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TABLE OF CONTENTS

september GUEST COMMENTARY Your health is your greatest wealth..................................... 6 PAST EVENTS Brew a the Zoo...................................................................................8 WBOC Summer Sip + Social................................................. 36

AGING GRACEFULLY St. Camillus celebrates Aging Gracefully......................10 SPECIAL FEATURES Loretto centennial finds women at the forefront.............................................................................12 "Rosie Ray" helps kids face their fears with confidence.....................................................................................34 Young photographers invited to capture "The Human Story"................................................................... 37 The women behind the curtain.......................................... 38 Boxing back against Parkinson's.........................................42

WISE FEATURED ENTREPRENEUR Tiesha McNeal..................................................................................14

HEALTHY WOMAN Fall into better health: How to use GLP-1s successfully and keep the weight off......................... 18

ON THE COVER Marie WInters The heart of the family: How Marie Winters inspired three generations of healers.....................23 HEALTHY EATING Chef Eric Rose Back to routine: A September reset for your kitchen and your health........................................... 28 INSPIRE Becky Auyer..................................................................................... 32 UPCOMING EVENTS...........................................................................44

23 MOVERS & SHAKERS........................................................................ 46

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GUEST COMMENTARY

Your health is your greatest wealth LIVING WELL STARTS WITH A PLAN

very stage of life brings new opportunities, new challenges, and new reasons to appreciate the gift of good health. Whether you're in your 30s raising a family, your 50s caring for aging parents, or enjoying retirement, one truth remains constant: Your health is your greatest wealth. When most people think about planning for the future, they think about retirement accounts, investments, or paying off a mortgage. Those are certainly important. But one unexpected illness, injury, or life event can change everything if you haven't planned ahead. Healthy living isn't just about eating more vegetables or walking a few extra miles each week. It also means preparing for tomorrow while enjoying today. Preparation brings peace of mind. Many of us insure our homes, our cars, and even our smartphones, yet we often postpone conversations about our own health and financial future. We tell ourselves we'll get to it next year. Next year has a way of arriving faster than we expect. Being prepared means knowing where important documents are kept. It means having a trusted person who could help make decisions if you couldn't. It means understanding your health insurance before you need it, not while sitting in a hospital room. It also means reviewing your life insurance needs as your family changes. A policy purchased 20 years ago may no longer reflect today's responsibilities or goals. As we grow older, Social Security becomes part of the conversation for many families. Knowing when to claim benefits can affect retirement income for years to come. Spending a little time learning your options before making those decisions can make a meaningful difference. Medicare coverage is another important consideration. Knowing when to enroll, how to avoid lifetime late enrollment penalties, and understanding the cost of coverage can help you make informed decisions to avoid costly mistakes. None of these conversations are about expecting the worst. They're about protecting the life you've worked so hard to build. Healthy aging isn't about trying to stay forever young. It's about staying independent, active, and engaged in the things that matter most. Regular preventive care, annual wellness visits, screenings, vaccinations, exercise, good nutrition, and meaningful relationships all contribute to living well. Research consistently shows that social connections are just as important to healthy aging as physical activity. Consider volunteering, joining a book club, taking a class, meeting friends for coffee, and staying curious. Your brain, your body, and your spirit all benefit. As someone who has spent years helping people navigate Medicare health insurance decisions, I've learned that the individuals who plan ahead have fewer surprises down the road, are more organized, and are happier and healthier. No matter your age, this is a great time to ask yourself a few simple questions: • Am I keeping up with preventive health screenings? • Do my loved ones know my wishes if something unexpected happened? • Have I reviewed my health insurance recently? • Is my life insurance still appropriate for my family's needs? • Do I understand my future Social Security and Medicare options? • Have I established an estate plan, including a will or trust? • Am I making time for the people and activities that keep me healthy and happy? `Living your best life isn't about perfection. It's about making thoughtful choices today that give you greater freedom tomorrow. Because the greatest investment you'll ever make isn't in the stock market. It's in your health, which is the investment that pays dividends every single day.

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Andrea Roberts

PHOTOGRAPHERS Alice G. Patterson Jason Klaiber Eric Rose

CONTRIBUTORS

Theresa Cangemi Janelle Davis Paige Kingsley

Jason Klaiber Eric Rose Dr. Wendy Scinta

Cover photo by Alice G. Patterson

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

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PAST EVENTS

Brew at the Zoo turns 30! The annual Brew at the Zoo was held Saturday, Aug. 7, at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse. Presented by Friends of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo, it was the 30th anniversary of this event. Those in attendance kicked back with friends while sipping from a variety of craft beers, wines and canned specialty cocktails. As a special treat, many animals were on exhibit. There were also local food truck vendors and live music performances and attendees bid on one-of-a-kind items and artwork painted by the animals and entered the zoo’s 50/50 raffle for a chance to win more. All proceeds raised at Brew at the Zoo support the Rosamond Gifford Zoo’s mission. For more information visit rosamondgiffordzoo.org.

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HOME CARE MADE FOR YOU Celebrating 15 years of service in CNY Scan this QR Code to learn more about our services and meet our team

Personalized, reliable home care for adults of all ages. Call Us Today! (315)-530-3023

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AGING GRACEFULLY

St. Camillus celebrates Aging Gracefully As we celebrate Aging Gracefully this month, the ladies from St. Camillus skilled nursing facility and short-term rehab remind us that the secret to aging gracefully is simple: keep laughing, stay young at heart, and never miss a chance to have fun. And, at 103 years young, Miss Cecelia is the very definition of aging gracefully, inspiring everyone around her with her elegance, beauty and joyful spirit.

Betty

Photos: Betty, Marie and recreation staff Jonisha, Marion, Shirley, Pat and Cecelia age 103 with Jonisha.

Pat

Shirley

Marion

Marie

Jonisha Cecelia

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SPECIAL FEATURE

The nonprofit healthcare provider Loretto is celebrating the centennial of its 1926 founding this year. Loretto was established in 1926 as an assisted living facility for 100 individuals overseen by 10 Franciscan sisters.

Loretto centennial finds women at the forefront Jason Klaiber

he nonprofit eldercare provider Loretto is marking the centennial of its founding this year, the milestone celebrating a full century of continued pioneering and comprehensive caring for the community. Serving Onondaga and Cayuga counties and close to 10,000 individuals each year through 19 specialized programs, Loretto is the fourth largest health system in Central New York and the region’s sixth largest employer. Loretto’s continuum of care focuses on meeting the current needs of older adults and making sure they live with “wholeness and dignity,” its services carrying across independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, short-term rehabilitation, Medicaid-accepting memory care for people with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, and community programs at its different sites. Loretto was established in 1926 by the Syracuse Roman Catholic Diocese originally as an assisted living facility for 100 individuals. At that time, right where The Heritage is now on East Brighton Avenue, it was 10 Franciscan sisters taking care of the residents 24/7 with a mission to help the most vulnerable in the Syracuse community. Beginning as a hands-on, faith-driven response to the growing eldercare crisis, Loretto has since evolved into one of the largest healthcare providers in the region, expanding plenty over the last 100 years to multiple sites and serving over a million people in total over that time. Yet it’s still largely women-led to this day just like it was when it came to be a century ago with the Sisters of St. Francis. With Dr. Kimberly Townsend as president and CEO, 80% of Loretto’s executive leadership team is female.

