, future in-laws or unexpected siblings. This is a concept I’ve held close to my heart for a long time. Because of that, I put a special emphasis on getting our family photos done annually. I find it important to document who we are now and how we’ll continue to evolve as years pass. As an artistic family, I confess we don’t enjoy the typical family photo scene. In an effort to keep our photos interesting, we’ve started a tradition of yearly themes. We have themed shoots from all four seasons to location to decade. I’ve found different themes help my three kids — ages 8, 10 and 11 — to be involved with the planning process; it becomes something they are a part of. It ends up more like a special occasion or long project, rather than an obligation. Our last family photo shoot was a 50s-sock-hop theme at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse. It turned into a notable experience for everyone. We looked like we stepped out of Doc’s DeLorean without Marty McFly, lost in a year we didn’t belong in. My daughter and I wore big colorful tulle skirts. My husband and sons sported suspenders and bowties. The crowd surrounding us was mostly in jeans and t-shirts, with fingers pointing in our direction. It was funny. We had fun. And that’s the point — to create an experience, to capture happiness beyond just saying cheese. We may have been dressed in character, but raw joy was captured, and it gave us a story we will always have to tell.
Inspired to do your own themed shoot? If you want to do your own themed shoot, it does take some planning. After you pick your theme, the next step is to find a photographer who will execute your idea. Different photographers have different styles, so make sure you find the one who works best with you and understands your vision. If possible, also try to book about six months in advance, too. This will give you time to prepare without feeling the immediate pressure of a deadline.
• It’s important to research your theme. This will inspire you and give you a lot of great ideas for locations and outfits. Pinterest is a great tool for this part. • Take your time choosing outfits. It typically takes me about three to four months to pick out five outfits for our family. I start by looking at what we already have, and setting aside all the possible options. Thrift stores are a great resource for saving money on outfits; you won’t find everything you need, but I’ll bet you’ll find more than you’d expect. Another way to save cash on outfits is borrowing items from friends or family for the day. It doesn’t have to be expensive, but it may take some time to find all the perfect items. • Make sure everyone has a sense of individuality. There’s nothing worse than two unique siblings wearing identical outfits. Let them be themselves. If one sister is rough and tough, let her wear nice pants while the other wears a dress. This will allow the photos to feel more natural. Remember, this isn’t about uniformity; it’s about celebrating your family and each person in it. • For colors, I like to stay within the same range, but not use the same ones. For an example, I might dress everyone in jewel tones or pastels rather than picking one or two specific colors. • Avoid logos, unless you’re being paid to advertise. They’re typically very distracting to the eye, which takes away from the people in the photos. • Accessories and props are super fun to use, especially if you want a candid feel. • Professional hair and makeup is fun, if it’s in your budget. My daughter and I like to get ours done, but it isn’t a necessity. With YouTube tutorials available for every beauty topic, achieving a specific look is doable from home with a little practice. However, with few reasons to sit in a salon and be pampered, I always advise to take advantage of any opportunity to do so. Each family is unique in its own way, and the photos you pay for should reflect that. It could be an adventure or a sophisticated outing — it’s all up to you and yours. SWM Writer Meg Sprague and her family were photographed at Sky Armory. For information about upcoming events and event booking at Sky Armory, visit skyarmory.com.
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The Family Edition
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Photography by by Alexis Alexis Emm Emm Photography
SYRACUSE EATS Glazed & Confused
Getting Glazed & Confused By Lorna Oppedisano
“W
hy doughnuts… why not?” mused Sarah Valenti, co-owner of Glazed & Confused, the newly-opened doughnut shop on Clinton Street in downtown Syracuse. “Everybody loves doughnuts.” Based on their first half-year in a brick-and-mortar location — they opened the doors last year in November — Sarah is right. The idea for Glazed & Confused was hatched on the drive back from a family vacation in Dewey Beach, Del., a few years ago. Each year,
Sarah, her husband and Glazed & Confused co-owner, Paul, and their two children would start and end their trip at Fractured Prune Doughnuts, a Dewey Beach staple. That year was a special one. On the drive home, the children suggested the family open their own doughnut shop. Paul is entrepreneurial, Sarah explained, so the idea wasn’t incredibly farfetched. By the time they’d returned home, the Valenti family had a plan and a name for their new venture.
I want to make a beer that I can drink, that most people can drink — a beer you’re not afraid of trying.” — Brooke Menikheim, Seneca Street Brew Pub head brewmaster
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The Entrepreneur The Family Edition
Continued on page 12
Cereal Killer and Carnival doughnuts.
From left: pastry chef Bridgette Mulvey, Izabella Valenti, co-owner Sarah Valenti, Roman Valenti and pastry chef Catie Kinne. May 2018
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Photography by Steven J. Pallone
“It was a fun six-hour car ride home,” Sarah remembered. For the next two years, they offered a variety of doughnuts at the Taste of Syracuse from their booth, Glazed & Confused. They decided to make cake doughnuts — pastries that are crispy on the outside, like traditional, old-fashioned doughnuts, Sarah explained. The family agreed that if they were to make a go in the doughnut industry, they would make it a priority to give back, donating a portion of their proceeds from the Taste of Syracuse back into the community.
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SYRACUSE EATS Glazed & Confused
Photography by Steven J. Pallone
Getting Glazed & Confused from page 11
Clockwise from left: Pardon My French Toast, Holy Cannoli and The Dizzy Pig doughnuts.
No Sleep Till Brooklyn doughnut.
Then came time to make a decision — would the business continue exclusively as a pop-up at the festival each year, or become established in a brick-and-mortar space? “Could [Syracuse] sustain a gourmet doughnut shop?” she remembered wondering. The co-owners pondered the decision and potential shop location. They were torn between searching for space in downtown Syracuse or the suburbs. The spot they ultimately chose was at the top of their wish list. It was far enough from the heart of downtown to ensure decent parking options — the one-way street has spots on either side — while still close enough to downtown to be part of its growing community. Then, one day, the space became available to rent. About a week and a half later, they signed a lease. The family worked with local designer Tommy Lincoln, who created the original Glazed & Confused logo, to make the space fun and whimsical, without being cookie cutter, Sarah said. “We want this to be an experience,” she explained. And it is. Though they’ve only been open for about half a year, Glazed & Confused is a regular weekend spot for many repeat customers. The team, which includes two pastry chefs, offers a variety of doughnuts Tuesday through Sunday, including their signature doughnut, The Dizzy Pig, featuring maple glaze, bourbon sugar
and candied locally-cured bacon. Follow Glazed & Confused on social media to learn about weekly specials. Whether it’s partnering with organizations like Vera House to help raise awareness with a special doughnut or passing out doughnuts at The Rescue Mission on the weekends, giving back to the community has remained at the heart of the family’s mission. “When we’re doing events in the community and when we’re giving back, I think it’s really important for [our children] to be involved and to be there,” Sarah said. Sarah and Paul are considering expanding the business at some point in the future, exploring options of other locations in Central New York or elsewhere in the state. To do that, they’d have to find the right formula to duplicate Glazed & Confused, Sarah said. That would mean finding the right space and — most importantly — the right staff, Sarah said, adding that they’re lucky to have the team they work with now. “Part of being here is the experience,” Sarah said. “Our No. 1 is customer service.” SWM Glazed & Confused is located at 211 N. Clinton St. in downtown Syracuse. Hours are 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For Glazed & Confused menus and specials, visit glazedsyr.com. Find them on Facebook at facebook.com/glazedsyr, or follow them on Twitter and Instagram @glazedsyr. Customers may also order online through Grubhub.
