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thisiscny.com
This Is CNY
@thisiscny.com
Aggressive Syracuse pride

We're sharing the stories of a region on the rise, the ❤️ of New York State

Read more at ThisisCNY.com or ask us a question, we love to help!
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Hello current and future Central New Yorkers!

We are looking forward to chatting with you about the reasons we love living here, and why we think you will, too!
Throughout December, we will be sharing gift guides highlighting many of Syracuse and Central New York's independent retailers, boutiques and small businesses, and what type of items they carry or experience they provide.

First up, places to find presents for babies and young children.
This is CNY holiday gift guide 2025: Ideas for babies, young kids at Syracuse shops
Shop local this holiday season with gift ideas from independently owned stores around the Syracuse area.
www.thisiscny.com
December 2, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Emerald City comes to the @syrlandmark.bsky.social this holiday season with “Wicked” returning Dec. 3-14.

“Wicked” has been a powerhouse production for more than two decades, standing as the fourth-longest-running show in Broadway history.

www.thisiscny.com/living/2025/...
There’s no place like Syracuse: Broadway hit ‘Wicked’ returns to Landmark Theatre
The touring production of the fourth-longest-running Broadway musical tells a story of friendship, prejudice, corruption, good and evil.
www.thisiscny.com
December 2, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Michelle Schenandoah (Oneida Nation Wolf Clan) aims to strengthen relationships to the ideal of rematriation, a women-led movement focused on restoring the Native connection to the Earth and caring for future and current generations.

www.thisiscny.com/living/2025/...
Michelle Schenandoah uplifts Indigenous voices (Syracuse Trailblazers and Trendsetters)
Michelle Schenandoah, founder of the nonprofit Rematriation, works to uplift voices of Indigenous women in media and beyond.
www.thisiscny.com
December 1, 2025 at 8:01 PM
The first week of December in Central New York is packed with festive performances, seasonal music and holiday traditions.

www.thisiscny.com/living/2025/...
‘Wicked,’ Breakfast with Santa, Festival of Trees: 24 things to do this week in CNY
The first week of December in Central New York is packed with festive performances, seasonal music and holiday traditions.
www.thisiscny.com
December 1, 2025 at 5:52 PM
With the turn of a candy-cane switch, the Christmas season symbolically began in Syracuse’s downtown.

Hundreds of families crowded into Clinton Square on Friday night for the annual lighting of the 42-foot city Christmas tree.

www.thisiscny.com/living/2025/...
It’s a White Christmas tree lighting in Syracuse: ‘It’s perfect like this’
Syracuse’s heavy snow kept some away for tree-lighting ceremony. Those who came say it was perfect.
www.thisiscny.com
November 30, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Alexander “Alex” Hloderwski Jr. amassed a huge collection of the brightly colored LEGO bricks in his lifetime. But more than anything, he loved sharing LEGO.

www.thisiscny.com/living/2025/...
Syracuse man’s huge LEGO collection sells for $165,000; loved to share his passion
His daughter said he also taught her to be creative and build from imagination.
www.thisiscny.com
November 30, 2025 at 8:17 PM
For some, only a fresh-cut Christmas tree will do. Families make a yearly pilgrimage to a local tree farm to either cut their own tree or purchase a pre-cut one. Here’s a guide to Christmas tree farms throughout Central New York.

www.thisiscny.com/living/2025/...
Need a Christmas tree? Here’s a complete guide to Christmas tree farms in Central New York
Here's information on more than 30 Christmas tree farms in Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga and Oswego counties.
www.thisiscny.com
November 29, 2025 at 8:02 PM
When Mark DeVito received his new kidney at SUNY @upstatemedical.bsky.social in September, the moment marked far more than the end of a long wait.

www.thisiscny.com/living/2025/...
After 2 years of waiting for a kidney, Watertown man’s transplant makes medical history at Upstate
A Watertown couple’s years of sacrifice and patience reveal the profound impact one act of kindness can set in motion.
www.thisiscny.com
November 29, 2025 at 5:47 PM
A fascinating stat: Syracuse has been named the second-highest city in the nation where women are the primary breadwinners in opposite-sex coupled households, according to a recent report by the personal finance site LendingTree.

www.thisiscny.com/living/2025/...
Syracuse women rank second nationally in out-earning male partners, study finds
New data reveals a geographical divide in gender earning patterns, with Northeast cities like Syracuse having more female breadwinners.
www.thisiscny.com
November 28, 2025 at 11:00 PM
We hope everyone has a warm, safe, happy Thanksgiving and that you have something to be grateful for.
November 27, 2025 at 3:41 PM
This one's for the longtime residents and the expats. Why did the turkeys cross the road?

www.thisiscny.com/living/2025/...
Remember when Thanksgiving in CNY meant a Plainville turkey on your table?
The family owned farm in Lysander was part of local traditions for almost two centuries.
www.thisiscny.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Syracuse may not be recognized as a fashion hub, but its small businesses tell a different story. Across the city, shop owners are shaping a local style scene.

Meet 9 of them:
www.thisiscny.com/living/2025/...
Who knew Syracuse was this stylish? 9 local clothing shops to check out
An overlooked fashion scene in Syracuse hides within the city.
www.thisiscny.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:55 PM
While there were some inconsistencies, cheese-centric bistro The Wedge in Eastwood has many bright spots, finds reviewer @jaredpaventi.com.

www.thisiscny.com/living/2025/...
Creative starters and stellar service at The Wedge in Syracuse, but inconsistencies linger (Dining Out Review)
Eastwood bistro brings brings cheese to each course, including the cocktails.
www.thisiscny.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Seasonal and holiday traditions return to add joy to this last week of November.

