Valentine’s Day Guide ‘Forever orange’ love
Love expert
Sustainable selection
The legend of Syracuse University’s century-old “kissing bench” proves true for these happy couples.
Our humor columnist knows what she is talking about when it comes to affairs of the heart – check out her advice.
Our columnist suggests that, if you’re going to buy chocolate this Valentine’s Day, it should be ethically and sustainably sourced.
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CULTURE
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Legend says a smooch on the kissing bench means SU couples will be together forever By Rosina Boehem
assistant culture editor
N
estled between the Tolley Humanities Building and the Hall of Languages is a bench donated by the Syracuse University class of 1912 – but it’s not just any bench. SU’s “kissing bench” seals the deal for couples who share a kiss on the bench and curses those who sit on it alone. “I like these cute little things. I liked the meaning behind (the kissing bench),” said Sandy Wei, who works as an assistant director in the Office of Pre-College Programs but got her master’s from SU in 2019. “When our one kid is older … we can just be like, ‘Hey, guess what?’ We can tell him the story about it.” The bench’s legend states that any couple who kisses on the seat is destined to end up together while anyone who sits alone will end up lonely for life. While the myth is straightforward, life is not. Some only had the bench come into their life after they graduated, others had it as an ongoing point of gossip among friends and few knew the legend would be fulfilled the second they sat down on the rocky seat. Daryl Wolke, who graduated in 1984, didn’t know about the bench during her time at SU. She and her second husband, George, took separate paths after graduating. Daryl knew she was in love with him since they first met at his band’s practice during her freshman year. They reconnected in 2009 via Facebook, eventually got married in 2011 and were together until George died last year. “I would guess that people who were getting engaged might have already known about it, they read about it because it was like a legend,” Daryl said. “It wasn't something that we knew about then, but when we went back in 2014, we knew the story.” Because Daryl and George were not together during their time at SU, they were determined to revisit everything they missed – the bench being a part of it. During the early years of their marriage, they tried to recreate the four college years they missed out on. Daryl said it felt like they were never apart for 25 years. “Every time we were on campus, it was about ‘let's change history, let's pretend we were really together’ and ‘let's walk down the stairs past the women's building holding hands,’” Daryl said. “‘Let’s go dance at Faegan’s,’ and sitting on the kissing bench was just part of that recreating history.” Daryl and George sat on the kissing bench during Orange Central in 2014. Daryl joked with her husband that it was as if they were getting engaged as she kissed his cheek, bringing them “full circle.” For Daryl, everything about Syracuse led back to George – every story of hers, he was in. She was able to rewrite that history and hit the landmarks they missed, like the kissing bench, by reconnecting. She believes they were “the epitome of forever orange.” Although what the Wolkes shared was the culmination of their 25 years apart, sharing a kissing bench smooch was the start of many other relationships. Each couple has a bench tale of their own. The first time they sat on the bench, Wei and her partner, Tyler Paul, shared a kiss because they were both having bad days. On their wedding day outside of the Hall of Languages, when the officiant announced “You may now kiss the bride,” they ran to the kissing bench to share their first kiss as a married couple, shocking the audience.
SANDY WEI AND TYLER PAUL embrace their 9-month-old baby, Cyrus Jun Chen Paul-Wei, on SU’s kissing bench. After sharing their first kiss in the same spot after their wedding ceremony, Wei called the moment “a sequel.” courtesy of sandy wei (left) | cassandra roshu photo editor
Couples have had both spontaneous and planned kisses on the bench. Andrew Blysak, who graduated in 1990, said he knew his wife, Alexandra Mueller-Blysak, was the one for him while he was still a student at SU. One night, they came home from Marshall Street, stumbled on the bench and shared a kiss, what Blysak described as a “self-fulfilling prophecy.” “It's more of just a fun thing than anything else,” Blysak said. “I don't think we took it really seriously back then, and it's nice to think back on it and here we are.”