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Townsend was named Loretto’s fifth president in 2014, becoming its first female president after serving as the chair of the Loretto Management Corporation Board. The executive team also includes Julie Sheedy as chief marketing and engagement officer; Holly Hoehner as vice president of general counsel; Jennifer Ingerson as vice president of The Nottingham and assisted living; Joelle Margrey as chief nursing officer; Stephanie Button as vice president of PACE CNY; Christine Stanford as chief operating officer for skilled nursing; and Nancy Williams as chief people officer. Also offering palliative and in-home care for people as they age, Loretto serves as a "safety net provider" and “partner in care” to rely on according to its director of public relations Kathleen White, as it doesn’t deny anyone care based on their ability to pay for their disease state and it’s there to give support during difficult times, do what can be done from an advocacy standpoint alongside area hospitals, and “walk with your loved one at every step” so they can live life to the fullest at their own speed in their next chapter. “And what an honor to help people in that stage of life because it’s not easy as they go through their journey,” White said. “Everybody knows somebody whose life has been impacted by Loretto, whether it’s in your own family, a friend or a neighbor. Everybody is affected by getting older and what comes with it, but it gets you to focus on what really matters.” White cited a statistic that women are often the primary decisionmakers for aging parents, spouses, and loved ones. She added that in long-term care settings, nearly 90% of direct care roles, such as nursing assistants, home health aides and personal care aides, are women.

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Loretto has adapted with the times by sharing a podcast called “Aging Well” on streaming platforms that’s dedicated to passing along supportive tools, resources and expert advice needed to help people's loved ones age well.

Loretto is the fourth largest health system in Central New York and the region’s sixth largest employer.

White said the reason may be that, though not necessarily exclusively, women often have a naturally nurturing, compassionate presence, which lends itself to caregiving. “It’s wonderful that there are so many different voices around the table, but it really makes you proud to be a part of an organization that right now is led by women largely and honors the women of the past as well," White said. In 1981, Loretto offered the region’s first enriched living program. Later, it was responsible for the first Restorative Care Unit of its kind for recent heart surgery patients to reduce the risk of rehospitalization, as well as the development and launch of the first federally recognized Licensed Practical Nurse Apprenticeship Program in the nation. It was also the first provider to offer PACE services in CNY, helping on average 600 people who qualify for nursing home care age in place in their homes. White said that as members of the large Baby Boomer generation are getting older, there will be an even greater need for the services of Loretto and other healthcare facilities in the years to come locally. She said that will be paired with the anticipated rise populationwise in the area as a result of Micron coming to Clay, which may include senior parents of employees moving closer, not necessarily just young families. White added that there are also advancements in medicine helping people live longer, so they may need longer-term care, and the way the world is today it can be harder and harder for someone to be a fulltime caregiver on their own. With all that, White said the care of older adults has to be put at the forefront as the community plans and prioritizes for its future, especially with concerns about space, workforce shortages, Medicaid not covering enough of today’s costs, and losses of beds and entire floors in nursing facilities.

Loretto will be hosting a “Founders Day Celebration” to commemorate the official exact 100-year anniversary and the organization's roots on Tuesday, Sept. 8 at The Heritage Memory Life Community on Loretto’s main campus. It’s set to include a ceremonial mass in the chapel, the issuing of a proclamation and a building rededication. On Oct. 8 at the Palladian Hall at the Treasury in Syracuse as part of its Mission in Motion Centennial Celebration, the Loretto Foundation will be presenting its Distinguished Service Award to 48th District Senator Rachel May, the former chair of the Senate Committee on Aging. In that position, May supported home care workforce initiatives, expanded funding for in-home care programs, and helped pass legislation to assist with the expansion of PACE CNY. She also secured increases in state budget allocations for area agencies on aging, community services for the elderly, and caregiver support programs. The recipient of the inaugural John H. Clancy Mission Leadership Award will be the daughter of the honor’s namesake Susan ClancyMagley. Clancy-Magley, whose father was the first chair of Loretto’s board of directors when it became a nonprofit in 1976, is herself a long-serving Loretto board member. The award will recognize her thoughtfulness, generosity and guidance and her commitment to serving others, strengthening the organization and inspiring those around her. Since spring 2025, Loretto has also adapted with the times by sharing a podcast called “Aging Well” on streaming platforms that’s dedicated to empowering families with the supportive tools, resources and expert advice needed to help their loved ones age well. SWM

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HEALTHY WOMAN

Fall into better health HOW TO USE GLP-1s SUCCESSFULLY AND KEEP THE WEIGHT OFF Dr. Wendy Scinta

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all is a great time to focus on weight loss. The kids are back in school, the days are more structured, and we all tend to have more of a rhythm. It is impossible to talk about weight loss today without discussing GLP-1s. They are being advertised everywhere, and it seems like they are available on every street corner. Many of us know someone who has lost weight on a GLP-1, but did they do it in a healthy manner, and will they keep the weight off? Let’s talk about these popular medications, how to do well on GLP-1s, and how to keep the weight off long term.

Preserving muscle mass

It is wonderful to lose 25 pounds, but when more than half of that weight is muscle, the individual may look sickly, have loose skin, and have a hard time keeping the weight off long term, since muscle helps drive metabolism. Why does this happen? Complete loss of hunger These medications are not benign. At higher doses, they can dramatically decrease hunger signals. When I review the bloodwork of some folks coming into my office on GLP-1s, their bloodwork can look similar to that of someone who is not getting adequate nutrition. Protein and albumin levels may be very low, potentially compromising their immune system and making it more difficult to heal from injuries. When I ask them about their diet, I often hear, “I only eat when I am hungry.” This is clearly a problem with a drug that significantly reduces hunger. Lack of an appropriate nutrition plan Unfortunately, many programs offering GLP-1s do not offer nutritional counseling, leaving users to fend for themselves. Protein is incredibly important in a weight loss plan, both to promote fullness and preserve muscle mass. Since many Americans eat diets that are carbohydrate-heavy, a large number are not getting the protein needed to maintain muscle mass and stay full. At our practice, we focus on getting at least half your weight (in pounds) in grams of protein each day. This takes work and requires a well-laid-out diet plan. Lack of exercise Many GLP-1 users are counting on the medication itself to produce weight loss while overlooking the appropriate strength training needed to help preserve muscle mass.

Preventing dehydration

Many people know that GLP-1s decrease hunger, but they can also decrease the desire to drink. It is extremely important to focus on drinking 64–82 ounces of water a day while on these medications. Many of my patients on GLP-1s have to make a conscious effort to do this because they simply are not thirsty. These medications also tend to be constipating, compounding the problem for patients who are not drinking enough. Severe constipation can lead to complications, so staying well hydrated is particularly important.

Controlling cost

I am generally a fan of these medications, but cost is an issue for many folks. The cost can increase at higher doses, and some programs use a “forced escalation,” moving patients to higher doses when they may already be losing nicely at a lower dose. One way to help control cost is to stay on a lower dose as long as weight loss continues. At our practice, we will hold patients at lower

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doses until they plateau and only then consider increasing them to the next dose. With “forced escalation,” patients may move to the next dose after four weeks, potentially increasing both cost and side effects. Another option for some patients is to combine a GLP-1 with a less expensive weight loss medication, such as phentermine or topiramate. Under appropriate medical supervision, this approach may allow some patients to stay at lower GLP-1 doses, which may also mean fewer side effects and lower costs.