From working off (or working for) your extra Thanksgiving calories to tree lightings and special holiday markets, find out what's happening this week in Syracuse and Central New York.

www.thisiscny.com/living/2025/...
‘A Christmas Story,’ Liverpool Turkey Trot, Merry Mingle Market: 20 things to do this week in CNY
Seasonal and holiday traditions are back to add joy to this last week of November.
www.thisiscny.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Upstate New York mornings practically beg for a warm, homemade doughnut alongside your first cup of coffee.

Here’s a short list of some of the most mouthwatering doughnut shops in Upstate New York. Go ahead and try them all.

www.thisiscny.com/explore-upst...
11 hidden gem doughnut shops in Upstate NY that locals don’t want you to know about
Discover family-owned bakeries with decades of delicious traditions.
www.thisiscny.com
November 23, 2025 at 3:16 PM
An iconic Upstate New York restaurant is celebrating its 100th birthday with an early return of its signature holiday cocktail that you may be pressed to find many places.

www.thisiscny.com/explore-upst...
This 100-year-old Upstate NY diner is serving a holiday cocktail you’ve probably never tried before
With its original tin ceilings and one of America's last stand-up bars, this restaurant steps you back in time.
www.thisiscny.com
November 22, 2025 at 8:00 PM
The Oswego and Onondaga County Search and Rescue Teams are looking for people 18 years and older interested becoming search and rescue volunteers. All that’s required is a love of the outdoors and for helping others.

www.thisiscny.com/explore-upst...
Central NY search and rescue academy seeks volunteers for 2026 class
The 2026 SAR Academy Information Night is Dec. 3, from 6 - 8 p.m., at the Brewerton Fire Department.
www.thisiscny.com
November 22, 2025 at 5:08 PM
A beloved Syracuse holiday tradition celebrates its 40th anniversary beginning on Friday.

The Erie Canal Museum’s annual Gingerbread Gallery, which transforms the museum into a festive 19th-century streetscape, opens to the public on Friday, Nov. 21.

www.thisiscny.com/living/2025/...
Syracuse’s Gingerbread Gallery returns for 40th year at Erie Canal Museum
The beloved Syracuse tradition opens to the public on Friday, Nov. 21.
www.thisiscny.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Serve our community with your crochet skills! 🧶
Tomorrow, Saturday Nov. 22, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Syracuse’s Off The Hook Crochet Club will hold a Crochet-A-Thon at Salt City Market. Volunteers hope to create 200+ winter hats for donation to United Way of Central New York's Share the Warmth Drive.
November 21, 2025 at 5:08 PM
IKEA is ready to welcome Syracuse customers. And even though it’s smaller than traditional IKEAs, but it’s just as eye-popping.

www.thisiscny.com/business/202...
See inside IKEA at Destiny USA before its grand opening in Syracuse (photos)
IKEA at Destiny USA opens Friday morning.
www.thisiscny.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:27 PM
A house-flipping couple, a former Yankees marketing guy and a Dinosaur Bar-B-Que pitmaster walk into a rundown roadhouse in LaFayette. That’s not a joke setup; that’s the origin story of Brickyard Tavern and Barbecue.

www.thisiscny.com/living/2025/...
First Look: They built a smokehouse from scrap wood and a tavern from a dive bar. Now Central NY is lining up
Brickyard Tavern & Barbecue is selling out of brisket, ribs and homemade sausage daily.
www.thisiscny.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:01 PM
It’s official: "Weird Al" Yankovic is the first artist on the 2026 Empower Federal Credit Union Amp concert lineup. The show will be part of his expanded “Bigger & Weirder” tour dates featuring Puddles Pity Party as the opening act.

www.thisiscny.com/living/2025/...
‘Weird Al’ Yankovic to perform at Syracuse amphitheater: How to get tickets
It will be his first Syracuse concert in 7 years.
www.thisiscny.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Four Cazenovia students are on track to become published authors. Students received writing kits from author Stan Tucker’s program Leap for Literacy, and the students worked closely with the teachers before submitting their stories for consideration.

www.thisiscny.com/living/2025/...
Cazenovia students turn personal stories into published work with author’s help
Four students from Burton Street Elementary School are on track to become published authors within the year.
www.thisiscny.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Whispering Wildflower joined Hanover Square in mid-September, adding a cozy new boutique to a downtown Syracuse corner that’s steadily rebuilding.

www.thisiscny.com/living/2025/...
Whispering Wildflower boutique opens in downtown Syracuse’s Hanover Square
Owner Nicole Beach fulfills 20-year dream with new clothing store focused on creating a cozy, community-minded shopping experience and supporting local artisans.
www.thisiscny.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Barb Karper can’t seem to leave @lemoynecollege.bsky.social. Over her five decades there, her roles have included student activities, residence life, student affairs, alumni fundraising and committee and community positions.

“That’s why I don’t retire. I just keep reinventing myself,” Karper says.
Le Moyne College’s Barb Karper on leadership: ‘Time will get you to where you want to be’
After 51 years at the Jesuit college in Syracuse, assistant VP of the Grace Center for Faith and Commuinity discusses the value of relationship-building in getting things done.
www.thisiscny.com
November 18, 2025 at 5:04 PM