I think especially because we were together pretty much our entire time there. We got engaged on campus. That’s just like another piece of it that makes it special to have met there and had that experience together. Emily Ballard Thomas married to stephen thomas
Similarly, Emily Ballard Thomas, who graduated in 2015, sat on the bench on a random day when taking a regular stroll around campus with her partner, Stephen Thomas. Emily wouldn’t have sat on the bench had she not thought she and Stephen would marry. She says it’s a bit “woo-woo,” but does make her slightly believe in the bench’s legend. However, even with a wellthought-out plan to surprise their partners, people have failed to fulfill the myth because of other SU community members. Mary Vuocolo Cavaliere graduated from SU in 1986. Carl, now her husband, devised a plan to propose to her on the bench. Not only was it raining, but two football players were sitting on the bench together. “It's not like if you sat on the bench that everyone was like, ‘Oh, you got to get married,’” Mary said. “It wasn't like that. Plenty of people
would just stop by and take a break and sit on the bench.” After pacing the bench several times, Carl had to reroute because of his foiled engagement plan. Instead, they got engaged at dinner. Years later, they sat on the bench while they visited Syracuse. “Nothing always goes as planned, right? So it was nice that he had the idea,” Mary said. “I was figuring it out as we were hovering around – couldn't possibly be that he wants to sit on this kissing bench?” While the bench is a pivotal moment in certain couples’ lives, some people go through their time at SU never knowing about the bench. When Mary returned to campus this year for Orange Central, she was surprised to hear how many current students didn’t know anything about its legend. For her, it was something she and her friends would chit-chat about. As Syracuse alumni, the kissing bench not only ties a couple together but to the university itself. Each person said their connection with SU deepened because of the kissing bench, with many visiting the site when they returned to campus. “I think especially because we were together pretty much our entire time there. We got engaged on campus,” Emily said. “That's just like another piece of it that makes it special to have met there and had that experience together.” Mary’s relationship with her husband started the night of Pearl Washington’s buzzer-beater shot to beat Boston College on Jan. 21, 1984. After going to the game, the two went to a Day Hall floor party and he asked her out. She joked with him a few weeks ago that two special things happened 40 years ago – both their relationship and the impressive game-winner. The kissing bench is just another part of their story, she said. It’s one of the little things that tie them back to SU and make them feel valued as a couple, like receiving Valentine’s Day cards from the university. “It's always nice to go back to campus and see the same things that were there,” Mary said. “We always visit the bench and the mosaic. We always visit the kissing bench. We always like to hear the bells.” rlboehm@syr.edu
ANDREW BLYSAK knew his now wife, Alexandra Mueller-Blysak, was the one for him while he was at SU. courtesy of andrew blysak
After reconnecting in 2009 and getting married in 2011, Daryl and George Wolke returned to SU in 2014. courtesy of daryl wolke
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humor column
These ‘Valentunes’ make the perfect love day soundtrack Story by Olivia Boyer
assistant digital editor
Illustration by Leah Bowman contributing illustrator
No Valentine’s Day is complete without a collection of love songs. We’ve put together the perfect selection of tunes for your romantic candlelit dinner, whether it’s with a partner or your best friends.
“Fly Me To The Moon” by Frank Sinatra “Fly Me To The Moon” – the classic song your grandparents may have fallen in love to. Frank Sinatra sings with passion in his heart, comparing falling in love to dancing among the stars. “Fly me to the moon. Let me play among the stars, Let me see what spring is like on, A- Jupiter and Mars, in other words, hold my hand, in other words, baby, kiss me,” Sinatra sings. This is the perfect tune for a romantic candlelight dinner with your partner, or even a nice bath at home. The trumpet-based instrumental creates a magical atmosphere for any date night. Treat yourself to some old-time classic love with this track.
“New Light” by John Mayer Take a late-night drive with your beloved and listen to “New Light” by John Mayer. This upbeat tune is perfect for spontaneous adventures and fresh love. Mayer sings about unrequited love, asking his crush to give him a chance, so roll down your windows and fall in love all over again with this song. “But if you give me just one night, you’re gonna see me in a new light, yeah, if you give me just one night, to meet you underneath the moonlight,” Mayer sings. This Valentine’s Day, you just might be able to convince somebody to completely fall in love with you, just like Mayer.