Behavioral eating

If appetite is the primary issue, GLP-1s are among the most effective weight loss medications available. Unfortunately, many of us eat for reasons other than hunger. For example, we may eat because we are sad, lonely, tired, depressed, struggling with cravings, or dealing with an eating disorder such as Binge Eating Disorder. If this is the case, a GLP-1 alone might not be the answer. Some patients may benefit from a medication such as Vyvanse or topiramate instead of, or in addition to, a GLP-1. This is something that should be evaluated individually with a medical provider.

Reaching your goal and staying there

An important but often overlooked fact is that many GLP-1 users discontinue their medication within the first year. Some never reach their goal and stop the medication, only to regain weight. Others reach their goal but have no idea what to do with the medication once they get there. Maintaining a large weight loss can be challenging, and for many people, ongoing treatment may be needed. Our bodies go through a process known as “metabolic adaptation” when we lose weight. As we get to a lower weight, changes in hunger and satiety signals can push us back toward our previous weight. In addition, metabolism may decrease, compounding the problem. This is why some patients need medication to help control hunger and support long-term weight maintenance. Stopping a GLP-1 completely without a maintenance plan can increase the risk of weight regain. That said, weight loss can be maintained in several ways: Titrate down on the GLP-1 until maintenance occurs At our practice, once a patient reaches their goal weight, we begin the titration process. This means stepping them down to the next lowest dose and seeing if they can maintain at that dose. If they continue to lose, we continue to step down until they reach a maintenance dose. The goal is to prevent weight regain while minimizing side effects and decreasing cost. Titrate down or stop the GLP-1 and add another AOM Another option is to add another anti-obesity medication (AOM), either by itself or in combination with an even lower dose of the GLP-1. For appropriate patients, medications such as phentermine may offer a less expensive option as part of a long-term maintenance plan.

Are GLP-1s right for you?

As you step into fall and focus on your health, you may consider weight loss with or without a GLP-1. At MWL, we can help you with every option. We have been in the weight loss — and maintenance — business for 20 years. Whether you have lost the weight and want help maintaining it, want to optimize your GLP-1 or decrease the cost, or want to start the weight loss process without a GLP-1, we are here for you. SWM Visit weightlosscny.com or call 315-445-0023 for more information.

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COVER STORY

MARIE WINTERS MARIE WINTERS

The heart of the family HOW MARIE WINTERS INSPIRED THREE GENERATIONS OF HEALERS Janelle Davis

er real name is Theresa Marie Winters. But everyone who knows her calls her Marie, and those who have witnessed the way she has moved through the world over the past 88 years have given her another name entirely: “Mother Theresa. ” It fits. Marie was born on a small island in Eastern Canada, the only one among five siblings brave enough to leave and chase a dream. That dream was nursing, and she pursued it with a devotion that would span more than five decades, take her from Prince Edward Island to Boston to California and finally to Syracuse, and leave a trail of patients, colleagues, and family members who will never forget her. She worked at Massa-chusetts General and Boston Children's Hospital. She cared for patients at UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center and St. John's Hospital in California, where she had the rare privilege of caring for Lucille Ball and Mickey Rooney. She spent years in the Emergency Room at Community General Hospital in Syracuse before transitioning to the Endoscopy Department, and when she retired from there, she continued private duty nursing until the age of 78. Continued on page 24

“It means so much to have someone who truly understands what I am talking about without needing an explanation. In many ways, my grandmother didn't just inspire me to become a nurse. She gave me an example of what it means to find purpose in caring for others.” —Natalie Durocher

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COVER STORY

The heart of the family FROM PAGE 23 Along the way she volunteered her nursing skills as a leader in the Girl Scouts. She also raised two daughters on a nurse's salary, put them both through graduate school, ski-raced until the age of 75 with the Onondaga Ski Club, hiked, biked, danced, and traveled, and was known by everyone who loved her for always going fast. “She thrived in the emergency room with its fast pace and endless challenges," her family said. "It was simply who she was.” Now 88, Marie lives an active life at Buckley Landing in assisted living, still traveling to Canada to see family, still practicing her Catholic faith, still going on outings and overnights with her daughters and grandchildren. She uses a walker now. She is still being told to slow down.

What she passed on

Marie and her daughter Lynn Gibson were a constant presence in the lives of granddaughters Natalie and Lexi Durocher, and the love and guidance they poured into those girls shows up today in the careers they have chosen and the people they have become. Marie was there when they got off the school bus. She chased them around with vitamins to make sure they took every last one. She sat in the stands for every sporting event, every recital, every significant moment. “Even while working full-time as a nurse, she always made sure she showed up for us,” Natalie said. “No matter how long or difficult her day had been, I could always look into the stands and see her there.” She taught them to plant flowers and care for them. She made sure Lexi practiced her clarinet. She brought toy medical kits when they were young and, as they grew older, helped arrange volunteer opportunities and shadowing experiences in the healthcare field. But more than any of that, she showed them what it looked like to live a life in service to others. “She taught me what deep empathy looks like before I even had the words for it,” Lexi said. “She notices what people need before they have to say it, gives without ever expecting anything in return, and shows her love through action just as much as through words.”

stories from Natalie's shifts, and the two laugh about how similar their experiences are across generations."It means so much to have someone who truly understands what I am talking about without needing an explanation," Natalie said. "In many ways, my grandmother didn't just inspire me to become a nurse.

Following her footsteps

Today Natalie is a Registered Nurse working in the Intensive Care Unit at St. Joseph's Hospital. Lexi is attending Physician Assistant school at Upstate Medical University. Marie's daughter Donna spent 35 years managing the operations of several large medical offices. And another granddaughter is finishing her master’s degree in athletic training.

Three generations. One woman's influence.

Natalie still remembers the day she told her grandmother she wanted to become a nurse. Marie's eyes lit up. Within two days she had packed up all of her old nursing equipment and outdated manuals and delivered them like an Olympic gold medal. "She reminded me that it would be challenging, but also incredibly rewarding," Natalie said. "And she was right." What Natalie treasures most now is that nursing has given them a new kind of connection. Even at 88, Marie loves hearing SEPTEM BER 2026

Natalie Durocher

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She gave me an example of what it means to find purpose in caring for others." For Lexi, the pull toward healthcare was never really about the medicine. It was about the woman. "I want to be that same kind of light for someone when they are scared, hurting, or at their most vulnerable," she said. "I want people to remember not only that I cared for them medically, but that I made them feel seen, safe, and genuinely cared for. My grandmother showed me the kind of healthcare provider I hope to become simply by showing me the kind of person I want to be."

A legacy measured in people

At 88, Marie is still determined to be present. She has already told the family she plans to be there for Lexi's white coat ceremony. “Her greatest legacy will not be measured by what she accomplished,” her family said, “but by the kind of people she inspired all of us to become.” For the Winters family, those people are daughters, granddaughters, and a generation of healers who learned everything they needed to know by watching one woman show up, day after day, for 55 years, and for every single person she ever loved. SWM

“She taught me what deep empathy looks like before I even had the words for it. She notices what people need before they have to say it, gives without ever expecting anything in return, and shows her love through action just as much as through words.” —Lexi Durocher

Lexi Durocher

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HEALTHY EATING

Back to routine

A SEPTEMBER RESET FOR YOUR KITCHEN AND YOUR HEALTH Chef Eric Rose

eptember has always felt like a reset button. Even when our school days are long behind us, there is something about September that brings us back to routine. Vacations begin to slow down. Kids head back to school. Calendars become more structured. The days get a little shorter, and here in Central New York, our gardens seem to give us one final push of tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, herbs, cucumbers, and everything else we planted with such optimism months ago. For many of us, summer is wonderfully unpredictable. There are vacations, cookouts, graduation parties, festivals, weekends at the lake, ice cream stops, cocktails on the patio, and plenty of meals eaten away from home. That is part of enjoying summer. But September gives us an opportunity to ask a simple question: Are my current routines serving me? Not, "How much weight did I gain this summer?" Not, "How quickly can I get back on a diet?" And certainly not, "What foods do I need to give up?" Instead, what if September became a time to rebuild a few simple routines that make us feel better, eat better, sleep better, and enter the final months of the year feeling more in control?

