Summer in Central New York FESTIVALS,
MUSIC AND ART AROUND EVERY CORNER
As the spring season yields to the welcome warmth of summer, I am prompted to reflect on some of the defining characteristics of Central New York. There are so many events, activities, and special opportunities all year-round, but the summer is an especially busy time – notably for our cultural community!
As Central New York’s regional arts council, CNY Arts offers a variety of services to our artists and audiences alike. In fact, we operate one of the most comprehensive region-wide event and entertainment online calendars. If you’re wondering what to do during the summer months, you don’t need to look far: we’ve got you covered. After all, the season is just heating up.
Since 2024, CNY Arts – in collaboration with our local venue partners – has organized the Syracuse Art Trail. The Trail is a two-weekend walkable itinerary that guides visitors to dozens of free or low-cost events throughout the city, taking place between July 17-19 and July 24-26.
The first weekend features a host of activities, like the Bank Alley Block Party on Friday, the Lipe Art Park Arts Extravaganza on Saturday, and the Armory Square Arts Day on Sunday. The following weekend kicks off the Syracuse Arts & Crafts Festival. Organized by the Downtown Committee, this celebrated annual street fair features an exceptional variety of contemporary arts, crafts, performances and culinary treats.
And for folks looking to move and groove, no summer in Syracuse would be complete without the storied Jazz Fest and Jazz in the City performances, taking place across the city throughout July and August.
Meanwhile, you can enjoy the rich traditions of our local Hispanic community during Festival Latinoamericano on Aug. 16, then look forward to Greater Syracuse’s only Oktoberfest on Sept. 13, followed by the Jewish cultural festival KlezFest on Sept. 14, showcasing traditional Klezmer music, a challah bake-off, family-friendly activities, and more.
CNY Arts proudly serves our creative communities in Syracuse, as well as a broader six-county region across Central New York. Only a short drive down the road will take you to the Oswego Harborfest – a regional institution entering its 37th year, presenting four days of live music, rides, food vendors, and lighting up Lake Ontario with the biggest firework show in Central New York!
Elsewhere, you can browse the artistic achievements of hundreds of artists and craftspeople at the Arts Off Main Festival in Cortland on Aug. 1, followed by the Madison County Craft Festival on Sept. 12 and 13, and the Remsen Barn Festival of the Arts between Sept. 26-27. And October 3 heralds the return of the annual Cheese Festival in Little Falls, showcasing New York’s dairy-making heritage with over 120 varieties of cheese from 90 local vendors – and live local bands to boot!
Of course, these are just a glimpse of the hundreds of arts and culture events taking place all summer long throughout our region. Many of which are grounded in the rich heritage and creative traditions of Central New York, promoting gathering, community, inspiration, and memory-making.
To explore further, head to cnyarts.org/events. We hope to see you in the crowd!
Alexander Korman is the Executive Director of CNY Arts.
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Alexander Korman
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Sevinç Türkkan
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3rd annual “Do What You Love to End Alzheimers” fundraiser
Gary and Kathy Hafner hosted their 3rd Annual Do What You Love to End Alzheimer's fundraiser on May 31 at Jake's Grub & Grog, bringing nearly 300 people together to support the Alzheimer's Association, Central New York Chapter. Inspired by their birthdays being just days apart, Gary turned their annual celebration into a fundraiser a few years ago, and this year the couple celebrated turning 75! Entertainment was provided by The Horn Dogs, while local businesses and organizations donated more than 60 baskets for the raffle. Guests also participated in a 50/50 raffle and a drawing for a 75-inch TV. With the help of dedicated volunteers, the event continues to grow each year. Gary and Kathy's love of music, community, and giving back has made the fundraiser a meaningful tradition in our community!
CNY Pride
On June 13, 2026, United Way of Central New York was incredibly proud to march, celebrate, and show up loud and proud at the CNY Pride Parade and Festival! United Way staff, board members, and amazing volunteers brought the energy to Syracuse’s Inner Harbor, celebrating the beautiful diversity that makes our region so strong.
Savoring Science Fundraiser
On Thursday, June 11, the Museum of Science & Technology (MOST) hosted their annual Savoring Science fundraiser. The event drew 360 guests for a cocktail hour at the museum, featuring remarks from MOST President Lauren Kochian and a live auction emceed by special guest Laura Serway. The guests took a short stroll from the museum to Armory Square neighbor Lemon Grass for an exquisite 15-course meal prepared by chef and owner Max Chutinthranond. The event is the museum’s signature annual event raising money to support STEM education programs, exhibit maintenance, and the restoration of the historic Armory building. Photos courtesy of Ana Gils Studios.
Teal Ribbon Run/Walk 2026
The Teal Ribbon Run/Walk is one of Hope for Heather’s largest community awareness events. Monies raised will be used to support ovarian cancer awareness, local patient support and research. Hope for Heather is an IRS 501(c)3, 100% volunteer organization. This means 100% of the net registration proceeds and 100% of fundraising dollars goes to the cause. We are passionate about spreading awareness on ovarian and other GYN cancers and funding research to improve outcomes and save lives. Photos courtesy of Rick Policastro Photography.
Zoo Run Run 2026
One of the most picturesque 5Ks in Central New York took place in June when the Friends of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo hosted a 5k run throughout zoo grounds for the annual Zoo Run Run. The course for the event was composed of five laps around the zoo’s vibrant Wildlife Trail. After three waves of runners finished racing, the course was turned over to the children, for a kid-friendly fun run around the zoo.
Planting the flag
BRYANT & STRATTON COLLEGE OFFERS NEW FLAG FOOTBALL TEAM
Led by stars like Caitlin Clark and Central New York’s own Breanna Stewart, women’s basketball has grown immensely in popularity in recent years.
Now football is hoping to crash the party of the emerging popularity of women’s sports.
High school flag football for young women is on the rise in Central New York, and now women will have the opportunity to play it at the collegiate level as well.
Bryant & Stratton College Syracuse Athletics announced recently the addition of women’s flag football as its newest collegiate athletic program. The team will begin competition at the club level during the 2026–2027 academic year before transitioning to varsity status in 2027–2028.
Recruitment for prospective student-athletes is now underway.
Women’s flag football is one of the fastestgrowing sports in the United States at both the high school and collegiate levels. More than 20 states, including New York, have officially sanctioned girls’ flag football as a varsity high school sport, and participation numbers continue to rise nationwide.
athletes while continuing to grow its athletic department and campus community.
“We are excited to launch flag football as the next step in expanding opportunities for our student-athletes here in Syracuse,” said Clay Gagen-Sherman, Athletic Director. “As a college that is a champion of students, this program allows us to create new pathways for young women to compete, earn an education, and be part of a championship culture. Our goal is not just to participate, but to build a program that competes at a high level while delivering an exceptional student-athlete experience from day one.”
