Author: Courtney Kless

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Courtney Kless is the Editor in Chief of Family Times. Courtney is originally from Maryland. She earned her Master’s degree in Magazine, Newspaper and Online Journalism from Syracuse University. Courtney began her career as a sports journalist, then spent several years working in higher education, before joining the company in August 2019. She enjoys traveling, reading and hiking, and recently adopted a Labrador Retriever, Bailey.

For her entire life, Paola Benevento’s name has been spelled or pronounced incorrectly. “When you are constantly confronted with that as a kid, it makes you develop anxiety around your name and a discomfort,” she said. “And that’s something that’s really continued to follow me around through life. I’m 30 years old now, and in the last week alone, I’ve had that happen to me three times.” Benevento, a Henninger High School alum, has been a teacher in the South Bronx for eight years, and has noticed a similar frustration in her classroom. “Some of my students have names that…

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The weather is warming, and golfers around Central New York will soon be hitting the links. One local organization is working to break down barriers to the sport. “People can play it at any age,” said Greg Callen, the founder of New York Adaptive Golf. “I just felt that it was a good platform for individuals to get out in the sun, to get some socialization, and to think about something versus their injury.” Callen knows from personal experience how important that is. In 2005, he was paralyzed from the waist down after a fall from a balcony. Four years…

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Since it was founded by a group of local parents in 1985, LAUNCH has helped individuals become more independent at work, school and home. Family Times recently talked to Julie Freeman, director of education, about the non-profit’s history, its mission, and the services it offers (including three summer programs). This interview was edited for length and clarity. 1. Can you tell me a little about the history behind LAUNCH, and how it grew into what it is today? LAUNCH used to be known as the Learning Disabilities Association of Central New York (LDACNY), and that was founded in 1985. It…

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Did you know February is National Children’s Dental Health Month? Family Times recently talked to Qasha Diaz, a lead dental assistant at Pediatric Dentistry & Family Orthodontics in Fayetteville, about some things you can do to keep your child’s teeth healthy – every month of the year. This interview was edited for length and clarity. 1. Can you tell me a little about your background? I was going to school for student teaching, and I’ve always had a passion for dentistry. When my daughter was born in 2008, they were laying off a bunch of student teachers, so I took…

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Please note: The Syracuse Crunch updated its attendance policy earlier this month. Click here to learn more. Growing up with two brothers, watching (and playing) sports were a way of life – these days, in my free time, you can often find me sitting in the front of the television, enjoying a football game or a golf tournament. But there is nothing that compares to watching sports live. My husband and I recently headed to the Upstate Medical University Arena to watch the Syracuse Crunch take on the Utica Comets. The Crunch, the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate for the…

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For three generations, Hercules Candies has been bringing hand crafted sweets to Central New York. Originally named Boston Candy Kitchen, the business was founded in East Syracuse in 1910 by Robert Andrianos and his two brothers (all three were from Greece). In the years that followed, it would change owners (and its location) several times – Robert’s grandson, Steven Andrianos, and his wife, Terry, currently run the business together. In January of 2017, the Andrianos’ oldest son, Craig, launched the Hercules Candies YouTube channel – and business took off. “After about a year, it just blew up. There was really…

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February may be a short month, but there is still plenty to celebrate. One way families can do that is through books. Karen Notte, the early literacy coordinator at the Fairmount Community Library, shares her picks for some of this month’s holidays. For Chinese New Year (Feb. 1) Chinese New Year by Katie Marsico Children can learn about the history and traditions of Chinese New Year in this non-fiction book. Maisy’s Chinese New Year by Lucy Cousins Maisy and her friends celebrate Chinese New Year with fireworks, a dragon dance, and more. For Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14) A Valentine for…

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Now that winter is in full swing, are you suffering from cabin fever? I know I am. Get some fresh air – and learn about animals – at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo. Located in Burnet Park, the zoo was founded in 1914, and houses more than 200 different species, according to its website, ranging in size from poison dart frogs to Asian elephants. Tickets cost $9 for adults ($5 if you visit during Snow Leopard Day in January and February), and can be purchased online or at the door. This was my third time visiting the zoo. We started with…

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The start of a new year is the perfect time to reduce clutter in your home. And the benefits of doing so are numerous. “The biggest one I would say is reduced stress,” said Liz Bremer, a certified professional organizer and the owner of Put it Simply Organizing in Manlius. “You are saving time by not spending time looking for things. You’re saving money by not buying things that you already have. It improves relationships. I’ve had clients say that getting organized has saved their marriage. Being more efficient. All of these things are great.” Read on for Bremer’s tips…

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December has always been one of my favorite months of the year. I love grabbing a cup of hot chocolate and driving around to look at holiday lights – a tradition that dates back to the early days of my relationship with my husband. Our newest go-to spot is Lights on the Lake. Held annually at Onondaga Lake Park, the popular holiday show features 300 displays (including its newest additions, a holiday dragon, a winter skyline, and an 18-foot smart light tree) – all stretched across two miles. A total of 56,378 vehicles drove through Lights on the Lake during…

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