Start in the kitchen

As a chef, I love complicated food when the occasion calls for it. But when it comes to everyday healthy eating, I am a huge believer in simplicity. Healthy food does not need to be complicated food. In fact, one of the easiest ways to get ourselves back into a good routine is to remove some of the decision making. Pick a few proteins you enjoy. Keep vegetables washed and ready.

The window before the holidays

September and October offer us something incredibly valuable: time. Before Halloween candy seems to appear everywhere, before Thanksgiving dinner, before December baking season, office parties, family gatherings, celebrations, and religious holidays fill our calendars, we have several weeks to establish routines. Use them. One of the biggest mistakes we make with health is waiting for the perfect time to start. We tell ourselves we will get serious after vacation, after the weekend, after the holidays, or on January 1. There will always be another event on the calendar, but healthy living cannot require life to stop happening. The goal is to create routines strong enough to survive real life.

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Have healthy snacks available. Cook enough at dinner to create tomorrow's lunch. Make a soup that can provide several meals. Roast a sheet pan of vegetables. Grill extra chicken. Hard boil some eggs. You do not need seven completely different dinners every week. Sometimes repetition is your friend. A refrigerator filled with ingredients is not necessarily a plan. A refrigerator filled with prepared options is.

Plan before you are hungry

Meal planning does not have to mean spending your entire Sunday cooking food and lining up containers for the week. It can

simply mean knowing what you are eating before you become hungry. That distinction matters. When we wait until we are tired, stressed, hungry, and standing in front of the refrigerator at 6:30 at night, convenience usually wins. Spend ten minutes before the week begins thinking about your schedule. Which nights are busy? Which nights can you cook? When will you need leftovers? What proteins do you need? What produce needs to be used first? Then shop with purpose. The goal is not perfection. The goal is reducing the number of times you have to make a food decision when you are already hungry.

Let the garden help you

September is also one of my favorite months to cook because our gardens and local farm stands are overflowing. This is the time to use what we have. Tomatoes can become sauce, soup, salsa, or simply be roasted and frozen. Peppers can be roasted or frozen for future meals. Herbs can become pesto or be preserved. Cucumbers can become pickles. Extra vegetables can become soups, sauces, or freezer meals. Canning and preserving are wonderful traditions, but they also remind us of something our grandparents understood very well: use food when it is abundant and prepare for the season ahead. You do not have to preserve 40 jars of tomato sauce to participate. Start small. Freeze a few containers of homemade sauce. Make a batch of soup. Chop and freeze herbs. Roast vegetables before they go bad. Reducing food waste while creating convenient, healthy food for another day is a win on both sides.

Build your anchors

When people want to improve their health, they often try to change everything at once. Instead, I like the idea of creating a few daily anchors. Your anchors might be eating a protein focused breakfast, packing your lunch, drinking enough water, taking a walk after dinner, strength training three times a week, shutting down the kitchen after your evening meal, or getting to bed at a consistent time. Choose the routines that have the greatest impact on how you feel. Then repeat them. Motivation comes and goes. Routines are what carry us when motivation disappears. And remember that one imperfect meal does not erase a week of good decisions. One missed workout does not mean you have fallen off track. The next decision is always available to you. Continued on page 30 SYR ACUSE WOMAN MAGA ZI N E

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HEALTHY EATING

Back to routine FROM PAGE 29 Make September your reset

There is a reason September feels different. For years, September meant new teachers, new classrooms, new notebooks, new schedules, and a fresh start. Maybe we never really outgrow that feeling. So use it. Clean out the refrigerator. Take inventory of the freezer. Use what is coming out of the garden. Plan a few simple meals. Get back to moving your body. Drink your water. Protect your sleep. Create a routine that makes healthy decisions easier instead of relying on willpower to rescue you every day. Most importantly, do not build a September routine that you cannot imagine maintaining in November or December. Build one that can bend without breaking. The holidays are coming. They always do. But you do not need to fear them, diet your way into them, or promise yourself that you will fix everything in January. Use September to create routines that serve you now and can continue serving you when life gets busy. Because the best wellness routine is not the most restrictive one. It is the one you can live with. SWM

Suggested simple weekday menu 1. Monday: Big Mac Salad 2. Tuesday: Eggplant Caponata with Seared Fish 3. Wednesday: Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas 4. Thursday: Sheet Pan Roasted Chicken Thighs with Roasted Vegetables 5. Friday: Mediterranean Chicken & Rice Bowls

PREPARATION 1. Heat oven to 425°F. Toss the eggplant with half the olive oil and black pepper. Roast for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring once, until browned and tender. 2. Heat the remaining olive oil in a large sauté pan. Add the onion and red pepper and cook for 5 to 7 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another minute. 3. Add the fresh tomatoes and tomato paste. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, allowing the tomatoes to break down and some of their liquid to evaporate. 4. Add capers, olives, red wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, honey, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 5 minutes. 5. Fold in the roasted eggplant and simmer another 5 to 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. 6. Remove from the heat and fold in the fresh basil or parsley. Chef tip: Use very ripe Roma, plum, or garden tomatoes. If they are especially juicy, remove some of the seeds before dicing. Letting the caponata rest for several hours or overnight makes the flavor even better. This would be excellent topped with a simply seared piece of halibut, cod, haddock, salmon, or sea bass for an easy September dinner.

Healthy Garden Eggplant Caponata By Chef Eric Rose Serves 4 to 5

INGREDIENTS 1 large eggplant, about 1½ pounds, cut into ½ inch cubes 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 medium yellow onion, diced 1 red bell pepper, diced 3 cloves garlic, minced 3 cups fresh ripe tomatoes, diced 2 Tbsp tomato paste 2 Tbsp capers, drained ¼ cup green olives, chopped 2 Tbsp red wine vinegar 1Tbsp balsamic vinegar 1 tsp honey ½ tsp dried oregano ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes, optional ¼ tsp kosher salt, + more to taste Freshly ground black pepper ¼ cup fresh basil or Italian parsley, chopped