At the collegiate level, institutions across the country are rapidly adding programs as the sport gains momentum through support from the NAIA and NCAA conferences. The sport will even make its Olympic debut at the Summer 2028 Games, held in Los Angeles. In response, the National Football League is launching a dedicated women’s flag football league to help women prepare and train for the 2028 games.
The addition of the program reflects the Bryant & Stratton’s commitment to expanding opportunities for female student-
A national search for the program’s inaugural head coach is currently underway, and the college is also exploring partnerships with local facilities and YMCA organizations for practice and competition opportunities.
The addition of women’s flag football marks another significant step in the continued growth and visibility of Bryant & Stratton College Syracuse Athletics.
For more information about Bryant & Stratton College Syracuse Athletics or recruitment opportunities for women’s flag football, please contact Clay GagenSherman at csherman@bryantstratton.edu
Founded in 1854, Bryant & Stratton College, a non-profit institution, offers students access to career-relevant education leading to bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, and professional certificates in the fields of healthcare, business, education, human and legal services and technology. The college has campus locations in New York, Ohio, Virginia, and Wisconsin, as well as an Online Education division and a Continuing Education department. SWM
ROBIN CORTESE Her city, her story
HOW ROBIN CORTESE BECAME ONE OF CNY'S MOST PASSIONATE CHAMPIONS
Janelle Davis
Robin Cortese has a saying she returns to often: your mornings are your canvas, and your actions are your brushstrokes. For Robin, those are not just words, they are a daily practice: up at 5:30 in the morning, painting, reflecting, and pouring herself into the day before most people have had their first cup of coffee.
For Robin, that’s not unusual. It’s just Tuesday.
She grew up in Nashua, N.H., but Central New York claimed her in 1981 when her family relocated to Syracuse for a business her father was involved in. They settled in River Island Estates in Brewerton, a community whose tagline has always felt fitting to her: where coming home feels like vacation. Extended family built homes in the same development. Neighbors became friends. Cousins showed them around. The welcome was immediate and it never wore off.
“It was the best redirection of life we could have ever imagined,” she said.
More than four decades later, Robin is still here and still one of the region's most visible and enthusiastic advocates.
A career built on connection
Robin spent years building a career in telecommunications that eventually grew into a multi-state AT&T retail business partnership with founder David Mueller, having 43 stores and 168 colleagues. It was a significant enterprise, and when they sold it in 2024, they did so knowing the timing was right. What she didn't know was exactly what came next. Retirement was never on the table. She had too much energy and too strong a sense of purpose for that. Within nine days of the sale, she had hosted brainstorming sessions, enrolled in Jay Shetty's Master Coach certification program, and filed a DBA under a name that perfectly captured how she felt about the transition: Separation Elation.
Continued on page 24
“Trust in yourself is the currency of freedom.”— Robin Cortese
Her city, her story FROM PAGE 23
The philosophy behind it is something she wants others to embrace too. Endings, she believes, are not losses, they are invitations. The unknown is not something to fear but one of the most creative spaces a person can inhabit.
“Build your dream, or someone else will have you build theirs,” she said. “The obstacles you face are not detours. They are often the path itself.”
Coming home to visit Syracuse
Not long after the sale, Robin stepped into a role that felt less like a new job and more like the next natural chapter. As Brand Champion and Community Marketing Executive for Visit Syracuse, Onondaga County's official tourism promotion agency, her work centers on storytelling, connection and showing up for the community she has loved for over 40 years.
She remembers walking into the Visit Syracuse office for the first time, meeting President and CEO Danny Liedka and the team, and feeling immediately at home. The culture of inclusion, creativity and belonging was exactly the kind of environment she had always gravitated toward.
“Doing the work is living the life,” she said. “When you find something like that, you know it's special.”
Visit Syracuse drives a $1.294 billion tourism economy in Onondaga County, supporting nearly 16,000 jobs and generating more than $155 million in combined local and state tax revenue. Robin's role is to be the human face of that mission, attending events, amplifying local voices and making the case for Central New York to anyone who will listen.
“My role is not simply to promote a destination,” she said. “It is to champion a community, amplify its stories, and invite others to be part of something bigger than themselves.”
Beyond Visit Syracuse, Robin serves on the Board of Hospice of CNY and the Finger Lakes, sits on the Board of Directors of the Friends of Onondaga County Aquarium, Inc., and as of June 1st, serves as President of the Tip Club of Syracuse, the oldest tip club in Onondaga County, meeting every Friday at The Century Club.
A believer in what's being built
Robin has watched people push back on change in CNY more times than she can count, and she has also watched those same people come around. The St. Joseph's Health Amphitheater at Lakeview drew skepticism before it opened and now draws crowds who can't imagine summer without it. The new aquarium, which she actively supports through her board work, is already generating that same conversation. She believes it will follow the same trajectory.
And then there is Micron, a development she sees as a defining moment for the region.
“All eyes are on us,” she said, “and you can feel the momentum in the air.”
Her call to action to CNY residents is personal and direct. Take a drive to Clay. Walk downtown and show up to community events. Invest in what is being built around you, because what is being built matters.
At its core, she says, it comes down to love. Not the abstract kind, but the everyday kind. Showing up for people. Building friendships. Supporting local businesses. Making someone feel seen.
“When people feel they belong, they thrive,” she said. “Build community, nurture friendships, care for your environment and make people feel seen. In simple words, it's home. And home is love.”
Her father's legacy
There is one thread that runs through everything Robin does, and it begins in a cottage with a self-portrait on the wall. Her father, John Cortese, a jazz musician and the person she describes as her greatest champion, looked at that painting and told her simply: that's what you should be doing. It was the kind of remark that stays with a person.
John passed away on January 20, 2023. In his honor, Robin traveled to India, a trip rooted in art and in grief and in the kind of searching that loss makes necessary. This year, on the anniversary of his passing, her work was shown at the ArtHausSYR gallery for the first time in his memory. She still paints, often in the early morning hours, using the canvas as both a creative outlet and daily ritual.
His influence shows up in her Five P's framework, the personal philosophy she organizes her life around: Place, People, Pets, Painting and Privilege. Each one represents something she refuses to take for granted.
What she knows for sure
Robin's core beliefs read less like a list and more like a life fully examined. Surround yourself with people living the results you desire. Take inventory regularly and release what no longer serves you. Do the hardest thing first. Never stop learning and trust yourself above all other voices.
“The loudest voice in your life should be your own,” she said. “Trust in yourself is the currency of freedom.”
She believes in visualization not as a trend but as a tool, as practical as a business plan or a marketing strategy. She believes consistency matters more than motivation. She believes community is a canvas shaped by many hands, and that every act of kindness adds another brushstroke to something none of us could create alone.
