Congressman John Katko discusses bipartisanship, leaving Congress, his relationship with former president Donald Trump — and what’s next for him P. 32
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If you think you may have lost track of an old 401(k) retirement account, you aren’t alone. As Americans move from job to job, many leave scraps of their company sponsored 401(k) plans behind, believing they’ll deal with it later, but never do.
In fact, according to a recent study, Americans have left behind around $1.35 trillion in retirement accounts that are connected to previous employers.
To help you look for an old 401(k), here are some suggestions along with some free resources that can help you search.
The first way to look for an old 401(k) account is to contact your former employer’s human resources department. Ask them to check their plan records to see if you ever participated in their 401(k) plan, and if so, how much it’s worth. You’ll need to provide them your Social Security number and the dates you worked for them.
If you need help tracking down your former employer because it may have moved, changed owners or merged with another firm, help is available from the Labor Department (AskEBSA.dol.gov, 866-444-3272) and the Pension Rights Center and Pension Action Center (PensionRights.org/ find-help).
If there was more than $5,000 in your 401(k) account when you left, there’s a good chance that your money is still in your workplace account.
Your former employer should be able to either get you the forms necessary to roll over your retirement money to a different 401(k) or to an IRA, or to give you contact information for any outside financial institution overseeing the plan on your employer’s behalf. By following the appropriate instructions, you’ll be able to move your retirement money
where you want.
But if your old 401(k) account was under $5,000, your former employer has the option of transferring the money to a default individual retirement account without your consent. Your cash may go into an interest-bearing, federally insured bank account or to your state’s unclaimed property fund.
If this is the case, and your old employer cannot tell you where your 401(k) funds were sent, you’ll need to track it down yourself.
While there’s no federally run national database where you can look for all the retirement accounts that are associated with your name, a good place to start your search is with the Department of Labor’s abandoned plan database at AskEBSA.dol.gov/ AbandonedPlanSearch. And FreeErisa (FreeErisa.BenefitsPro.com), which maintains a rundown of employee benefit plan paperwork.
There’s also the National Registry of Unclaimed Retirement Benefits at UnclaimedRetirementBenefits. com. This site works like a “missed connections” service whereby companies register with the site to help facilitate a reunion between exemployees and their retirement money. But not every company is registered with this site.
To see if your 401(k) money was turned over to the state’s unclaimed property fund, use the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators website (Unclaimed. org) to search. Or you can do a multi-state search in 39 states at MissingMoney.com.
Or, if you think you were covered under a traditional pension plan that was disbanded, call the U.S. Pension Guaranty Corp. at 800-326-5678, or use the trusteed plan search tool at PBGC. gov/search-trusteed-plans.
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A.: No. We do not reassign Social Security numbers. In all, we have assigned more than 500 million Social Security numbers. Each year we assign about 5.5 million new numbers. There are over one billion combinations of the nine-digit Social Security number. As a result, the current system has enough new numbers to last for several more generations.
Humana is committed to providing you with the right Medicare coverage for you. That means helping you choose the plan that meets your healthcare needs and your budget. Like a Medicare Advantage plan that includes everything Original Medicare has—and may have benefits you might not get with Medicare Part A and Part B.
Q.:
A.: No, it is not illegal, but we discourage it. It’s best not to laminate your card. Laminated cards make it difficult — sometimes even impossible — to detect important security features and an employer may refuse to accept them. The Social Security Act requires the Commissioner of Social Security to issue cards that cannot be counterfeited. We incorporate many features that protect the card’s integrity. They include highly specialized paper and printing techniques, some of which are invisible to the naked eye. Keep your Social Security card in a safe place with your other important papers. Do not carry it with you.
Q.: Someone stole my Social Security number, and it’s being used repeatedly. Does Social Security issue new Social Security numbers to victims of repeated identity theft?
A.: If you’ve done all you can to identify and fix the problem, including contacting the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), but someone is still using your number, Social Security may assign you a new number. If you decide to apply for a new number, you’ll need to prove your identity, age, and U.S. citizenship or immigration status. You’ll also need to provide evidence you’re having ongoing problems because of the misuse of your current Social Security number. You can read more about identity theft at www. ssa.gov/pubs.
Humana strives to go above and beyond to help you get the care you need. That’s called human care.
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NANCY SPINELLA 315 516 4716 (TTY: 711) Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. NSpinella@Humana.com facebook.com/nspinellalicensedsalesagent
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probably done, and I am not that guy. We review, we make plans, we try to do better. Constant improvement beats delayed perfection every time.
Even knowing the next time may be a full 10 months away. And as the weather hardens, this water will become hard itself. Which softens us, ironically. We see things with a different perspective in winter as time passes slower and leaves its mark on us as well. I want to be successful at growing old; enthusiasm for all four seasons is part of that process. I really didn’t want to be 60, now I aspire to be 70, and time spent fly fishing is my reward for working hard. I’m at my best when I have a job to do, I’m healthier. I’m a better man when I am active.
Something more significant was taken from the river this day. My goal had been to feel something tightening at the end of my line. But I also touched the wind, tasted the rain, watched the sun rise, listened to the water and smelled the earth that surrounded it. All with baited breath.
And even though every salmon was released, they now have trust issues. Don’t we all?
It seems the longer I am on this planet, the tighter I try to hold on to the end of each and every season.
Savoring the sights, smells and sounds along a riverbank before they drift away, only to exist in my memory bank —where they may live forever or at least until next week.
One of my very favorite places to spend time every autumn is by a sparkling river, observing things that glide by, never to return again. Just because that object no longer exists for me does not mean it has lost value downstream.
I have long felt that next to
prayer, fishing is the most personal relationship of man. It is also the eternal fountain of youth, as it always makes me anticipate when I’ll go again and the proper preparation required to make the next time even better.
After every outing I take notes of what I need to do to improve the next venture. I never record what I caught. I just log what I need to do differently. Notable achievements are often contingent on subtle tweaks. Setting the hook across the flow or upriver at this time of year all influence a bend in your rod, or swings and misses. When you are done learning, you are
Winter is not everyone’s favorite time of year; some just try to endure getting through it. But there are good parts to every season if we remember to look for them. When things were running dry, I recall somebody once turned water into wine.
A lot of folks use the colder months to read more. If you learn to read books, you can be smart. If you learn to read yourself, you can be anything.
This year, remember to live while you’re busy surviving.
Jim Sollecito is the first lifetime senior certified landscape professional in New York State. He operates Sollecito Landscaping Nursery in Syracuse. Contact him at 315-468-1142 or jim@sollecito.com.
Jim Sollicito: “Time spent on the Salmon River is not just about the fishing”
The duck bacon wontons contain duck bacon, sweet corn, and mascarpone cheese are circled around a small pile of greens.
It’s the time of the year where Central New York is changing aesthetically and getting a smidge colder.
Opportunities to sit and relax or walk outside are dwindling as quickly as leaves fall off their trees. Our minds switch from refreshment to comfort — whether it’s clothes or food.
Sure, some people may take offense but sometimes you have to go to the mall to walk. Of the times I’ve hit up Destiny USA, it’s obvious the majority mall walkers are older adults.
This isn’t my knocking on the
hobby — my parents are card carrying members to the unofficial club — as it’s an invigorating activity that promotes exercise, socializing and getting out of the house during the colder months.
Where there is a comfortable and spacious place to walk, there are places to eat.
One of those places is Bullfinch Brewpub.
Similar to accomplishing laps on a favorite level of the mall, this establishment has ties with the region that have circled back around.
A couple months back, a friend
and I came to Bullfinch to try its beer; its kitchen was closed at the time. We met owner Dave Collins, who was the brewmaster at Gordon Biersch, which occupied that same location until its closing a couple years ago.
This Marcellus native headed out west to Buffalo, and helped bring Resurgence Brewing into fruition before heading back to Syracuse for this Bullfinch endeavor. Collins is a friendly, laidback guy, which parallels the atmosphere. For this meal, the quick-witted and cordial Steve served up the experience.
The meal was kicked off with two shareables — duck bacon wontons ($16) and hog wings ($16). The five wontons which contain duck bacon, sweet corn and mascarpone cheese, are circled around a small pile of greens. The shareable option is drizzled with a sweet sauce with distinctive orange and ginger prominence.
The hog wings, the hammy cousin
on a pub menu staple beef on weck. In between the inhouse made kummelweck roll, which was toasted and topped with sea salt, sat warm roasted Italian-style beef topped with horseradish sauce.
of chicken wings, are more like pork shanks. Presentation-wise, think lamb chops. The five wings — the menu says six would come in a serving — are slathered in Hawaiian barbecue sauce. The pineapple falls in the background, allowing the brown sugar to stand out. Still, it’s a delightful medium-thick sauce packed with flavor. Should Bullfinch decide to incentivize the sauce, I’d buy into it.
Sauce aside, the tender ham falls right off the bone. And there is a lot of dark meat. Sure, there was one wing missing but I feel like I got my money’s worth. It’s easily shareable among six (or five) people, and eating one is perfectly satisfying.
The dirty south sandwich ($19) contains IPA buttermilk-battered and fried chicken topped with spicy pickles, bibb lettuce and dirty south sauce. The thin piece of chicken was hidden under the green components and was my least favorite part of the entrée. It was fried a little too long but the fresh greens and pickles made up for it.
The sauce was also a wonderful complement. The yellow sauce with a slight kick was a concoction of mustard, vinegar, and (I think) Worcestershire, among other spices. It was a saturating grace.
The chips that came with the entrée ($1 upgrade for fries, $2 for sweet potato fries) were seasoned and
crispy. Sweet potato fries were once my go-to side, but the crispy potato rounds validated my change of heart.
The fries are crispy though, and seasoned well. I opted for them with the beef on brewhouse ($17), which is Bullfinch’s take on a pub menu staple beef on weck. In between the in-house made kummelweck roll, which was toasted and topped with sea salt, sat warm roasted Italian-style beef topped with horseradish sauce.
The sandwich came out piping hot, so I let it sit for a couple minutes while enjoying the fries. The creamy horseradish sauce was much milder than expected, but still had a horseyforward flavor and complemented the tender beef.
Of course, I enjoyed a flight of beer consisting of: Prismatic Spray (rainbow sherbet sour), which is what a rainbow would taste like if a rainbow had flavor and a nice, tame gateway sour; Fog Cloud (New England hazy IPA), which is bright with a pinch of pine and orange; Find Familiar Fest (Oktoberfest-inspired amber lager), which is rich and toasty with hints of caramel; and Crown of Madness (a spiced pumpkin ale) that’s not like a typical pumpkin ale due to the coffee keeping the fall flavors of cinnamon and vanilla in check.
The total bill before tip came under $90.
It’s nice to have a local business
invest into space at the mall. For me, it’s one of the handful of reasons to get me through the door of Destiny USA. Bullfinch is a testament to the Central New York brewing and food community.
Bullfinch Brewpub
Destiny USA Canyon area 306 Hiawatha Blvd, Syracuse, NY 13204
315-217-5535 bullfinchbrewpub.com facebook.com/bullfinchbrewpub instagram.com/bullfinchbrewpub
Sun.: 11:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. Mon. – Thurs.: 12 – 9 p.m. Fri. – Sat.: 12 – 10 p.m.
Don't waste your valuable retirement money on these items.
By John CsiszarMany people reach their peak net worth right when they retire. This also happens to coincide with the feeling that it’s time to spend some of that net worth after working so hard to accumulate it over the years. However, without proper financial planning and budgeting, this can sometimes lead to a disastrous combination.
If retirees overspend immediately after they stop working, they may find themselves coming up short in their later years for even the most basic needs. To help avoid that situation, check out this list of purchases that retirees almost always regret, and make sure they fit into your long-term budget before you make a financial misstep.
1 2Those who are generous in mind and spirit might see retirement as the time to spend on nice gifts for friends and former work colleagues. While tokens of appreciation are always in good taste, it’s important to balance kindness toward others with the preservation of your financial wellbeing. If you retire with $1 million, for example, you might feel like you can afford to buy cruises or cars for special people in your life. But at tens of thousands of dollars per shot, you’ll find that $1 million won’t last you very long at all, especially if you have 30 or more years of retirement ahead of you. Feel free to be generous, but keep your giftgiving within reason.
If you’ve grown accustomed to upsizing your house throughout your life, you might feel like when you retire, at the peak of your net worth, it’s time to splurge and get the biggest house of your life. But generally speaking, that is actually the worst time to do that. If you have kids, they have most likely left the house, leaving you and perhaps your spouse alone to both occupy and maintain a large home. In other words, except for entertaining purposes, you likely won’t ever use most of your giant home. In the meantime, all of your other expenses will increase, from your property taxes to your heating bills to your maintenance costs. At a time when you have shut off the main source of your income, dramatically increasing your expenses is the last thing you want to do.
Many older Americans have travel on their minds when they finally retire, and that’s a great way to occupy your time. However, if you blow a big chunk of money on a round-the-world cruise for two the moment you retire, you could be crippling your future financial well-being. Not only will that money immediately go out the window, but you’ll also be losing up to 30 years or even more of investment returns on that cash. While there’s nothing wrong with traveling after you retire, try not to get overexcited and blow five or 10 years of your retirement budget in a single outing.
For many retirees, the urge to give money to children is even stronger than the desire to buy gifts for friends and colleagues. In some cases, providing early gifts to children can be a valuable part of an estate-planning strategy. But if you intend to fully support your adult children or shower them with boatloads of cash, you’re likely to regret it. Not only do you run the risk of denying them self-sufficiency, you may find that you’ll need that money back in your twilight years — when it’s no longer likely to be in their possession.
Expensive cars fall into the “I earned it so I’m going to spend it” category when it comes to retirement. While it’s completely understandable to want a comfortable car when you retire, you’ll have to balance the costs with your budget. Remember that an expensive car is an ongoing expense, not a one-time purchase. Luxury cars tend to have higher maintenance costs, higher insurance premiums, and higher fuel costs, as many require premium gasoline. Plus, luxury cars tend to depreciate rapidly. Be sure to factor in all of these costs when deciding if you can truly afford an expensive car without damaging your long-term standard of living.
Insurance is important to have as a retiree. But overspending on insurance you don’t need is wasteful and can be an unnecessary drain on your nest egg. Life insurance is a great example. Typically, working adults take out life insurance so that loved ones are provided for in the event that a family breadwinner dies prematurely. But by the time you retire, your kids have likely completed their education and are out of the house, and your home mortgage is likely nearly or fully paid off. While you might want to keep a small policy to help your spouse in case you die, you won’t likely need the $1 million-plus policies often taken out by younger
One of the things that people look forward to most when thinking about retirement is additional free time. However, if you’re financially undisciplined, your free time could end up costing you. If you’re prone to late-night TV solicitations for “only available on TV” products, or if you spend a lot of time on the computer visiting shopping sites like Amazon, you may find that you’re spending a lot more than you used to when you were working and your free time was occupied. Typically, items that people buy when they are bored tend to be nonessential and regrettable. Keep an eye on your spending after you retire, and realize that you don’t have the same steady income that you used to have while working.
