Author: Courtney Kless
Courtney Kless
Courtney Kless is the Editor in Chief of Family Times. Courtney is originally from Maryland. She earned her Master’s degree in Magazine, Newspaper and Online Journalism from Syracuse University. Courtney began her career as a sports journalist, then spent several years working in higher education, before joining the company in August 2019. She enjoys traveling, reading and hiking, and recently adopted a Labrador Retriever, Bailey.
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…
1. Can you briefly tell us about the history of the Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology (MOST)—and your current exhibits?The Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology (MOST) was founded in 1992 in a storefront on Salina Street. Over the past three decades, the museum has grown into its current 35,000-square-foot space in the historic Armory building in the heart of downtown Syracuse. The MOST includes dozens of hands-on and interactive exhibits and monthly activities. We’re excited to be debuting our newest permanent exhibit—GROW—this spring, which is all about agriculture and food systems right here in…
1. Tell us a little about Syracuse’s new STEAM high school. The City of Syracuse, the Syracuse City School District (SCSD), and Onondaga County are teaming up for the area’s first-ever STEAM high school. It will feature a STEAM-focused curriculum open to students from the SCSD and any Central New York School district. 2. The curriculum will have eight concentrations. What else will it emphasize? A key element to the success of the high school will be the business partnerships. Central New York has a unique opportunity for collaboration among all stakeholders interested in a thriving urban core. Working in…
1. What is the story behind the founding of the Montessori School of Syracuse? We are thrilled to be celebrating our 30th anniversary at Montessori School of Syracuse (MSS) this year. It seems like only yesterday we founded our school—Mary O’Connor, Susan French-Lawyer, and Patricia Choice Getz—for our own children and for the wider community of Central New York. In 1995, we had just seven students and one teacher. Today we have 150 students and a staff of 30! Our first location was the former Temple Beth El on Genesee Street, and after only five years, in the fall of…
This holiday season, you can treat yourself to a Broadway show—without leaving Syracuse.Disney’s The Lion King will stop at the Landmark Theatre from Dec. 4-15. “[It] is probably the biggest show we have this season, but they’re all unique in their own way,” said Tina Niles, NAC Entertainment/Famous Artists Broadway in Syracuse. “The Lion King is for all ages, and everyone from kids to grandparents is going to enjoy it.”Set in the Serengeti, the stage adaptation of Disney’s iconic animated tale follows Simba’s journey to becoming king, with puppetry, “unique” costumes, and songs from Elton John and Tim Rice.“If you’ve never…
With the holidays right around the corner, are you still searching for the perfect gift for a friend or family member? You’ll find something for all ages—and interests—in our annual guide.Metro Home StyleNestled in Syracuse’s Franklin Square, you’ll find a store that makes “gift-giving effortless.” But Metro Home Style didn’t start out that way; it initially offered a mix of vintage and antique pieces at the Regional Market Commons.“I did a lot of painted furniture, refinishing furniture,” said owner Linda O’Boyle. “It was getting kind of difficult to find the older vintage things and find time to finish them and…
From the Erie Canal Museum’s Gingerbread Gallery (Nov. 22-Jan. 12) to the Everson Museum of Art’s Festival of Trees & Light (Dec. 5-15) to the Rosamond Gifford Zoo’s Holiday Nights (Fridays and Saturdays in December), Syracuse has so much to offer during the holiday season. Here are a few other places you should visit while you’re in town: Sports and Recreation Central Rock Gym Do you need a place where your kids can release some of their pent-up energy? Look no further than Central Rock Gym! As you may have already guessed, the gym specializes in rock climbing—or you can…