She came to Central New York as a teenager with no say in the matter, dropped into a new place by circumstance and family. What happened next was entirely her own. She stayed, she built, she invested, and she became one of the region's most recognizable voices. That, she would probably tell you, is exactly the point. You don't always choose where you start. You choose what you do with it.
Central New York, she says, is that kind of canvas right now. And Robin Cortese intends to keep painting. SWM
“My role is not simply to promote a destination. It is to champion a community, amplify its stories and invite others to be part of something bigger than themselves.”
—Robin Cortese
Don't let poor hydration hold you back this summer
Eric Rose
When summer arrives, most of us think about sunscreen, vacations, and spending more time outdoors. Yet one of the most overlooked factors affecting our energy, health, and performance is something incredibly simple: hydration.
The truth is, when you're properly hydrated, nearly every system in your body works better.
Hydration isn't just about quenching thirst. Water helps regulate body temperature, transport nutrients, lubricate joints, support digestion, maintain healthy skin, and help your heart and muscles function efficiently. When you're hydrated, you typically experience better energy, improved focus, fewer headaches, and better physical performance.
Proper hydration also supports healthy hair and nails. While water isn't a miracle cure, dehydration can slow many normal body processes. Simply put, when we're hydrated, we feel better, perform better, and recover better.
Don't wait until you're thirsty
One of the biggest mistakes people make is waiting until they feel thirsty to drink water.
Thirst is actually a sign that dehydration has already begun. During hot weather, outdoor work, exercise, gardening, or even a day at the beach, fluid losses increase dramatically through sweat. If those fluids aren't replaced, fatigue, headaches, dizziness, muscle cramps, and overheating can follow.
The goal isn't to catch up on hydration—it's to stay ahead of it.
How much water do you need?
A simple starting point is to aim for half your body weight in ounces of water daily.
• 150-pound person = about 75 ounces
• 200-pound person = about 100 ounces
If you're exercising, sweating heavily, or spending extended time outdoors, you'll likely need more.
Simple hydration tips
• Start your day with a large glass of water before coffee.
• Carry a reusable water bottle.
• Sip consistently throughout the day.
• Drink extra fluids before, during, and after outdoor activities.
• Keep water easily accessible at home, work, and in your vehicle.
Consistency beats trying to catch up later.
Eat your water
Hydration doesn't only come from what you drink.
Watermelon is over 90% water and provides potassium, vitamin C, and antioxidants. Other great choices include strawberries, cucumbers, oranges, peaches, celery, lettuce, and cantaloupe.
Think of fruits and vegetables as hydration with bonus nutrition. My summer favorites? Watermelon, fresh berries, cucumber slices, and oranges packed in a cooler for long days outside.
The role of electrolytes
When you sweat, you lose more than water. You also lose important electrolytes like sodium, potassium, magnesium, and chloride.
These minerals help regulate hydration, muscle function, nerve signaling, and body temperature.
If you're exercising intensely, working outdoors, or sweating heavily, an electrolyte supplement can help improve fluid absorption, maintain energy and reduce the risk of cramps.
Just be selective. Many sports drinks contain excessive sugar, artificial colors, and unnecessary calories. Water should remain your primary source of hydration, with electrolytes used strategically when needed.
What to avoid
Summer and social gatherings often go hand in hand, but alcohol can work against your hydration goals. Alcohol increases fluid loss and can make it harder for your body to regulate temperature. If you're enjoying a cocktail, beer, or glass of wine, try alternating each drink with a full glass of water. Also avoid:
• Waiting until you're thirsty to drink.
• Drinking large amounts of sugary beverages.
• Relying solely on caffeinated drinks.
• Ignoring signs of dehydration such as dark urine, headaches, fatigue, or dizziness. A simple hydration check is the color of your urine. Pale yellow generally indicates good hydration, while darker colors suggest it's time to drink more fluids.
Continued on page 30
A simple summer challenge
This week, pay attention to your hydration habits.
Carry a water bottle. Start your day with water. Enjoy hydrating foods like watermelon and berries. Add electrolytes when appropriate. Notice how you feel when you're consistently hydrated.
Better energy. Better focus. Better workouts. Better recovery.
Sometimes the simplest habits create the biggest results.
Eric's final take
Electrolytes are a supplement to hydration - not a replacement for water. Focus first on drinking enough water throughout the day, then strategically add electrolytes during periods of heavy sweating, exercise, illness, or prolonged heat exposure.
My personal rule: Water first. Electrolytes with purpose. Watermelon when it's in season. And if you're enjoying a summer cocktail, chase it with water.
Your body will thank you for it. SWM
Eric Rose is an award-winning chef and health coach.
KATHLEEN BENNETT The woman
Elena Ehrhart
Growing up in Waterloo, Kathleen "Kathy" Bennett always knew the value of hard work, competition and teamwork. A talented softball player from an early age, she spent countless hours on the field coached by her own mother before continuing her athletic career at Colgate University. Unfortunately, an injury eventually cut her collegiate playing days short, but it never diminished her love for the game.
As a dedicated Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres fan, Kathy wanted to stay in the Rochester-Buffalo area following her graduation from the University at Buffalo, where she attended law school. However, a summer internship changed everything.
While attending law school in 1997, Kathy accepted a summer position with Bond, Schoeneck & King in downtown Syracuse. What began as a temporary opportunity became the foundation for a career and a life she never expected.
“The place you summer at typically ends up hiring you,” Kathy said. “I ended up really liking it here.”
Even as she found her place in the field and moved to the city, Kathy always found a way to keep the sport she loved in her life. She played in recreational softball leagues in the area, including on teams sponsored by local institutions like Dinosaur Bar-B-Que. But when her son Evan was born in 2009, her priorities shifted.
Kathy stepped away from softball for a few years and took up body-building. Yet it was not long before sports found their way back into her life.
Once Evan was old enough to play T-ball, she volunteered to coach. "I didn't want someone who didn't understand the game coaching my son," she said with a laugh.
Over the years, Kathy became deeply involved in Evan's baseball journey. As friendships formed among players, they sought additional opportunities for competition. This prompted conversations about creating something new.
Balancing coaching with a legal career is not always easy, but Kathy appreciates the flexibility her job provides, even if it occasionally requires late nights and weekends.
"I enjoy being a lawyer, and I enjoy coaching," she said. "It's valuable to me to make an impact on kids."
But Kathy’s impact extends far beyond wins and losses. Before joining the Trash Pandas, some players had coaches who drained the joy from the game and put a strain on their relationship with baseball. Wanting to respark their love, Kathy took a different approach. "I try to get to know my kids and find what resonates with them."
One early tournament was a defining moment for the team. The team struggled throughout the weekend, losing two of the three games. Before the final game, Kathy gathered the players together to give a speech she prepared. But this speech was not about strategy or making a comeback. It was about finding the joy in baseball again.