We want [Glazed & Confused] to be an experience.” — Sarah Valenti, Glazed & Confused co-owner 12
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DOLLARS AND SENSE Creating Your Personal Plan
So You Want to Start a Business By Colette Powers
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o many of us want to pursue the American dream of owning our own businesses. It’s the challenge of creating something, controlling your own destiny, potentially unlimited success, following in a parent or family footsteps or, of course, the flexibility that drives us. Whatever your motivation is, there are important planning steps to take before embarking on an entrepreneurial journey. First and foremost, you need to have your personal finances in order. You need to know how the business can support your own personal finances. If you are not aware of your monthly financial obligations and needs, you can’t determine how your new business will affect them. Your personal life has a profit-and-loss statement and balance sheet, too; you need to know your personal budget and cashflow, just like that of your business. For business owners, the lines between personal finances and business finances have the potential to blur. Then, it can be difficult to really know of your business is profiting. A CPA who works with business owners can help you establish bookkeeping and accounting practices, and help you understand how to keep them separate. To get a handle on what your personal financial needs are now and in the future, I suggest creating a personal financial plan. Look into the future and determine what it is you will need and would like to accomplish. This can help you determine what you need to do today to achieve those needs and goals. For instance, if determine how much you will need to save each year to meet your retirement goals, you’ll know how much you need to make from your business or how adjust your personal budget, so you can save. In creating a plan, first discover your current and future needs, wants and wishes, when you want to accomplish them and how important each is. Laying out your “life-map” helps you create a vision and roadmap to follow, and helps you determine how to stay on track and how your new business can help accomplish this. Cash is king. It will be in your business and is in your personal life. Creating, understanding and adhering to a personal budget are so important. A budget is not an Excel spreadsheet; it is a lifestyle. 16
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Knowing your budget and what you need to do to follow it requires time and discipline, but can be the most advantageous behavior to adopt. This can also help you determine if and how your business will support your personal lifestyle, and the ideal business profit to do so. It can help you determine the right time to start a business. Perhaps it’s when your personal financial needs are not so great, so there’s not huge demand on the business initially. How much capital will you need to start the business and maintain your personal lifestyle? Can a spouse, partner or family member help you cover your personal needs? If you don’t know your budget, you can’t determine if your business can support it. Having the right protection in place is also important. Determining your personal life insurance needs to protect yourself and your family is a must. When you start a business, perhaps incur-ring additional debt, this need may change. Disability insurance is also important when you start a business; should you find you cannot work in your business any longer, you need to make sure you can meet your personal financial obligations. There are business insurance requirements, as well, to consider when creating your business plan. Creating and understanding your personal plan before you begin your entrepreneurial journey and how the two work together can help ensure success for personal and business goals. SWM Colette Powers is a Financial Advisor with UBS Financial Services Inc., 440 S. Warren St., Syracuse, NY 13202. Any information presented is general in nature and not intended to provide individually tailored investment, tax or legal advice. Investing involves risks and there is always the potential of losing money when you invest. The information provided may be deemedreliable; however, the accuracy and completeness is not guaranteed by UBS Financial Services Inc. The views expressed herein are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect the views of UBS Financial Services Inc. As a firm providing wealth management services to clients, we offer both investment advisory and brokerage services. These services are separate and distinct, differ in material ways and are governed by different laws and separate contracts. For more information on the distinctions between our brokerage and investment advisory services, please speak with your Financial Advisor or visit our website at ubs.com/workingwithus. The Family Edition
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HEALTHY for a good WOMAN causeTitle Fight Cancer Fest of CNY
Join the Fight for Hope
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ark your calendars for the inaugural Fight Cancer Fest of CNY on May 5 at the New York State Fairgrounds, a family-friendly event that evolved from Relay for Life events. We talked with Rebecca Flint, senior community development manager for the northeast region of the American Cancer Society, to learn more.
SWM: This event has evolved from the Relay for Life, right? How was that decision made?
Rebecca: Yes, we combined three of our longstanding Relay for Life events, and are excited to host the first Fight Cancer Fest of CNY. We really needed to listen to our volunteers and evolve as an organization in the Central New York market. Change is good when it’s what the community is asking for!
SWM: Talk about the process of planning this event.
Rebecca: The American Cancer Society is a volunteer-led organization, and this event is no different. We have a dedicated group
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of committee members who have worked collaboratively to ensure a successful event in May. Seasoned volunteers from the three combined events have come together during the past six months to form a strong and unified committee that works closely with the staff partner at the American Cancer Society. This partnership between staff and volunteers is essential to both the success of the event and our ability to continue to fund the mission.
SWM: What aspects of the Relay for Life are being carried over to the Fight Cancer Fest?
Rebecca: Survivor recognition and celebration of those we have lost are still a key component to the event. We are dedicated to celebrating lives, saving lives and leading the fight for a world without cancer. Relay for Life was successful because of the strong team aspect that it brought to the event, which is still a large key element for Fight Cancer Fest. Onsite team fundraising will continue as an anchor of the event.
The Family Edition
SWM: What new elements can people expect?
Rebecca: We hope you will join us on Saturday, May 5, from noon to 8 p.m. for live music by musicians including Jam Theory, My So-Called Band, Savannah Harmon, The Chillerz and The Scoundrels. There will also be local vendors, a cornhole tournament, games, raffles, concessions and more! Cancer survivors will be treated to a special survivor lunch and dinner provided by Finally Ours restaurant.
SWM: For those readers just learning about Fight Cancer Fest, how can they get involved?
Rebecca: Visit our website at fightcancerfestcny.org to learn more and start a team. Invite survivors, family, friends, co-workers and neighbors to join in the fight against cancer. Be sure to follow us on Facebook at
May 2018
Fight Cancer Fest of Central New York to hear about the latest event updates and information.
SWM: What other ways can people get involved in the fight against cancer?
Rebecca: The American Cancer Society is dedicated to attacking cancer from every angle. This means funding groundbreaking research and focusing on access to care for cancer patients. Visit cancer.org to learn about volunteer opportunities, as well as hear about other events taking place in the community! SWM For more information, visit fightcancerfestcny.org or cancer.org.