“Banana Pancakes” by Jack Johnson “Banana Pancakes” by Jack Johnson is
about more than just a breakfast food, as the song digs into the sweet comforts of being in love. The slow guitar in the background is reminiscent of a rainy morning with your favorite person. “When I try to show you this song, it’s meant to keep you from doing what you’re supposed to, like waking up too early. Maybe we could sleep in, make you banana pancakes, pretend like it’s the weekend now,” Johnson sings. Pretend the world doesn’t exist this Valentine’s Day and fall in love – maybe even whip up some banana pancakes to honor the holiday.
“November” by Tyler, the Creator Do you want to kick back and have a relaxed night this Valentine’s Day? If so, “November” by Tyler the Creator is the song for you. It describes the atmosphere of November as a metaphor for living through the best times of your life. A “November” could be a season, a person, a moment or even a song. “My ‘November’ was summer 2015 when I fell in love with someone who f*cked my whole world up, showed me life,” featured artist Vince Staples said in the song’s interlude. Find your “November” this February with this soundtrack.
“Lover” by Taylor Swift A Valentine’s Day playlist would be incomplete w ithout a song from the queen of love herself, Taylor Swift. Even though “Lover” is about Swift ’s partner, it ’s the perfect song to sing with your best friends while baking cookies or getting ready together. “We could let our friends crash in the living room, this is our place, we make the call, and I’m highly suspicious that everyone who sees you wants you, I’ve loved you three summers now, honey, but I want ‘em all,” Swift sings. If you’re planning a galentine’s party for your friends, “Lover” belongs on the playlist. ogboyer@syr.edu
humor column
Our resident love expert’s guide to the best Valentine’s Day By Sarah Wells
humor columnist
If there’s one thing I know, it’s romance. I’ve watched “When Harry Met Sally” too many times not to. There’s nothing like a compliment or a sweet gesture to woo your partner or your crush – just ask my boyfriend. (Or as I like to refer to him, my trophy wife. What can I say? Your humor columnist needs herself some sweet, sweet arm candy.) I personally am a very big fan of my boyfriend. I like to think we are the Pete Davidson and (Insert whatever beautiful women he’s dating currently) of Syracuse University. He always picks up my column in print and saves it in his collection, so if he’s reading this: Hi, Phineas! Do the dishes. Okay, enough of the stupid, sappy stuff. Man, I hate love! Blah! Anyway, with Valentine’s Day happening this week, I’m feeling very giving and kind - so much that I’m extending my fantastic relationship tips to all of you. I hope you have your dustpans out because I’m about to teach you how to sweep your partner off of their feet. Most importantly, you need to make them feel special. I like to do this by surprising my boyfriend at different times throughout the day. It’s quite simple, really. All you have to do is trick them into sharing their location and class schedule with you. (“Babe, I’m so sorry, but I lost my MySlice login and I need to check on my bursar balance. Is it okay If I use your laptop to check?”) Thank god for autosaved passwords, am I right!? Then, while you're there, go to Find My Friends and share their phone’s location with theirs. Then, boom! You always know where to go to surprise your partner. Personally, my boyfriend was a little confused when I interrupted his geography class with a micro-
phone trying to recreate the “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” scene from “Ten Things I Hate About You,” but I’m pretty sure that’s just because he hasn’t seen the movie. It’s definitely not because I forced the entirety of the College of Visual and Performing Arts jazz ensemble into a Slocum lecture hall. Another thing I like to do to make my partner happy. Send cute texts! Just a little “I miss you,” “How is your day going?” or “You haven't responded in two hours, do you even love me?” message can really make your partner’s day. It shows that you care and are thinking about them, even when they aren’t around! I also love to use nicknames. The key to the perfect nickname is to make it cute, heartfelt and unique to the person! For example, since I am so adorable, caring and cute, my boyfriend calls me “Sweetheart.” Since my boyfriend has Type 1 Diabetes, I like to call him “Sugar!” See? We’re adorable! For many couples, physical affection is also very important. Personally, I know that it’s very important to me and my boyfriend. That’s why – at least two times a day – I like to jump on him like a spider monkey and cling onto his back, refusing to get off. Some days, if I’m feeling a little unpredictable, I will also make very loud monkey noises in his ear. I think it’s endearing, and I can pretty confidently say he feels the same way! More than anything, however, you have to make your partner feel supported and cared about. Some people accomplish this by giving flowers, taking their partner on a date or maybe communicating how much their partner means to them. Those things are fine, I guess. If you really want to make your partner swoon, just follow my foolproof tips. Believe me, no one can resist someone making monkey noises in their ear - I would know. sfstewar@syr.edu
illustration by flynn ledoux contributing illustrator
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humor column
Show some love to these new restaurants this Valentine’s Day By Kelly Matlock culture editor
Photos by Cassandra Roshu photo editor
It can be hard to find the perfect place to share a Valentine’s Day meal with your special someone. If you’re bored of the Chipotle on Marshall Street, take a look at these restaurants that opened in the past year to try something new with your Valentine this season.
