Author: Courtney Kless

Alexandre Leclercq worked on his first bicycle, a BMX, when he was nine years old. Now at Manlius Pebble Hill School (MPH), he continues to repair and build bicycles, serving as the advisor of the school’s Bicycle Mechanics Club. Leclercq, MPH’s Dean of Students, started the Bicycle Mechanics Club in 2015, but its roots go back further than that. In 2008, Leclercq formed a bicycle club at the Mundy Branch Library (he was a volunteer there at the time), and began teaching local students how to fix bicycles and bring old parts back to life. “I thought old American bikes…

A lot has changed since Lights on the Lake began 30 years ago. For one, the show has grown to two miles. And today, all lights are now LED. The event returns to Onondaga Lake Park this month. Debbie Dennis, senior recreation leader for the park, is entering her 13th season as the coordinator for Lights on the Lake. She says the popularity of the show is part of the reason why it has been able to continue for so long. “We do hear a lot of feedback from people that they came as children and now they’re able to…

The nominations have been announced for the 2019 Syracuse Area Live Theatre (SALT) Awards. The event is celebrating its 15th year, and award winners will be named on Nov. 17 at the Redhouse Arts Center, 400 S. Salina St., Syracuse. A cocktail reception will be held at 5:30 p.m., followed by the awards ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase online at cnytix.com until Nov. 16 ($25), as well as at the door the day of the ceremony ($28). The presenting sponsor for this year’s event is Empower Federal Credit Union. PROFESSIONAL THEATER COMPANIES Play of the Year…

The idea for the Building Men Program came, in part, from a book. Joe Horan, the program’s founder, was running an intramural basketball program at Levy Middle School when he read “Season of Life,” a book about former NFL player Joe Ehrmann. That led to an epiphany, and the intramural program soon evolved into the first chapter of the Building Men Program.  “I liked how he infused character into his football team that he coached, so I started to infuse character talks and different things like that into the program,” Horan says. “I have just been blessed with amazing men…

With fall well underway, there is no better time to get out and explore Central New York. Whether you’re into festivals or picking pumpkins and apples, you’ll find something for every member of the family in our guide to October festivals and outings. Festivals & Events The Great Cortland Pumpkinfest – Kick off the Halloween season at the annual Great Cortland Pumpkinfest. From local crafts and live music to a Kids’ Zone, there is no shortage of family-friendly activities. The two-day festival also includes a pumpkin decorating contest where participants can recreate their favorite character in pumpkin form. When: October…