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The Family Edition
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in her own words Lacey Roy
The Power of Vulnerability By Lacey Roy
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Photography by Alexis Emm
hen I was just a little girl dreaming of being a grownup, I told my dad I was going to change the world. I innately understood that to do so, I would need to be perfect. But I wasn’t. I’d experience devastating lows that lasted until I didn’t feel anything at all. The days of crying turned into a desert of non-emotion. Equally devastating highs destroyed relationships. My friends’ lack of ability to keep up with me caused frustration, as did my own inability to complete a thought, as dozens of them ran through my brain at once. Then, about 12 years ago, I was diagnosed with bipolar. I hid my diagnosis for close to a decade, although I was relieved that there truly was a reason for what I felt was wrong with me. But what happened to that perfection I’d need to change the world? I had spent decades striving to be like everyone else. And at times, everything flowed. My mask was applied fresh every morning, as I patted foundation in place and swept the soft pink eyeshadow across my lids to brighten my face.
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The Family Edition
Looking back on those times, I remember how excited I was that I’d figured it all out. When I fully immerse myself in specific memories from that time, I see the disillusionment. I still feel the vague, fuzzy feeling of disconnection from people I saw on a daily basis. I had many friends and I had no friends, simultaneously. With my diagnosis carefully tucked away, I hid behind my mask, enclosing myself in my glass cube. I was too scared to go out into the real world and connect with someone, anyone. “How are you?” people asked me. “I haven’t seen you in a while.” I answered flippantly with a pleasantry of some sort, while I patted my mask back into place throughout the day. Behind the mask, the answer was, “I feel like I’m drowning. I’m exhausted.” To my own detriment, the people I enjoyed seeing had no real connection with me. I wasn’t ready for vulnerability. After years of this exhausting masquerade, I wondered if there was another type of perfection. “Perfectly imperfect” seemed to sum up my acceptance of myself and my uniquely gifted brain. Ultimately, my perfectly imperfect way of embracing my new normal brought me to the decision to “out” myself on Facebook to kick off Mental Health Awareness Month a few years ago. Once a week throughout that month, I’d chronicle my day, including the internal-but-not-mine voices I hear. I gave myself permission to be vulnerable for the first time I could truly remember. I’ve learned my purpose isn’t to change the world, but to show acceptance. Through my writing of real-life answers to simple questions and starkly honest speaking engagements, I know what connection is. A few people usually linger after my talks to tell me they or their friends share the same challenges, but they had been too scared to connect with other people. Lifelong friends have sent me carefullyworded text messages, full of brave honesty, telling me I’m not alone in my exhaustion or elatedness. The power of vulnerability isn’t about changing. It’s about accepting — accepting yourself through your own perfect imperfection. SWM
Photography by Alexis Emm
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. For more information, visit nami.org/mentalhealthmonth.
Lacey Roy was photographed at The Gear Factory in Syracuse. For more information, visit thegearfactorysyr.com. May 2018
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The Family Edition
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From left: The Haven at Skanda Executive Director Ellen Beckerman and Board President Marion Secor.
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The Family Edition
cover story The Haven at Skanda
Creating a Safe Space for Everyone
Photography by Alice G. Patterson
By Lorna Oppedisano
I looked into the eyes of the horse and it was the most profound thing I ever experienced.� — Marion Secor, The Haven at Skanda board president
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COVER story The Haven at Skanda
Creating a Safe Space for Everyone By Lorna Oppedisano
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arion Secor, The Haven at Skanda’s board president, had little experience with horses, let alone any inkling of desire to raise them — at least not until a cross-country trip changed her life. After she set up camp one evening, she noticed her neighbors had horses with them. There was something about the animals that affected her. “I looked into the eyes of the horse and it was the most profound thing I ever experienced,” Marion said, describing the love, tenderness, gentleness and compassion she saw. A couple years later, when her friend rescued a couple horses, Marion knew she had to take one. “The journey began with them,” she said. “They just won my heart.” Skanda Equine, which offered traditional boarding and lessons, was born from that bond. Then, in February 2013, the team at Skanda received a call from the CNY SPCA. Fourteen wild horses needed a home. The team knew if they didn’t take them in, no one would, and the animals would die. It was a wild journey, Marion remembered. Since the horses weren’t accustomed to the people, containment or even the food at Skanda, it was both intense and heartbreaking, she said. They had to keep the new rescues away from the horses already housed at Skanda Equine, which meant constantly reconfiguring the animals’ living space. Marion even got kicked across the barn at one point. “They were just adjusting,” she said. “We were all adjusting.” The fate of the weakest of the group — a blind yearling they named Modig — was particularly heartrending, Marion said. While Skanda received a great deal of generous donations to help nurse him to health, Modig passed away after a week. After the experience with those 14 horses, Marion and Ellen Beckerman, The Haven at Skanda’s executive director, knew they had a new journey ahead of them. The Haven at Skanda was born, with a mission to “provide a loving home to rescued and endangered animals where they can relax, live in their own natural rhythms of life, and emerge into who they really are,” according to the organization’s website. “It wasn’t a logical choice, but it wasn’t a tough choice,” Marion said. “If your heartstrings are plucked, and you know that that’s what is needed, then you’re going to do it.”
Welcoming people to The Haven As The Haven at Skanda continued to grow, the team worked to help more rescued animals and endangered species. Now, the farm is home to horses, goats, mini donkeys, chickens, ducks, roosters and more. They work with the ASPCA in NYC and local branches of the SPCA to provide comfortable homes for the animals that come to live at The Haven. Even animals rescued from the most traumatic situations have found a home. “What we find with every rescue is if we step back — and it’s the hardest thing in the world to do — and we don’t have an agenda, and we allow them to become who they are, our most seemingly aggressive animals are the gentlest, most tender of all of them,”
Marion explained. As more people began to visit the farm, Marion and Ellen realized the animals had a calming effect on most visitors. From people with anxiety to PTSD to depression, the animals seemed to help. “So, we started to realize it’s really important for people to be welcomed to Skanda as much as possible,” Ellen said. The women have found that different people are drawn to different animals, Marion explained. In the future, they hope to be able to expand the diversity of the animals they rescue. “If we’re more diverse, that supports what we want to do with people and children,” Marion said.
Summer at Skanda After realizing the connection visitors share with the animals, the team’s next step was crafting programming that could serve as a resource for children. Having spent years as a social worker, Ellen knew the best way to determine how The Haven could help the community was simply to ask. So, she connected with a variety of organizations geared toward helping children, hoping to learn what gaps existed and how The Haven could fit into the puzzle. From those efforts, the Summer at Skanda program was born. According to the organization’s website, the program “teaches children to become compassionate, loving caretakers to the animals and to nature, while also building self-confidence and leadership skills,” through daily activities that include caring for the animals, gardening, nature walks, art projects and recreational games. Last summer, sessions were offered at no cost to participating lowincome families from the Madison Central School District. The goal was to teach skills that could translate from the farm to the classroom and home, like those of mindfulness and peaceful conflict resolution. The campers began the program by creating a set of rules. A lot of the animals had been mistreated and rescued, the facilitators explained to the campers. Then, the facilitators asked the children to compile a set of guidelines to follow in order to keep the animals comfortable. “[The children’s] connection to animals is a lot of times more profound and richer than their connection to people, so they really want to be with the animals,” Ellen explained. Upon the program’s conclusion, the campers’ parents were invited to the farm to see what their children had learned. It gave the children an opportunity to teach their parents those skills they’d developed. “In that moment, that kid is the expert in the family,” Ellen said. “It’s really amazing.” Throughout the following school year, Ellen followed up with the schools to check if the skills learned at Summer at Skanda were employed in the classroom. She’s heard positive feedback, she said, adding that most of the children were able to focus better and tended to be less disruptive in the classroom. The team is planning to add a component for parents to this year’s program, too. They’re still in the planning stages, but the goal is to encourage parents to coach their children to use the skills developed at Summer at Skanda throughout the rest of the year. Continued on page 30
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The Family Edition
The big preventative project is to provide a setting where people can have this awakening of their own connection and respect for animals.� — Ellen Beckerman, The Haven at Skanda executive director
Volunteering at The Haven
The team behind The Haven at Skanda is always looking for more volunteers to assist with animal care, gardening and land maintenance, special events, fundraising and all aspects of the organization. Individuals, families and groups are welcome.