If your date loves Instagram-able spots, take them to:
If your date bleeds orange through and through, head down to:
She Fancy
Over the Cuse Deli and Grill
This restaurant makes charcuterie boards and artisanal sandwiches — perfect for a date who believes “the camera eats first.” Besides the photogenic food, the restaurant moved to Salt City Market in December, a popular location with a variety of places to shop and eat. Wander around with your partner and taste-test the various restaurants in the market.
With the Syracuse skyline featured on the wall, Over the Cuse Deli and Grill is perfect for a diehard SU fan. With burgers like the “Otto” with two patties and the “Big Cuse” with three patties, you and your date can celebrate your school spirit together. The restaurant opened in December and has been showcasing its love for Syracuse since.
If your date is a world traveler with a penchant for beautiful views, make a reservation at:
If your date is laid-back and doesn’t like fancy, over-the-top dates, head over to:
Emerald Cocktail Kitchen
Brazen Café
Emerald Cocktail Kitchen opened in June and is known for having the only rooftop bar in Syracuse, creating the perfect romantic Valentine’s Day atmosphere. If you and your date are above drinking age, enjoy specialty cocktails like a peanut butter espresso martini with Skrewball Whiskey, Kahlúa Coffee Liqueur, Francesca Hazelnut Liqueur and Recess Coffee espresso – along with seasonal options like “Dark of Ether.” For dates under 21, enjoy their mocktail menu with drinks like the “Cos-NO-politan.”
With breakfast sandwiches, soups, rice bowls and more, Brazen Café is the perfect spot for a low key Valentine’s Day date. The cafe opened in August and is located near Marshall Street, convenient for college sweethearts without a car. Grab a bite to eat with your partner and enjoy the warm, friendly atmosphere — as well as each other’s company, of course.
484 S. Salina St, Syracuse, NY
1333 W. Fayette St.
712 E. Fayette St.
725 Irving Ave.
If your date is a fiend for Latin American food, take them to:
If your date is a wine connoisseur – or connaisseur wannabe – make a reservation at:
El habanero
Nobody’s
Since opening its doors in June, El habanero combines Cuban and Mexican food to provide options for everyone. Tell your date the fun fact that the restaurant used to be known around Syracuse for its giant Cuban sandwiches, then offer to buy them one. The menu also offers specialty desserts like Cuban rice pudding and Mexican dishes like quesadillas, tostadas, chalupas and chimichangas - take your pick!
For dates who took a beer and wine class at SU and decided to make wine their passion, this wine bar is the perfect way to spend Valentine’s Day. The place cultivates a “big city vibe” and offers wine tasting for sommeliers of all skill levels. If you and your partner are looking to pick up a new hobby for the holiday, this is the place to do it.