"This game here is meaningless," she told them. "What I want you to do is remember what it's like to play baseball with your friends on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.”
The team took her words to heart. They began to rediscover their love and passion for the game: the very thing that brought them together in the first place. One player in particular, who had been facing difficulties throughout the season, transformed before her eyes. "I got to watch one boy who was really struggling becomevibrant and the lifeblood of the team. It was really amazing."
"He made some really good baseball friends, and the parents started talking about getting the boys more baseball," Kathy said. "It started with small tournaments."
From those conversations, the Syracuse Trash Pandas were born. “We were throwing names around and Evan suggested the Trash Pandas. I never expected it to stick the way it did,” she laughed. “Then one by one I think the boys realized what trash pandas actually were.”
Kathy proudly serves as a coach for the organization, a role she says has become one of the most meaningful parts of her life. "It means a lot to me to have a group of young men listen to what I say," she said.
However, being the only female coach at the tournaments does come with challenges and her presence in the dugout has made her accustomed to standing out. "I'm the only woman coach I've encountered at many of the tournaments," Kathy said. "When we go up for plate meetings, the men are always 'Coach,' but I get 'Honey.' By the end of the game, though, I'm coach."
While attitudes have improved over time, she says earning respect remains part of the job. "When we play in places like Cortland and face really competitive teams, they know me now. There's respect. I've built a reputation, which I like. It feels good. But with new people, you still have to build up that respect. You can't get caught up in it.”
The Trash Pandas went on to win 11 straight games and three of their next four tournament championships. For Kathy, the victories were gratifying, but the personal growth was even more rewarding.
"It is really meaningful to give inspiration and be that positive influence," she said. "You need to build kids up rather than tear them down." One of her proudest moments did not come after a championship game. It came from a T-ball parent. "One of the best compliments I ever got was from a mother who thanked me for how I treated her son and encouraged him."
As one of the few women coaching boys' baseball at the tournament level, Kathy has also become an example for young girls who dream of following a similar path. At tournaments in Dryden, she often sees a young girl whose father works with the organization. The girl often asks how she became a coach. "I tell her, if that's what your passion is, a door will open for you."
It is a message Bennett hopes resonates with women and girls everywhere. "Just because you're a woman doesn't mean you can't walk out onto that field as a coach," she said. "The door is open to coach softball or baseball. I want to empower them to do it. The most important thing for women is to never think a door is closed; kick it down before you think it is closed – or build another one."
From softball fields to courtrooms and baseball diamonds across Central New York, Kathy has spent her life proving that leadership is not defined by expectations. It is by passion, perseverance and the drive to create opportunities where there had previously been none. For the young athletes she has mentored along the way, that is a lesson that will last longer than any trophy SWM
JEN BARTLETT
When life changes course
THE GLOW YOGA OWNER TURNS ADVERSITY INTO PURPOSE
Sevinç Türkkan
Sometimes life forces us to change course: a health diagnosis, the birth of a child, an unexpected loss, or a disruption like COVID. Such moments can make us feel as though we have failed, left behind a hard-earned career, or lost the future we envisioned. In a culture that prizes achievement and upward mobility, this can be especially painful. Little do we know that there is light at the end of the tunnel. New possibilities emerge, and sometimes the greatest miracles happen in the waiting room — or on the yoga mat!
Jen Bartlett was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in her forties. At the time, she was thriving in the corporate world, raising two active boys, and juggling the endless rhythm of school schedules and extracurricular activities. She was also a devoted Bikram yoga practitioner— so much so that she made it to her regular 7 p.m. practice before giving birth to one of her sons at 11 p.m. that same night.
The RA diagnosis was her wake-up call: “I was in a stage of my life where my health was declining, and my general overall well-being was dwindling,” she recalls. “And I knew I needed to make a change. I left a job that I cared about. And then, I didn't know what to do with myself.”
Many of us know that feeling. Life occasionally asks us to step away from what once defined us—whether through illness, loss, caregiving, or another unexpected disruption. But what happens when that disruption expands into something collective, like a global pandemic?
For Jen, COVID became an unexpected invitation to pause. Rather than rushing into the next chapter, she had to dwell in the space in-between. “It was a needed break,” she says. “If COVID didn't happen and I wasn't forced to stop, I would have just done something quickly again and not thought it through, because I need to be busy.”
But do we really need to be busy? And if we do, can our busyness take the form of presence rather than productivity? Can it become a yoga practice—one that teaches us how to inhabit our lives more fully, even in moments of uncertainty?
Once the world reopened after COVID, Jen became a regular yoga practitioner at Breath Yoga Studio in Fayetteville. She enrolled in the 200-hour yoga teacher training, even as she wondered what she was going to do with it. “I was in my late forties. What was I going to do with it? I thought I needed to go back where I started and get back into the business world.” Her husband, Mark Bartlett, said, “Just do it. See what happens!” She took the training, and within three weeks, she enrolled in a 300-hour teacher training program: “I was like, I'm just gonna keep going because I enjoy it.”
Jen taught first at the YMCA, and a few months later she began teaching at the same studio where she had received her training. Breath Yoga had recently blossomed into Glow Yoga under the same ownership. Within three months of teaching at Glow, Jen was approached by Donna Farchione, the studio’s owner at the time (featured in SWM in Jan. 2022), with a question that would alter the course of her journey: “Do you want to buy Glow?”
Jen took over ownership of Glow Yoga Studio in May 2024, and the studio has been experiencing its own renaissance ever since. Jen ran the idea by her husband Mark—her number one cheerleader—who replied, “You do want to buy Glow!”
“I literally thought he was bananas,” she recalls with a laugh. Sometimes we need that affirmation from a trusted friend or partner to strengthen what our intuition already knows. Together, they said, “Let’s do it!” And that spirit has shaped the story of Glow Yoga since then: a thriving juice bar and boutique, consistently full classes, a wide range of class offerings to meet different needs, themed yoga events, workshops, teacher training, visiting yoga leaders, and even the possibility of a second Glow Yoga location on the horizon.
Transitions are rarely easy. Jen wears many hats at the studio: she practices there, she teaches there, she trains future yoga teachers there, and she owns the business. She moves gracefully between being part of the staff and leading the staff.
“It was difficult at the beginning, especially taking over and having the teaching staff confide in me if they didn't like something that was happening […] it was difficult to show them that they can trust me, and that I say what I mean and mean what I say; that I'm not different than the person I was,” she said. “I’m still silly Jen. We can have difficult conversations and continue to make jokes. And that I act from integrity.”
What makes Jen a successful business owner is not just her business acumen but her devotion to the practice itself. “It's very important for me to stay in my practice. That's where I learn the most, being on my mat, not teaching, not being a business owner, but being on my mat. On my mat and in my body—that's how I become a better person.”