Photography by Alice G. Patterson
For more information, visit thehavenatskanda.org/volunteer-1.
From left: The Haven at Skanda Executive Director Ellen Beckerman and Board President Marion Secor.
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COVER story The Haven at Skanda
Creating a Safe Space for Everyone from page 28 The power of prevention At the heart of The Haven’s mission is educational and preventative programming for the public. The team organizes a number of events and programs throughout the year, including the annual Horses for the Holidays donation drive. Winter is “cruel at best in Central New York,” Marion said, adding that some people have animals that are old, frail or ill. Those people might need extra help to care for their animals. The Haven collects donated items like blankets, grain and hay at various pickup points in the region to distribute to those in need. The Haven serves as a conduit, all while increasing the awareness of need. For a complete list of suggested donation items and pickup locations, visit thehavenatskanda.org/horses-for-the-holidays. In general, Ellen would like to see The Haven serve as a place to educate people about their own possible relationship with animals, she said. She described the experience of someone walking into the barn and seeing the animals for the first time. “You can hear them gasp,” Ellen said. “They’ll go into the goat barn and look into a goat’s eyes, and they just recognize an intelligence, brilliance, aliveness and a fullness that we don’t normally even see when we’re looking at animals.” Overall, the team at The Haven strives to change how most people might think about animals. “The big preventative project is to provide a setting where people can have this awakening of their own connection and respect for animals,” Ellen said. Marion agreed. “It’s always about what’s possible, and what’s the next thing that’s possible,” she said. “For people to start thinking about themselves and to feel good about what they hold inside, it’s very powerful.”
The future of The Haven Though The Haven has evolved since those first 14 horses were rescued, the team is always looking for ways to grow. They have land to welcome more animals to the farm, but don’t yet have the structural space, Ellen said. It’s an important time for The Haven in terms of growth and expansion, the women agreed. Along with a number of fundraising events throughout the year — including The Haven at Skanda’s Little Moe 5K Walk-Run For Horse Rescue, slated for May 12 at Green Lakes State Park — most support comes from individual donations to The Haven. The organization also relies on some funding through grants. The team would like to add more structures so they can take in more rescue animals, as well as acquire a camp license, which would enable them to have more children on the property at one time. They aim to empower both the animals on the property and the adults and children who visit, too. The philosophy behind operations at The Haven mirrors Marion’s personal philosophy. “It’s all about possibilities and just going for life and living life,” Marion said, “and helping others go for life and live life.” SWM Photography by Alice G. Patterson
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The Haven at Skanda is located at 4000 Mosley Road in Cazenovia. For more information, visit thehavenatskanda.org.
Summer at Skanda When: Aug. 27 - Aug. 31 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day What: Summer at Skanda teaches children to become compassionate, loving caretakers to the animals and to nature, while also building self-confidence and leadership skills. Daily activities include feeding and grooming the animals, organic gardening, nature walks, art projects, recreational games, and plenty of bonding and play time with the animals. Cost: $275 Sign up online at thehavenatskanda.org/ summer-at-skanda. Information courtesy The Haven at Skanda.
Little Moe 5K Walk-Run For Horse Rescue
When: Saturday, May 12. The event is slated to begin at 8:30 a.m. What: A family-friendly, pet-friendly, chip-timed trail run or walk at Green Lakes State Park. The event is slated to include live music, refreshments, and timing by Auyer RaceTiming. All proceeds support The Haven at Skanda. Packet pickup is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. day of race, or from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, May 11, at Fleet Feet Dewitt. Cost: $35. Discounts offered to groups and family teams celebrating Mother's Day. For more information, visit thehavenatskanda.org/the-littleThe Family Edition moe-5k-1.
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syracuse reads Poison Girls
Poison Girls By Christine A. Krahling
P
oison Girls is the fictional story of crime reporter Natalie Delaney, who discovers that daughters of Democratic powerhouses are targets of a serial killer who uses drugs — specifically a strand of street heroin called “Poison” — to kill. When Natalie becomes obsessed with the story and sets out to see who’s behind the killings, she ends up becoming the story herself. Poison Girls was recently published by veteran journalist and Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications assistant professor Cheryl Reed. Her coverage of deadly drug use among girls was the inspiration for this novel. This month, local writer Christine A. Krahling talked with Cheryl, to get Cheryl’s take on the country’s deadly opioid epidemic, her writing process and what she thinks about the state of journalism in our fast-paced society. Christine: On the first page of Poison Girls, the protagonist, Natalie Delaney, says, “Heroin overdoses typically involved hardcore junkies — prostitutes, homeless veterans, hustlers, and a few suburban boys pumped with enough testosterone to think they could conquer anything. But the white girls who were ending up in the morgue were private school students taking Advanced Placement Calculus and studying for their SATs: they didn’t fit the profile, which made their deaths novel — and news.” Do you think part of the reason we can’t seem to get a handle on the current opioid epidemic is because many victims don’t fit the “typical” profile? Cheryl: Yes. The other day in an ethics class, a student said no one in our auditorium full of undergraduate students would be addicted to heroin. I was glad when other students disagreed. I think most people think of heroin addicts as people living at the margins — prostitutes and homeless. But many opioid/heroin addicts start out as someone who wanted to relieve pain after an injury or surgery. Many of them were athletes and they end up addicted to opioids provided by their doctors. Only when their supply ran out did they turn to street drugs, like heroin. Christine: According to www.ongov.net, heroin use is increasing across all social classes in Onondaga County, in line with state and national trends. The website states that one of the reasons for this is increased use of prescription opiate pain medications. In your opinion, what do you think the physician’s role is in helping to reduce the number of people addicted to opioids? Cheryl: Several years ago, I had spinal surgery and was on OxyContin for weeks. I have to say, I loved the way the drug made me feel — how
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it took away the excruciating pain, how I felt like I was floating on a cottony cloud. But my surgeon was smart enough to eventually cut me off, saying: “If I continue to write these prescriptions, eventually you’ll be selling the furniture to pay for your habit.” At the time, I thought that was a strange statement to be making to an upper middle-class professional. But that is exactly how addiction starts. Christine: The book’s protagonist, Natalie, notes that, “Cops are always leery of competition, and reporters are always dismissive of police warnings.” How can law enforcement officials and journalists work together to help tackle the opioid epidemic? Cheryl: In my very biased opinion as someone who has covered crime for many years, the police are too guarded with information that would benefit the public. The stories I read about the opioid crisis generally are overviews, based on statistics, and rarely do they include the personal narratives of people who become addicted and why. I think journalists need access to people who are willing to talk about the crisis, from police officers and EMTS — who have to deal with the emotional wear of bringing back the same addicts until they either get clean or die — to families with addicted teenagers. Until we, as journalists, are able to portray the full extent of this crisis, the stereotype of a down-and-out opioid addict will persist.
