Author: Tammy DiDomenico

Ten years ago, a teenaged John “Jack” Alexander was fielding lighthearted jokes from his classmates at Christian Brothers Academy about his lawyer dad’s omnipresent television commercials. This October, he was preparing for his first day as an associate at that very law firm. If you’ve lived in Central New York during the past 50 years, the name “Alexander” probably conjures thoughts of one of two public personas. Lee Alexander, the wildly popular, but ultimately defamed Syracuse mayor, fascinated the press and voters alike during his tenure at City Hall – which began in 1970 and continued through 1985. While son…

In many states, the number of pet adoptions has risen during COVID-19. But young families considering adopting a pet need to consider a range of factors before allowing a new creature to join the household. People who work to ensure successful pet adoptions say it’s not a life change to be made lightly. Beware of Puppy Love Local animal welfare organizations such as Helping Hounds Dog Rescue in North Syracuse and the CNY Cat Coalition do their best to dissuade impulse adoptions. Courtney Armbruster of the CNY Cat Coalition says most families seeking to adopt a pet have given some…

No matter who you are, or how old you are, being active can provide measurable physical and psychological benefits. For those with physical limitations, access to opportunities to be active, and to enjoy the benefits of competition, can be hard to find. Oswego resident Greg Callen has set out to change that. Callen, who suffered a fall in 2005 that left him paralyzed from the waist down, started Move Along Inc. in 2009. The mission was, and remains, to provide access to adaptive sport and recreation opportunities for those with disabilities (and their friends and loved ones). “I was driven…

Tucked away on Lodi Street in Syracuse, one could be forgiven for not making Speach Family Candy Shoppe a frequent shopping destination. But a quick peak into the fourth-generation family business is all it takes to understand why it has lasted for 100 years. Fresh, handmade chocolates tempt visitors in the glass cases, while troughs of penny (style) candy line the back wall. The Speach family has been successful by balancing quality and innovation with just the right amount of nostalgia. Michael Speach Jr. has been president and head chocolatier since 2007. One hallmark of his tenure has been bringing…

Fourteen-year-old Ella Drotar says she was never the kind of girl to seek attention. But music has brought the young acoustic singer/songwriter into the local limelight. Ella’s cool on-stage presence and hopeful original songwriting quickly drew attention from local music fans – and has since kept her schedule full. Music has always been an important part of life for Ella. Her dad, Josh Drotar, has manned the drum kit for various local acts (most recently, The Smoking Loons). Mom, Melanie Drotar, knows her way around the cello, and twin older brothers Ryan and Brendan could frequently be heard practicing guitar,…

Julie Causton, Ph.D., wants teachers to help students become their best selves. As an educator who has worked at the elementary, middle, high school and college levels, she is passionate about supporting teachers in creating inclusive learning environments. Causton is cofounder of Inclusive Schooling with Kate MacLeod, Ph.D. She’s written or co-written several books on inclusion and teaching. Her first children’s book, The Too Much Unicorn (written with Caitlin Caron), came out in January. Causton consults with school districts across the country on the best ways to make school inclusive. Causton, 46, is a mother of two and lives in…

At just 12 years old, Amiah Crisler has already learned the importance of building a well-balanced life. For her, creativity is an important aspect of that. But this wise young painter, who just completed sixth grade at Ed Smith Pre-K-8 School in Syracuse, is already looking beyond her own work. She’s planning a career to help other young people find their own creative paths. Amiah is a two-time first-place winner of the youth division of the Family Times Street Painting Contest, in which participants use chalk to create art on sidewalk squares on Montgomery Street near downtown Syracuse’s City Hall.…

Walking into Ack’s Exotic Pets in Cicero, you quickly realize it’s not an average pet store. You won’t find any dog apparel or baby kittens here. But if you’re looking for an unusual snake, a veiled chameleon, or a sugar glider, this might be the place. “We’ve kind of got our niche,” owner Carl Ackerbauer says of his store. Ackerbauer opened Ack’s in 2006 in a smaller location just down the road from its current Route 11 spot. It’s been at its current site since 2009. Ackerbauer has had a fascination with reptiles for as long as he can remember.…

John Heard has been a mainstay on the local music scene for more than 35 years, but his 14 years as a hand drum and percussion instructor with the Syracuse City School District have brought him a different kind of fulfillment than simply performing. “I was recently in my favorite local Wegmans and the cashier was a young lady who recognized me. She had been in one of my groups, years ago, at Salem Hyde Elementary School,” Heard recalled. “She is a student at Henninger (High School) now, and she told me that since she was in my group,…

Every Monday morning, 12-year old Lucas Krukowski boards a school bus at his Cicero home and heads off to school. But, unlike most students, he doesn’t return later that afternoon. Lucas’ parents, Vicki and Dennis Krukowski, don’t see him again until Friday evening. Lucas is a fifth-grader at the Rochester School for the Deaf, one of 11 private, but state-supported, 4201 schools. They offer specialized academics and related services for students who are blind, deaf or physically disabled. The state established the 4201 designation in 1947 to better coordinate educational goals, monitor student progress, address infrastructure maintenance, and administer adherence…