Rather than spending her energy fighting a culture that no longer speaks to her, she pours herself into building the one she believes in: a thriving community of supportive, growing yogis. Her husband Mark—a successful manager of multiple franchise brands across Central and Western New York and affectionately known as “Magic Mark”—handles the business side of things. Once a week, he shares the numbers with Jen. Her response is simple: “I don’t care about the numbers. I get to teach a class and everybody walks out a little better than they came in, and they get what they need. That’s my definition of success.”
Those seeking rest and renewal at Glow Yoga this summer will find no shortage of offerings: yin, restorative yoga, and sound baths. As Jen explains, “to be able to truly relax, you have to find the stillness and be, just sit and be. And I think Ariana (Tornatore) does a beautiful job of helping people soften into the discomfort of being still. Taking a yin class or restorative, or the sound baths that we're doing now, is really healing.”
Jen is thriving. She has come off most of her RA medication, a change she attributes in large part to her yoga practice. She continues to grow Glow, share its light with others, and, as Baron Baptiste remarked during a visit to the studio, “she is glowing and living the brand.” SWM
Sevinç Türkkan has been a member of Breath/Glow for four years and has witnessed its evolution from Breath to Glow, and into the vibrant Glow Yoga Studio it is today under Jen’s leadership. Glow Yoga & Juice Bar, 6823 E. Genesee St., Fayetteville, NY 13066 (315) 446-4141
Get your glow on
WHY ORGANIC SPRAY TANNING IS THE SAFER CHOICE FOR A BEAUTIFUL TAN
Erica Abdo
In 2009, I founded Green Beauty Bliss, an organic beauty boutique in Syracuse, with a simple belief: What we put on our bodies is just as important as what we put in them when it comes to overall wellness and longevity. My love for beauty began the moment I was old enough to swipe on lip gloss, and over the years that passion evolved into a commitment to helping people look and feel their best through cleaner, healthier beauty choices.
Every service and product I offer is carefully chosen to deliver beautiful results while staying true to my values of health, purity, and quality. I have always believed that beauty should not come at the expense of our well-being.
That belief led me on a journey nearly 17 years ago to find a better alternative to traditional tanning. Like many people, I loved the confidence that comes with a healthy, sun-kissed glow. It can brighten your complexion, help even out your skin tone, and give you a fresh, radiant look. Unfortunately, achieving that look often meant spending time in the sun, using tanning beds, or turning to spray tanning products that contained harsh chemicals that do not align with my clean beauty values.
Determined to find a healthier option, I searched for an organic spray tanning solution that could provide a beautiful, natural-looking tan without unnecessary chemicals or UV exposure.
Today, organic spray tanning remains one of my favorite beauty services because it allows people to enjoy a gorgeous glow while being mindful of their skin’s health. After all, most of us love the look of a tan - we just want a safer, healthier way to achieve it.
One of the things I love most about organic spray tanning is that it allows you to enjoy a bronzed look without spending hours in the sun or using tanning beds. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, “When sunlight hits your skin, it damages healthy cells. In time, you see signs of sun damage like freckles, age spots, and wrinkles.” With an organic spray tan, you can achieve that sun-kissed appearance without exposing your skin to harmful UV rays.
Organic spray tan vs. traditional spray tan
One of the biggest differences between organic and traditional spray tanning solutions is the ingredients. Organic spray tans are often made with skin-friendly, naturally derived ingredients and typically:
• Are gentler on sensitive skin
• Contain nourishing ingredients like aloe vera and botanical extracts
• Have a lighter, more pleasant scent
• Create a more natural-looking color
• Are often a more environmentally conscious choice
Traditional spray tanning solutions may contain more synthetic ingredients, fragrances, and dyes, which can sometimes result in a stronger odor or a color that does not look as natural.
Skin-friendly ingredients
Many organic spray tanning solutions contain ingredients that help support healthy-looking skin while enhancing your glow. Some common ingredients include:
• Aloe vera
• Green tea extract
• Cucumber extract
• Coconut-based moisturizers
• Botanical antioxidants
These ingredients can help keep your skin feeling hydrated, soft, and nourished.
Not all spray tanning products are created equal. Many high-quality organic formulas are free from ingredients people often prefer to avoid, such as:
• Parabens
• Artificial fragrances
• Synthetic dyes
For clients with sensitive skin, this can be a major benefit.
One of the biggest misconceptions about spray tanning is that it always looks fake or orange. The truth is, when the right solution is used and the color is customized to your skin tone, the results can look incredibly natural.
Whether you want a subtle glow or a deeper bronze, your tan can be customized to complement your natural coloring and desired look.
How organic spray tanning works
Unlike tanning from the sun, a spray tan does not actually tan your skin. Most spray tanning solutions contain DHA (dihydroxyacetone), an ingredient that reacts with the outer layer of dead skin cells to create a temporary bronzed color. As your skin naturally exfoliates, the color gradually fades.
Many organic solutions use DHA derived from natural sources such as plant sugars, making them appealing to people who prefer naturally sourced ingredients.
One of the reasons my clients love spray tanning is how quick and easy it is. Most appointments take less than 15 minutes. People often schedule spray tans for: weddings, vacations, photoshoots, competitions, special events or just for everyday confidence.
It is a simple way to enhance your appearance without spending hours in the sun.
For me, organic spray tanning is not about changing who you areit is about helping you feel like the best version of yourself in a healthier way. If you love the look of a tan but want to avoid excessive UV exposure and harsh chemicals, organic spray tanning offers the best of both worlds: a healthier natural-looking glow, customizable results, convenience, and a boost of confidence.
My goal has always been to provide an organic spray tanning experience that prioritizes both your well-being and the quality of your glow. SWM
Erica Abdo Owner/Esthetician
225 Wilkinson St., Suite 105A Syracuse, NY 13204
greenbeautybliss.com 315.412.5227
JILLIAN BARRETT AND JENNA GRAF
Sister-owned BeeKind Syracuse lights the way
Heather Thompson
Growing up around entrepreneurial women, the idea of opening their own shop came naturally at a young age for sisters Jillian Barrett and Jenna Graf. Their mother had her own art business and sold her work at markets, and funnily enough, their grandmother made pillar candles.
While they weren’t sure what they would eventually sell, they held onto their dream of opening their own store someday. Then, when the pandemic hit, like so many, they found themselves with a lot of extra time on their hands. While some got into baking, they started experimenting with making soy candles. They began selling their creations online, and still ship within the continental U.S. today. With Jillian’s degree in chemistry and experience in sales, and Jenna’s managerial background, their business thrived and BeeKind Syracuse was born.
In late 2020, they decided to take a leap and open a physical shop on Tipperary Hill. Staying in Syracuse wasn’t ever a question, it was given.