A vacation home is a fun way to spend time with friends and family, but it’s often a purchase that retirees regret. For starters, you’ll be dramatically increasing your expenses at a time when you’re turning off your main source of income. In addition to your mortgage, you’ll have to add property taxes and maintenance costs to your retirement budget. Second homes also typically have more unfavorable tax consequences. Over time, you may find that you don’t even use your vacation home as often as you thought, as you now have the freedom to travel to more places in the world.
Story originally published at www. gobankingrates.com. Reprinted with permission.
By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
When to begin drawing on Social Security may seem like an easy question to answer.
Those born in 1960 or later may begin as soon as age 62. However, they would lose $300 per month for a $1,000 payment compared with a peer who waited until age 67. That equals $3,600 a year or $46,800 total between ages 62 and 75.
So why would anyone start drawing on it early?
“There’s only a couple reasons to take it early,” said Robert A. Rolfe, financial adviser with Harmony Financial Services in Oswego. “Statistically, around 40% of filers take it at 63 or younger. Most statistics bear up. Those filers typically have a medical event that shortened their working life. We think about disability as someone who breaks their back. More often than not, it’s something with a heart valve problem or cancer. That disease may not allow them to return to work at full capacity.
“The other reason is if you have a diagnosis of some type of lifethreatening disease, that is a reason to take it early.”
Retirees with serious health conditions or substantial family medical history may want to weigh
their longevity compared with the lower monthly payments.
Rolfe said that some early filers do not have sufficient resources to support themselves, such as a 401K or they lack savings. But “there could be a $100,000 to $200,000 difference in a lifetime if someone lives to their late 80s to early 90s,” Rolfe said. “That’s a significant amount more. It’s a caseby-case difference.”
In most situations, Randy L. Zeigler, certified financial planner and private wealth adviser with Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC in Oswego, advises against drawing on Social Security early because of the lower payout in most circumstances.
“My conversation with most of my clients connects to family longevity, the employment record and amount of Social Security taxes that have been paid,” he said. “If it’s a couple, we look at whether the spouse will qualify for their own record or take the spousal record, and from a cash flow standpoint, it matters if a person is drawing from their investment portfolio while waiting for Social Security.”
He said that if the break-even point for early Social Security is 78, it favors waiting until full retirement.
Cash flow also matters, as many
people tend to spend more in their 60s and 70s as they travel and engage in more activities. Zeigler helps clients look at how much cash flow they will need to supplement their income from investments or pensions. He typically favors saving the portfolio and drawing on Social Security.
Marital status can also affect when to begin drawing on Social Security. Delaying can increase the survivor’s benefit. Waiting can make a very big difference for a couple with a much younger spouse who will likely live a significantly longer lifespan.
“For my couples where I have an older-younger spouse, we factor the future survivor benefit into the equation,” Zeigler said. “By waiting, you’ll produce a larger survivor’s benefit. If a spousal benefit will be paid to a homemaker, by waiting to draw on the benefit, the homemaker gets a bigger benefit.
“When there’s a spouse has earned less than the primary wage earner but has a full employment record, they’re apt to look at their own benefits. Sometimes, the primary wage earner would want to wait so their benefits and survivor benefits are bigger. But the spouse can draw earlier. There’s no bottom-line answer. You have to weigh all the factors.”
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Should you buy life insurance or additional life insurance at age 60 or older?
Although this seems like a simple question, many factors play into the answer, including your health. The applicant’s health determines in part the cost of the policy.
“Your premiums will be higher,” said Robert A. Rolfe, financial adviser with Harmony Financial Services in Oswego. “You’re not as insurable as you were at 45.”
According to valuepenguin.com, “the average life insurance quote only increases by 6% between ages 25 and 30, but it jumps much higher between ages 60 and 65 — an average increase of 86%, or $275 per month.”
This is because the likelihood of a payout is much higher the older a policyholder becomes.
Rolfe advises clients to purchase a policy earlier in life. Typically, companies use metrics such as the applicant’s age, weight, tobacco use status, and employment. These all affect the applicant’s risk of death. While the cost of the premiums may
outweigh the merits of holding a policy, “it’s situational,” Rolfe said. “A lot of times, it’s dictated by a few circumstances.”
The reason for buying a policy varies among clients. Rolfe said that some want to leave a legacy for their surviving family members. Others want to ensure sufficient funds for their burial. Still others want to leave a charitable legacy.
“Since COVID, I’ve seen renewed interest in folks adding life insurance because they feel closer to mortality and that inspired a lot of thinking for family legacies or charitable or both,” Rolfe said.
Most people 60-plus no longer have young dependents living at home. For parents with young children, losing a household wage earner would make financial viability difficult. Retirees typically have Social Security income as a revenue stream, which makes life insurance less important.
Randy L. Zeigler, certified financial adviser and private wealth adviser with Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC in Oswego, said that policyholders
can use life insurance “as a smart income tax planning strategy. There can be capital transfer of assets to the beneficiaries as a tax-free benefit. It can be hybrid life insurance with long-term care policies. They have an ability to leave assets to their heirs but use the death benefit early to pay for long-term care costs.”
Many people view purchasing a life insurance policy at 60 as a means to safeguard their loved ones against final expenses. Burial and a funeral cost an average of $7,360, according to the National Funeral Directors Association. Investing the funds instead of paying premiums is a better route for most people.
Pre-paying burial and funeral expenses can also ensure that the family feels no financial burden and it also safeguards against inflation. These require payment up front.
As with any financial matter, individual scenarios vary widely, so he encourages people to sit down with a trusted financial adviser to look at the options and make educated decisions.
Zeigler warns against the life insurance policies advertised on television, which often sound too good to be true.
“There’s never, ever a free lunch,” he said. “Figure out your goal. Do we have a death benefit or estate need or long-term care needs? What instrument can help you target those goals?”
There's an easy way to reduce your risk for dementia, heart disease and cancer: Start walking.
Getting in those recommended 10,000 steps a day makes a real difference, new research affirms, but even fewer will pay big dividends. No matter how many you log, however, step up your pace for the biggest benefit.
For every 2,000 steps you log, up to about 10,000 a day, your risk of early death drops by between 8% and 11%, researchers found.
"So, 10,000 steps maximizes the chances of getting all these benefits, but also for inactive people who can't engage in so many steps — any steps have benefits — every step counts," said lead researcher Borja del Pozo Cruz of the Center for Active and Healthy Aging at the University of Southern Denmark in Odense.
And, he added, it's never too late to get going.
"The range of participants that we had in the study went from 40 to 79," Cruz said. "That means that any person can actually get the benefits."
This study, however, doesn't prove that walking 10,000 steps a day has a health benefit, only that number of steps is associated with a reduction in heart disease, cancer, dementia and early death.
Cruz said that the power of the study lies in its large size and in researchers' ability to isolate walking from other exercises.
For the greatest health benefit, the sweet spot was 9,800 steps a day, which slashed dementia risk by 40%. But just 3,800 steps lowered it by 25%, the investigators found.
Over and above the number of steps, walking at a brisker pace — about 80 steps a minute — brought the greatest reduction in dementia, heart disease, cancer and premature death, Cruz noted.
But all that walking doesn't have to happen all at once. It can be spread out during the day, the researchers said.
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By Mary Beth Roach
RIGHT: Samples of work by Knitted Knockers of Auburn. The group’s mission is to create handmade breast prostheses for women who have undergone mastectomies or other breast-related surgeries.
You take a couple of needles and yarn and you come up with a beautiful item.
This is one reason why Deborah V. Gardner, 73, of Cicero, said she has been knitting for 65 years.
A certified master knitter, she is also the founder of a knitting group that meets at the Northern Onondaga Public Library in North Syracuse and a member of several other such groups, as well.
On Monday mornings, Gardner and about 15 other knitters gather in one of the library’s large meeting rooms, work on their individual projects, share tips and expertise and simply enjoy one another’s company.
“We help each other. We can learn new skills and then we chat. It’s just the camaraderie,” Gardner said.
But knitting is so much more than a craft in which beautiful pieces can be made. It brings people together, it can provide warmth and comfort to others, and it can be beneficial to the knitters’ physical and emotional health.
While socializing with their fellow knitters, the members in this group all work on individual projects and
very often they will donate them to charitable organizations in the area. For example, Brenda Rath, 73, also of Cicero, knits sweaters for stuffed teddy bears for the CNY Bear Team, which distributes the animals to sick children in the area. She estimates that she has done about 300. Louise Cone, 59, a Cicero-North Syracuse area resident, makes scarves for patients at the Hematology-Oncology Associates of Syracuse. Others in the group knit blankets and other baby items for the Birthright organization in Syracuse. Meanwhile, in Auburn, new knitting programs are starting up in conjunction with the Sew What shop, located in Willard Chapel.
The store, established in 2021, is a fiber arts center, and is run by volunteers. Auburn resident Doris Lindsay, who calls herself an addictive knitter, had had her volunteer hours cut at a local outreach program. She admitted she was bored, so one day, while visiting Sew What, she offered to help start some classes and at least one special project, sharing with others the skills she has honed for 70 of her 75 years.
One class includes both teens and older women. She is hoping to offer knitting to an area Girl Scout troop in the spring.
In addition, together with the founders of Sew What, Lindsay is bringing the national Knitted Knockers organization to Auburn. The group’s mission is to create handmade breast prostheses for women who have undergone mastectomies or other breast-related surgeries.
One of the owners of the shop learned of the Knitted Knockers group while in Florida and brought the idea back to Auburn. While many of the knitters in this project are experienced and can make the knockers at home, Lindsay said, she wants to create a monthly meetup. Lindsay said that the yarn they use for these items are chemical-free so they are safer for the women to put on their skin. Sew What has this yarn available at the shop.
Among those helping Lindsay in the local Knitted Knockers group is Debbie Leone, 64, of Auburn. She was interested in being part of this endeavor because she has had several friends who’ve had mastectomies.
LEFT: Brenda Rath, 73, also of Cicero, knits sweaters for stuffed teddy bears for the CNY Bear Team, which distributes the animals to sick children in the area.“I just want to help the people that need it most,” she said.
Leone has been knitting since she was 19, and loves the craft not just because it’s relaxing, but it also gives her aha moments.
“When I’m finished, I’m ‘Ah, I made that!’” she said.
The pandemic has helped to kick-start all sorts of crafts, including knitting, since people were quarantined at home and looking for ways to occupy their time. Being stuck at home however, didn’t stop Gardner’s group. They zoomed on Monday mornings;
when the weather got better, they gathered at a nearby park. Later, as the weather turned cooler, Gardner was able to set up meetings at a large space, where they all stayed masked. Besides keeping people busy during the pandemic and providing the sense of accomplishment in creating items, knitters also enjoy the hobby because it’s so portable and one that can be done while watching television or while a passenger on a long road trip; others have picked it up because it makes them feel closer to a loved one who knitted but has passed.
Many experts agree that knitting offers both emotional and physical health benefits — helping with cognitive function; allowing individuals to set and reach goals, boosting their selfconfidence; relieving stress; improving concentration; keeping hands and fingers more nimble, and enhancing socialization.
These benefits seem to be well summed up in the line that Gardner uses on her website, deborahsknitting. com: “In the rhythm of the needles, there is music for the soul.”
BOTH PAGES: Some members of the NOPL knitters’ program.
BOTTOM: Auburn resident Doris Lindsay, left, calls herself an addictive knitter. Next to her is Debbie Leone, also from Auburn.
OPPOSITE PAGE: Deborah V. Gardner, 73, of Cicero, says she has knitted for 65 years.
For those interested in finding a knitting group, there are several in the area. Please note that instruction is not always offered at these gatherings. Some groups in the area are listed below.
• Baldwinsville Public Library, 33 E. Genesee St., Baldwinsville. 315-635-5631. Quilting and Knitting with Friends meets every other Friday on a drop-in basis from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Fulton Public Library, 160 S. First St., Fulton.315-592-5159. Open arts and crafts program — Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to noon.
• Liverpool Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. 315-457-0310. Hooks and Needles, an informal knitting and beading program, meets the first Thursday of every month from 10 a.m. to noon. Attendance is limited to 15, due to the size of the room, so attendees are encouraged to register through the library’s website, LPL.org.
• Mondays at 10 a.m. – Northern Onondaga Public Library, North Syracuse, 100 Trolley Barn Lane, North Syracuse. 315-458-6184.
• Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. at the Northern Onondaga Public Library, Cicero, 8686 Knowledge Lane, Cicero. 315699-2032.
• Paine Branch Library – 113 Nichols Ave., (Eastwood Section of Syracuse). 315-435-5442. Informal group on Mondays at 2 p.m.
• Sew What, 17 Nelson St., Auburn, and Knitted Knockers. 315-704-4180. Web address: sewwhatcny@gmail.com.
• Twisted Stitches Knitting Guild at Grace Episcopal Church 110 Oswego St., Baldwinsville. Meets second Saturday of each month from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. from September to June.
At the age of 97, Charlotte (Chuckie) Holstein is still a force in our community.
She is an icon of leadership and the people she has inspired are now found throughout business, government and the nonprofit world.
There is rarely a time that anyone comes away from a meeting with Holstein that they haven’t learned something, been connected to someone or had a conversation that will affect some part of our community. Part one is a look back at this amazing life and part two, in the next issue, will be life lessons learned over 97 years.
Holstein was born in Rochester into a Jewish family who believed in tzedakah, an ethical concept of giving back, through doing the right thing, and giving aid, assistance and money to the poor and needy.
Her father was a house painter who often employed workers from different backgrounds, so from an early age she became comfortable with diversity. What she has accomplished in her life was guided by this early background and a set of beliefs from her religion, other religions and cultures, and from the man she married and his beliefs.
When she married Alexander Holstein, whom she met on a blind date, she stepped into a different world.
The Holsteins owned Syroco, a large manufacturer of molded wood products, with a three-generation history of philanthropy in the community through civic, cultural and religious life.
Chuckie and Alex expanded this tradition of involvement into the arts, health care, education, religion and interfaith work.
She says that from Alex she “learned to love and to be generous, to have patience and to not believe
Enjoying lisfe at 97: Chuckie Holstein at her Syracuse home earlier this year.everything you hear. To do your own research. To evaluate other points of view. And … what forks to use.”
The Holsteins always opened their home to others, providing a gathering place for family, friends and community groups. Together they raised four children (they lost their adult son, Philip, in 2016) who with their spouses, carry on the tradition in their own communities. In Syracuse, it is their son, David, and their daughtersin-law, Alyse and Jeanne Holstein, whose names would be most familiar.
After 79 years of marriage, Alex died two years ago at the age of 96.
As a young woman in Syracuse, Chuckie was involved in activities focused on diversity and was a longtime member of the National Council of Negro Women, the National Council of Jewish Women and the American Jewish Committee, hosting meetings in her home. She was the chairwoman of the mentorship program for the
Syracuse City School District, herself mentoring an eighth grader, saying that “if you’re going to be a mentor, you need to get involved and know what’s going on in people’s lives.”
