Visitors filling Oneida County hotels during busy summer season
Many places were quieter in 2020, including hotels. “It was definitely a challenging time, especially looking at March and April. The occupancy on the books all canceled, and we didn’t know what was going to happen,” said Lee Arthur, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Utica general manager. Growing up about 20 minutes away in Remsen, Arthur…
NYS Fair vendors talk impact of longer schedule this year
Monday marks your final chance to take in the sights, sounds and tastes of the Great New York State Fair. This year’s event was 18 days for the first time ever, but this extra week of fun wasn’t always fun for the vendors. From low turnout to revenue loss and long hours, an 18-day stretch…
State Fair butter sculpture gets recycled into energy
Eight hundred pounds of butter have been on display for 18 days. Now, volunteers from Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners are helping it serve another purpose. “From an environment perspective, dairy farmers are the original environmentalists,” said Chris Noble, vice president of Noblehurst Farms. “We want to make sure we are using as many resources…
Cleanup process begins on the fairgrounds, officials turn eyes to
After an 18-day run, the Great New York State Fair is over. One of the biggest stories this year was lagging attendance numbers. On Labor Day, 58,659 people walked through the gates. That brought the total attendance to nearly 800,000 visitors for the entire run of the fair, down significantly from a record-breaking year in…
Mask mandate pushes some parents toward homeschooling
Seven-year-old Nico Rider will not be joining his peers for in-person classes this fall. “Nico has some developmental delays. He struggles with anxiety, and having a mask on, he had difficulty wearing it, sensory-wise,” says Kristin Rider, Nico’s mom. She is choosing to homeschool him, citing Gov. Kathy Hochul's mask mandate in schools. What You…
Reminders for drivers as school buses return to the roads
School buses are back on the road this week. For many districts, it’s the first time everyone has been in the building together in about 18 months. Some districts start Tuesday, many start Wednesday, and by the end of the week, most students will be back in the classroom everywhere. To do that, they have to…
Adirondack Extreme offers unique experience
Nestled in the Adirondacks is a unique adventure complete with six elevated, obstacle-filled courses and ziplines over 1 1/2 scenic miles. Adirondack Extreme Adventure Course is located in Bolton Landing, just 12 miles north of Lake George, off Exit 24 on the Northway. Because the experience can be “extreme,” it’s recommended you spend about 30…
Homecoming: Fort Drum soldiers return home from Afghanistan
Those familiar with or who have taken part in a post-deployment ceremony or surprise homecoming know how powerful a moment it can be. As soldiers from the famous 10th Mountain Division returned safely to the North Country, a select few waited patiently. “They are late, and my lipstick feels sweaty,” said Danielle Fischer, the wife…
SU’s celebrity classic will bring Moten, Coleman back to the
You won't see SU basketball take the court for another couple months or so, but some old-time favorites and legends are returning to University Hill this week as part of the Celebrity Basketball Classic. The game's part of SU's 13th Coming Back Together celebration, which honors the university's Black and Latino alumni. Playing big roles…
Baseball Hall of Fame induction slides home to Cooperstown
When it’s induction time in Cooperstown, you’ll see bustling shops and stands, like Brandon Phillips’ table with sports cards. “It’s been a blast growing up here. I’m not a huge baseball fan, but I’ve grown to love it,” Phillips said. You’ll see — and smell — food on the street and see trollies traveling. And this…