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INSPIRE

BECKY AUYER

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Purpose in retirement

BECKY AUYER IS HELPING HER COMMUNITY AGE WELL Janelle Davis

ecky Auyer has spent 48 years as a physical therapist. She built a business, raised four children, sold the company she poured herself into for over a decade, and took a well-earned year off traveling the country with her husband Pete to visit their 11 grandchildren. And then, because sitting still was never really her style, she went back to work. Only this time, nobody is paying her. “Success isn't just what you accomplish in your life,” she said. “It's about what you inspire others to do.” Becky's path to her current calling started with her mother, who lived gracefully with Parkinson's disease for 25 years. When her mom needed more support than Becky could provide alone, she built a team to care for her and in doing so, discovered an entire career she hadn't known existed. In 2010 she became certified as a professional geriatric care manager, joined a national organization in the field, and opened InspireCare, named in her mother's honor. What started as a solo practice quickly grew into something much larger. Over 13 years, InspireCare expanded to include nurses, social workers, physical therapists, and occupational therapists, becoming a full private agency helping older adults and their families navigate the aging process with dignity and intention. The work was 24/7 and deeply meaningful, but it was also demanding, and Becky and Pete planned their exit carefully. When the time came, a Rochester company acquired InspireCare, and the Auyers stepped back. But not for long. During their year of travel, Becky and Pete did something intentional. At every stop — from Colorado to Atlanta, they visited churches and faith communities, asking the same question: what are you doing to help your aging members? They listened, they took notes, and they came home to Syracuse with a vision and a plan. The result is a volunteer-driven aging ministry they have built from the ground up at The Gathering Place, a large nondenominational church in North Syracuse. What began as an idea has grown into a structured program with two coordinators, six nurse navigators from within the congregation, and an impressive 80 volunteer ministry servants who show up to do whatever is needed. The program provides meals, transportation to doctor's appointments, home repairs, general maintenance, help with housing transitions, and perhaps most importantly, visitation. Loneliness, Becky says, is one of the most significant challenges facing older adults today. To help organize the work, she and Pete developed what they call a three-tier system: the go-gos, the slow-gos, and the no-gos. The go-gos are active, often still working, and able to help. The slow-gos are tempSYR ACUSE WOMAN MAGA ZI N E

orarily limited, maybe recovering from surgery, and need short-term support. The no-gos are the homebound, who receive regular visits and ongoing care. Nobody turns anyone away, and nobody gets paid. The program is now certified through Core Ministries, an aging well congregational certification developed through the University of Tennessee's nursing school. Becky said she and Pete didn't want to reinvent the wheel. They wanted to build on what was already working elsewhere and bring it home. “We didn't reinvent it,” she said. “We tapped into what was already being done and made it work for where we are.” At the heart of everything Becky does is a belief she carried with her from her physical therapy days: aging well is not intuitive, and most people aren't prepared for it. Families are caught off guard. Adults in crisis lose their options and their independence. The time to plan, she says, is before it feels urgent. “Don't wait,” she said. “Crisis management as you age is not a place you want to be, because you lose all your options.” Her approach has always been proactive. At InspireCare, she pushed clients to start the conversation early, even something as simple as completing a healthcare proxy was a starting point that could open the door to bigger discussions. She has given talks to young mothers about the sandwich generation, encouraging them to think now about what it will look like to care for aging parents while raising children. The goal, always, is to help people maintain their independence and their dignity for as long as possible. For Becky, this work is not separate from her faith, she says it is an expression of it. She and Pete are now deacons at The Gathering Place, and the spiritual dimension of caring for aging congregants is woven into everything the program does. But she is quick to note that what she and Pete have built does not require a large congregation or a big budget. The Gathering Place program currently runs with no budget at all, sustained entirely by volunteers. “It doesn't have to be a large congregation,” she said. “If you are infused with a plan of how to organize it, it can really work from small to large.” Her hope is that other faith communities will take notice and follow suit. The aging population is growing. The need is real. And the people willing to help, she has discovered, are already there they just need someone to organize them. “We were blown away by the response,” she said. SWM For more information about InspireCare or the aging well ministry at The Gathering Place, reach out to Becky Auyer at rauyerpt@gmail.com or 315-641-3848.

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SPECIAL FEATURE

“Rosie Ray” helps kids face their fears with confidence LOCAL AUTHOR PENS FIRST CHILDREN’S BOOK Jason Klaiber

hat does it take to overcome fear and face difficult challenges with confidence? Local author Victoria Bracco explores that question in her newly released children’s book, “The Super Confidence of Rosie Rae.” Featuring bright and colorful illustrations, Bracco’s empowering debut book follows a little girl who at first doubts herself and is hesitant to try new things. The girl then feels a newfound boost of confidence in her abilities after stumbling upon a mysterious magic rock, and she proceeds to go outside her comfort zone more and more. Capable of achieving whatever she sets her mind to, she realizes in the end that her suddenly unlocked self-confidence was her own doing all along. Bracco said confidence is “a muscle you have to build and grow,” but the first step is believing in oneself, adding that sometimes kids just need little encouraging reminders to keep with them for whenever they’re scared or unsure of themselves. Bracco said her book published through Pegasus is for readers ages four and up, but parents, guardians, schoolteachers, and other grown-ups can use it as a tool to start conversations about nurturing confidence in the household or at school.

Bracco, who is also the owner of Encore Media Agency and cofounder of Strategic Executive Alliance, said the book has takeaways that can stay with children as they get older and become future leaders. She said her book released in July was inspired by her oldest daughter and written while on maternity leave with her. Bracco said she enjoys being one more person who can get the message across to children in today’s world that once

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you discover the confidence, strength and resilience already inside you, “everything else falls into place” and you can go far in life. She said it was exciting and “heartwarming” to see “The Super Confidence of Rosie Rae” come to life and be so welcomed by the community at Of Moose and Mind bookshop at a launch event there in early August. During the multiple live readings and meet and greet at the 137 E. Seneca St.

shop, Bracco also had copies of a separate journal that kids can fill out to put to practice what they learn day to day. The journal allows them to note down their moments of bravery, the challenges they’ve faced, reminders to look back on, and what they’re proud of and grateful for in their lives. “The Super Confidence of Rosie Rae” is available online on sites like Amazon and at local bookstores like Of Moose and Mind and Barnes & Noble. SWM AGI N G GR ACEFU LLY EDITION

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PAST EVENTS

WBOC Summer Sip + Social On August 5th, members and non-members of WBOC gathered at Emerald Cocktail Kitchen for our Summer Sip + Social, and what a night it was. New connections were made, laughter flowed as easily as the drinks, and the energy on the roof was a perfect reminder of why community matters so much in business and in life.

Don't miss what's next. Join us on September 2nd at Drumlins from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. for an interactive speed networking event designed to help you make meaningful connections, fast. We can't wait to see you there. Visit: wboconnection.org. Photos by Katrina Lynn Photography

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SPECIAL FEATURE

Young photographers invited to capture ‘The Human Story’

Morgan Kelder won first place in the 2025 High School Photography Contest for her image “Community Bound By Books.” (far left) Nick Delans’ “Man Made Gap” won second place in the 2025 contest. (above right) Third place in the 2025 High School Photography Contest went to Marley Dabulewicz for “Whispers on Pavement.” (center)

igh school students in grades 9-12 who reside in Onondaga or Tompkins counties are invited to enter the 18th annual High School Photography Contest now through Oct. 29. Bouquest Holstein PLLC launched the contest as part of its ongoing commitment to education and the arts in Central New York. This year's theme, “Life in Focus: Capturing the Human Story,” encourages students to develop their creative voice while exploring the power of photography to tell stories. The 2026 theme was inspired by the Everson Museum of Art's exhibit “LIFE: Six Women Photographers.” Six pioneering women used their cameras to document life in all its complexity, from global events to intimate, everyday experiences. Their images reveal not only what was happening, but how it felt to witness it. Students are invited to explore the quiet or powerful moments that define what it means to be human. Through their lenses, they are encouraged to capture the emotions, connections, and experiences that often go unnoticed in everyday life. “The Everson exists to champion artists, and that includes the ones just discovering their voice,” said Elizabeth Dunbar, director and CEO, Everson Museum of Art. “Photography teaches young people to see the world with curiosity and empathy, and this contest gives them a reason to pick up a camera and create. We're thrilled to partner with Bousquet Holstein in inspiring the next generation of artists.” A panel of artists, photographers, and Bousquet Holstein attorneys will review the submissions and select 20 finalists. The contest winners,