An example of an early project was setting up an overnight camp week for children and their mothers from Pioneer Homes, one of the first government public housing projects in the United States.
“I’ve always copied people I admire,” she said. This list includes Rhea Clark, community leader and president of Cazenovia College, and Monsignor Charles Fahey, a person who values ‘values.’ “He helped me think ‘how will this action help someone?’
“In more recent years, I have learned leadership skills from Judy Mower, my long-time collaborator, and from Barbara Stone, a leadership development coach and a graduate of Leadership Greater Syracuse when I
was the director, and so many others.”
So, it is no surprise that perhaps the biggest impact Holstein has had locally and internationally is in intentionally making diversity a priority so that people from varied walks of life, from a janitor to a corporate CEO, are offered opportunities to get to know each other and even become friends and colleagues.
It is a fact of life that when people in positions to hire, or who are looking for people to serve on boards, or belong to clubs, or to run for office, they often choose those they have worked with and know, and yes, consciously or unconsciously, choose those much like themselves.
Holstein set out to change that perspective in a very purposeful way.
It goes without saying that diversity in race, religion and gender are her top priorities, but she also cares about diversity in professions. People in manufacturing, small business, construction, law, the arts, public service or insurance would not in the daily course of events have the opportunity to interact meaningfully with people in the fields of health care, government, substance abuse and persons with a disability. But thanks to Holstein and some strong cohorts she enlisted, this type of collaboration is now the face of the community.
She was a visionary before her time who recognized new cultural shifts before they actually hit the public eye. Before women began to be seen in leadership roles, and prior to the start of the women’s movement, Holstein chaired a national committee on women’s issues and spoke around the country on the importance of involving women in decision-making. It was women like her who “put grease on the wheels” of the women’s movement. Locally, she was the first woman on the board of Loretto, a Central New York health and rehabilitation company, and eventually president of its board.
How did someone get to be in such a position of influence and effectiveness without ever holding political office?
Every politician in her community for the past 65 years will tell you that it is not easy saying no to Chuckie Holstein.
Next article: Chuckie’s meetings with heads of state, including Pope John Paul, Leadership Greater Syracuse and FOCUS, and life’s lessons learned.
Micron Technology Inc. is coming to Central New York, with the construction of its $100 billion fabrication facility slated to start in 2024.
This project will create 9,000 jobs over the next 20 years as well as four times that many in support positions at related suppliers and service companies.
Micron’s move to the Syracuse area will bring more people, which will have an effect on the real estate market. With more buyers, we very well may see home prices shoot back up.
Even though rates are high, it would be beneficial in the long-term to get your foot in the door early. A refinance when rates drop in the near future may benefit a buyer, rather than waiting for lower rates and increased home prices.
In March of 2020, when COVID froze the nation, one of the biggest concerns was the potential crash of the housing market. The initial lull in home sales at the very start of the pandemic quickly turned into a white hot sellers’ market with buyers offering over-asking price and even waiving home inspections.
This was attributed to interest rates hitting historic lows and the total number of buyers outweighing inventory to choose from. On average, there were eight offers on a home during this timeframe which typically resulted in the properties selling for much higher than the list price. The median value of properties located in Syracuse increased significantly.
Fast forward to the end of 2022 and we are beginning to see the market change.
The steep increase in interest rates over the 2022 calendar year has played a significant role in the real estate market. As of Nov. 2, the Federal Reserve has increased its federal funds rate by 3.75% in 2022 through numerous rate hikes. Although the Fed does not control mortgage interest rates, these hikes have resulted mortgage rates for a 30-year products to increase around 4% higher than in
2021, the buyer of a median-priced home is facing a monthly principal and interest payment that is 66% higher.
One factor contributing to the lack of inventory is the lower foreclosure rate. Currently, the amount of foreclosures is well below the historic average. With many economists predicting a recession in the 2023 calendar year this rate may rise.
Although there is still currently a low inventory of homes in Syracuse and its surrounding areas, the total is steadily starting to increase and it is safe to fully expect more homes on the market in 2023. More inventory means more options, which points to the potential of the market shifting towards the buyers.
Although 2020 through most of 2022 can be deemed a seller’s market, we’re starting to see a change that points to the buyers. Increased interest rates have put some buyers out of range from an affordability standpoint, and this is leading to less competition.
Yes, interest rates rose to the highest percentage they’ve been at since the early 2005 in 2022, but they are not expected to stay at this level for an extended period of time. An expected, a drop in inflation in 2023 will result in interest rates falling as well. Though we saw a significant increase in rates over the course of 2022, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. The market is always changing and these rates will be more affordable soon.
2023 will be a great time to buy. With expected increases in housing inventory along with projected dropping interest rates, it will be all about the buyers. If you are thinking about selling your home in 2023, the market will not be like it was, but the values of homes will not be like they were a couple of years ago. I think they may drop some.
I do not think there will be multiple offers on a home like there was.
Janice Egan is a licensed real estate salesperson with decades of experience in CNY. She is affiliated with Hunt Real Estate. For more information, visit www. janiceegan.huntrealestate.com or email Janice.egan@huntrealestate.com.
Tim Beauvais is a mortgage loan originator with Genesee Regional Bank in Liverpool. For more information, call 585-278-4885 or email tjbeauvais@ grbbank.com.
‘Yes, interest rates rose to the highest percentage they’ve been at since the early 2005 in 2022, but they are not expected to stay at this level for an extended period of time.’
Aching joints are common for people over 50, but it’s still important to talk to a doctor about it rather than endlessly self-medicating, experts say.
Now, a new poll from the University of Michigan breaks down joint pain, its impact on those who responded to the survey and how they’ve chosen to react to this painful condition.
Findings from the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging include that 70% of people over 50 experience joint pain at least occasionally. About 60% have been told they have some form of arthritis.
Among those who have arthritis symptoms, about 45% said they have pain every day and 49% said it somewhat limits their usual activities.
“If you are feeling joint pain frequently, or it interferes with your normal activities, you don’t have to go it alone,” said Indira Venkat, senior vice president of AARP Research. The organization was one of the supporters for the poll. “Talk with your health provider about how you are treating your joint pain and additional strategies that may help.”
About 80% of those with joint pain said they had at least some confidence they could manage it on their own.
About 66% do so with overthe-counter pain relievers such as aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or naproxen (Aleve). About 26% reported taking supplements, such as glucosamine or chondroitin.
There are sizable risks associated with many of these treatment options, especially when taken long-term or in combination with other drugs, said Beth Wallace. “This suggests a pressing need for providers to talk with their patients about how to manage their joint pain, and what interactions and long-term risks might arise if they use medications to do so,” Wallace said.
Their love for music, friends, family, faith and fans — this is what keeps members of the Blacklites band, all older than 55, still drawing in the crowds, even 50 years after the group first formed.
“It’s all about feeling and the people,” said vocalist Jerry ‘Mr. Wiggles’ Patterson. “The adrenaline you get when you walk out there and see the people, you see them smiling. It gives you that thing.”
Several members of the group, including Patterson, 67; lead guitarist Emmanuel ‘Manny’ Atkins, 65, and Manny’s brother, Mike Atkins, recently
got together to talk about the group, their history and what keeps them going.
The current lineup is Manny Atkins, Eddie ‘Wall Street’ Brown, Patterson, Corky Ellison, Sly Livingston, Fred Shettel, Ricky Chisholm and Rick Linzy. When available, Saul Brown and Sam Wynn play. Rounding out the band’s sound is the horn section, including Dave Frateschi, Ken Chase and Clay Morgan.
Their music is a blend of Motown and R&B, which the band infuses with its own sound. They do covers from such iconic artists as the Commodores,
Stevie Wonder, The Temptations and Earth, Wind and Fire.
“We’re the protectors of the old school,” Manny said.
The music has to be danceable, so Manny, who puts the playlists together, explained that if the audiences are not on their feet, (which doesn’t happen often), he’ll shift gears and go to one of the group’s perennial favorites, like Commodore’s “Brick House” or Earth, Wind and Fire’s “September,” to get the crowd energized.
Begun in 1972, when friends and family from both the south and east sides of Syracuse got together and started playing music in one of the family’s backyards. Within about two years, they were playing to a lot of audiences throughout the Syracuse area; they became more disciplined and perfected their stage presence. Some of the band’s members headed to Boston and toured that area, with the remainder staying in Syracuse due to job and family commitments.
Eventually, contract disputes caused the band to break up and
they returned to Syracuse. But they did not return to local stages for nearly two decades, until, that is, Manny’s brother, Mike Atkins, got involved. He brought them back together, convincing them they had an “obligation to our community to stay together,” he said.
It’s the members’ shared history that has made their music all the richer. But their shows are more than just the music. They’re the whole package, complete with the dance moves and outfits. For one show this past summer, band members took the stage dressed in purple and gold jackets and black pants, resembling their musical heroes, Earth, Wind and Fire.
Frank Malfitano, executive director at Syracuse Jazzfest Production and founder of the Syracuse Area Music Awards (SAMMYs), was introduced to the Blacklites 50 years ago.
“I knew immediately they were going to be something special. And I’ve been a fan ever since,” he said.
Such a fan, in fact, that he booked them for the 25th anniversary of Syracuse Jazzfest in 2007, where they opened for the one-and-only Aretha Franklin — and she loved them, according to Malfitano.
“The band really rose to the occasion that day; brought their A game. They’ve been riding that wave ever since,” he said.
Malfitano noted, too, that the Blacklites’ longevity and their ability to “stay at the top of the game for that
length of time,” are two of the reasons why they were selected to receive the SAMMYs Founder’s Award in March of this year.
“Their contribution to the Syracuse and Central New York music scene has been so unique and so unparalleled; we felt they had to be recognized on their 50th anniversary for all they’ve done to keep the soul revue tradition alive. And to be honest, because no one does it better or looks as good doing it onstage. They’re the best,” he added.
“It’s not just the music, it’s the moves. You’re seeing their interpretation of what would be considered rhythm and blues,” according to Steve Becker, president and owner of Premier Promotions, who has booked the group for numerous events he produces, including the Winter Fair and the Jazz in the City summertime concert series in Syracuse, which is presented by CNY Jazz Central.
Having their roots in Syracuse is a main reason for their popularity here, Becker believes. Their fans come from all sections of the community, regardless of age, race or neighborhood.
“It’s a good feeling that they project in their music,” Becker said. While the music might come from the Motown era, he commented that even his 26-year-old son loves the sound. “I think there’s a rediscovery of the music that came out of the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s,” Becker added.
So apparently, good music knows no age.
OPPOSITE PAGE: Early days of the Blacklites.
LEFT: The Blacklites during a gig this past summer. From left, Rick Chisholm, Jerry Patterson, Rick Linzy, Eddie Brown.
RIGHT: Some of the original Blacklites members, from left, Jerry Patterson, Rick Woods, Eddie Brown and Manny Atkins. The group received the Founders Award at the 2022 Sammy Awards.
The 50th anniversary since the beginning of the Blacklites was made even more special when the band was honored with the Founder’s Award at the 2022 Sammy’s Award Show.
While most of the guys in the band are in their 60s, they are playing on — motivated by their fans, and with a little bit inspiration from Earth, Wind and Fire.
Patterson pointed out that members of that group are in their 70s and still doing world tours. So why shouldn’t the Blacklites play on?
Patterson said that some people may ask them how long they plan on doing this. Lifting his eyes heavenward, Patterson replied, “We’ll stop when the good Lord says it’s time. He has the answer. He gave us the gift. He’ll say when enough’s enough.”
The group does most of its gigs in large, outdoor venues, so fans should keep checking the website — theblacklitesband.net — to learn about upcoming shows in the spring and summer months of 2023.
Ihave frequently said that next to Lou Gehrig I am the luckiest man in the world.
I have enjoyed some incredibly remarkable experiences during my lifetime, most of them compliments of either my job as editor and publisher of two excellent daily newspapers or as a jack of all trades at a small radio station.
When the circus came to the Great Northern Mall in Clay, New York, the general manager of the circus wanted to partner with The Palladium-Times in Oswego, where I was the publisher. In this way, the circus would get heavy publicity from us, and we would get a slew of free tickets to offer our readers in various giveaways.
As a bonus, the circus guy asked me if I would be the honorary ringmaster.
My duties would be to dress up in an appropriate ringmaster’s outfit with top hat, breeches and all the rest, including a whip. I would ride an elephant to signal the start of the grand entrance of performers. (Yes, this was a huge real live elephant named “Connie.”) Getting up on her was a sight to behold. Come to think of it: maybe not.
Once the grand entrance ended,
I blew my whistle three times to command order and attention from the more than 1,000 gathered in the spacious mall events center, then snapped my whip. (I had practiced whip-snapping for about 10 minutes off-stage.)
I followed this by announcing in my best ringmaster’s voice, “Laidddies and gentlemen and children of all ages. The Palladium-Times, Oswego County’s only daily newspaper, proudly presents the Cole All-Star Circus.’’ (I tried to emulate the voice of ringmaster Claude Kirshnerof the Super Circus TV program that aired on ABC from 1949-56 and which also starred Mary Hartline.) That was it. My duties were over. My wife, Marie, and I enjoyed the rest of the performance from a special ringmaster’s box.
Perhaps the oddest experience was when the director of the Oswego Opera Theatre Company, Juan LaManna, asked me to play the role of the Voice of God in the Benjamin Britten children’s opera “Noye’s Fludde” (“Noah’s Flood”), which involved three performances, but, because of its popularity, two more were added the following week.
I had to rehearse with the rest of
the cast and symphony orchestra for about six weeks. I sat in the front row of the auditorium cordoned off from the rest of the audience and equipped with a microphone.
LaManna, who said he was always impressed with my voice having heard it when I was secretary of the Oswego Opera Theatre’s board of directors, told me to project my voice to make it as big and booming as possible, as one might imagine God’s voice to be if we actually heard it.
The first performance was a matinee for about 400 elementary and middle school students. My opening word, boomed over the mike, “NOAH!… ‘’As soon as I said it, I heard this child’s terrified shriek from the audience that lasted for about 10 seconds, then trailed off in the distance. I learned later that my voice had scared the bejesus out of a frightened firstgrader.
The production is quite elaborate and has numerous children playing the roles of animals, and they board two by two onto Noah’s Ark, just as described in the biblical flood narrative account in the Book of Genesis. I had quite a few lines — all conversations with Noah — and all of them had to be delivered in a type of syncopation to the beat of the orchestra which accompanied the libretto. Getting it down precisely so that my narrative matched the music was quite a challenge.
The following year, I was asked to play the same role, which I gladly did. I mean how many get a chance to be the Voice of God? I hope that my portrayals earned me an IOU in the Great Beyond when my time on Earth is up.
www.ballardassoc.com • ballardassoc@gmail.com
55 Plus Magazine is the only magazine in Central New York designed to meet the needs of the active 55-plus market. Published bi-monthly, we celebrate life after 55 with a focus on health & wellness, finance, travel & leisure, home options and improving with age.
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‘How many get a chance to be the Voice of God? I hope that my portrayals earned me an IOU in the Great Beyond when my time on Earth is up.’