After college, neither sister even considered moving elsewhere.
“There’s just something about Syracuse, it has always felt like home.”
It’s that same “home” feeling that draws customers to their shop.
“We’ve seen tremendous support from our community. Tipp Hill is incredible. We’re next to Recess Coffee shop, a lot of people stop by after getting coffee to have a look around. We love getting to know our customers.” they said.
As their name suggests, kindness is at the heart of BeeKind’s mission. The thoughtful decision to use soy wax which lasts longer, is biodegradable, clean burning, and a healthier option for people with respiratory conditions and allergies, is just the start. Their soy wax is made from soybeans grown in the U.S., supporting American farmers.
On a more local level, each month Jillian and Jenna create a limitededition candle.
“We choose an organization to support each month and make a special candle, working with them to curate a scent, and include the organization's logo on the label.” Jillian explained. Five dollars from each fundraiser candle sold is donated directly to the organization. BeeKind has donated to MS research, CNY Lyme Alliance, breast cancer research, CNY SPCA, Hospice of CNY and the Finger Lakes, and even raised money for specific members struggling in their community, to name a few. They also provide donation baskets for various causes and are directly involved with the Tipp Hill Neighborhood Association.
In addition to their own business, they prioritize lifting up other local business owners. BeeKind carries local brands like New Hope Mills, Hiwire Honey, Syracuse Salt Co, Dutch Hill Maple, and other items such as apparel featuring local places, accessories, and more. They also invite local vendors to host pop-up events outside their shop on Saturdays in the warmer months.
“We love to host pop-ups because we get the chance to work with and highlight other incredible local businesses. We feel that it’s a great way to bring the community out and discover new things!” Jillian said. Interested vendors can apply to get involved with BeeKind through an online application.
Family, like community, are so important to the sisters. “It’s easier to work together as sisters. We’ve always been very close. We each have our own strength and work off each other.” Jillian is more behind the scenes while Jenna thrives upfront in the shop. “It’s a division of labor, but we work on everything together.” Jillian said.
Two to three times a week, after the shop closes, the sisters head to the back of the store and start making candles. Using a vat that holds 50 pounds of wax, jars, labels, and fragrance oils, they get to work. Sometimes there’s music, sometimes television, sometimes chatting, and sometimes silence, but always together. They have it down to a science: two to three hours to make about 100 candles. Occasionally their parents will help, and sometimes their nephew makes an appearance.
“This is our career, our passion,” Jillians said. “We hope to keep it going and maybe expand. And one day, if our nephew or anyone else in the family wants to take it on, that would be amazing.”
You can visit BeeKind Syracuse at 118 Milton Ave or shop online at beekindsyracuse.com. In addition to their single purchase options, they also offer wholesale candles and do custom bulk orders for special events. Be sure to stop by and grab their July fundraiser candle which will benefit the Tipperary Hill Neighborhood Association, putting money right back into the community to support the beautification of Tipperary Hill. SWM
From corporate careers to charcuterie
HOW CHRIS RAWDA AND COLLEEN RAJKOWSKI BUILT GRAZE CRAZE CLAY
Janelle Davis
For more than 30 years, Chris Rawda and Colleen Rajkowski worked side by side in the corporate world, building one of the Northeast's growing retail operations from a $16 million annual revenue company into a $1.8 billion player. Colleen was executive vice president of operations and customer service. Chris served as chief information officer. They were colleagues first, but somewhere along the way, they became something more lasting. "We've been friends for almost 40 years now," Chris said. "Friends who became family."
When the time felt right for each of them to step away from corporate life, coming out of the pandemic years, they didn't want a quiet exit. They wanted a new adventure, something exciting and entirely outside their wheelhouse. That search led them to Graze Craze, and in January 2025, they opened the first and only Graze Craze location in New York State, right in the town of Clay.
The draw wasn't charcuterie itself. It was everything the concept represented, including celebrating happy occasions and connecting with people in their community. Both women grew up in
holiday board built around Christmas and New Year's. Right now, with strawberries,
blueberries, and watermelon in season, fresh fruit is showing up across nearly everything they make.
Custom requests have become one of the most enjoyable parts of the business. Birthday celebrations have inspired themed boards built entirely around a child's favorite characters, Valentine's Day brought requests for heart-shaped boards, and one customer arrived at a Halloween party with her own decorations to incorporate directly into the spread. The Shrek board, created for a family whose preschoolers were performing in the show, has become one of their favorite stories to tell.
"That's the fun part," Chris said. "They can bring in props or whatever they want, within reason."
Much of the business now centers around events. Weddings, bridal showers, graduations, and corporate gatherings fill the calendar throughout the summer and fall, often beginning with a simple online catering inquiry that turns into a real conversation about a client's vision. For weddings specifically, couples are invited in for a tasting.
"We want to make sure we're properly reflecting the client's needs and meeting their expectations," Colleen said.
"Exceeding them, every chance we can."
Smaller orders are just as welcome. A single large classic board can serve up to 25 or 28 people depending on what else is on the table, and customers can place orders online for parties, game days, or last-minute gatherings. The shop also keeps a cooler stocked with grab-and-go items for walk-in customers who want something right away.
Beyond the shop itself, Chris and Colleen have become active members of the local business community, including WBOC, where they have built relationships with other small business owners and made valuable connections in accounting and marketing.
A year and a half in, what has surprised them most is simply how the community has responded. Curious customers stop by just to ask questions. Clients return again and again to celebrate birthdays, showers, and even celebrations of life. People who
once didn't know what charcuterie was now stop Chris and Colleen around town just to talk about the board they ordered for their daughter's graduation or their office luncheon.
"It's everything," Chris said. "People just enjoying life, and eating. You eat with your eyes first."
For now, the focus remains on growing within the community that has welcomed them. Whether it's a wedding for 150 or a single board for a quiet night in, Chris and Colleen want Central New Yorkers to know one thing: if there's something to celebrate, Graze Craze Clay is ready to help.
Graze Craze Clay is located at 4599 State Route 31, Clay, NY. Orders and more information can be found at www.grazecraze.com/ clay-ny. SWM
From bakeware to bling, Skaneateles’ Curbstone Festival has it all. Ready... Set... SHOP!
Skaneateles’ Curbstone Festival and Sidewalk Sales returnd July 9 to 11 along Genesee and Jordan streets in the lakeside village. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
“This beloved annual tradition brings special sales, seasonal merchandise and unique finds,” said Lindsey Babbles, executive director of the Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce. “Visitors can browse everything from clothing, jewelry, toys and home decor to specialty gifts - all while enjoying the charm of Skaneateles in the heart of summer.”
More than 40 merchants will take part. Among the sales and specials sure to delight shoppers:
• 1st National Gifts will feature sales on discontinued, closeout and seasonal items.
