Author: Courtney Kless

How did it feel to be named BASCOL’s 2025 Employee of the Year?It was an unexpected surprise. I was honored to be chosen, and it was a very humbling experience. I work with a bunch of great people whom I was expecting to be picked.What drew you to a career in education, particularly in before-and after-school care?Having three sons of my own involved in youth sports, I have been coaching and already working with kids for many years. After having been laid off from the New York State Thruway as a toll collector, I was advised that BASCOL was hiring,…

Are you looking for an activity the whole family can enjoy? Sky Zone Clay recently celebrated its first year at its new location — and there’s more to do there than ever before. “As part of our move, we took the opportunity to install the latest and greatest attractions,” said Marketing Manager Bekkah Frisch. “We’re much more than just trampolines; the park also includes a 65-foot zip line, two iWall Augmented Reality (AR) gaming systems, two 16-foot Mega Launch Slides, two state-of-the-art Air Courts, and other unique attractions. We never stop looking for new ways to play, either. That’s why,…

This summer, you don’t need to travel far to discover something new.That’s the message behind Visit Syracuse’s campaign, ‘Simple Wonders.’“We really just want to get visitors and locals alike out exploring the area, maybe find a hidden (or not so hidden) gem they never knew existed,” said Liz Judge, marketing portfolio director. “I think so many people, even those that have grown up around here, don’t know about all the spots that are even maybe just a 20-minute drive from where they live.”They recently invited me to experience the campaign for myself.The first thing you should know is there’s an…

1. What led you to become the film program instructor at Le Moyne College’s Summer Arts Institute?As a former Phin who graduated from Le Moyne College with a B.A. in communications and minors in French, film, and criminology, returning to my roots to lead the film program at the Summer Arts Institute felt like a full-circle moment. While in undergrad at Le Moyne, I worked in the communications and film studies department as a work-study, which strengthened my connections to faculty and improved my knowledge of the film equipment. Stepping back on campus in this educator role is truly a…

As tuition costs continue to climb, saving for your child’s college education can seem like an overwhelming task. To help guide you through it, Family Times recently asked Jillian Kerekes, director of education and online marketing at SECNY, some common questions about the process. This is what she said:How Do You Determine How Much Money Should Be Set Aside — and When Should You Start Saving?That amount will be different for every family, but comfort is key.“The average costs of a state school are about $12,000 per year, and a private college is more like $42,000,” said Kerekes. “Most families…

Anna Overbeck, Camp Director, Camp Hoover1. Tell us a little about your journey to becoming a camp director.I have worked at summer camps in some capacity since I was legally allowed to have a job. I fell in love with summer camp and everything I learned as a camper. In search of a passion that would carry me through life, I discovered you can major in the outdoors! I earned my recreational management degree and started my experience as a leader in the outdoor space. I am so incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to pour that into a new…

Pickleball has taken the country by storm—and Central New York is no exception.Three and a half years ago, there were 500 or fewer players in the area, according to Brook Bregman, who runs CNY Pickleball. That number has since grown to more than 5,500.Enter Bill Cleary and the Erie Canal Pickleball Center.“Pickleball is a new, growing sport, and we have a huge deficit of indoor dedicated courses in the area,” said Bregman, also a volunteer at the facility. “He wanted to fill that need.”Inside the Erie Canal Pickleball Center, you’ll find nine individually fenced courts, locker rooms, and a bar and…

1. What inspired you to pursue a career in environmental education—and what ultimately led you to join Baltimore Woods Nature Center?From as far back as I can remember, I was an outside kid—playing in the woods, building forts with my friends, fishing, and looking for frogs. I stumbled upon environmental education somewhat by accident, not realizing that much of my work at summer camps was exactly that. I spent the summer before my junior year at college as the nature area director at Goose Pond Scout Reservation, teaching ecology and conservation-related merit badges and leading nature programs in the evenings.…

March is a big month for Redhouse Arts Center and Arc of Onondaga; they’re celebrating 12 years of collaboration with their latest production, Big Fish. Family Times recently talked to Marguerite Mitchell, Redhouse’s director of education, about how the partnership has grown over the years and the impact it continues to have on the participants. This interview was edited for clarity. 1. What was the inspiration behind the partnership between Redhouse Arts Center and Arc of Onondaga? Creating artistic opportunity is at the root of all that Redhouse does. The inspiration behind the partnership was a shared desire to create a more…

1. What inspired you to pursue a career in pharmacy, particularly in hematology and oncology—and what ultimately led you to join Hematology-Oncology Associates of CNY (HOA)? I’ve always been passionate about healthcare and wanted a career where I could make a real difference for patients. Pharmacy, especially in hematology and oncology, felt like the perfect fit because it’s such a dynamic field with constant advancements in treatment. I am motivated by the opportunity to help bridge the gap between groundbreaking therapies and the patients who need them. Working in a medically integrated pharmacy, I see firsthand how collaboration can improve…