Rep. Katko celebrates the career of Rep. Napolitano. Together, they co-chair the Bipartisan Mental Health Caucus.
In an exclusive interview, he discusses bipartisanship, leaving Congress, his relationship with former president Donald Trump — and what’s next for him
By Ken SturtzThe office, situated just across the street from the U.S. Capitol, and featuring a picturesque view of the Washington Monument, had taken on a decidedly dreary appearance.
Its occupant was still representing his district in Congress. And he still slept on a pull-out couch in his office as he had done all along — part of his credo of not getting too comfortable in Washington. But with just a few weeks left in office nearly everything was packed up, save for some personal items.
John Katko and his staff needed to clear out of the Rayburn House Office Building by the end of November. His office would be going to someone new.
It’s a bittersweet moment for Katko, 60, of Camillus, even though he says he’s positive he made the right decision to retire.
“I’m a firm believer in leaving a little too early as opposed to a little too late,” he said. “But it’s still strange to have an empty office and know that the end of your career is coming.”
Since being elected in 2014 to represent the 24th Congressional District — which includes Onondaga, Cayuga and Wayne counties and a part of Oswego County — Katko has navigated a tumultuous partisan
political climate to chart a course as a moderate, independent Republican committed to bipartisanship. That’s left him with an enviable list of legislative achievements, but also made him the target of relentless attacks by Democrats and Republicans.
Donald Trump and his supporters denounced Katko for being insufficiently loyal and voting to impeach the ex-president for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. Conservatives accused him of betraying Republican values by siding with Democrats on legislation. And liberals criticized him for being too conservative and too deferential to Trump.
And yet for all the attacks and criticism, Central New Yorkers in his left-leaning district have sent Katko back to Congress three times since his first term, proof, he said, that his way of governing can be successful.
The rewards of bipartisanship were on display in late October when President Joe Biden traveled to Central New York to highlight Micron Technology’s announcement that it will build a $100 billion semiconductor plant in Clay.
Katko flew on Air Force One with Biden for the trip.
During his speech Biden singled him out for going against the majority of the Republican Party and supporting the Chips and Science Act, which Biden signed into law earlier this year. The act uses billions in incentives to encourage chip makers to build manufacturing facilities in the United States.
“John is a Republican and I like him a lot,” Biden said. “I’m quite frankly a little sorry that you’re leaving.”
“The fact that he mentioned bipartisanship and working together is what I was most proud of because that’s really why I went to Congress is to prove bipartisanship can work and I’ve been very successful legislatively there,” Katko said.
From his earliest days campaigning for Congress Katko spoke often about his desire to return manufacturing jobs to Central New York. He’s quick to point out that people used to laugh when he’d talk about it and recall similar promises from other politicians that came to nothing.
He never gave up on manufacturing and said the best part about the Micron investment is the opportunities it will provide for future generations.
“I want my children and my
children’s children to have limitless opportunities here so they’ll stay here and raise their families here as opposed to moving elsewhere to seek their fortune,” he said.
Unwavering support for manufacturing is an example of how Katko’s political views haven’t changed much since he first went to Washington.
He said he’s still a moderate, never let Congress steal his soul and is proud he never voted to save his job as many of his colleagues do. He does believe both the political left and right have hardened over the last eight years. But it’s still moderates like him that make government work.
“There’s a lot of people in Congress
no, but hope yes,” he said. “They’re hoping that the moderates like me carry the water for them. And that’s just the way it is.”
He said that’s the case whether Republicans or Democrats are in the majority in Congress, though he’s hopeful more moderate legislators will take over seats in the future.
During his four terms Katko has repeatedly been ranked as one of the most bipartisan legislators in
He was named the third most bipartisan member of Congress this year, ranking behind one Democrat and one Republican, according to the non-partisan Lugar Center. No member of the House of Representatives who served in each of the last four congresses has had a higher bipartisan rating.
That bipartisanship has yielded many legislative achievements, though he said they have sometimes
LEFT: The Katko Family at Rep. Katko’s swearing-in ceremony.
been overshadowed by the intense polarization in modern politics.
In addition to the Chips and Science Act, Katko is especially proud of legislation relating to COVID-19, infrastructure investment, jobs and the economy, and for making Fort
Ontario and the Harriet Tubman Home part of the national parks system. He also worked to save jobs at FitzPatrick Nuclear Plant and address flooding along Lake Ontario. He championed efforts to address mental health, suicide and the shortage of pediatric
inpatient and outpatient mental health services in Central New York.
While serving on the Homeland Security committee, he worked on border security, addressing cyberattacks, criminal justice reform and gun violence. He helped modernize the TSA through better oversight and issued a foreign fighter task force report to help snuff out ISIS’s impact in the U.S.
“Overarching it all is that I was able to accomplish these things because of the bipartisan nature of the way I conducted myself,” Katko said. “That’s hopefully the lasting legacy that I’ll leave.”
Katko will also be tied for the foreseeable future to Trump, something he doesn’t particularly enjoy talking about.
“The public tends to be focusing on just the Trump issue, but my time was much more than that,” Katko said.
Although he’d never been a fervent Trump supporter, Katko voted against impeaching the president in 2019 and endorsed him in the 2020 presidential election. He later criticized Trump for making baseless claims about voter fraud and refused to join House Republicans who objected to certifying the Electoral College vote for Biden.
Katko was one of just 10 House Republicans who broke with their party and voted to impeach Trump for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attacks. He said he approached the impeachment vote like any vote in Congress.
“I looked at what was the right thing to do — not the politically expedient thing to do — and I did it,” he said. “And I think in the end there’s some grudging admiration even from people who disagree with me wholeheartedly about it that I had the guts to do what I thought was right even though I knew it was going to be very difficult.”
Trump offered to support a primary challenger to Katko as payback and cheered his retirement announcement earlier this year.
“He’s the ex-president for a reason and I think Americans spoke very strongly in that regard that they didn’t like the partisanship,” Katko said, noting that Congress still managed to accomplish a lot on Trump’s watch.
And while it may seem to the
public that Trump defined Katko’s time in office, he doesn’t see it that way. If that were the case, he pointed out; he wouldn’t still be in senior leadership positions and generally respected and appreciated within the Republican Party.
He said he was able to successfully “thread that needle.”
So, how exactly did Katko manage to thread the needle back home, repeatedly winning in a left-leaning district that voted for Biden in 2020, Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012?
“It’s no accident that this district is loaded with independents as well as moderate Republicans and moderate Democrats, the quintessential swing voters,” he explained. “Swing voters will reward you if you act pragmatically and act in a bipartisan manner and they will punish you when you don’t.”
You also have to recognize that being truly bipartisan and moderate as well as politically successful means that the far left and the far right are going to be mad at you a lot. You have to accept that fact; put your head down and plow on, he said.
Katko admits he took some joy out of the fact that the Democratic Party, determined to flip the district, repeatedly ran well-funded candidates against him in hopes of picking him off and each time he won by a healthy margin. The district flip-flopped between Democrats and Republicans three times before Katko was elected in 2014.
If Kato has a political secret sauce, he said it’s that the electorate in Central New York is a lot smarter and more pragmatic than they get credit for.
“There’s an awful lot of people who just want to see people in Washington get along and do good things working across the aisle,” he said.
Given his electoral success Katko’s decision not to seek a fifth term might seem puzzling. He said Trump didn’t affect his decision and he’s confident he could have won
reelection.
His explanation that he wants to spend more time with his family is buoyed by the fact that over the last few years he and his wife have buried all four of their parents.
Despite the perks and prestige, serving in Congress is also a grind. For starters you have to have exceptionally thick skin and when people say nasty things about you, be ready to let them roll off your back.
Politics isn’t for the faint-hearted, Katko said.
In Washington work days often last 12 to 16 hours. Even back home constituents are always stopping Katko with questions and concerns.
A trip to Wegmans takes twice as long as normal.
“You’re really never off the clock no matter where you go,” Katko said. “And that’s one of the things that’s going to be a wonderful readjustment for me not to have to worry about that.”
Katko hopes to have one more career, though he isn’t sure what that will be. The former federal prosecutor said he’d like to do something that would involve “helping keep the country safe,” which has been the general thrust of his career path since his youth.
As for his immediate plans after leaving office, he’s got that figured out.
“I think I’ll be firmly ensconced in the back room at The Dubliner having a pint with my friends and staff and saying goodbye to everybody,” he said.
A Capitol Hill pub, The Dubliner is owned by Danny Coleman, whose father opened Coleman’s on Tipperary Hill in Syracuse in 1933. The pub is a popular respite for Central New Yorkers working in Washington.
Afterward Katko plans to come home, pack and head to Florida for a while with his wife where they have a second home.
“She’s looking forward to long periods in Florida, nice long rides on our Harley motorcycle, enjoying life and slowing down a bit,” Katko said. “That’s hopefully what we’re going to do.”
Farmer John Katko? He’s considered it.
His wife Robin’s parents were potato farmers for FritoLay. Their property had a spring-fed pond on it. So they jokingly called it Spud Lake. When her parents passed away Katko and his wife kept 110 acres of the family farm for themselves.
The farm is located in Springwater in Livingston County and is a special place for the family for many reasons. It’s where Katko and his wife got engaged 36 years ago.
He and his kids like to go hunting on the forested part of the farm. His father-in-law was interested in forest management, something Katko has continued. Thin the forest out every 10 years allowing the smaller trees room to grow and you’ll eventually end up giant trees. It’s a good way to perpetuate a healthy forest, he said.
Katko leases out some of the farmland to area farmers, but he admits he thought about what an idyllic life he could have living and working on the farm.
“I’m very tempted to get a very big tractor and just do something out there, learn how to farm, but I know better than that,” he said. “I’d screw it up. It’s a lot more complicated than people realize.”
He and his wife adopted two foster children.
Katko and his wife were heavily involved in the foster care system and adopted two children years ago. He said people encouraged them to talk about it for political reasons but he never did.
During his time as a prosecutor Katko said defendants would sometimes bring their kids to court as pawns when they were in trouble. They’d plead with the judge for leniency or considerations, arguing that their child needed them.
“Then they’d walk into the hallway and treat the kids like crap,” Katko said.
He also dealt with many cases over the years where the children were living in dire conditions because of the actions of their irresponsible, criminal parents.
“It deeply affected me and that’s the reason Robin and I decided to get into it,” he said.
All three of their sons are now in their 20s and in various stages of living independently. He said he and his wife aren’t quite empty nesters yet, but expect to be in the near future.
That motorcycle isn’t just a political prop.
Politicians have a long tradition
of finding creative ways to pander to voters, from donning cowboy boots and a 10-gallon hat to choking down the local cuisine at state fairs.
When Trump was campaigning, the billionaire made a point to pay special attention to bikers, often praising them and remarking that they were his kind of people. Other Republicans have followed Trump’s lead, appearing on motorcycles — whether they ride or not — and using the imagery in campaign ads and signage.
Although Katko has occasionally been seen riding his 2017 HarleyDavidson Road King in public, it’s not a mere political prop. He rides as often as he can and during his time in Congress he used his motorcycle rides as therapy from the stress of the job.
“I’d get home from Washington after a long week and I would just hop on the bike and go ride around Skaneateles Lake and all would be well with the world,” he said.
He said he hasn’t had the opportunity to go on longer trips since he went to Congress. Once he’s out, he and his wife plan to take some longer rides. They’d like to explore the Adirondacks a bit more during summer and visit the Florida Keys by motorcycle.
Many older adults throughout Central New York have hiked on outdoor trails for years to stay active, maintain their health and catch some amazing scenery along the way.
Several years ago, a group with a passion for hiking in the Tug Hill region decided to take things one step further. They volunteered to build a new trail that would allow themselves and others a closer look at remote areas within the core forest that had been impossible to reach by foot.
When it’s completed, this aweinspiring 20-mile-long trail, known as the Traverse Trail, will cut across the region’s dense core forest of nearly 175,000 acres that has often been called “the Heart of Tug Hill.”
The trail work has primarily been done by a small group of volunteers who jokingly refer to themselves as the “geriatric trail crew,” said organizer Robert McNamara, 71, of Cleveland in southern Oswego County.
McNamara, a trained landscape architect, is a well-known wildlife artist, environmental interpreter and the illustrator for a Tug Hill natural history guide. He has designed and installed numerous interpretive graphic panels, kiosks and exhibits throughout New York state.
“Most of the volunteers are in their 60s and 70s,” McNamara said. “We just keep chipping away at it, and we’ve been pretty efficient.”
The trail is approximately halfway done.
The volunteers have certainly not been afraid to get their hands dirty. They have logged hundreds of hours removing downed tree limbs, weed whacking and cutting back shrubs along the sides. Only a minimum number of trees have been cut down, and the narrow trail has been designed to discourage the use of motorized vehicles.
When the project is finished, it will be the first “foot trail” to cross through the Tug Hill core forest, and one of the longest continuous hiking trails outside of the Adirondack Park. Prior to the start of the Traverse Trail, any travel in the core forest has been primarily done with all-terrain vehicles or snowmobiles.
Although there have been many
LEFT: Bob McNamara, a 71-years-old resident of Cleveland, southern Oswego County, is a trained landscape architect and a well-known wildlife artist, environmental interpreter and the illustrator for a Tug Hill natural history guide. He is organizing a team of volunteers to clear a trail in the Tug Hill.
people over the past few years, both young and old, who have volunteered to work on the Traverse Trail, a core group have shown up for almost every scheduled work day. Along with McNamara, they include Bob Keller, 77, Ray Spahn, 59, Cindy Stewart, 61, and Zach Wakeman, 41.
The support from these devoted volunteers has been essential in keeping the project on track, McNamara said. Members of the Black River Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club have also volunteered in the past.
It was McNamara and Wakeman, also an Oswego County resident, who came up with the idea of creating a trail through the large dense forest.
The dedicated naturalists had led hikes with others in the past, but knew there would be more to discover inside the core forest if a trail could be built across it.
“Tug Hill is different; it’s a very unique region,” McNamara said. “This new trail will give people a much closer look inside the core forest and a better opportunity to see so many things.”
A variety of trees, both northern hardwoods and softwoods, can be found in the dense forest. A wide range of wildlife exists, including different bird species, white-tailed deer, otters and beavers, along with a variety of plant habitats.
“The core forest has all types of plant communities, birds, wildlife, meadows and wetlands,” said McNamara. “You can still find some pockets of old, large-growth trees.”
A portion of the trail crosses through East Branch Fish Creek State Forest. In addition to running through state land, the trail will also cross through acreage owned by the Nature Conservancy and the Molpus Woodlands Groups. The Traverse Trail plan was approved by all three organizations.
Several miles of the trail run along the major creek. “It’s really beautiful, and the trail was designed to have several important viewpoints”
along the East Branch of Fish Creek, McNamara said.
It’s been a rewarding experience to know that when the trail is completed, it will give others an opportunity to see a remote area of Tug Hill that has not been accessible by foot.
“It’s a hike that will be well worth the effort,” said McNamara. “There are really some spectacular views.”
