Central NY hosts Sesame Street Live

March 18, 2001 was one of those wee bit chilly but absolutely "Sunny Days" in Upstate New York Under a bright blue almost spring sky, Rachel Marie & Trevor James came to visit Grammy for the day just to go see "Sesame Street Live" with at the Stanley Performing Arts Center.

A packed house of parents and their children, grandparents and their grandchildren, enjoyed the performance immensely. Singing along with the familiar songs, waving the lighted wands, peering through binoculars at the stage and at the golden ornamental decor of the theatre, watching the joy in their faces, all blended to give us one more reason for why we choose to live in the Mohawk Valley.

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Metro Utica BPW Hosts District V Meeting

April 7, 2001 was a day to gather with fellow BPW members at the annual District V meeting, which includes: Metro Utica BPW, Utica Evening BPW, Rome BPW, Metro BPW, Metro Syracuse, Three Rivers, and Watertown.

It was an honor to be asked to be one of the three Judges for the BPW Young Careerist Candidate, Career Recognition Candidate, and Individual Development Candidate. After a morning spent in a board room, looking over Applications, Conducting Personal Interviews, and Observing Group Interaction of Questions Posed, we then proceeded to the Main Meeting Room to Listen to Candidate's Speeches to the Group at Large. After careful and silent consideration, each Judge turned their sheets into the Committee for the final tally. The winners were announced (see *picture above) and will now go on to compete for the NYS titles.

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Central NY Opens Hotel Utica!

March 23, 2001 We were invited to attend a pre-opening event as guests of the Hotel Utica. The beauty and elegance of the completely renovated hotel reminded me of the era of The Great Gatsby, right down to the piano in the lobby. A tour of the Crystal Ballroom and the elegant guest rooms was followed by a a marvelous dining experience in the Lamplighter Room.

March 12, 1912 was the day in history when the original Hotel Utica opened its doors to commercial travelers and sophisticates. Judy Garland sang from the mezzanine of the hotel, and Mickey Mantle signed autographs. F.D.R. & Eleanor were two of the many dignitaries who graced the hotel.

Now, after 2 years and more than $11 million dollars in extensive renovations, every detail of the hotel has been meticulously restored to take on the luster of its original beauty. Co-owners Joseph Carucci and Charles Gaetano combined nostalgic charm with modern amenities.

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Central NY hosts Oldiez Spring Fling

March 24, 2001 If you're a lover of oldies music, the place to be on this evening was back at the Stanley Performing Arts Center to be a part of Spring Fling 2001. Oldiez96 radio station sponsored the lineup of stars who mesmerized the audience.

Here's who we saw, met and were priviledged to listen to: Lesley Gore, "It's My Party"; Lou Christie, " Lightning Strikes"; Marrilee Rush, "Angel of the Morning"; Jimmy Clanton, "Venus in Blue Jeans"; Bobby Lewis, "Tossin' and Turnin'"; and Johnny Farina, "Sleepwalk".

The music, the memories, the friends and colleagues who enjoyed the evening's event were just one more reason the Mohawk Valley is a great place to live. If only I had all my family members within an hour's drive, I'd be in heaven on earth!

March 18, 2001 found me attending a board meeting at the Children's Museum, and meeting with local Sponsors who help us to keep Central New York's only Children's Museum financially solvent and educationally growing.

Among the sponsors: WUTR TV20, The Ackerley Group, Niagara Mohawk Foundation, Metropolitan Life Foundation, Topps Markets, NYSCA, to name a few. Along with a talented and dedicated board and great executive director, it brings a very special building full of History, Natural History & Science for children of all ages.

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Central NY's only Children's Museum

2001 found me attending a board meeting at the Children's Museum, a very special building full of History, Natural History, Science, & Technology for children of all ages. After serving a term as President of the Board, the Board elected me to run the operations at the Museum in the role of President of the Children's Museum.

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Central NY raises a record $1,036,393. at Heart Run/Walk

February 24, 2001 was a cold but sunny day in Upstate New York Under a bright blue winter sky, a community plus got involved in CNY's 30th annual Heart Run/Walk.

In all, 8,106 people braved the frigid temperatures and either walked or ran in America's Greatest Heart Run & Walk, helping to raise that record $1,036,393. Jim Stasaitis, Heart Run & Walk chairman, said “it really is a community event, with something for everyone.”

Community commitment is definitely at the heart of this great annual event. While spirited and committed teams of runners and walkers made a lot of money, spirited and committed community volunteers pitched in. It's the same type of spirit given to the Boilermaker.

One of the things organizers are particularly proud of is anybody can be part of the event. People ran or walked; took the time to make signs; wore T-shirts or buttons remembering those they have lost to heart disease; formed teams; 1,500-plus volunteered their services; numerous others called in their pledges to the radiothon.

Daniel Benzo, American Heart Association senior Vice President, said the will of the people is what helped event organizers exceed its goal of $1 million. Dan said, “The biggest difference this year was the commitment from the community. Those who were part of a team that were passionate about a friend or relative affected by heart disease, are the ones that made the difference.”

Bob Ingalls, Run/Walk committee member and race director for the Utica Boilermaker, said it was accomplished with "quiet efficiency". At a closing ceremony at Utica College gymnasium, Marolyn Wilson, Volunteer President of the AMA Central Region, thanked the community for the success, saying “You are the heart of our event".

About 950,000 Americans suffer from heart disease.T he American Heart Association spent about $337 million during 1999-2000 on research support, public and professional education and community programs. All the money raised will be used to support vital heart and stroke research projects and educational programs during the year throughout the country.

Will the Heart Run & Walk break its record next year? Stasaitis said, "Never underestimate the spirit and passion of the people here in Central New York. We'll start planning for next year’s event next week. There is no rest when it comes to the Great American Heart Run & Walk."

Participants will turn in their pledged money and pick up their incentives Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the American Heart Association Central Region Office, 120 Lomond Court, Utica. The Central NY community will then look forward to meeting the challenge again next year.

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