The Family Edition
Christine: In the wake of tragedy, another character in the novel, Maggie, says to Natalie, “You can’t have a meaningful relationship with someone who is always looking for their next hit.” Based on your experiences talking with those who have shared details about their loved ones’ struggles with drug addiction, what do you think the hardest thing is for those who love an addict? Cheryl: The hardest thing for someone who loves an addict is getting lied to on a continual basis. When someone is constantly lying, it’s hard to have any meaningful relationship. Who are you dealing with? That person’s personality and values have been swallowed by a consuming addiction and feeding that addiction is their primary focus. Christine: In the Acknowledgments section of Poison Girls, you mention that you spent months reporting about young girls addicted to crack cocaine, and that one of the girls you had gotten to know fairly well was tragically shot while she and her friends were trying to buy more drugs. How did that experience affect you? What did you learn about yourself and these girls during that time? Cheryl: The story deeply affected me. Michelle was a girl who I had hung out with for weeks, following her as she did one kind of drug after another. But when she started to get into more serious drugs, like crack cocaine, I stepped over the line from being a journalist to being a human being trying to reason with her. Eventually, she cut me off. Several weeks later, she was shot in the face while trying to score more crack. It made me really question my role as a journalist trying to report on a story that at the time that was greatly underreported — young white girls addicted to crack. There are some stories that journalists can’t get to by reporting in traditional ways. These girls would never have told their story to a reporter who rolled up in a van and held out a microphone. They needed to trust the reporter and that happens by spending a lot of time with them. I learned that there’s a very delicate line you have to balance as an embedded journalist. And though I think these kinds of stories need to be told, you have to decide how much psychological damage you can endure — both in witnessing horrific events and also becoming close to subjects who you know you can’t save.
Since then, I’ve written another novel in a much shorter period of time. My process is that when I’m working on a book, I try to write every day, even if it’s for an hour. There’s so much about writing a novel that happens in your subconscious; your mind is always working out the problems of the book. I’m not a big fan of the first draft through, but I just get it down as fast as I can. The real magic happens on the revisions. And I do multiple revisions. I really like working with an editor. I have several reader-editors — including my husband, Greg Stricharchuk, who is a former newspaper editor — who give me feedback. Christine: You’re an assistant professor at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. Journalism has changed quite a bit since the birth of the internet, smart phones and social media. As a result, we live in a pretty distracted society. What advice do you have for both aspiring journalists as well as seasoned journalists? Cheryl: The future of our democracy depends on the quality of our journalism. There will always be a need for people to report the news in an unbiased and verified way, even more as politicians bat around “alternative facts.” The best way to become a journalist is to read. Read news stories, magazines, books. Know what’s going on in the world and have a passion to report on the overlooked stories. For seasoned journalists, I think the struggle is dealing with a shrinking newsroom and the barrage of demands — reporting, shooting photos and videos and keeping up a robust social media presence. It’s a lot, and sometimes we lose sight that our number one goal should be to get the news and get it right. SWM For more information on Cheryl and Poison Girls, visit cherylreed.net.
Christine: Let’s switch gears a bit. What can you tell us about your writing process? What was it like for you writing this book? Cheryl: I wrote Poison Girls for nearly 12 years. There wasn’t a time when I wasn’t working on some part of the book. It was my first novel and, in a way, it was teaching me how to write a novel. I did a significant amount of research. It’s a different sort of book; it’s really about subcultures — the subculture of teen girls, of wealthy suburban girls, of girls from powerful political families, of the newsroom and of homicide cops. So, I tried to make the book as real as I could. Many of the events in the book are based on real incidents.
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INspire Deana Fellows
deana fellows
Deana Fellows with her husband, Douglas
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Photography by Mary Grace Johnson
LUPUS ALLIANCE OF UPSTATE NEW YORK MEMBER
The Family Edition
Living Your Best Life with Lupus By Samantha Leader
A
“Many people are not fortunate enough to have as much support t least 1.5 million Americans have lupus, a chronic autoimmune as I did,” she said. disease that can affect many parts of the body, from skin to joints After living with lupus for 18 years and never knowing another to organs. Since the disease’s symptoms mirror those of many person who suffered from the same disease, Deana heard about the other diseases, it can be difficult to diagnose and treat. According to Lupus Walk at Destiny USA, an annual event organized by the Lupus the Lupus Foundation of America, on average, it takes nearly six years Alliance of Upstate New York. At the walk, she met other women for an individual to be diagnosed. who’d been affected by lupus. Finally, she had people she could Deana Fellows, a member of the Lupus Alliance of Upstate New relate to. York, received the news of diagnosis when she was 22 years old. Deana vowed she would do whatever it took to keep other people “The process of getting diagnosed started when I was 20 years old, from going through the same experiences she had with lupus. with a newborn baby,” Deana said. “At that time, I was faced with She didn’t want anyone to be told there was no help for them, she choices and decisions that no one should ever have to make.” explained. She offers people she meets at walks and meetings a place She began to notice symptoms of lupus in 1989, shortly after a to stay in New York City when they visit the doctors, lends an ear stressful labor during her first son’s birth. Her joints were inflamed and when they need to talk and passes along the knowledge she’d gleaned in pain. It stopped her from being able to brush her own teeth or hair, throughout the years. let alone take care of her newborn baby, she remembered. “In the Lupus Alliance support group meetings, I met a close friend Deana believes her lupus was triggered by the pregnancy. Her body who reminded me of myself,” Deana said, describing her friend as was under distress for 46 hours with no medication. “a spitfire who was going to fight and not let this monster of a “My primary doctor at the time ran some tests and kept dosing me disease stop us from being who we are.” with steroids,” she said. “He had no idea what he was looking for, The women attended a candlelight vigil and it just got worse when I got pregnant for together in May 2015 to honor all those the second time in 1991.” living with lupus, as well as those who had It wasn’t until five months into her pregnancy Live your best life and have no passed away. At the time, Deana didn’t know that Deana was tested for lupus. She was in she would stand with her friend that year, the emergency room with an acute pericardial regrets.” — Deana Fellows, and stand for her the following year. effusion when her mother asked the doctors Lupus Alliance of Upstate New “I made a vow to myself and to her that if they’d tested her for lupus yet. After Deana I would be the best voice I could be for the tested positive for lupus, she was terrified. York member lupus community, like she was until she no Not many people were knowledgeable of the longer could be,” Deana said. disease at the time, she remembered. Her advice to others diagnosed with lupus is to be your own advocate Though doctors told her family Deana was terminal, Deana’s mother and educator. Keep a journal and write everything down, she suggested. had her transferred to Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New “People say, ‘Live life like it’s your last day.’ I try to do that, because York City. with lupus you literally do not know,” Deana said. “Live your best life “My family and Dr. Israeli Jaffe are the reason I am here right now,” Deana said. “He and his associates stayed by my side and researched day and have no regrets.” and night, until they figured out how to save me.” On the more difficult days, Deana was lucky to have encouragement May is Lupus Awareness Month. For more about the Lupus Alliance of Upstate New York, visit lupusupstateny.org. from her family and friends. They’re still there for her today.