McNamara, Keller and Wakeman are all members of the Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust, which has assisted with the project and helped
to schedule workdays throughout each year.
The nonprofit organization was incorporated in 1991 to protect the open spaces, the working forests and farms of the Tug Hill region, along with promoting a greater appreciation of the area’s natural and cultural heritage.
The Tug Hill region includes parts of Oswego, Oneida, Jefferson and Lewis counties. When completed, the trail will start in the town of Montague near the Tug Hill State Wildlife Management Area and end
near the Osceola-West Leyden Road in the town of Osceola.
Although the Traverse Trail will primarily travel through Lewis County, it will be worth the drive for Central New Yorkers once it’s completed, McNamara said. Along with hikers, the trail is also expected to attract cross-country skiers during the winter months.
For updates on the trail progress and future volunteer opportunities, visit www.tughilltomorrowlandtrust. org
Snow has always appealed to Fulton writer Jim Farfaglia, 67, author of “Historic Snowstorms of Central New York.”
So why write about weather? Especially cold weather?
“I love winter weather,” he said. “In my research, it supports my feeling that this is a unique weather system in CNY because of Lake Ontario and lake effect snow. I like to write about things I know a little about but not a lot so it gives me motivation for research.
“I was curious why and how we managed to tolerate these winters. I think people did ‘survive’ years ago before modern technology. People complain about the snow, but when I share my books, everyone has a story about snow. Everyone has something they want to tell about it. It’s nice that I’ve chosen to write about something that people are interested in.”
The book covers significant CNY snowstorms from the late 1700s through 1980. Farfaglia said that he chose that era as the cut-off because “the stories about how people lived through more recent snowstorms aren’t as dramatic with the technology we have,” he said. “People are inconvenienced but they’re not struggling to survive.”
He grew up in rural Fulton where a heavy storm meant his father was home from work and he was home from school and they could play together.
“I loved all things you could do with snow,” he said. “When I was 10 years old, we were snowed in for a week with the blizzard of ’66.”
Farfaglia enjoys hiking in all weather, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. He also enjoys building snow forts and engaging his grandchildren in snowball fights.
As a child, he enjoyed writing fiction, but feels that he was not very good at that type of writing. He pursued teaching as his career and moved to Pennsylvania for a teaching job. In the seven years he lived there,
RIGHT: This Book on snowstorms was published in October. It covers significant CNY snowstorms from the late 1700s through 1980.
he recalls experiencing about 10 total inches of snow. In 1986, he moved back to the area. He stayed home to care for his children for a few years and worked as a master of ceremonies for a DJ on weekends. He also worked as a full-time program leader at Camp Hollis for 22 years and retired in 2011.
Once he had more time on his hands, “this writing thing was raising its head again,” he said.
His book “Voices in the Storm: Stories from the Blizzard of ‘66” was published in 2015. He also writes a monthly history column for Oswego County Today and has self-published several books of poetry.
Farfaglia operates Postcards Poetry, a program funded by a grant from CNY Arts in Syracuse.
“Anyone interested can receive a poem from me once a month,” he said. “It’s positive and uplifting. It’s no cost to them. I encourage people with a blurb on the postcard to share their poems. It’s partly to encourage people to write.”
A few weeks ago, he was promoting
his books at a festival when a woman sought him out bearing a sheaf of newspaper clippings for him. They dated from the past 30 years and were all about snowstorms.
“Is there another storm book in me?” he said. “Probably.”
He is also working on a history of the Ontario Center for Performing Arts and is considering a book about the Underground Railroad as he has found some good sources.
Using his training as a life coach combined with his writing experience, Farfaglia coaches people who want to write a book.
“I like to help people at the beginning stage of writing,” he said. “I read manuscripts and give feedback. Publishing, especially your first book, is a big challenge.”
“Historic Snowstorms of Central New York” is available at Rivers End Bookstore in Oswego, The Village Shops in Fulton, Parthenon Books in Syracuse, Barnes & Noble stores and www.arcadipublishing.com.
LEFT: Jim Farfaglia, who lives in Fulton, has recently published a new book. It focuses on the main snow storms that have hit Central New York
By Mary Beth Roach
“It’s not a job for me. It’s my passion.”
It’s that passion that has made Ed Gosek, the head coach of SUNY Oswego Lakers hockey team, the winningest coach in the college’s hockey program. At the end of the 2021-22 season, his overall winning record is .741. His teams have are consistently ranked high in Division III. In 2007, his team won the NCAA Championship and he was selected as Coach of the Year in 2007. He has been recognized on the state and national levels for his dedication to youth hockey. Since taking over as head
coach in 2003, the teams have made appearances in the NCAA Frozen Four 10 times.
Moreover, Gosek has achieved these milestones in his hometown. A graduate of Oswego Catholic High School, he went on to play hockey for SUNY Oswego from 1979 to 1983, when he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education. He was coaching the Oswego Minor Hockey Association — “trying to give back to the community,” he said — when he was approached by Don Unger, his former SUNY Oswego coach, to become an assistant at his alma mater.
When George Roll took over the team in 1997, Gosek stayed on as assistant and went on to get a master’s in education, and in 2003, when Roll left for Clarkson, he stepped into the head coaching position. He said that both Unger and Roll have had significant impacts on his career.
And while his office, inside the Deborah F. Stanley Arena and Convocation Center inside the Marano Campus Center, has a lot of memorabilia that underscores his accomplishments, there’s something that means more to him.
“As much as winning the national championship was an awesome experience, honestly, I take greater pride in that we consistently try to do things the right way,” he said.
For Gosek, that means not only recruiting the best players that SUNY Oswego can, but making sure they are good people as well.
“We want good people that represent our program the right way. It’s not win at all costs. We’re not going to compromise. I’m a firm believer that the players are a reflection of the coaching staff,” he said.
This philosophy, he believes, will make for success on the ice “whether that means winning a national championship or whether just producing good people to go out to the community,” he added.
It is also important to Gosek that the team members maintain their academics. They have a 3.4 team GPA, he said. But it is also important that they do a lot of community service, he said. It helps to build more character, it gets them involved in the Oswego community, and it enhances the rapport between the players and their fans.
As coach, he said, he tries to help the young men achieve their goals, not only on the ice, but to be “good students, be good role models and be good members in our community.”
The game of hockey has changed a great deal since Gosek was a player and even when he was a new coach.
The players, he said, are much more skilled, bigger, faster and stronger.
Technology over the years has also changed the game, impacting video, training methods and equipment. The recruiting part of his job has changed dramatically.
“Now you can get on and watch
any kid anywhere play right on the internet. You’re not traveling as much as you used to. The ability to evaluate sitting right in the office is amazing,” he explained. But he was quick to add that the coaches still need to get out on the road and meet their potential players.
One thing that hasn’t changed is Gosek’s competitive spirit.
“I’m not going to let the younger coaches outwork us. For me, at 61, I look at my experience as an advantage.”
People, he said, ask him if he still gets out on the ice, to which he answers with an enthusiastic “yes.”
“We’re out there for skill sessions, we’re out there for practice,” he said. “It pushes me, keeps me young, and it keeps me driven.”
Often, he finds the practices more enjoyable than the games.
As he explained, “the challenge of pushing the players to get better, coming up with drills and being creative, trying to get the right combinations, get the personalities to mesh and get along.”
His experience in his nearly 20 years as a head coach has taught him to
find balance in his life. He said that as a young coach, he had to be away from his wife, Mary, and their two children a lot, with the recruiting, practices, and the various camps. But over the years, he said he believes he’s become a more effective coach by taking some time off-season to reflect and to do some personal development, whether that’s reading or helping others.
He also believes that as a coach, he doesn’t need to be with the players all the time and that letting them make their own decisions sometimes allows them to develop.
The support he has and continues to receive from the college, the administration, his colleagues, his team and others is immeasurable, not only in his life as a coach, but in his personal life as well. He found great comfort in them when Mary was waging her battle with ovarian cancer, a fight she ultimately would lose about five years ago. The couple had been married 29 years. But while fighting her disease, Mary established Peaceful Remedies, which brings holistic therapy options and support to individuals contending with life-
altering illnesses. Gosek continues to serve on that organization’s board as vice president.
Gosek believes that his drive and passion were instilled in him and his siblings by their parents, Leo and Mary Gosek. He said that they used to tell their children that whatever you choose to do, “do the best you can.” With his father as a firefighter and his mother donating her time to their church, the younger Goseks — Stan, Susan, Joe and Ed — “learned to give back to and try to just be good people,” he said. Stan is an accomplished musician and former chairman of the music department at SUNY Oswego; Susan is a teacher; and racing fans know of driver Joe Gosek, who has raced in the Indy 500.
The coach still marvels that two kids from a little Polish neighborhood in Oswego would go on to participate in sports on such national stages.
Gosek brings his love of hockey and his experience into the 2022-23 season.
“I couldn’t imagine I could have any more fun,” he said. “When it’s not fun, I’ll get out. I love what I do.”
My friends and I compare notes.
How’s your (fill in the blank) today? We could be referring to a knee, hip, our feet or a shoulder. Or an ongoing treatment. Or a digestive problem. Or back pain. The subjects are diverse.
And then, we offer each other advice. Did you try physical therapy? Or, I have a good chiropractor. Or, what supplements or meds are you on? Or, has your change in diet helped? Or, Dr. So and So is great!
And although I would never want my friends to have troubles, I find some comfort in knowing that I’m not alone.
Despite my forever young mind, it’s like the rest of my body has transformed into an old pinball machine; where the little ball hits a different target every week. And despite years of exercise, I guess just like an older refrigerator, roof or washing machine, everything has a shelf life, including our bodies.
I recently experienced a reality check at my niece’s wedding.
In the past, I’d be on the dance
floor from appetizers to desert. But, two songs in, ping pong, my knee and hip blew out. And as I waddled back to my chair and watched the crowd jumping and twirling around to techno music I didn’t recognize, all I could think of is, what the hell happened to me? I mean, I’m not that old aunt who wraps cookies in a napkin and stuffs them into her purse. Not yet anyway!
But, more than that, I thought about how, unlike me, they have a lot more days ahead, than behind. And I thought I hope they don’t wish them away like I often did.
I waited, anxiously waited, for days and weeks and even months to just hurry up and go by. When I consider all the times I looked forward to the future, I probably wished half my life away.
In my teens, I couldn’t wait to get a license and a car. I couldn’t wait to graduate from high school, get a fulltime job and my own apartment.
In my 20s, there was the countdown to my own wedding. And then, in my 30s, the long weeks I wished away to finally get out of maternity clothes and cradle my newborns.
In my 40s, there were the times I wished my kids were older — especially some of the teen years — when karma kicked me in the ass. I also wished away sports seasons, where my clothes were sticking to me in brutal heat or I was soaking wet from sideways rain or my teeth were chattering in the freezing cold.
My 50s became a countdown to the next decade when I could finally retire.
And here I am, four years closer to 70, and never realized how fast all those birthdays would whiz by and how those babies I couldn’t wait to get out of diapers are all now in their 30s. And I find myself longing for every single day I wished away, even the difficult ones. Because without all those storms I somehow survived, I wouldn’t be so very appreciative of all the rainbows afterwards.
Although I cherish all the memories, wisdom and experiences I’ve acquired over the years, the one thing I miss more than anything is my youth.
Those young women on the dance floor have no idea that those sexy high heels they’re effortlessly dancing in, will likely collect dust in the back of a closet someday, and be replaced by more comfortable shoes (you know, the ones that you go to six different stores to find).
And some of those young men will wish they can still wave their arms high above their heads like they used to, instead of nursing torn rotator cuffs down the road.
But we don’t think about those things when we’re young. And, if they are like me, certainly don’t appreciate their vibrant bodies when they have them. They don’t foresee all the little things that will change over time.
Like, sleeping through the night without waking up to pee. Or going to bed at the same time you used to primp to go out. Or, maybe nursing a three-day hangover when you think you can party like you used to! Or having to take an antacid before eating spicy foods. Or finding a teeny, tiny top you wore on your honeymoon that can now be used as a bib!
I never expected that once I started collecting Social Security, I’d have more dates with doctors — I’m not referring to steak dinners. Or that I’d be performing tasks based on how my body parts feel on a particular day.
There are days I can explore a long hiking trail without effort and others, where I’m searching for the ice pack or heating pad. My body dictates the plans.
I’ve found the best medicine for aging doesn’t come from pills in a little bottle you pick up at the drug store, but from enjoying all of life’s pleasures that are a distraction from the aches and pains.
Like sharing meals and laughs with family and friends. Or enjoying the beauty of nature. Or participating in any event or activities that brings you joy.
We have to suck in all the happiness we can. Because, when you discover that the first boy you ever kissed — along with your best friend from grammar school and several other familiar names — all end up in the obits, it makes you wonder when you might be added to the page. And, it’s one of the reasons I try to do things differently now.
When I run into old friends with the promise to get together soon, we make specific plans, because if we don’t, for one reason or another — ‘someday’ never comes.
I don’t save the ‘good’ stuff or extra nice things for just special occasions anymore. I use the antique platters and burn the fancy candles.
More importantly, I never miss the opportunity to let my husband, children, family and friends know how much they mean to me, but especially my mother, who is in her 80s. Because I don’t know many other people my age who are still blessed to have a parent and I make it a point to spend time with her and do things with her.
She reminds me that although she is still active, each passing decade provides more physical challenges. We used to be the same height. She’s taught me to do all the things I can still do now, before my own daughter towers over me.
Before you know it, time has a way of creeping up on you and yet, simultaneously goes by so much faster.
And all the days you might wish away now are the very same ones you will, one day want back.
Donna Cordello is a free-lance writer who lives in Penfield. Contact her at donnacordello@aol.com.
As a young adult, Deborah Jeanne Sergeant never imagined she would go deeply into credit card debt. But from that experience, she learned more about how credit works and how difficult it can be to pay off.
Sergeant, who is a writer for Os wego County Business Magazine and other Local News Inc. publications, shares her knowledge in “Kick Your Credit Card Debt to the Curb: How to Get Out of Credit Card Debt for Good.”
Fleeing an abusive marriage left her burdened with a mountain of credit card debt she had not accrued, no significant assets and, for a few weeks, no income. Some well-meaning friends suggested bankruptcy as the answer; how ever, she resisted because that would damage her credit rating.
Professional debt consoli dation would take a long time and end up costing a bundle in interest and fees. It could also ding her credit rating.
Sergeant owned nothing to sell. She worked as many hours as she could to bring in more income as she rebuilt her business in New York.
“It felt like I had no way out,” she said. “For years, I tried to pay it off by paying just a little more than the min imum payment each month on each account, but that was not a successful strategy. I still had suffocating debt that devoured most of my income.”
Eventually, she discovered an effec tive method for paying off credit card debt that did not involve taking out a bank loan, working with professional debt consolidation or declaring bank ruptcy. Within 18 months, she carried no credit card balance — and has not paid a penny of interest on credit card balances since then.