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honorable mentions, and 20 finalists will be announced at a private reception at the Everson Museum of Art in November. First, second, and third place winners will receive monetary scholarships as a prize. The first-place winner's photo will be featured on the cover of the firm's annual Thanksgiving card. Last year's contest winner was Morgan Kelder from FayettevilleManlius High School for her photograph, “Community Bound by Books.” “For 18 years, this contest has been one of the ways Bousquet Holstein supports the arts and celebrates the creativity of young photographers,” said Larry Bousquet. “Photography has the power to preserve moments, spark emotion, and tell stories that might otherwise go untold. We look forward to seeing how local high school students interpret the Everson exhibition, ‘LIFE: Six Women Photographers,’ through their own lens.” High school students (grades 9-12) in Onondaga and Tompkins counties are eligible to enter. Students must be enrolled in high school for the fall 2026 semester. Students are not required to be in a photography or art class to participate. Photo submission instructions and contest rules can be found at www.bhlawpllc.com/photocontest. SWM

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SPECIAL FEATURE

The women behind the curtain MEET THE TEAM BRINGING BROADWAY TO SYRACUSE Janelle Davis

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hen the lights dim at the Landmark Theatre and the curtain rises on a Broadway production, thousands of people settle into their seats for an experience that feels like pure magic. What most of them don't realize is that the magic begins long before opening night, and in Syracuse, it is largely the work of five remarkable women. Broadway in Syracuse, presented by NAC Entertainment, has been bringing national touring productions to Central New York for decades. Behind the scenes, a team of women with different backgrounds, roles, and a shared passion for live theater keeps the operation running, from marketing and ticketing to creative and PR. Each of them found her way to this work differently, and each brings something the others don't. Together, they have built something that works beautifully.

Tina Niles

Market Leader Thirty years ago, Tina Niles answered a newspaper ad for what she thought was a receptionist job. It turned out to be much more than that, and she never left. As Market Leader, Tina oversees everything from ticket pricing and marketing to the intricate details that drive sales and keep shows running smoothly during their time in Syracuse. No two weeks look alike, she says, which is part of what has kept the work exciting for three decades. “It chose me,” she said of her path into the presenting side of theater. And she has been all in ever since. Her most memorable production was “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” in October 2021, when the Landmark reopened after COVID. “We opened the theatre and enjoyed the power and magic of live theatre together,” she said. “That was magic.” When it comes to the team she works alongside, Tina is equally clear. “Each of us brings something different and it works. That's what makes it so special.”

met on the balcony stairs of that very theater in 1946, there to see a Judy Garland film. Decades later, Christina’s own first Broadway experience was a Broadway in Syracuse production of “Phantom of the Opera.” She came to NAC Entertainment in 2016, almost by accident. It was a chance visit to wish a colleague a happy retirement that led to an opportunity she didn't see coming. Today she manages season subscribers and group bookings while working closely with the Landmark to ensure touring casts and crews have everything they need during their time in Syracuse. Her most standout memory is “Hamilton’s” first run in 2022. "The city buzzed during the entire engagement," she said. “To see the crowds and lights from the marquee on Salina Street was magical.” Of her closest colleague Ashley, she says simply: “I get to hang out daily with one of my closest friends. Most of the time it doesn't even feel like work.”

Ashley Yacobush

Ticketing & Day-to-Day Operations Ashley Yacobush grew up as a theater kid in Syracuse, attending Broadway in Syracuse productions with her family at the CrouseHinds Theater long before she ever imagined

working there. After graduating college and spending time working in entertainment costuming at Walt Disney World, she came home to Syracuse and found her way into the box office at the Oncenter, and eventually into the Broadway in Syracuse family. Today she handles season ticket holders and group bookings, serves as a liaison to touring companies, and pitches in wherever she is needed. Show weeks, she says, are nonstop and absolutely worth it. “You can't beat the rush of seeing a show come to life for your audience in your city,” she said. Her most meaningful production was “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” in 2021, the first show back after 19 months of silence. “It was very moving to welcome our season ticket holders back and feel the electricity of the audience experiencing the magic of live theatre together again.” Continued on page 40

Christina Rogers

Season Subscriptions & Group Sales Christina Rogers has a connection to the Landmark Theatre that goes back further than her career. Her grandparents first SYR ACUSE WOMAN MAGA ZI N E

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SPECIAL FEATURE

The women behind the curtain FROM PAGE 39 Murphy Fauci

Public Relations Murphy grew up in Binghamton, where NAC Entertainment was founded, and saw her very first Broadway show at the Binghamton Forum in 2011. It was “Mamma Mia,” and she was hooked. More than a decade later she is working for the very company that brought that show to her hometown. “Knowing that I'd be working for the very company that brought my first show to me is such a full circle moment,” she said. “I'm grateful every day.” As the publicity lead for Broadway in Syracuse, Murphy's job is to connect touring casts and crews with local media, coordinating press opportunities around rehearsal schedules, broadcast windows, and everyone's personal calendars. She loves getting creative with it. Last season she arranged for the “Hamilton” actor playing General Lafayette to visit Lafayette, N.Y. and try Lafayette cider at Beak and Skiff. “It was the most fun I've had putting together something like that,” she said. One of the challenges people wouldn't expect, she says, is the whiplash from show to show and the fact that Syracuse is just one of seven markets NAC Entertainment presents in simultaneously. Her advice to young women eyeing this industry: “There are so many wonderful opportunities for someone who loves Broadway that don't have to be performing. This industry is diverse, unique, and full of passionate people. It's a career that just keeps on giving.” Her advice to young women in CNY considering this path: get involved however you can. “You never know who you'll meet and what potential connection could grow from that meeting.”

Ali Basalyga

Creative & Social Media Ali came to Broadway in Syracuse from Scranton, Pa., where NAC Entertainment also presents, making her the only team member who found her way to Syracuse through the company rather than the other way around. A college graduate who wanted to combine her love of

advertising and theater, she landed exactly where she hoped. As the creative force behind digital ads, print materials, email campaigns, and social media, Ali is the voice and visual identity of Broadway in Syracuse across every platform. It is work that keeps her on her toes, social media is always shifting, she says, and figuring out what resonates is part of the challenge and the fun. Her favorite production so far was Hamilton's first run in Syracuse in 2022. “It meant so much to bring such an iconic show to an entire new region of people,” she said. On being a woman in this industry, she puts it simply: “I can be a role model for girls like me who wanted to be a part of the theater world growing up.”

