Author: Courtney Kless

I am always looking for ways to stay active during Central New York’s colder months. Indoor rock climbing is one of those things I’ve always wanted to try but haven’t gotten around to — until recently. One February weekend, my husband and I decided to check out Central Rock Gym. Located in Franklin Square, the Syracuse location is home to 16,000 square feet of terrain, according to its website. Central Rock Gym’s main focus is rock climbing, and guests can choose from two types: bouldering, 10–15-foot walls that you can climb without ropes or a harness, and top rope climbing,…

Nothing says Valentine’s Day quite like chocolate. Sweet on Chocolate has been bringing the sweet treat to Armory Square since 1993. Today, the shop offers a variety of handmade products: turtles, clusters, barks, creams, chocolate bars and hot chocolate. But owner Adam Mazzoni, who bought the business in 2018, says truffles are most popular – For Valentine’s Day, customers can choose from strawberry prosecco, raspberry rose and hot and bothered (or try all three). Chocolate covered strawberries will also be available. “I’ve always had a passion for cooking and food,” Mazzoni said. “My creativity is expressed through flavor, and I…

‘Our default answer is yes’: Operation Northern Comfort builds desks, more The goal of Operation Northern Comfort is simple: to help those in need, both in Central New York and beyond. Family Times recently talked to CEO Norm Andrzejewski, about the organization’s roots, its current projects, and what he sees in the future for Operation Northern Comfort. This interview was edited for length and clarity. 1. What was the inspiration behind Operation Northern Comfort, and how did it grow into what it is today? It started as Operation Southern Comfort, and the inspiration was, ‘Let’s go help New Orleans after…

I’ll be the first to admit, I haven’t always been the biggest fan of Upstate New York winters – especially the snow. Until I discovered skiing. I am still somewhat new to the sport, but I enjoy the speed, views and fresh air. So, I thought what better way to treat myself than an afternoon skiing at Four Seasons Golf & Ski Center in Fayetteville. Four Seasons is home to mini golf, a driving range and batting cages during the summer months, and skiing and snowboarding during the winter months. Not a skier or a snowboarder? Snow tubing passes are…

I’ll admit, I’ve been struggling to find new ways to treat myself at home during the pandemic. I’ve always been a theater fan, so this month, I decided to check out a virtual performance by Syracuse Stage. In September, Syracuse Stage announced that it would be moving its 2020/21 season online. Tickets cost $30, and are available on its website, syracusestage.org. Joseph Whelan, the director of marketing and communications for Syracuse Stage, said you need only two things to enjoy a performance: a device to watch it on (I used my laptop) and a valid email address. Keep in mind,…

With the holidays right around the corner, are you struggling to come up with gift ideas? 2020 is the perfect time to shop local. These area businesses offer something for each member of the family. Chloe’s Closet When Kathy Ilacqua’s first granddaughter, Chloe, was born, she struggled to find unusual bedding and clothes. That inspired her to create Chloe’s Closet with her daughter. The pair rented some space in the corner of a gift shop, selling blankets, clothes and a few toys, before eventually moving to Brooklea Drive in Fayetteville. The boutique has remained at that location for the past…

Now, more than ever, it’s important for women to be able to defend themselves. With that in mind, I recently took a self-defense and situational awareness class at OptionZero. Curtis Chaplin, a coach and the program’s co-founder, said the classes teach physical and mental toughness. “My goal was to give women something to be able take with them,” he said. “You can have mace, anything, but you have to be able to create a space to get to it. These classes also give women confidence; ‘I’m capable of doing this.’ ‘If I got in a situation where I had to…

With many students learning remotely, you may be looking for ways to keep your family active – something made more difficult by the cooling weather. We compiled a list of indoor activities that children of all ages can enjoy. Don’t forget to maintain a safe distance and bring a mask! OptionZero brings boxing, life skills to local youth The idea for the program began during Curtis Chaplin’s college football career. “A friend of mine and I were talking about things that we went through,” he said. “A lot of the coaches only coached you just for that, to get them…

Junior League of Syracuse celebrates 100 years Since it was founded in 1920, the Junior League of Syracuse has worked to improve the community and provide women with leadership skills. Family Times recently talked to Julie Palmer, the organization’s VP for Communications, about the milestone. This interview was edited for length and clarity. 1. The Junior League of Syracuse is celebrating 100 years in 2020. How has the organization changed and evolved over that time? One of the biggest ways we’ve evolved is that we used to be primarily an organization for women that were looking for an activity to…

With the holidays right around the corner, you may be feeling a little stressed. A visit to Bodymind Float Center will calm your body – and your mind. Two Rochester musicians – David Brickman and his wife, Pattie – opened Bodymind Float Center in 2013. Four years later, in 2017, the couple added a second location on Erie Boulevard in Syracuse, which features three tanks and a pool. I am not particularly fond of enclosed spaces, so I chose the latter option for my float. Each contains about 10 inches of water and 800 pounds of Epsom salt, allowing guests…