In “Kick Your Credit Card Debt to the Curb,” she shares her best tips for scrap ing together the minimum payment for anyone who feels cash-strapped when the bill is due. The book also includes
money strategies for creating more breathing space in the budget; practical ideas for earning more and spending less; and her credit card debt pay-off plan that can free anyone from living paycheck to paycheck while struggling to pay off credit cards.
“When you’re deep in credit card debt, all you think about is your mon ey—or lack thereof,” she said. “You obsess about how you can make the payments and scheme about shuffling money around to cover the bills. Once you have eliminated credit card debt, you get your life back. It’s a great feeling.”
“Kick Your Credit Card Debt to the Curb” is available on Amazon.com.
Zimmer still has many irons in the fire — he talks about his life now and about a book he published at the beginning of the pandemic and is now promoting
By Aaron GiffordWhen 55-Plus last caught up with Art Zimmer in 2015, the former owner and publisher of the Syracuse New Times was immersing himself in volunteer work and community projects.
Now well past a decade into “retirement” and approaching his mid-80s, the Hamilton resident and philanthropist should be slowing down some.
Nope.
“Got time for a few stories?” Zimmer, 84, cheerfully asked during a recent interview at the Cazenovia Library. He had an armload of books, maps, advertisements and other documents. “We have a lot going on right now.”
Many of those stories are in Zimmer’s latest book, “I Did it My Way: The Art of A to Z. An Odyssey Through the Life of Art Zimmer.” He penned it in 2019, but due to the events of COVID-19 has not had a chance to promote it much.
With the shutdowns behind him, Zimmer dove head- first into so many ongoing and new projects, including publishing calendars and commerce guides of Hamilton and Colgate that promote local businesses.
He is still involved with the Boy Scouts and oversees an annual festival commemorating the Hamilton Chocolate Train Wreck (which he hosts on his own property). There are also the reunions he organizes for the Onondaga Ski Club and an all-class
reunion that’s attended by generations of Hamilton High School alumni.
All this from a man who graduated last in that class of 1956 — 44 out of 44. And this from a man who never owned a cell phone or used a computer. His wife, Shirley, types up and sends emails for after he writes his messages longhand.
“I hope not to change,” he said. “But never say never.”
And all this from an Army veteran who successfully owned and operated 13 multi-million-dollar businesses en route to accomplishing himself as an author, playwright and community organizer.
After his military discharge in 1962, Zimmer enjoyed the fruits of his labor as a salesman for the National Biscuit Company. But then he was fired from jobs that followed, including the American Heart Association, Brown Newspaper company (now Eagle newspapers) and the Gold Crest Radio and TV Parts Supply Company.
“I decided right then and there that I would never get fired again,” Zimmer wrote in his book. “How would I accomplish that? I would just never work again. Wow! What a revelation.”
Despite his string of firings, Zimmer became an excellent salesman and a wise negotiator. In 1984 he bought the Syracuse New Times, settling the bankrupt publication’s $100,000 bill with the Internal Revenue Service for half that amount, Zimmer had sold newspaper ads before,
but his journalism experience was limited to writing a ski column for the Syracuse Post-Standard for $10 a week. According to the book, the quality of the writing was so bad that, when Zimmer began the column in 1979, the editor at the time, Bob Atkinson, initially fired Zimmer because his copy was barely readable. Zimmer laid a guilt trip on the editor, saying be boasted to his ski buddies that the column would be a regular feature. He was hired back on the condition that he turned the column in three days early so the copy could be cleaned up in time for publication. This continued for four years.
Zimmer’s New Times venture was motivated by his desire to continue a ski column, but this time the struggling writer-turned-publisher focused on quality. When the name Art Zimmer appeared on the paper’s mast head the first week of September 1984, he thought: “I wonder what my high school teachers would think of that.”
Five years later, the New Times made the list of Inc. magazine’s 500 Fastest Growing Companies in the United States (No. 259 out of more than 20,000 U.S. companies at that time).
During the years that followed, New Times’ circulation increased from less than 2,000 to as high as 88,000 some weeks and by the time he sold the weekly in 2010, annual advertising revenues had exceeded $1 million. Though the New Times was Zimmer’s first publishing gig, it was not his first go-round as an entrepreneur. In the
early ‘60s, Zimmer manufactured and sold maple syrup candies to help cover expense he incurred commuting to Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica.
The New Times published its last issue in June 2019.
Although that was before the pandemic, Zimmer said the paper would not have been able to stay afloat very long after COVID-19.
“The entertainment (venues) closed and that would have stopped the advertising. No way a paper like that could survive,” he said.
Zimmer, once known for driving flashy convertible cars and always wearing an ascot with bright clothing, makes no apologies for touting accomplishments.
But he is also critical of himself, calling his Zimmer Motor Car Company and newspaper press club awards “ego trips.” The book is just as much of a feature of the odd situations he finds himself in as it is of
There’s Zimmer’s narrow miss with death when, as a 12-year-old milk delivery boy, he dropped off the bottles on his elderly customer’s front porch instead of knocking on the door as usual because he was in a hurry to go the movies. He thought it was strange that so many lights were on in her house but didn’t have time to investigate. Zimmer found out the next day that, around the time of the milk delivery, 81-year-old Mrs. Neff had been bludgeoned to death by a hammer at the hands of a 16-year-old killer from Clinton.
There was the trip to Acapulco, Mexico when Zimmer and wife almost got caught in the crossfire when their spunky driver-cliff diving guide tangled with an angry produce seller who pelted fruit at their car. There was an unidentified flying object Zimmer spotted in the Hamilton skies that he, to this day, still cannot explain. There’s a picture of Zimmer with his ski buddy,
rocker John Oates (of Hall and Oates) in the Argentina Andes.
The book is also a testimony to Zimmer’s wife of 35 years. Shirley, a retired Spanish teacher, recently took up tennis and pickleball at the age of 70. She also has an extensive resume of volunteer work in the Hamilton community. For Art’s 80th birthday, Shirley had her husband’s favorite fare at their favorite breakfast restaurant, Flour & Salt, listed on the menu as “The Zimmer.” The specialty sandwich — sausage, scrambled eggs, Swiss cheese, tomato and parsley — remains on the menu today. Zimmer said he wants to write a book about Shirley’s life, but she won’t allow it because she’s too modest. They enjoy a reputation as Hamilton’s power couple.
The Zimmers never had children, just cats. Said Art: “I didn’t like kids, even when I was one.”
For a short stint in the 1950s, Art Zimmer watched two younger boys
that lived down the street from him after their father made an offer he couldn’t refuse: Get them to bed and you can watch our television.
“It was a good deal,” he said, “because my parents didn’t have a TV. I think, back then, they were afraid I wouldn’t leave home if they got a TV.”
True to form, Zimmer doesn’t like politics and will walk away from anyone who brings up that subject. He called the New Times a left-wing rag at the time he purchased it and said the staffers he inherited were a bunch of ‘60s hippies. Over time, the publication become more centered while still enjoying a reputation as cool and hip. Zimmer said he never laid off any employees and he didn’t meddle in the paper’s editorial operations beyond prohibiting all employees from smoking in the building. There were only two occasions where Zimmer axed content: The first was a recipe for marijuana brownies, the other was a piece that the publisher felt disrespected military veterans.
LEFT: Art Zimmer has been organizing and running the Onondaga Ski Club’s old timers reunion for many years. Photo from 2022 gathering – Art standing far left. Participants were active in ski club from 1955 to approximately 1980. Seated center is Bob Gang, a member since 1955, currently 104 years old. The ski club is very active today with about 700 members.
MIDDLE: Hamilton movie Pottersville premiere – one is Zimmer with Big Foot
RIGHT: Zimmer Holds copies of the Hamilton-Colgate map and Best Businesses calendar. Art publishes these annually as a volunteer public service projects.
In the space between his last interview, the pandemic and the (somewhat) return to normalcy, Zimmer convinced Colgate University to donate five acres of vacant land to a local cemetery association, assuring its existence for another 300 years. He put his savviness to the test again by delivering the successful sales pitch that convinced a Hollywood movie company to film “Pottersville” in Hamilton. The producers were originally considering nearby Cazenovia as the best location. The movie, which is about the search for Bigfoot, premiered at the Hamilton Movie Theatre in November 2017 before it was released on DVD. It’s still available on Netflix.
These days, Zimmer is busy planning an all-class Hamilton reunion for July 3, 2023. The Zimmers recently took a trip to the Thousand Islands. Before that they visited the Canadian Maritime Provinces. They used to travel internationally more often, but due to their increasing age “and
the changing world,” Zimmer thinks most of their future trips will be in the United States. They spend much of the winter in Destin, Florida, where the couple spends up to six hours a day walking, using the gym and swimming.
Their diet consists of salad, seafood, chicken and turkey. They began limiting their red meat intake and avoided smoking “years and years before it was fashionable,” Zimmer quipped.
Even though he’ll soon be heading to the sunshine state for several weeks, Zimmer is already thinking about the next opportunities to support his community, whether it is mentoring new business owners, honoring the next Eagle Scout or finding new ways to put Hamilton on the map. In that sense, Zimmer will never be retired.
“Thanks for the time,” he said, waving goodbye. “Let’s talk again when I’m 90.”
Named for the migratory fowl they mimic, human “snowbirds” spend the colder part of the year in warmer climes and their summer up North.
Living in a different state for the winter feels like an extended vacation and can allow upstaters to enjoy other benefits as well.
In many ways, snowbird living seems like an ideal retirement, except for one: the cost. Maintaining two residences can double living expenses.
“You have to contemplate where you want to own real estate if you want to buy something,” said Randy L. Zeigler, certified financial planner and private wealth adviser with
Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC in Oswego. “Weather and weather patterns are changing. I have people who rent a summer home up here. Or some who have an RV and rent a lot. I’d say generally, the way to keep the costs down is to stay away from tourist spots.”
While the southern home is vacated, homeowners could also lease it to others, a strategy which Zeigler has observed helping snowbirds mitigate expenses. This is particularly effective if the home located near a desirable vacation hotspot or other attraction. This arrangement allows people the ability to travel during their summer in the North, such as renting
different vacation homes or use an RV. However, fully equipped RVs cost as much as a standard house and the cost of fuel and maintenance can be high also.
When selecting the location for purchasing a home, “you’ve got to look at things like crime rates, real estate taxes, trends in real estate taxes in that area,” Ziegler said. “If you’re going to buy real estate, look at the community, population changes and trends. Is it growing or shrinking? What are the negatives and positives of the area and what will attract people in the future so you can resell it?”
He also encourages snowbirds-tobe to consider their healthcare needs and options. Some insurers will not cover non-emergency care in other states, for example. Checking with a plan administrator can help ensure sufficient coverage.
Robert A. Rolfe, financial advisor with Harmony Financial Services in Oswego, said that a lot of retirees are looking at Arizona.
“It’s very dry in the winter,” he said. “It’s hotter than blazes in the summer. There are the traditional folks who go to Florida or to buy or rent a mobile home in a park. I’ve had more talk about the Carolinas every year. And Tennessee is growing in popularity. Texas, Colorado, Louisiana and Mississippi are areas not as popular, but are good places to go. You want to find areas you want to enjoy but aren’t as popular. The panhandle of Florida is less expensive than the city areas.”
Visiting a few different areas can help future snowbirds decide what will work for their purchase some day. For those who decide to rent, Rolfe advises against renting through a real estate agency or booking company, as these charge fees. Online booking is much less expensive.
His clients represent a mix of people who rent during the winter, some who store an RV in the South for their summer dwelling and some who buy a second home in the South. Although buying can represent an investment, renting eliminates maintenance and increases flexibility if the snowbirds decide they want to try a different area. RVs offer many options.
Rolfe advises clients to begin planning early for their future snowbird life.
With more than 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, I began thinking about my family’s philanthropic plan early on. It was important to me that we effectively incorporated charitable giving into our overall financial picture.
Building a financial plan is like putting together a puzzle and charitable giving is an important piece. We set up a donor-advised fund at the Community Foundation because it is a smart way to give. We can make an impact on Central New York now while having our charitable wishes continue for generations.
I enjoy engaging my sons in the current giving from our fund to organizations that support youth and outdoor revitalization. Our fund will receive a legacy gift with a contribution from my retirement investment accounts when I pass away. I am comforted knowing that my sons will carry forward our love for this community through our charitable legacy for years to come.
Caragh Fahy stands with her sons at Onondaga Lake Park
As I write this in late September, the daylight hours are becoming shorter.
Just a few weeks ago it was still light out when I left work in the evening. Now it’s pitch dark.
Now the evening is often foggy and soon snow will be swirling.
That translates to poor visibility and dangerous conditions for runners, dog walkers, snow shovelers and others spending time outdoors. Proper gear enhances the ability of motorists to detect pedestrians and reduce the chance of accidents. Almost every night someone in dark clothes without lights or reflector suddenly looms on the roadside, not realizing that they are nearly invisible.
So first, consider the color of your clothing.
Light colors show up better in the dark. Though perhaps not white in the winter, owing to its similarity to snow. Bright colors — think fluorescent yellow-green, fluorescent orange-red and fluorescent pink — stand out in daylight.
In fact, testing by ANSI (American National Safety Institute) suggests that fluorescent yellow-green is the most visible in daylight, though the fluorescent orange-red and fluorescent pink become increasingly visible under low-light conditions.
For the science nerds, the wavelength of that most visible yellowgreen is about 550 nanometers. It turns out that the light-detecting cells in our retinas are most sensitive to light at 550 nanometers. Add reflective stripes to enhance nighttime visibility. Amazon sells lightweight high-viz vests for as little as $10, though you can spend more if you desire a sturdier model with more features.
You might as well get two. Toss one in your car in case of a nighttime breakdown or other emergency. And if you don’t want a vest, you can get a belt, armbands or wristbands.
Next add some light.
You can carry a flashlight or wear a headlamp. Or you can go a bit more technical with armbands, clip on lights, even shoe lights.
Most lights have a flashing setting to make you stand out even better. And you can get a light up vest. I own one made by Nox Gear with a rechargeable battery. It has lasted several years now.
A few people take their bicycles out in the winter. If you do, strap on a headlight and taillight. For best visibility, also add wheel lights.
If you walk a dog, you’ll want to make sure he or she is visible too.
One of my dogs is black and therefore disappears at night. The other is small and brown and can scarcely be seen against dry brown leaves. But for just a few dollars, they’re each decked out in a high-viz reflective dog vests for their nighttime walks.
Other options for canine safety include lighted collars, lighted leashes, and lights that snap onto the dog’s collar. An advantage of the vest is that it won’t be covered by long hair like a lighted collar or tag.
Don’t forget proper footwear to reduce the chance of slipping and falling. Several brands of shoes now sell footwear with Vibram arctic grip soles. They’re supposed to grip even wet ice to prevent falls. They’re pricey, but if they really work, they’re cheaper than a doctor’s bill and missed day at work. Other options include various strapon traction devices, such those made by YakTrax and Katoohla. If you are at all unsteady on your feet, add a trekking pole or two, or a cane.