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The show must go on

Different cities, different backgrounds, different roles, and yet, when the five of them are in a room together during show week, it all clicks. They describe their dynamic with words like lucky, passionate, and fun. Their boss, NAC Entertainment President and CEO Albert Nocciolino, treats them as equals and gives them the freedom to do their work well. The 2026-2027 Broadway in Syracuse season opens this fall with the 20th anniversary tour of “Jersey Boys,” followed by Alicia Keys’ “Hell's Kitchen,” “The Sound of Music,” “The Wiz,” “The Bodyguard,” and “The Outsiders.” For the women who make it all happen, the reward is the same every time the curtain rises. “Theatre is a team sport,” Ali said. And in Syracuse, these women are the team. SWM AGI N G GR ACEFU LLY EDITION

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SPECIAL FEATURE

Boxing back against Parkinson’s Paige Kingsley

ging isn’t always the most exciting topic, but it can be especially hard aging with afflictions like Parkinson’s disease. Syracusebased nonprofit Empower Parkinson is doing what it can to make it easier to live and age with the disease. Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative disease that occurs when the brain stops producing dopamine. Symptoms like slow movement, stiffness, shakiness and loss of balance can make everyday tasks harder for seniors. As of right now, there is no cure, so treatment primarily consists of programs designed to slow disease progression and build on existing abilities in patients. Since 2017, Empower Parkinson has been using evidencebased programs and exercise training to help people with Parkinson’s disease regain strength and control of their bodies. Julie Lombardi, president of Empower Parkinson, said her mother was one of the first 10 people involved in the organization’s earliest boxing classes. When her mother received a Parkinson’s diagnosis, Lombardi was already in the process of becoming certified with Rock Steady Boxing, Inc., a nonprofit that promotes boxing as a form of exercise to prevent the progression of Parkinson’s. “I had been planning to go out to Indianapolis to get trained in Rock Steady Boxing already,” Lombardi said. “When she got the diagnosis, I asked her to come with me to also get trained to be a coach. A lot of what we want to do is just empower people to keep fighting back against the disease.” In Lombardi’s work as a physical therapist prior to joining Empower Parkinson, she saw a lot of Parkinson’s patients and knew what the average patient was struggling with. Finding out about Rock Steady Boxing was the first step, and now Empower Parkinson is aiming to be a one-stop shop for its members to deal with different aspects of their treatment and managing the ailment. So, why boxing? Lombardi said the combination of cardiovascular activity and motor skills boxing uses is ideal for honing the movements Parkinson’s can take away. The disease can affect gross and fine motor skills, which the footwork and hand-eye coordination required in boxing help maintain. “I mean, one of the best medicines we have for anything in the world is exercise,” Lombardi said. “Even with this movement disorder, one of the best ways to fight back or slow the disease progression down is through exercise.” SEPTEM BER 2026

Through Rock Steady Boxing’s program and the other exercise programs Empower Parkinson has developed, Parkinson’s patients can work on their balance, agility, precision movements, hand-eye coordination, endurance and overall confidence. If the sweet science isn’t your thing, the organization also offers yoga, Tai Chi and cycling to help target and slow different parts of Parkinson’s progression. The programs go beyond physical benefit, too. Lombardi emphasized how a Parkinson’s diagnosis can be extremely isolating, and some people may even hide the diagnosis or put off any kind of preventative maintenance. Having a group of people come

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together who share a similar affliction can do wonders for mental health and social skills, which is what Lombardi sees in Empower Parkinson members after just a few months of coming to classes and events. “One of the best aspects of the organization that we have is the community that's built,” Lombardi said. “They're in a whole group and they're building friendships and a community. Our members are so in touch with each other that if somebody starts not showing up, they're checking in with each other. So there's just that sense of having somebody there that cares about you and wants you to be there, you know?” Lombardi said Parkinson’s is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases behind Alzheimer’s. Despite this, a lot of people don’t get diagnosed until the disease has progressed to an aggressive and obvious degree. That’s why Empower Parkinson has since grown to include different levels of exercise training, educational seminars and awareness campaigns to help spread information about Parkinson’s to those who need it most.

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Expanding the operations at Empower Parkinson is a constant project and community partnerships are a huge part of the work Lombardi and the rest of the team does. Through partnerships with medical education programs and ongoing research initiatives, Empower Parkinson is doing a lot to ensure information and awareness about the disease continues to grow. “We're still, of course, trying to always grow,” Lombardi said. “We know there's a lot of people living out there in our community that have Parkinson's that still don't go to Empower, whether it might be they don't know about it, or it may be just that initial time getting there can sometimes be a challenge. It's unknown, so it can be scary. We’re just trying to get the word out more, get access to those people more so that we can continue to grow our community and our membership.” From a small affiliate of Rock Steady Boxing with 10 members to a Parkinson’s wellness hub with a community of over 150 people, Empower Parkinson has grown a lot and doesn’t intend on stopping anytime soon. SWM

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Bousquet Holstein PLLC welcomes Haley L. Dubnoff

Bousquet Holstein PLLC recently announced the appointment of Haley L. Dubnoff as director of marketing. Bousquet Holstein PLLC is a full-service law firm with offices in Syracuse and Ithaca. Their diverse, experienced team provides sophisticated representation in over 40 practice areas. They help both individuals and businesses navigate legal challenges as dedicated, trusted advisors who approach situations from all points of view. Dubnoff brings nearly 20 years of experience in marketing and communications experience to the role. She will lead the firm's strategic marketing and communications initiatives, collab-orating with attorneys and firm leadership to advance the firm's brand, drive business development, strengthen community engagement, and support the firm's continued growth. "We are pleased to welcome Haley to our team," said Larry Bousquet. "Haley is a strategic marketing and communications leader whose experience and collaborative approach make her an excellent addition to our firm. We are excited to welcome her to Bousquet Holstein and look forward to the perspective and expertise she will bring." Prior to joining Bousquet Holstein, Dubnoff served as director of marketing at Daneli Partners, vice president of business strategy and marketing manager at Solvay Bank, senior director of marketing, communications, and creative services at WCNY-PBS, and director of communications at Loretto. Dubnoff earned a bachelor's degree in public relations from Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. She has served on the boards and committees of several nonprofit and community organizations. For more information about Bousquet Holstein PLLC visit bhlawpllc.com.

Joins St. Joseph’s Anesthesiology and Critical Care Team

Sandra E. Hansen, MD, has joined St. Joseph’s Health’s team of anesthesiologists and intensivists, further strengthening its commitment to delivering exceptional care to patients throughout Central New York. Dr. Hansen specializes in anesthesiology and critical care medicine, providing comprehensive perioperative care as well as advanced treatment for critically ill patients. “I am thrilled to join such a talented team of anesthesiologists and intensivists,” said Dr. Hansen. “I look forward to serving the wonderful people of Central New York and the surrounding area and am honored to have this opportunity to have a positive impact on the lives of others.”

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Prior to joining St. Joseph’s Health, Dr. Hansen served as an anesthesiologist, intensivist and assistant professor of anesthesiology at SUNY Upstate Medical University, where she also held a leadership role as Director of Anesthesia Trauma Services. Earlier in her career, she served in the United States Air Force, where she began as a medical technician and later returned to active duty as a Special Operations Forces Medical Element Flight Surgeon, achieving the rank of Captain. During her military service, she held several leadership roles, including Medical Director for the 353rd Special Operations Group and Medical Director for the Joint Special Operations Component in Singapore, and supported multilateral international exercises across Eastern Asia and the Pacific as a Lead Medical Officer. Dr. Hansen is a diplomate of the American Board of Anesthesiology. She earned her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, where she was awarded the Military Health Professions Scholarship, and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of North Texas, graduating magna cum laude. She completed her residency in anesthesiology at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, followed by a fellowship in Critical Care Medicine at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Hansen has contributed to numerous research publications and national presentations in areas including trauma resuscitation, perioperative transfusion practices, and critical care outcomes. Outside of her clinical work, Dr. Hansen enjoys traveling with her husband and experiencing new people and cultures. She has visited more than 25 countries and counting. When at home, she enjoys exploring Central New York with their three dogs.