The most common symptoms of lupus include: • Painful or swollen joints and muscle pain • Unexplained fever • Red rashes, most commonly on the face • Chest pain upon deep breathing • Unusual hair loss • Pale or purple fingers or toes from cold or stress (Raynaud’s phenomenon) • Sensitivity to the sun • Swelling (edema) in legs or around eyes • Mouth sores that don't go away • Swollen glands • Extreme fatigue that doesn't go away with rest May 2018
Information courtesy the Lupus Alliance of Upstate New York. For more information, connect with Lupus Alliance of Upstate New York President & CEO Judith Christian at judy@ lupusupstateny.org.
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Alice Patterson Full Page ad
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INSPIRE Melissa Incassati
melissa Incassati
Photography by Mary Grace Johnson
MOTHER AND DISTRICT BANK MANAGER
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The Entrepreneur The Family Edition
Family First By Carol Radin
M
and singing Taylor Swift songs in the car. The boys take karate elissa Incassati doesn’t take her commitments lightly. It’s how she advanced from bank teller to bank management, and why lessons twice a week, and in the summer, they all play in their backyard pool. she is a devoted wife, mother of three boys and loyal friend. “My family likes to be at home,” Melissa said, adding that “You have to think in the moment,” Melissa said, “but you have their favorite activity together is family movie night every week. to think ahead, too.” “We all sit together on our sectional — the baby’s with us, too — With one eye on the long-term vision, she sees herself on a bench and we eat ice cream or snacks.” swing on a big front porch, she said. At work, she supervises 15 Melissa makes sure, though, that her home life isn’t just about branches and 100 employees; but when she’s home, Melissa is on the kids, and that she and her husband have time every day to that metaphorical swing, slowing life down to share the simple get back to each other. Whether he’s warming up her car in the pleasures with her family. morning or offering his shoulder at the end of a long day, Tony is Balancing those roles might seem to be a challenge for a couple “the most amazing person in the world,” Melissa said. with full-time jobs and three boys, ages 10, 8 and eight months, “I find a reason to thank him for but Melissa and her husband, Tony, seem some little thing every day,” she said. to have it figured out. Melissa traces her commitment to “It isn’t structured,” Melissa said. family to past experiences of both “Whenever one of the kids needs [I want my sons] to be kind love and loss. something, whoever gets there first does When she was 25, Melissa lost her to others, to be a good friend. it. Whoever is home first starts dinner. mother to cancer. Tony lost his father People say, ‘Who wears the pants?’ I want them to fill other when he was 15. Melissa has one sister, We both have a leg in those pants.” people’s buckets.” — Melissa but her mother was an only child, Melissa’s two older sons are willing which meant no aunts, uncles and members of the team. They help to clean Incassati, mother and district cousins for Melissa on that side of the house and take responsibility for their bank manager her family. personal belongings and homework. “Growing up, my friends were Since Melissa’s husband became a certified my family,” she said, adding that her life coach, the boys have followed their best friend today has been her best parents’ lead on healthy eating and wellness practices. The parents friend for 25 years. limit their children’s time on electronic devices, opting instead to Melissa and Tony both grew up on Syracuse’s Northside, play board games, card games, color or sew. and their families are still local. Both her father and Tony’s Eight months ago, the birth of their third son added a new mother live close by. Their support makes life much easier, dimension to the family. Melissa said. Being able to depend on them is a relief, “The baby made everyone in the family a little bit better,” she explained. Melissa said. When asked about her personal goals, Melissa didn’t refer to Her two eldest sons were included in the preparations even before her career, demanding as it is, but to her family. the birth. They were excited at the prospect of being big brothers, “I want to maintain a close relationship with my kids,” she said. she remembered. “I want them to know that I am there for them no matter what “It was a family pregnancy,” Melissa said proudly, adding she was surprised by the strong opinions her sons held about potential names they go through.” And her goals for her children? They are goals she strides to and nursery colors. model herself. Even with a new member of the family, Melissa has been able “To be kind to others, to be a good friend,” Melissa said. to keep up with her older sons. She still picks them up from “I want them to fill other people’s buckets.” SWM school twice a week. It’s their time to be a trio, chattering away
Melissa Incassati with her husband and their three children. May 2018
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The Family Edition
A lifelong love of learning
DISCOVER MPH SCHEDULE A VISIT AND SEE THE MPH EFFECT FOR YOURSELF!
MPH is an academic adventure and an intellectual inspiration — in the classroom, the library, the theater, the lab. It’s a community that fosters a passion for lifelong learning. That’s THE MPH EFFECT. Take a tour and learn about independent education at Manlius Pebble Hill. Visit mphschool.org.
mphschool.org | 315.446.2452 Independent pre-k through grade 12 education in Central New York May 2018
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INSPIRE Nappa Family
NAPPA FAMILY
When you’re a mom and you have kids with cystic fibrosis, you wake up in the morning and every day is unpredictable, because your day could change from minute to minute.” — Cindy Nappa, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation volunteer
It Takes a Family
Photography by Alice G. Patterson
CYSTIC FIBROSIS FOUNDATION ADVOCATES
From left: Amy Nappa; her children, Joey and Gracie; her mother, Cindy Nappa; and her sister, Tracy Nappa Marino.
By Lorna Oppedisano
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hen you’re a mom and you have kids with cystic fibrosis, you wake up in the morning and every day is unpredictable, because your day could change from minute to minute,” Cindy Nappa said. Cindy’s connection to CF began when she was a nurse at the CF clinic at Upstate Hospital about two decades ago. Then, in 2005, her daughter, Amy Nappa, had her first child, Gracie. After a few weeks, Gracie was diagnosed with CF, “a progressive, genetic disease that causes persistent lung infections and limits the ability to breathe over time,” according to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The disease is caused by a defective gene that causes buildup of mucus in the lungs, pancreas and other organs.
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For the first year of Gracie’s life, the family was in and out of the hospital quite frequently. They celebrated her first birthday in the hospital cafeteria, they remembered. A couple years later, Amy went for an ultrasound on her second child, Joey. They discovered blockage in his intestines, and sent Amy to a specialist. After another test, she was told Joey had CF, too. “Even though they have the same [disease], they’re two completely different children when it comes to CF,” Amy said. Cystic fibrosis is caused by two copies of the defective CF gene containing an abnormality called a mutation. There are more than 1,700 known mutations of the disease, according to the CFF.