Winter is getting started, so it’s time to equip yourself for safety to reduce your chance of becoming an accident victim.
Winter is getting started, so it’s time to equip yourself for safety to reduce your chance of becoming an accident victim.
Socializing, taking classes and exercising may boost your brain’s cognitive reserve and stave off memory and thinking problems down the road, a new study suggests.
Cognitive reserve refers to the brain’s ability to withstand the effects of diseases like Alzheimer’s and not show signs of decline.
The best way to boost your cognitive reserve?
“Never stop being curious, and learn something new or pick up a new hobby,” said study author Pamela Almeida-Meza, a doctoral student at University College London. “Stay active and connected, exercise, go on daily walks, keep in touch with your family and prioritize visiting your friends.”
For the study, researchers looked at genes and lifestyle factors among 1,184 people born in 1946 in the United Kingdom. Folks took cognitive tests
when they were 8 and again at 69.
Everyone in the study received a cognitive reserve score that combined their education level at 26, participation in enriching leisure activities at 43, and job up to age 53. Reading ability at age 53 was tested as an additional measure of overall lifelong learning.
The cognitive test that folks took at age 69 had a maximum total score
of 100, and the average score for this group was 92.
Folks with higher childhood cognitive abilities, a higher cognitive reserve score and advanced reading ability performed better on the cognitive test at age 69, the study showed.
People with higher education levels also fared better than their counterparts who did not have a formal education.
Folks who engaged in six or more leisure activities, such as adult education classes, clubs, volunteer work, social activities and gardening, scored higher than people who engaged in four or fewer leisure activities.
“The finding suggests that a mentally, socially and physically active lifestyle at midlife can offset the negative contribution of low childhood cognition to older age cognitive state,” Almeida-Meza said.
By Harold Miller Email: hmiller@mcsmms.com
When Santa climbs to altitude over the North Pole, piloting his sled and reindeer in a southeast direction this Christmas Eve, he must practice extra caution because he will pass over Ukraine and Russia, and they are at war with each other.
Russia’s president Vladimir Putin attacked Ukraine almost a year ago for no good reason other than evil and greed and he has become another Hitler.
However, after months of pounding Ukraine’s cities to rubble and ruthlessly murdering their citizens, Putin’s evil and criminal action is blowing up in his face. The Western world is turning against Russia. NATO is finally acting by supplying weapons and money to defeat Russia. Likewise, the United States is supplying weapons and support which was the reason for NATO in the first place.
Some say Russia has lost 50,000 soldiers, as well as many tanks, aircraft, missiles and the miscellaneous hardware of battle. Now, Putin is cornered. He is said to be calling up 300,000 reserves which is hard to believe that he could find and train that many men before Russia is overcome by Ukraine’s far superior army.
In a recent, speech from the Kremlin, Putin said, “If the territorial integrity of our country is threatened, we will use all available means to protect Russia and our people — this is not a bluff.”
Russia is thought to have about 10 times as many tactical nuclear weapons as the U.S. with delivery systems ranging from ground-based mobile rockets to drones and ships. These are smaller than strategic weapons with shorter range and lower yield. Such weapons take out specific targets in
specific areas without wide-spread destruction. However, radioactive debris would waft this way or that on wind currents. Putin is rattling the nuclear sword and fighting battles dangerously close to nuclear facilities, like he is wishing for an ‘accident’ that would trigger World War III. American diplomats have believed that Putin will never use tactical nukes because he would fear the price. But they can’t know that. On the other hand, he might tip off World War III, which might be the last war on this planet.
All of this speaks of growing disorder around Putin. His knowledgeable foes and critics call him a liar and a murderer and they are right! He will drive this trumpedup war using Ukraine as his excuse to cover his blunders. Putin’s whole adult life is wrapped up in this war with the west and he’ll drive it into the ground.
Presently the Russian president claims territories within Ukraine
where his troops are losing ground. He is hinting at his willingness to use nuclear weapons and signaling a sharp escalation of the war as Kyiv vows to recover its occupied land as the ground war begins to turn against Russia.
Meanwhile, Saint Nicholas carefully navigates his sleigh over the war-torn lands of Ukraine and Russia, and most of the countries of the world below, hoping to find undamaged roofs to deliver his gifts. He has been working long and hard all year to build the precious toys in his overloaded sack. Santa is in close communication with his god, but he will never quite understand human beings like Putin and Hitler, both of whom have been responsible for the death of hundreds of thousands of innocent people who happen to be in the wrong place at the right time.
Say a Christmas prayer for your family —and mine.
By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Whether a holiday present or a birthday gift, you want to give your grandchildren something they will enjoy.
Oftentimes, their enthusiasm for a popular toy fades quickly. Or that must-have garment is quickly outgrown or deemed out of style.
A subscription. Whether a printed magazine or a digital one, children and teens still enjoy reading periodicals. Look for a niche periodical that aligns with their interests, or a more general one, such as Highlights, National Geographic Kids or Cricket. Or consider a movie or music streaming subscription.
A daytrip. A gift card to a venue such as Museum of Science and Technology (MOST), Rosamond Gifford Zoo, Fort Ontario, Billy Beez or Fort Rickey Discovery Zoo in Rome will foster memories that will last a lifetime. Indicate in the card whether you will take them or if this is a gift for their family to enjoy. Some venues offer season passes. Or print out your own gift card for a day of fishing, skating, geocaching or other new activity you could enjoy together.
A new hobby. Although character-driven toys may wax and wane in popularity, the tools they need for a new hobby may spark a lifelong interest, such as a telescope for astronomy, a sewing machine for clothing design, or a musical instrument with lessons. First ensure that your grandchild is truly interested in this hobby and invest in mid-level gear with the basic accessories they will need to try it. If the equipment is too lowend, then the experience will be frustrating. There is no reason to buy top-of-the-line items in case your grandchild does not like the new hobby after all.
A pet. Keeping a cat or dog teaches children self-sacrifice and responsibility. You should only purchase a grandchild a pet if you have cleared this choice with the parents. Chances are that surprising a grandchild with a kitten or puppy will not go over well. It is also wise to give a gift certificate for the pet so the child can select the animal after the hubbub of the celebration has died down. Choosing the animal for himself also helps ensure a better fit oftentimes. Do not give rabbits or other exotic animals to young children or those inexperienced in pet care. Exotic pets require more specialized veterinary care and hard-to-find food. Mass retailers carry cat, dog and fish food, but seldom carry food for rabbits, cavies, Guinea pigs and hamsters. You could tuck the certificate into a new pet bed or carrier along with a stuffed animal and pet accessories.
Editor’s Note: Marvin Druger had his computer locked by scam mers. He wrote this article by hand—see image on the right. We later typed it.
Iam sitting at the kitchen table writing this article with a ballpoint pen. The reason is that scammers locked my computer. But, I learned valuable lessons from this scamming experience.
I received a text message from a Geek Squad Group that looked like an invoice for $384.97. I didn’t recall any transaction with this group, but that is not unusual for me. My dear, deceased wife, Pat, took care of all the finances and I barely knew how to pay bills. The text had a phone number and I called to find out more about the $384.97. A man with a thick, foreign accent answered the phone and explained that I was due for a refund of $384.97. He guided me to my computer to complete a refund form and to provide other details needed to get the refund. I had no recollection of the transaction, but a refund is a refund. So I followed along with the man’s instructions. The refund form asked for my Social Security number which I foolishly included.
Then, the scammer took control of my computer to process the refund.
A small arrow darted back and forth on the computer screen and wave-like lines appeared. The last step was to press the $ key; the same key has a 4 numeral below the $. I’m pretty sure that I pressed the key correctly for the $. Instead, the 4 appeared on the screen. I pressed the key it again and another 4 appeared on the screen.
The screen was showing some
of my bank account numbers and, suddenly, $44,384.97 appeared in my account, instead of $384.97. The scammer told me that I had to pay them back the $44,000 that was presumably deposited in my bank account by mistake. He told me that I had to go to the bank immediately to withdraw the money in cash. He said, “Bring your cell phone and charger along and I’ll stay with you on the phone until the transaction is completed.”
I hopped into my car and headed toward the bank. He told me to withdraw the money in cash and say that it was for home improvements. I began to get suspicious.
He said, “Don’t tell anyone about this because I don’t want to damage
the reputation of our company.” He also said, “If you can’t get the full $44,000, get as much as you can.”
By then, I was convinced that I was being scammed. I said, “This sounds like a scam. I’ll tell the bank manager about this situation and I will also tell the Federal Trade Commission.”
He warned me not to do this and threatened to lock my computer. Suddenly, he disappeared from my phone.
I told the bank teller about the situation and he reassured me that this was, indeed, a scam. He checked my accounts and nothing had been deposited or withdrawn. He promised to watch over my accounts frequently from then on.
The scammer did lock my computer. Hence, this article is handwritten.
I reluctantly entered the world of cyber defense. I changed my bank account numbers, froze accounts, got a new credit card, subscribed to Lifelock and did what I could to nullify the scam. But these scammers are greedy, merciless and clever. The 55-Plus generation is especially vulnerable to their actions. A computer-savvy friend was able to unlock my email. But, as I write this article, the rest of my computer is still locked. I don’t want to spend time monitoring my assets, but now I am obliged to do so. Scamming has become more prevalent than ever and everyone has to be on the alert.
The American Association for the Advancement of Science has 12 sections in different disciplines. When I was chairman of the Education Section, the Anthropology Section circulated a resolution that “Humans are by nature warlike.” Each section had to vote on acceptance of this resolution. The vote was negative. My suspicion is that the sections rejected this resolution because if humans are by nature warlike, there is no hope for humanity.
Greed and selfishness are rampant in the modern world. Scammers have no respect for fellow humans. We could say, “Humans are by nature selfish and greedy.”
On another occasion, I was talking to an unsuccessful scammer on the phone. I asked, “Why do you do this?” His response was, “For the money.”
My scam experience was a blow to my faith in humanity. These scammers have families and personal lives of their own. But do they have a conscience? Do they care if they destroy the financial and personal lives of others? Their mother and father would be horrified to find out how their golden child has become a scammer. These scammers should be ashamed of themselves, but they are not.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could replace greed with love and caring? Wouldn’t it be great if we could say, “Humans are by nature loving and caring?”
Scammers should take heed of this premise and life would be much easier and happier for all of us — including them.
Nearly one in five adults (18%) reported that they or a family member skipped prescribed medicine at least once in the prior 12 months to save money, according to a recent survey from Gallup and West Health.
“Although higher costs may be causing many to make concessions, that doesn’t need to be the case when it comes to many prescription medications,” said Mona Chitre, chief pharmacy officer and vice president of clinical strategy for Excellus BCBS. “There are several ways to save money on prescription medications without jeopardizing your health and safety.”
The first step in saving money, according to Chitre, is to start with a talk with your physician, pharmacist or health care provider who prescribed the medication.
“Having a trusting relationship with your health care team is critical so you can work together to determine the best treatment for you. Ask why the prescribed medication is needed and how it works. It’s important to let them know if you have financial limitations so that they can identify lower cost options that work just as well or other interventions to meet your budget.”
Chitre recommends these money saving tips:
• Generics. Generic equivalents have the same active ingredients and therapeutic effects and can save as much as 80% off the cost of brand name medications.
• Know your health plan’s formulary and research your copays or coinsurance. Many health plans have tiered costs for covered medications: lowest cost for generics to highest cost for select brand name drugs. You can access most insurance company drug formularies (list of covered drugs) on their websites to see what your medication may cost.
• Take as prescribed. Not filling prescriptions or taking medication less frequently than directed can end up costing more money down the road by delaying your recovery — or worse, resulting in a hospital stay or ER visit.
• Mail service 90-day supply. In
addition to the convenience of filling your prescriptions by phone or online and having them delivered to your home, you may also save money when you fill one 90-day supply of your medication instead of three 30-day supplies.
• Regularly review your medications At each provider visit, review your prescribed medications and ask if they are still needed or if lower-cost options have become available.
• Prescription discount programs: If you’re paying full price for medications that are outside of your pharmacy plan or if you don’t have insurance, these programs are free to join and can be an easy way to save on prescription medications at participating pharmacies. Excellus BCBS offers the Inside Rx discount card to help the community access discounts at more than 60,000 pharmacies.
• Drug assistance programs : New York state offers the Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) program to seniors to help supplement out-of-pocket Medicare Part D drug plan costs.
• Manufacturer assistance programs: Pharmaceutical companies may offer an assistance program on the medications they manufacture.
Bill Knowlton has shared his love of bluegrass music with radio audiences and at festivals for nearly 50 years.
Bluegrass music can make your pulse pound, strum your heartstrings and remind you of home, all at the same time.
“It covers the gamut of emotions,” said William Brierley “Bill” Knowlton.
The 84-year-old Liverpool resident is well-known for his love of bluegrass and knowledge of its history.
Knowlton has long demonstrated that love and knowledge to fans of the genre over the airwaves and at bluegrass festivals. This January, his radio show Bill Knowlton’s Bluegrass Ramble will celebrate 50 years of broadcasting from Syracuse’s radio station WCNY. In August, bluegrass music lovers will be able to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Bill Knowlton’s Bluegrass Ramble Picnic, a yearly gathering of bluegrass and old-time country musicians that Knowlton organizes.
Bluegrass has its roots in English, Irish and Scottish musical traditions, southern string band music, sacred, country and African American music and the blues. It’s generally played on acoustic instruments.
“The basic instruments are the fiddle, guitar, mandolin, bass, threefinger-style banjo and often the resonator guitar,” Knowlton said.
Bluegrass songs are about the kinds of issues and events that everyday people find important. Gospel music figured prominently in bluegrass music’s development, but the style also draws upon secular songs that focus upon the home, the family and love.
The genre is named after Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys, a band that the late William Smith Monroe, who is often called the father of bluegrass music, formed in the late 1930s.
“If it had been ‘Bill Monroe and the Appalachian Boys,’” we’d be calling it ‘Appalachian Music,’” Knowlton said.
Knowlton became a fan of
bluegrass as a teenager living with his family in Queens, a borough of New York City. He’d been listening to country music over the radio, but found it was turning away from its roots. Some new versions of country tunes didn’t feature the fiddling that is intrinsic to that style and others included choral singing that seemed out of place. Hungry for that real country sound, Knowlton began listening to bluegrass.
“I thought that was the only authentic country music that was still left,” he said.
Seeking more bluegrass, Knowlton began tuning into stations like the Newark, New Jersey radio station WAAT, where the late Don Larkin slipped bluegrass tunes into his fourhour country music program. By the time he became a senior at New York City’s Fordham University, Knowlton was ready to share his love of the music over the airwaves. On Oct. 7, 1959, he began hosting a half-hour radio show over WFUV, the university’s student-
run radio station. The show ran for just less than a year.
Upon graduating, Knowlton found a job as a disk jockey for the now-defunct Connecticut radio station WBZY, playing gentle pop selections for five hours a day. With the station’s permission, he began doing an hourlong bluegrass show for free at the end of his regular programs.