324 Burnet Ave.
222 Walton St.
kellyamatlock@icloud.com
6 valentine’s day guide 2024
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Over the Valentine’s Day season, Sweet on Chocolate offers flavors like raspberry rose, strawberry champagne and espresso martini while Westcott Florist owner Courtney Rapp notices an uptick in the sales of peonies and red roses. joe zhao asst. photo editor (left, bottom middle), maxine brackbill photo editor (top middle) cassandra roshu photo editor (right)
said preparation for Valentine’s For Syracuse Day starts at the end of January and all the store’s staff plan to aroma lingers on Wal- work seven days a week. During the chocolate shops and Atonchocolate Street, emanating from local beginning of the process, the team candy shop Sweet on Chocolate. starts by trimming stems and careflorists, preparing for Every February, stacks of heart- fully removing thorns on roses. gift boxes welcome shop“We have seven coolers in our Valentine’s Day is a shaped pers into the store. But the process shop, one upstairs, two in our baseup starts in December. ment and then four on the main months-long endeavor to set“What getting ready for Valentine's floor,” Rapp said. “So we keep our By Savannah Stewart asst. culture editor
DINO CENTRA AND COURTNEY RAPP (LEFT TO RIGHT) prepare as Westcott Florist receives Valentine’s Day orders the week before the holiday. cassandra roshu photo editor
Day looks like to us is basically just right after Christmas,” said Sweet on Chocolate owner and head chocolatier Adam Mazzoni. “We devise a game plan for the busy few days leading up to the 14th and the weekend after it. We start coming up with numbers and thinking – How much of this do we have to make? How much of that do we have to make?” While Syracusans feel the love, the process of local businesses sharing it is a difficult feat. By the beginning of the month, local stores begin to promote Valentine’s Day in-store and on their websites, but the preparatory work starts months prior. Michael Speach, owner of Speach Family Candy Shoppe, said he and his staff work to produce their popular heart-shaped chocolates and restock products that have sold out after the winter holiday season. Preparation for Valentine’s Day primarily revolves around ensuring there are enough boxes, ribbons and labels, Speach said. At both Sweet on Chocolate and Speach Family Candy Shoppe, timing for attaining other perishable resources is an important factor in gearing up for the holiday. “We start preparing ahead for anything that's going to last,” Mazzoni said. “We never want the chocolate to taste or look old, so we prioritize the more last minute goods, like fresh fruits, strawberries, raspberries.” Similarly, Speach said their store’s biggest sellers are chocolate strawberries. Strawberries and other produce typically have a quicker turnaround during production, so the Speach staff ensures the local, family-owned produce company they work with knows exactly what is expected. Much like Syracuse’s chocolatiers, florists in the city must work strategically and efficiently. Westcott Florist owner Courtney Rapp
flowers there to preserve their life.” In the third week of January, St. Agnes Florist’s staff start greening, the process of putting greens in vases that become a sturdy and hardy part of the arrangement, according to District Manager of Allen Floral Group Hannah Cecile. Allen Floral Group is a central New York creative florist company that currently owns six florist locations, including St. Agnes Florist. “We do go back through and spray the greens twice a week with a special product that holds the moisture within the stems,” Cecile said. “Then we switch out the water every couple of days just so that they stay fresh, even once the holiday rolls around.” As Valentine’s Day orders, both in-store and online, begin to roll in, shop owners take note of their most requested products. While Sweet on Chocolate is known for their assortment of elegant, wellcrafted truff les, the shop also offers seasonal flavors that rotate throughout the year, Mazzoni said. Currently, there are Valentine's Day-themed flavors like raspberry rose, strawberry champagne and espresso martini. The chocolatiers have also added a special hazelnut caramel truffle. Rapp said she often notices that around the holiday, some people have more date nights, so there are in-store orders of flowers. In particular, customers ask for sunflowers, peonies and red roses around the Valentine season. Everyone has their own type of tradition for Valentine’s Day, Speach said. To accommodate the variety of requests they receive, the store tries to offer a wide scope of options. However, to Speach, the holiday is more than just the products they sell. “Valentine's Day isn't just about the traditions,” Speach said. “It's about something that other people enjoy.” sfstewar@syr.edu
OPINION
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IZZY KAUFMAN
BE ORANGE, GO GREEN
More than 36 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate are sold every year, but we rarely think about their environmental impact
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I