Lawson Hatch, PLLC offers experience in trusts, estates, elder care

Lawson Hatch, PLLC opened in January 2026 as a namesake boutique trusts and estates law firm. Having enjoyed nearly two decades of practice, their legal team offers deep experience in trusts and estates, elder law and personalchoice matters. They are dedicated to ensuring their clients’ needs, values and wishes are honored. The neighborhood law firm primarily offers wills, trusts and estate planning; estate and trust administration; and fiduciary services. The Lawson Hatch team carries the reputation as the firm to call when it’s personal. You may see them presenting in the community, spending time with Volunteer Lawyers Project of CNY or meeting with your neighbors or friends.

Their office is located at 3175 E. Genesee Street, Suite 4, Syracuse. Hours are Monday through Thursday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information visit lawsonhatch.com/315-500-2025.

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UPCOMING EVENTS Saturday, Sept. 5

JAMS Funk Fest 2k26 What: The festival features an all-day line up of New York state regional entertainment opening for nationally touring funk and R&B platinum selling recording artists, headliners. Where: Chevy Court at the NYS Fair, 581 State Fair Blvd., Syracuse. When: Noon to 10 p.m. Info: Free with Fair admission. Visit syracusejams.com Tuesday-Saturday, Sept. 8-12

Jersey Boys What: The original Broadway sensation returns to the road! Go behind the music and inside the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons in the Tony Award-winning, original Broadway sensation. The show features hits including “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Oh What a Night,” and more. Where: Landmark Theatre, 362 S. Salina St., Syracuse. When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Info: Ticket prices vary. For tickets visit ticketmaster.com. Wednesday, Sept. 9

Pole Burlesque Bingo What: Each evening hosts four rollicking rounds of Bingo interspersed with absolutely exhilarating pole dance performances. Chock full of fun facts, bad jokes,strip tease and prizes, Bees Knees hosts. Where: Center for the Arts in Homer, 72 S. Main Street, Homer. When: 7:30 p.m. Info: Psst – clothes do come off, so this event is for ages 18 and up only. Tickets are $20; center4art.org. Thursday, Sept. 10

New Works in Clay What: Join Garth Johnson, Everson curator of ceramics, and Margie Hughto, artist and former Everson curator, for an exclusive tour of this revisiting of the landmark 1976 exhibition "New Works in Clay by Contemporary Painters and Sculptors." The Everson will bring together ceramic works by the original 11 participants, as well as works by artists like Kenneth Noland and Mary Frank. "New Works in Clay" explores how the Everson broke down barriers between art and craft. Where: Everson Museum of Art, 401 Harrison St. Syracuse. When: 6 p.m. Info: Free with pay-what-you-wish admission. For more visit everson.org. Saturday, Sept. 12

Art on the Porches What: Celebrating the rich talent of Syracuse area artists and musicians. Browse and shop art in Syracuse's Strathmore neighborhood, groove to local bands and enjoy treats from food trucks. Where: Ruskin Avenue, Syracuse. When: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Info: Follow them on facebook or instagram page for all of the latest event updates at facebook.com/artontheporches and instagram.com/artontheporches/. Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 12-13

Golden Harvest Festival What: For over 40 years, this old-fashioned, country fair-style event has something for everyone featuring live music and entertainment on three stages, nature games and crafts, shopping with local artists, vendors, live animal demonstrations, pie-eating contests and delicious eats from food trucks. Where: Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 East Mud Lake Road Baldwinsville. When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Info: Admission: $5, children ages 4-15 - $1 and children age 3 and under get in free. For more visit goldenharvestfestival.org. Oktoberfest 2026 What: Presented with the German-American Society of CNY, the event features festbier, German food, and live music. Also held will be the US Steinholding Qualifiers, with the men's and women's official US Steinholding Asso. competition rounds. Winners advance to state finals at Hofbräuhaus Buffalo. Where: Freight Yard Brewing, 4975 Route 31, Clay. When: 2 to 10 p.m. Saturday, 2 to 7 p.m. Sunday. Info: Admission is free.

SEPTEM BER 2026

Sept. 16-Oct. 11

‘Come From Away’ What: The uplifting, Tony Award-winning musical about the residents of the small town of Gander, Newfoundland, who opened their doors—and their hearts— to stranded travelers after flights were grounded in the wake of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. A co-production with Indiana Repertory Theatre, “Come From Away” is directed by James Vásquez. Where: Syracuse Stage, 820 E. Genesee St. When: Showtimes vary. Info: syracusestage.org. Ticket prices vary. Friday, Sept. 18

Syracuse Style What: Showcases nine designers debuting their newest collections in a dynamic runway experience that blends artistry, style and inspiration. Bold design, exceptional craftsmanship, and an atmosphere that celebrates fashion at its finest. Michael Benny will serve as the emcee. Where: Everson Museum of Art, 401 Harrison Street, Syracuse. When: 7:30 p.m. Info: $50 tickets include admission and a hors d'oeuvres grazing table; $75 VIP Admission includes premium seating, an hors d'oeuvres grazing table, two drink tickets and exclusive swag bag. Tickets are available at cnytix.com. Saturday, Sept. 19

4th Annual Grow Native: Native Plant Festival and Sale What: Spend time with native plant experts and NYS vendors. Come early for a guided nature walk with NYS Master Naturalist Volunteer Pete Saracino, stay for special presentations, native plant sellers and local vendors/ artisans. Big Awesome BBQ will be available for lunch. End the day with a wildlife drive with Audubon Environmental Educator, Fred Leff. Where: Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, 3395 Route 20, Seneca Falls. When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Info: friendsofmontezuma.org. Thursday, Sept. 24

Clay Workshop What: Part of the Nature's Inspirations Art Series, join Jessica Hofmeyer for this workshop perfect for all skill levels.Event includes hands-on instruction, a short walk through nature to gain inspiration and collect materials and the opportunity to create a one-of-a-kind wall vase. Where: Great Swamp Conservancy, 8375 N. Main St. Canastota. When: 4:30 p.m. Info: Registration is required, as there are limited spots, but it is free to attend. Call 315-697-2950 or email greatswampconservancy@gmail.com to register. Saturday, Sept. 26

Taste of B'ville What: Highlights the wonderful food and beverage providers in the greater Baldwinsville area. Each vendor offers low-cost samples as well as fullsized options; there will also be music, face painting, temporary tattoos, and a bubble zone for children of all ages in the afternoon. Where: Paper Mill Island, Baldwinsville. When: Noon to 10 p.m. Info: tasteofbville.com/?t=1786558630. Free Canoe Day What: This is the last Saturday to enjoy a paddle on the lake and thanks to Oswego Health, the fee for canoe rentals is waived all day long. Canoes are available on a first-come, first-served basis from for one hour blocks. Where: Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 East Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. When: 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Info: Canoes can accommodate a maximum of 4 people and 560 lbs. Park admission still applies ($5/vehicle.) For more visit beaverlakenature.org. Wednesday, Sept. 30

Laurie Woolever What: Central Current presents Laurie Woolever, a Chittenango native who has been writing about the world of food for nearly 30 years. She will share the lessons she has learned in the food and media industries, ways being a parent has made her fall in love with cooking again and why your information diet matters (almost) as much as your food diet. Where: Everson Museum of Art, 401 Harrison St., Syracuse. When: 7:30 p.m. Info: Free; visit centralcurrent.org/central-current-presents-laurie-woolever/?t=1786559625#rsvp to register. For more visit everson.org. AGI N G GR ACEFU LLY EDITION

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