• Bev & Co. will offer 50-75% off sale clothing.
• DROOZ + Co. will offer up to 60% off books, puzzles, games, decor and gifts on sale tables inside the store.
• Emma + James and Hap + Main will offer an additional 40% off clearance items and 40% off select full-price items.
• KB Boutique will offer BOGO 20% off comfortable, stylish women’s clothing.
• Lake Life Laser Studio will offer 25% off America 250 merchandise.
• Nest 58 will offer discounts on luxury items, with new selections added daily.
• Rhubarb Kitchen Shop will offer special buys from Cuisinart (while supplies last), with 30-50% off cookware sets, cast iron Dutch ovens, toasters, immersion blenders, fry pans and more. Also, 20-25% off select WÜSTHOF cutlery. Check the shop’s Facebook or Instagram pages for additional specials.
• Roland’s - celebrating 65 years in Skaneateles - will offer great prices on trusted brands of clothing and footwear.
• Sea Culture Brand will offer discounts on sale items and full-price items in its shop and online, and $5, $10, $15 and $20 deals under its tent.
• Skaneateles Artisans will offer a 5% discount on purchases totaling $50-$150 and a 10% discount on purchases over $150, along with a pop-up shop by Giulian Lyn Jewelry.
• The Local Branch will offer up to 50% off leather and canvas goods
samples and 20% off storewide, along with custom stamping and bag conditioning.
• The Savage Homestead will offer 50% off discontinued soy candles, bath and body products, and items for the home, along with a selection of Curbstone-only special items. Complimentary “freebees” with every purchase while supplies last.
• Vermont Green Mountain will feature tastings on Thursday; a free gift with purchases over $35 on Friday, the shop’s 35th anniversary, along with celebratory cake and cupcakes; and pasta sauce sampling by John Tumino, founder of In My Father’s Kitchen, on Saturday.
• Vintage Bling and Other Fabulous Things will offer fabulous creations by local makers in its downstairs shop, below Bev. & Co. — look for the pink sign.
Joining the established shops along Genesee and Jordan streets will be pop-up shops by Kay’s Cozy Co., which will introduce its new Finger Lakes Trail natural soy candle, and Snow Spark LLC, which will feature John Haberstock’s Skaneateles photography and coffee table book, “Once Upon Skaneateles.”
Entertainment will be provided, too. Magician and balloon artist Paul Jackman will perform throughout the weekend. On Friday, the Skaneateles Community Band will give a concert at the Gazebo starting at 7 p.m. (Rain location is the Austin Park Pavilion, 1 E. Austin St.)
Additional pop-up shops will be hosted by Aura Sky Crystals, Bree Kids, Brookside Botanical, Clay + Confetti Co., CMI Candles, Forge Gone Conclusions, HABA Toy Outlet, Keila Makes It, Lake Town Love, Milk House Roastery, Mottville Maple, Navy Gray Baby Boutique, Papavero Clay Studio, Petal Haus, Pink Bronco, Stacianery and Trellis Moon.
An event map, with a list of vendors and locations, will be available at the Skaneateles Chamber table, outside Lucky Dogs on Jordan Street. There, festivalgoers can also enter a raffle for a Skaneateles gift basket featuring items from multiple vendors. “Proceeds will support additional event security, free transportation services and entertainment,” Babbles said.
Sightseeing cruises will be offered each day by MidLakes Navigation. For schedule updates, go to midlakesnav.com. Tickets can be ordered online, by calling 315-685-8500 or in person at 3 W. Genesee St.
Paid parking is available at metered spots along the street or in the municipal lot (accessed through Genesee or State streets), where parking is 75 cents an hour and all-day parking is $6. Free parking is available in the Austin Park Pavilion lot at the corner of Jordan and Austin streets and in the lower gravel lot of Skaneateles High School across from Leitch Avenue. A free shuttle, sponsored by the Skaneateles Community Center, will run between the two lots and the village. SWM
For more information, go to skaneateles.com or facebook.com/skaneateleschamber/ or call 315-685-0552.
CNY Community Foundation welcomes two new hires
The Central New York Community Foundation has hired Paris Babers as events and communications manager and Salma Muse as scholarship and student success manager. Babers brings a background in operations, project management and strategic communi cations, with experience leading cross-functional initiatives and managing high-impact projects.
Previously, Babers served as manager of distribution and operations at DECAL, a subsidiary of NEON Rated, where she spearheaded digital and physical distribution for major upcoming independent films, including the 2025 Oscar winner for Best Picture, “Anora.” Her career also includes production and executive operations roles that strengthened her expertise in logistics, event planning and team leadership.
Babers holds both a master’s degree in television, radio and film and a bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurship and emerging enterprises from Syracuse University. In her role at the Community Foundation, she leads impactful events and supports communications efforts that advance the organization’s mission.
Muse brings a background in academic advising, mentorship and community engagement. As an advisor at On Point for College, she worked with first-generation students on academic planning, career development, financial aid and college readiness. She also collaborated with students, families and financial aid offices to support student success in post-secondary education. While pursuing graduate studies at SUNY Oswego, Muse served as a graduate assistant in several roles focused on operations, mentorship, student support and cross-departmental coordination.
Muse earned a bachelor’s degree in public health from Syracuse University and a master’s degree in higher education leadership from SUNY Oswego. In her role at the Community Foundation, she works with students and families to help make education more accessible and attainable by connecting them with the resources, guidance and opportunities needed to achieve their educational goals and future aspirations.
The Central New York Community Foundation is a public charity that turns community dollars into community change. Established in 1927, it receives contributions from donors, manages them to grow over time and then distributes funding to address the region’s greatest needs. The foundation has invested more than $320 million in community projects that benefit Central New York. It also serves as a civic leader,
convener and sponsor of strategic initiatives that foster a thriving and equitable region and address the most critical issues of our time.
Hospice CNY names new CEO
Hospice CNY and of the Finger Lakes Board of Directors has named Susan (Sue) Litera the new Chief Executive Officer. Litera’s background as a CEO, combined with a deep passion for the mission of Hospice will help to further advance the organization.
“We are thrilled to welcome Sue as our new CEO,” said Jen Pichoske, Hospice Board of Trustees President. “She will bring empathy, experience, enthusiasm, great communication skills, strategic vision, and a fresh energy to our organization.”
Litera assumed the role in April and is managing all day-to-day operations for the agency supporting end -of -life care in Onondaga, Madison, Oswego and Cayuga counties.
With over 25 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Litera is a passionate and dedicated leader who strives to make a positive impact on people's lives. With a proven track record of strong management and leadership skills, strategic planning, and workplace culture, she feels well prepared for role.