n 1861, Richard Cadbury — son of John Cadbury, the founder of the Cadbury chocolate brand — created the first heart-shaped box of chocolates with the intention of increasing sales around Valentine’s Day. This time of year, especially, we see chocolate-filled heart boxes covering the aisles — more than 36 million of these heart-shaped boxes are sold annually, amounting to 58 million pounds of chocolate. The brands of chocolate we see in the grocery stores have originated from the Western world — Godiva in Belgium, Ghiradelli in Italy, Cadbury in the United Kingdom, Russel Stover in Colorado and Hershey in Pennsylvania. Yet, what makes the majority Western production of this product unusual is that the continental United States doesn’t have the proper climate to produce cocoa. Europe has a similar problem, also not having the necessary climate to support such a crop on a large scale. (Although Spain has recently started Europe’s first significant cocoa crop, its yield is nowhere near what is needed to produce chocolate at the scale it is consumed). To account for this climate difference, Western chocolate companies source their cocoa from various parts of the tropical world, or countries along or near the equator. West Africa as a whole accounts for 80% of total global cacoa production, with just Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire making up 60% of the total. Due to the grand-scale at which the cocoa is harvested and exported, cocoa is a major component of the country’s gross domestic product. Sourcing cocoa in these countries, although a major source of GDP, has a notso-sweet side to it. Although the chocolate industry is a $130 billion industry, many farmers earn less than one dollar each day. Because of this low wage, farmers often cannot afford to bear the costs of farming cocoa beans and turn to child labor. As t he public ha s become more aware about this topic, larger companies have begun efforts to make their chocolate supply chain more ethical and sustainable. Godiva, for example, has taken measures to ensure 100% of its sourcing in West Africa is monitored for child labor. Now, with the warming climate, these areas along the equator are facing the most grave temperature changes and simultaneous deforestation, damaging cocoa pod development and reducing crop yields. The deforestation, which results from creating cocoa crops across vast amounts of land, releases carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, further contributing to global warming. Deforestation creates a positive feedback loop, meaning that warming will continue until the deforestation comes to a halt. Right now, 94% of the Côte d'Ivoire's forest has been cleared, one-third of which can be allocated for cocoa crops. Chocolate, in comparison to other foods, is greenhouse gas emissions heavy. Each kilogram emits 19 kg of carbon dioxide in return. The majority of chocolate emissions stem from the change in land use necessary to develop agriculture operations. The second most emissions intensive aspect of chocolate production is the livestock farming elements. Within livestock operations, ruminant animals (cows, sheep, goats) produce methane within their digestive processes and in turn emit this methane into the atmosphere. Methane is estimated to be responsible for 25% of the warming we see today. To curb deforestation and limit unethical farming, there have been efforts made to sustainability source cocoa for multinational companies in countries in West Africa. For example, Cadbury sources its cocoa through Cocoa Life, an organization that works together with locals to ensure most sustainable practice. Cadbury is looking to have all of its products 100% sustainably sourced by 2025. As a consumer, the responsibility isn’t on you to ensure that the world’s chocolate industry is ethically and sustainably sourced. Instead, your responsibility lies in your choice of product. (Of course relative to your economic situation). So, when shopping for chocolate, look for certification that verifies that the chocolate meets standards regarding sustainability, fair wages, safe working conditions and environmental stewardship. These certifications include Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance, UTZ, and Direct Trade. Small changes in personal purchasing habits have the potential to facilitate a greater change. Besides chocolate, there are plenty of other opportunities to exercise sustainable practices during this Valentine’s season. There is nothing more meaningful than a homemade gift, giving you an opportunity to practice your crafting or cooking skills. Holidays tend to intensify marketing influence and, socially speaking, we want to buy, buy, buy, to prove how much we love our significant other. In reality, love is not found on the shelves of a Target or a Bloomingdales, or in material possessions. Get creative! Izzy Kaufman is a sophomore International Relations and Environment, Sustainability and Policy major as well as the Co-Director of the Student Association’s Sustainability Forum. Her column appears bi-weekly. She can be reached at akaufm08@syr.edu.
8 valentine’s day guide 2024
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