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“You just do the best that you can,” Amy said, explaining that Gracie and Joey never share anything that touches their mouths. Since Cindy first encountered CF at Upstate, a great deal of research has been done, resulting in medical advances that have added years to the lives of those diagnosed with CF. According to the CFF, in 1989, the median predicted age of survival was 29. In 2000, it was 32 years old. Now, people with CF are living into their 30s, 40s and beyond. “It truly is amazing,” said Tracy Nappa Marino, Amy’s sister and the administrative manager at the CNY chapter of the CFF. “We owe it to the science, which is owed to the fundraising, which is owed to the families’ efforts who support us in the community, and the businesses and corporations that support us in the community, as well.” The entire Nappa family has been involved with the CFF since Gracie’s diagnosis. Amy’s attended the annual Great Strides walk since 2006. Cindy began volunteering with the organization in 2005. Tracy started by joining and chairing fundraising event committees, and became a CFF employee about five years ago. Working for the foundation has given Tracy a unique perspective. She sees both sides of it, which gives her insight to the emotional, mental and physical struggles families dealing with CF encounter on a daily basis. In her office at work, she has a quote on her wall — “Remember why you started.” “Having these two and their smiling faces definitely keeps me focused and [helps me] stay the course, even when some of the days are a little tough,” Tracy said. “It’s easy to remember why.” SWM May is Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month. Join in the annual Great Strides walk on Saturday, May 12, at Long Branch Park. For more information on the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and to find out how you can get involved with the Central New York chapter, visit cff.org/ CentralNY.
Photography by Alice G. Patterson
While Gracie and Joey have the same mutation, it is expressed differently in each child, resulting in differently predominant symptoms; Gracie’s symptoms are primarily respiratory and Joey’s are digestive. For Amy’s family, each day is scheduled around a variety of treatments for Gracie and Joey, ranging from airway clearance therapies to inhaled medicines to enzyme supplements. Each child’s treatments take close to three hours, if not longer, each day. “The hardest part sometimes is managing the treatments. When are you going to do it? What do you have to do? What time do you have to be home?” Amy said, adding that any kind of travel — even an overnight at a friend’s house — adds another level of difficulty. “There is never a break from CF,” Cindy said. “It doesn’t matter what day of the week, what day of the month, where you’re going or what you’re doing. It’s the same routine with treatments, medications and airway clearance therapies. You can’t miss any treatments ever, regardless of other things happening or plans that day.” Adding yet another challenge to the Nappa family’s daily routine is the fact that people with CF are encouraged not to be around each other, since “medical studies show that people with CF are at particular risk of spreading certain germs among others with the disease,” according to the CFF. The foundation warns people with CF to stay at least six feet apart, since that’s the distance germs can spread from a sneeze or cough. Having two children with CF can present a challenge.
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UPCOMING SWM Events Wednesday, May 2 Maximizing Your Strengths - Part Two: Expand Your Influence & Increase Sales When: 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. What: Led by Kathryn Adams of Cognitif Consulting Group and Sara Bollinger of SWB Consulting Services. Learn how to increase sales and keep clients engaged longer by asking better questions. Please note that the business meeting will start at 4:45 and the session will start at 5 p.m. Cost: All access member, free; member, $10; guest, $25. Where: Genesee Grande Hotel, 1060 E. Genesee St., Syracuse. Info: wboconnection.org. Friday, May 4 The Disco Ball When: 7 to 11 p.m. What: Funds raised benefit Serenity for Women. Featuring Robyn Stockdale, Joanna Jewett, Anna Lopez-White and Letizia and the Z Band. Cost: $20. Where: Doubletree Hotel Carrier Circle, 6301 State Route 298, E. Syracuse. Info: redshoesblackbag.com/disco-ball/. Friday, May 4 Shine A Light: Black & White Gala When: 7 to 11 p.m. What: Event celebrates Baldwinsville community, while raising funds and awareness for Vera House North. Includes food, music, dancing, silent auction and more. Cost: $35; two for $60. Where: Fireside Inn, 2347 W. Genesee Road, Baldwinsville. Info: bvillecausetocelebrate.com. Thursday, May 10 Friends Annual Meeting When: 8:30 to 11 a.m. What: The board of directors and Friends of the Zoo president and CEO Janet Agostini host annual meeting. Agenda includes summary of 2017 highlights and upcoming projects and events. Where: Rosamond Gifford Zoo, 1 Conservation Place, Syracuse. Info: rosamondgiffordzoo.org/upcoming-events. Saturday, May 12 Great Strides Walk When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. What: Thirtieth anniversary of Cystic Fibrosis Foundation CNY Chapter’s annual fundraising efforts, Great Strides. Cost: Free registration, but walkers are encouraged to raise funds. Where: Long Branch Park, 3813 Long Branch Road, Liverpool. Info: centralny.cff.org. 48
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Saturday, May 12 Night Market When: 3 to 10 p.m. What: Urban pop-up market features local artists and craftspeople, music, food, drinks and more. Cost: Check online for details. Where: Sky Armory, 351 S. Clinton St., Syracuse. Info: nightmarketsyr.com. Saturday, May 12 Syracuse Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival When: Early access VIP, 11 a.m. to noon; festival, noon to 5 p.m. What: Third annual event features local food trucks, and regional and national craft beers. Cost: $5; VIP, $25; ages 12 and younger, free; first responders, free. Where: New York State Fairgrounds, 581 State Fair Blvd., Syracuse. Info: foodtruckfestivalsofamerica.com/syracuse-ny. Sunday, May 13 Mother’s Day Brunch When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. What: Includes farm table, Modern Malt Bakeshop pastries, limoncello French toast, omelet station, carved meats, desserts, drinks and more. Cost: Adults, $36; ages 9 and younger, $18; ages 2 and younger, free. Where: Crowne Plaza Syracuse, 701 E. Genesee St., Syracuse. Info: cpsyracuse.com. Tuesday, May 15 Women United quarterly meeting When: 5:30 to 730 p.m. What: Quarterly meeting raises funds for United Way of CNY. Sponsored by Upstate Medical University. Cost: Women United members, free; guests, $25. Where: Advance Media New York, 220 S. Warren St., Syracuse. Info: womenunited@unitedway-cny.org. Thursday, May 17 California Closets Showroom Grand Re-Opening When: 4 to 8 p.m. What: Event includes a raffle, wine and hors d’oeuvres. Where: California Closets Showroom, 3210 Erie Blvd. E., DeWitt. Info: RSVP by May 11 to syracuseshowroom@calclosets.com.