“Having a personal connection to the mission of Hospice, I have seen firsthand how this work impacts families’ lives. I feel incredibly lucky to lead this team who do extraordinary work each day,” she said. “My job is to serve them so they can support our patients and their family members.”
Hospice of Central New York and of the Finger Lakes provide comprehensive comfort care to patients and families through unique interdisciplinary services, bereavement counseling, education and collaboration.
Thursday, July 9
Preserving Family Recipes & Building an Inclusive Family Tree
What: Presented by Kate Kisselstein, local history and genealogy librarian at OCPL’s Central Library, this fun program offers tips on document preservation and introduces a family food tree activity, plus related activities perfect for engaging multiple generations.
Where: Soule Branch Library, 101 Springfield Road, Syracuse.
When: 11 a.m.
Info: For adults ages 18 and up, this program is being offered both in person and on Zoom. Registration is required to get the Zoom information; visit onlib-central.libcal.com/ event/16903986 or call the library at 315-435-5320.
Thursday-Saturday, July 9-11
Curbstone Festival & Sidewalk Sales
What: Sales of men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, shoes, jewelry, toys, home accessories and more, along with displays by area nonprofits. Children will be entertained by strolling magicians/balloon artists throughout the weekend. Organized by the Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce. Where: Village of Skaneateles
When: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday
Info: Enjoy convenient, free parking with our complimentary shuttle service — Park at 1 Austin St. or the lower Skaneateles High School lot to take the shuttle into the village. For more information visit skaneateles.com.
Thursday-Sunday, July 9-12
Syracuse International Jazz Fest
What: Syracuse International Jazz Festival will celebrate its landmark 40th anniversary July 9–12, with performances and special events.
Where: Hosted across Syracuse University’s campus and at the award-winning Beak & Skiff Apple Hill Campus in LaFayette.
When: Various times; visit syracusejazzfest.com.
Info: Admission to all Jazz Fest 40 events and performances is free and open to the public. For more information and a lineup of featured musical acts visit syracusejazzfest.com.
Saturday, July 11
Paddlefest
What: Hosted by the H. Lee White Maritime Museum, this noncompetitive recreational paddling event offers kayakers and canoeists the unique opportunity to “lock through” up to four locks on the historic Oswego River Canal.
Where: Various locations to launch water craft; visit hlwmm.org.
When: Participants can launch their craft between 8 and 10 a.m., depending on which course they choose to run.
Info: Tickets are $35 for adults and $10 for children. Children must be passengers of an adult who is aged 18 or older. Paddlers may also register onsite the morning of the event, but there is a limit of 450 participants, so it fills up fast. Oswego Paddlefest will be held rain or shine. For more information and to register visit hlwmm.org.
Saturday-Sunday, July 11-12
Cazenovia Lavender Festival
What: Featuring live music, artisan vendors, food trucks, wellness workshops, family activities and u-pick lavender experiences.
Where: Farmstead 1868, 4690 Shephards Road, Cazenovia
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
Info: Tickets start at $20. Children under 10 are free. For more visit farmstead1868.com/2026-lavender-festival.
Gemworld 2026
What: "Diamond Jubilee" is this year's special theme as host Gem and Mineral Society of Syracuse (GMSS) celebrates its 75th Anniversary. There will be displays of rocks, minerals and fossils along with 60 retail and wholesale dealers, educational exhibits, interesting demonstrations, informative speakers and acitivites for kids in the expanded Youth Activity Center.
Where: Center of Progress Building at the New York State Fairgrounds.
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and from 10 am to 4 pm on Sunday.
Thursday, July 16
History Where You Eat
What: The Madison County Historian’s Office again will present this popular summer series, offering an exclusive look inside the county’s most iconic historic landmarks.
Where: Oneida Community Mansion House, 170 Kenwood Ave., Oneida.
When: 5 to 8 p.m.; dinner at 6:30 p.m.
Info: Price: $60 per person (includes tour and dinner) Registration required; visit oneidacommunity.org.
Thursday-Saturday, July 16-18
Syracuse Nationals
What: The largest car show in the Northeast returns with 7,000+ classic cars and hot rods and more than 300 vendors in multiple buildings. There will be fireworks Saturday.
Where: New York State Fairgrounds.
When: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.
Info: Kids 12 and under get in free. Info on car registration, camping, tickets, entertainment and more can be found at syracusenationals.com.
Sunday, July 19
Colorful Soles Fun Run
What: An afternoon of bright colors, great music and lots of laughter, runners will pass through seven different color stations placed around the course, getting coated in colored powder along the way. They’ll then finish with an awesome group color throw finale so everyone can “Paint the sky for Ava.” Proceeds benefit the Ava Wood Stupendous Love National Scholarship Fund. DJ music entertainment will be on site.
Where: CNY Family Sports Centre, 7201 Jones Road, Syracuse.
When: 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Info: Cost: $19. For more information visit colorfulsoles.org.
Friday, July 24
Party in the Square
What: Part of the Summer Concert Series, it’s Disco/Funk/R&B Night.
Where: Clinton Square, North Clinton and West Genesee streets, Syracuse. The Blacklites play at 8 p.m. and 13 Houston Wynn Project play at 5:30 p.m. There will also be with food trucks, drinks and vendors.
When: 5 to 11 p.m.
Info: Pets are welcome; bring a chair. Free to attend. For more information visit: syrpartyinthesquare.com/?t=1779567693.
Friday-Sunday, July 24-26
48th Annual Antique and Classic Boat Show
What: More than 80 antique and classic boats and motors will be on display in the water and on land, plus concerts, a boat parade, a photo-shoot cruise aboard the Judge Ben Wiles, children’s activities, demos, raffles and more.
Where: Clift Park, Skaneateles.
Info: Admission is $8 for adults each day. Scouts in uniform and children under 12 will be admitted free with an adult. Tickets are sold only at the door, cash only.
When: 3 p.m. to dusk Friday, 9 a.m. to dusk Saturday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.
Info: Admission: Free. Parking: Enjoy convenient, free parking with a complimentary shuttle service — park at 1 Austin St. or the lower Skaneateles High School lot to take the shuttle into the village. More Information: 315-685-0552, skaneateles.com or facebook.com/skaneateleschamber.
Syracuse Arts & Crafts Festival
What: The festival will showcase talented artists, craftspeople and entertainers.
Where: Columbus Circle, East Onondaga Street, Syracuse.
When: Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m to 5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m to 5 p.m.
Info: downtownsyracuse.com.
Saturday-Sunday, July 25-26
Open Farm Day
What: After years of strong farm participation and community enthusiasm, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Madison County’s Open Farm Day has expanded to a two-day event. This unique opportunity allows visitors of all ages can enjoy tours, demonstrations, hands-on activities, samples, purchase local products and meet local farmers.
Where: Select farms in Madison County.
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Info: For the list of farms and more information visit visitopenfarmday.com.