Knowlton was drafted into the US Air Force in 1962 and spent eight years on active duty at bases that included Tan Son Nhut Air Base in what was then South Vietnam and the nowdefunct Hancock Field Air Base in Syracuse. He then went on to spend 17 years in the reserves before leaving the service completely with the rank of lieutenant colonel. Knowlton has also worked for an ad agency in the past and as a civilian employee of the US Army, from which position he retired in the early 1990s.
Through it all, Knowlton retained his desire to share his love of bluegrass with others. He organized the first
Bluegrass Ramble Picnic back in August, 1973.
“It was the first one in Central New York,” Knowlton said.
The daylong celebration of bluegrass and country music now offers such acts as the Atkinson Family Bluegrass Band and The Lonesome Road Ramblers.
Knowlton made use of his previous on-air experiences at Fordham when the chance came to do a bluegrass show at WCNY.
“I called it the Bluegrass Ramble and I used the same theme songs that I used at WFUV,” Knowlton said. “I’m still using those theme songs today.”
His show debuted on the Jan. 21, 1973, while he was still on active duty.
Now called Bill Knowlton’s Bluegrass Ramble, the three-hour show has run every Sunday night since then.
“I think mine is the longestrunning bluegrass radio show with the same host,” Knowlton said.
WCNY classical music host Marie
Lamb has worked with Knowlton in various capacities for about 20 years, including the time she’s spent representing the station at Bill Knowlton’s Bluegrass Picnic.
She’s also done the post-production work on his radio show for about the past nine years and considers him a friend.
“He’s a very interesting and talkative and has a very good sense of humor,” Lamb said. “Everybody here loves him.”
Clifton Chandler Jr. has known Knowlton for at least 35 years.
“He’s just a very colorful, intense and sharp individual,” the Canastota resident said.
As part of the musical duo Northwater, Chandler has played many Bluegrass Ramble Picnics down through the years. He’s even appeared on Knowlton’s radio show, playing his harmonica and talking to the show’s host about music.
“Sitting in the studio and talking with him, he’s just a bottomless barrel
of information all around bluegrass and old-time country,” Chandler said of his close friend.
Richard Atkinson, patriarch of the Atkinson Family Bluegrass Band, came to know Knowlton 25 years ago.
“When we were first getting started as a family band, we sent him a recording on a cassette tape and he played us on the radio,” Atkinson said. “Bill has spent his entire adult life trying to preserve and promote bluegrass music.”
The band, which hails from just outside Harrisville, close to the edge of the Adirondack Park, brought its sound to the 2022 Bluegrass Ramble Picnic.
In addition to hosting his weekly radio show and organizing the Bluegrass Ramble Picnic, Knowlton emcees as many as nine music festivals each year, including Uncle Dave Macon Days, a celebration of bluegrass and country music that is held each year in Murphreesboro, Tennessee.
“He was the first superstar of the Grand Ole Opry,” Knowlton said, referring to the world-famous home of Country Music. “I have spent a lifetime studying his career and his family and writing about him.”
Knowlton is also a co-founder and former board member of the now-defunct Central New York Bluegrass Association, and has written
articles for Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine, which has been called the bible of the genre. He has earned multiple accolades, including a Distinguished Achievement Award from the International Bluegrass Music Association and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Syracuse Press Club.
Knowlton plans to continue doing his radio show at least until the 2023 Bluegrass Ramble Picnic is over.
“I’m looking for the big 50 and then figuring out what I’m going to do after that,” he said.
He hopes to groom someone to continue doing the radio show he first hosted in Syracuse back in 1973.
Montgomery County played a significant role in American History.
Located along the Mohawk River it was once New York state’s frontier and the pathway west for explorers, settlers and the military. Visitors will find sites related to the Mohawk people, the French and Indian Wars, the American Revolution and the Erie Canal. Any time of the year is a good time to visit. There is always something going on such has waterskiing shows in the summer, to farm to table tours in the fall and to snowmobiling in the winter.
➊ WINTER FUN:
Snow time is fun time in Montgomery County. Hundreds of miles of snowmobile trails are maintained by local snowmobile clubs and private individuals. The trails are marked and well-maintained. Visitors can enjoy the hiking trails and the Erie Canal Trail which offer miles of hiking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. There is ice skating in Veterans’ Park in Amsterdam. Nearby there is ice fishing and ski resorts.
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The route also known as the
Mohawk Turnpike and the King’s Highway has several historical sites along its route. Fort Knock is a homestead that was a fortified house creating a safe haven for the owner’s family and neighbors. The site also has a Dutch barn, blacksmith shop, and a schoolhouse. Nearby is Nellis Tavern, circa 1747, a farmhouse that later became a tavern. The Fort Plain Historical Society has displays that cover the history of the entire area.
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Arkell Art Museum in Canajoharie was founded by Bartlett Arkell, the first president of the BeechNut Packing Company. What started with a few Winslow Homer art pieces grew to an extensive collection of American paintings. Arkell wanted “Art for the People.” The memorial walk has fascinating images and facts about the Beech-Nut Company. The company started out as a chewing gum manufacturer before branching out into baby food and other items. The Beech-Nut Girls gave out free chewing gum samples.
National Shrine of the North American Martyrs, also dedicated as the Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs, is a Roman Catholic shrine in Auriesville, dedicated to the three Jesuit missionaries who were martyred at the Mohawk Indian village of Ossernenon in 1642 and 1646. Today the site is a serene place with an incredible view of the Mohawk Valley. There is a museum, a self-guided walking tour and a huge Coliseum church. In 1656, Kateri Tekekwitha was born in Ossernenon and in 2012 she was canonized. A shine in her honor is located in nearby Fonda.
The Mohawk River and then the Erie Canal made the area what it is today. The best place to see the Mohawk River is by walking across the Mohawk Valley Gateway Overlook Pedestrian Bridge in Amsterdam. It connects Riverlink Park to Bridge Street. It offers great views, attractive plantings and historical information. Riverlink Park offers a variety of activities including free summer concerts, festivals and other family-friendly events including
a waterskiing show.
All the small towns have unique shops. In Canajoharie there are several antique stores. The Christmas Store also has antiques. There is a vintage clothing store in close proximity. The Blue Hen in Amsterdam specializes in Amish and locally made items. The Canal Street Studio in Fort Plain has a variety of handcrafted and fair-trade creations. Before entering take note of the quilt square on the façade. It is part of the Quilt Barn Trail.
Montgomery County joins with neighboring Fulton County creating the 44 Lakes Craft Beverage Trail. In Montgomery County the trail includes Erie Canal Distilleries in Fort Plain, which is the first legal distillery in the county since prohibition. Enjoy a glass of wine at Hummingbird Hills, a boutique husband and wife winery. For craft beers check out Eisenadler
➓. UNIQUE:
Have you ever dreamed of sleeping in a castle? You can make your dream come true at Amsterdam Castle. The castle was built and designed by Isaac Perry in 1827. Perry is best known as the designer of the Capitol Building in Albany. The Great Hall is especially impressive. No need to go to Herkimer to find Herkimer diamonds; Crystal Grove has a diamond mine next to their campgrounds. Not only unique but unexpected is the Volkswagen Beetle perched precariously atop a brick smokestack advertising Dudkas Garage. It can be seen from many areas in the Amsterdam.
Bauhaus in Palatine Bridge.
➑ OUTDOORS:
Enjoy the beauty of Montgomery County by biking, hiking and snowmobiling. Yatesville Falls State Forest is home to a 30-foot waterfalls. Wintergreen Park in Canajoharie has a 40-foot waterfalls and spectacular views of the gorge. Green Hills Cemetery has a walking tour that highlights local people who were part of the Underground Railroad movement.
The Walter Elwood Museum in Amsterdam has collections that fall into several categories: multicultural, Victorian, natural history and Mohawk Valley history. It is in the same building as ALCO Historical and Technical Society’s Museum. The 1835 Ames Museum houses local artifacts from the area’s heyday when it was the capital of the hops growing in 19th century America. Exhibits at the visitor center at the Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site focus on the history of the Erie Canal and its impact on the growth of NYS and the nation.
By Michele Bazan Reed Email: bazanreed@hotmail.com
When I sat down to write this column, I grabbed a pen and notebook rather than fire up my laptop. Why? I was aiming to practice what I preach, and to hone my cursive chops in advance of National Handwriting Day, which we will celebrate on Jan. 23.
Each year, proponents of penmanship mark John Hancock’s birthday by celebrating their love of writing by hand. In 1977, the Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association chose the birthday of the first person to sign the Declaration of Independence as a fitting tribute to this important –and increasingly forgotten – life skill.
Of course, I doubt that any of us who grew up in the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s will ever forget the green border atop our classrooms’ chalkboards, with the letters of the cursive alphabet illustrated in white on a grid with three
lines: a dotted one surrounded by two solid lines like some kind of magic highway to literacy. I remember being especially fascinated by the capital Q, looking for all the world like a giant numeral 2.
A quick survey of some of my boomer contemporaries gave mixed results. Some report their children and grandchildren were taught cursive in schools. Others reported a dying art — schools increasingly omitting cursive instruction in favor of other subjects.
Ironically, out in the modern world, people sometimes remark positively on my handwriting. But I bet the good sisters of St. Stanislaus School are spinning in their graves to see the mishmash of letters their former student calls “penmanship.” Still, I keep trying.
As a professional writer, I see quality writing instruments as a tool of
my trade, and much the way a master woodworker will value a precision plane or a chef respects his finely sharpened knives, I collect, use and admire the ballpoints, rollerballs and especially fountain pens that make up my arsenal.
Many were gifts from my late husband, Bill, and several are souvenirs from our travels. Others are antiques from flea markets and estate sales. A jewel of my collection is a matched Parker Vacuumatic fountain pen and pencil set that belonged to my dad. I only have a couple of his World War II letters, but they were written in perfect cursive using that very pen after a day of driving ambulances for the Army in the European theatre. In one, he describes arriving on the scene of a liberated concentration camp, making the letter and pen true historical artifacts.
‘Novelists aren’t the only ones saying writing with pen and paper is good for you. Scientific studies have suggested that writing by hand helps you remember things, process complex ideas, fight stress and even get better sleep.’
Many beloved authors found writing in longhand an inducement to creativity. Mark Twain loved his Conklin fountain pen so much, he became a spokesman for the company, which made a special Mark Twain edition, a version of which is still available today. Novelists who wrote their first drafts in longhand range from Ernest Hemingway to J. K. Rowling, who is said to have begun the Harry Potter series on the back of a napkin at her favorite coffee shop. I think they were onto something there. While I routinely type non-fiction articles and essays, I often begin fiction projects with pen and paper to help ideas flow.
But novelists aren’t the only ones saying writing with pen and paper is good for you. Scientific studies have suggested that writing by hand helps
you remember things, process complex ideas, fight stress and even get better sleep.
Limiting screen time is always a good goal, and writing on paper is more restful for the eyes. Paper can be recycled, and a good pen need never be retired — it can be refilled again and again, limiting the waste that goes to our landfills. And writing in longhand exercises different muscles than typing or texting.
Anyone who’s had a computer crash or written something on an obsolete operating system or hardware (remember floppy discs?) knows that your information can be irretrievably lost. Your thoughts written in a notebook or journal, on the other hand, can stand the test of time. Just witness the famous 17th-century English diarist Samuel Pepys, or Anne Frank,
who gave us a moving first-person account of World War II.
And while daily texts and emails between loved ones are the norm now, how sweet it will be for the recipient in years to come if you’ve recorded some words of love with paper and pen. I cherish the letters my father wrote me while I was away at college, and those my husband penned on school vacations when he was my college sweetheart.
So I challenge you, dear reader. Grab a pen this January 23, and celebrate National Handwriting Day by putting words to paper. Whether it’s a love note, the next great American novel or even the week’s shopping list, you’ll be keeping alive an important skill for the future.
Author of ‘Kevin in Quarantine’ talks about a lovable sloth and how he finds ways to stay in contact with family during a quarantine
Q: Is “Kevin in Quarantine” your first book?
A: Yes, it is.
Q: What prompted you to write this?
A: Quarantine had been going on for a couple of months and I had several friends who were really struggling with not seeing their grandchildren. I got thinking about what I would do with my kids if I were home with them and what kind of suggestions I could give to my friends. I had suggested to one of my friends that she do an exercise class with her granddaughters over Zoom and I had suggested to another friend to read a bedtime story. When quarantine started, I have this full-size sloth (stuffed), Kevin, and I put him in a rocking chair in the window. I had his hand up as if he were waiving. People would be driving by, and they’d stop and they’d wave. It was just so sweet. I just thought about all the opportunities with computers and the exploring and the learning on the zoo sites and that’s kind of where I went with that.
Q: You’re retired, but what did you do prior to retirement?
A: I was a special education teaching assistant for 14 years in the Fulton School District for all those years.
Q: Do you see that your experience influenced the book?
A: One of the things I have always loved doing was reading with the kids and making up stories for them. They love those stories. I’ve had the opportunity to read every afternoon this week (in late October) to grades K-3 individually. I brought Kevin with me; I read the story and the questions they have and their little faces when I’m reading the story — it’s just perfect.
Q: When did you retire?
A: I retired in June of ’20.
Q: So, you had experienced a few months of the pandemic as a teacher’s assistant?
A: Yes, we needed to work with our kids via Zoom. One of the things that worked out wonderfully was reading to them. I also have a friend who’s a speech therapist. Her kids were actually the first audience I had. I had just written the story, had no pictures or anything and I “facetimed” with them. They listened to me tell the story of Kevin without any pictures and they were just adorable.
Q: Did you surprise yourself in writing and publishing the book?
A: The story just kind of came out of
By Mary Beth Roachme. Once I started thinking about it, it just really started to flow.
Q: What were your expectations in writing the book?
A: I just wanted kids to think about someone else going through what they were going through. I also wanted to let the moms and dads know I understand how hard it is for them. Maybe they can find a way to get on these zoo sites, follow these zoo cams.
Q: How long a process was it from writing the book, getting it published and putting it on shelves?
A: It took about a year. It took a long time to find an illustrator that I was happy with. It ended up being the daughter of a friend of mine, (Kristen Skinner), which was complete happenstance. Just finding someone that I could explain my vision of Kevin to. He needed to be fluffy, but he needed to sweet. I wanted him to look just like Kevin looks. That was really important. Kevin has this dear, sweet little smile. He’s very approachable. That’s the whole thing. I wanted the kids to relate to him. And kids love sloths.
Q: Do you see any more adventures for Kevin?
A: I had some stuff bouncing around in my head and the different grades I was talking to, they had all these wonderful suggestions on their own. They said, ‘Can you write a book about Kevin goes camping?’ ‘Can you write a book about Kevin goes to the zoo and he meets his cousin?’ I have a lot of wonderful ideas, right out of the mouths of the kids. I think that “Kevin in Quarantine” is going to really have some weight. It’s a simple book and one of the things that was really important to me was that a kid can read it. The only big word is quarantine.
Editor’s Note: For those interested in having Schrecengost do a reading, email her at kschrec1@gmail.com
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