The Family Edition
Thursday, May 17 Celebrating Life Through Chocolate When: 5:30 to 8 p.m. What: Proceeds to benefit Hospice of Central New York. Cost: $30; at door, $35. Where: Bella Domani, Taft Road, North Syracuse. Info: hospicecny.org/Chocolate-2017. Friday, May 18, through Sunday, May 20 The Weekend: A Retro Lifestyle Weekend When: Various events throughout the weekend. What: Retro lifestyle weekend includes themed events: The Speakeasy; Retro Ladies Day at the Barnes Hiscock Mansion; The Gentleman’s Gathering at the James Street Parlour; Salt City Burlesque at Jazz Central; The Bar Hop in Armory Square; The Brunch at the Syracuse Antiques Exchange; The High Tea at The Sweet Praxis. Cost: Check online for individual event pricing and details. Where: Various locations in Syracuse. Info: The Salt City Belles and Beaus, saltcitybellesandbeaus.com. Saturday, May 19 Symphoria Pops: A Tale as Old as Time When: 7:30 p.m. What: Symphoria performs music from Disney classics, featuring four vocalists and clips from original films. Cost: $38 to $81. Where: Crouse Hinds Theater, 411 Montgomery St., Syracuse. Info: experiencesymphoria.org/concert/tale-as-old-as-time. Saturday, May 19 Hopeprint’s Culture Gala 2017 When: 6:30 to 11 p.m. What: Hopeprint’s annual fundraiser dinner celebrates the cultures of new Americans, resettled as refugees, with every one of the five senses. Cost: Check online for pricing. Where: Sky Armory, 351 S. Clinton St., Syracuse. Info: hopeprint.org. Wednesday, May 23 Dementia Care 2018 When: 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. What: Seventh annual Alzheimer’s Association conference for family and professional caregivers of individuals with dementia in Central New York. Check online for further details. Cost: $80. Where: Holiday Inn Syracuse-Liverpool, 441 Electronics Parkway, Liverpool. Info: alz.org/centralnewyork/index.asp.
May 2018
Thursday, May 24 Inaugural MWBE Community Engagement Awards When: 5:30 to 9 p.m. What: Event hosted by Upstate Minority Economic Alliance features keynote speaker, Vaughn Irons, Atlanta Businessman of the Year and CEO of ADP Solutions, Community Economic Development Firm. Cost: $75. Where: Marriott Downtown Syracuse, 100 E. Onondaga St., Syracuse. Info: centerstateceo.com/news-events/inaugural-mwbe-communityengagement-awards; rbrown@upstatemea.com. Saturday, May 26, & Sunday, May 27 15th Annual Shearing Festival When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. What: Event to include sheep and alpaca shearing, farm animals, spinners, local crafters and artisans, ziplines, pedal cars, wagon rides, barrel train and more. Cost: $7; family maximum, $25. Where: Springside Farms, 1850 Route 91, Fabius. Info: springsidefarm.net. Tuesday, May 29 Rosamond Gifford Lecture Series Presents Maria Semple When: 7:30 p.m. What: Lecture by best-selling novelist and television writer, Maria Semple. Cost: $30 to $55. Where: Crouse Hinds Theater, 411 Montgomery St., Syracuse. Info: foclsyracuse.org. Saturday, June 2 Afternoon Tea at the Bake Lab Time: Tea service begins promptly at 4 p.m. What: Elegant afternoon tea experience includes homemade scones, tea sandwiches and pastry delights, served with a selection of fine teas. Cost: $30. Where: The Sweet Praxis, 203 E. Water St., Syracuse. Info: thesweetpraxis.com/events. Monday, June 4 Crouse Spirit of Women Golf Outing & Reception When: Registration, 3 to 3:45 p.m.; shotgun start, 4 p.m.; reception, 6 p.m. What: Nine-whole golf outing exclusively for women presented by Crouse Health Foundation and Crouse’s Spirit of Women program. Cost: $125; foursome, $500; reception only, $50. Where: Lake Shore Yacht & Country Club, 6777 Lakeshore Road, Cicero. Info: crouse.org/spiritgolf; Phyllis Devlin, phyllisdevlin@crouse.org or 315-470-7008. SYRACUSEWOMANMAG.COM
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movers AND Shakers MPH students receive national recognition Two Manlius Pebble Hill School students received national recognition with in the 2018 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Sophomore Andrew Benincasa and Senior Harry (Zejia) Chen both received national silver medals and have been identified by panels of creative professionals as two of the most talented young artists and writers in the nation. Andrew was recognized for his piece “Van and Sky” in the photography category. Harry received praise in the portfolio category for his collection called “The Flame Valley.”
Third annual food festival announced The third annual Syracuse Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival is slated for noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 12, at the New York State Fairgrounds, with a VIP hour scheduled from 11 a.m. The event is to include some of New York’s most popular food trucks, craft ales and beers, live music, lawn games and an artisan market. Food Truck Festivals of America is pleased to offer free admission to first responders – police, fire and EMTs. General admission tickets will be available for purchase in advance online for $5, or at the gate for $10. Guests ages 12 and younger are free. For more information or to purchase VIP or general admission tickets, visit foodtruckfestivalsofamerica.com.
Loretto promotes two employees Loretto recently promoted two of its employees to assistant director positions. Alisha Hosein was promoted to the role of nurse manager at Loretto’s Fahey location. An employee at Loretto since 2016, Alisha has been a nurse for 11 years. Her past experience includes work at St. Joseph’s Health as part of the medical/surgical telemetry unit and at the Syracuse VA Medical Center in the medical/ surgical oncology unit. Alisha holds an associate degree in science and earned a nursing degree from St. Joseph’s College of Nursing. She has also earned basic life support certification from the American Red Cross. Natasha Glynn was hired as director of clinical recruitment and retention for Loretto. Natasha recently 50
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launched the health care division for CPS recruitment in her role as director of health care staffing. She has 20 years of experience in the health care industry, including more than a decade of recruiting for health care. Natasha earned a Bachelor of Science degree in health science from Florida Gulf Coast University.
St. Joseph’s Health awarded St. Joseph’s Health recently received the bronze award from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association “Get With The Guidelines” Stroke program. In addition, the Public Health and Health Planning Council of the New York State Department of Health designated St. Joseph’s Health Hospital as a primary stroke center. Being able to recognize a stroke, call 9-1-1 and get the patient to a hospital quickly can help improve a patient’s recovery. For more information about St. Joseph’s Health Stroke Care, visit www.sjhsyr.org.
Paige’s Butterfly Run seeks family scholarships Save the date for Paige’s Butterfly Run: Saturday, June 2, in downtown Syracuse. This year, Paige’s Butterfly Run is offering a new way for community members to support children and families fighting pediatric cancer at the event. A Family Sponsorship for the 5K run or 3K walk at the $150 level helps cover registration fees for a family of five who have a child currently going through treatment at Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital. For more information visit pbrun.org or email marykate@pbrun.org.
Lupus symposium planned The Lupus Alliance of Upstate New York plans to host a symposium themed “Enhancing Lives by Engaging, Empowering and Elevating the Lupus Community” on Saturday, May 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at OCM BOCES Main Campus, Seneca Large Room, 4500 Crown Road, Liverpool. Presenters include local rheumatologist and researcher Andras Perl; national advocate Kathleen Arntsen; and educator, administrator and advocate David Arntsen. Please note this program is free to attend, but requires registration. People with lupus and related conditions, family members and caregivers are encouraged to attend. Register online at LupusLearning.org or by calling (800) 300-4198, Extension 2.
The Family Edition
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