36
Magazine Competition comes home Fashion for all Swipe, right? Budding businesses Shoot ‘em up Fall 2015 Issue

360 Magazine: Fall 2015

Embed Size (px)

DESCRIPTION

Syracuse University's community magazine. Fall 2015 issue.

Citation preview

Page 1: 360 Magazine: Fall 2015

Magazine

Competition comes home

Fashion for all

Swipe, right?

Budding businesses

Shoot ‘em up

Fall 2015 Issue

Page 2: 360 Magazine: Fall 2015

360

Page 3: 360 Magazine: Fall 2015

360 Community

Page 4: 360 Magazine: Fall 2015

Back in the fall of 2012, I looked upon my assignment email to Melia Robinson, 360’s managing editor, with a sense of eagerness and pride. Addressing her as “Ms. Robinson,” and providing the senior with

Sadler Hall’s address so she could pick me up, I was confident she would take me seriously as an aspiring college journalist.

Now, I cringe. Or rather, laugh. That one email, formed with prose of naivete and anxiety, introduced me to 360 Magazine — A community that I now consider my own as I take on the role of editor-in-chief yet again. A community that I will now leave after three-and-a-half years. A lot has changed. I am now the recipient of naivete, for one. But throughout my time on staff, 360 has continuously played a pivotal part of my role within the campus community. In the many stints I had in campus clubs and activities, 360 has been a constant. And there’s a reason for it. 360 means uncovering the true spirit and character of the Central New York community. We strive to look beyond the campus hill—whether at an assortment of startups crafted by alumni, a melody of history behind the art of jazz or the return of an indigenous sport to its home. In this issue, past issues and future issues we always hope to promote the idea that Central New York is the culmination of its cultures and peoples, and is most certainly not boring. Now in the position of Melia, I have the rather fitting feeling of coming full circle. The community she helped introduce me to is now one I am actively involved with. As new members join the 360 team, I hope they find the same welcoming group and the same opportunities to discover the stories tucked away in Central New York. Let this issue be a testament to the magazine’s continued pursuit of highlighting burgeoning groups and impassioned individuals within our community. And as I come full circle, I want the magazine be a way to help others find their niche, and to see a full view of what is possible. Take in the many viewpoints of the magazine. Learn about your peers and your community. Go full circle.

Signing off,Trevor Zalkind

Editor’s Note

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Trevor Zalkind

MANAGING EDITORMeghan Rimol

LONG FEATURES Senior Editor Maddie Buckley

Assistant Editor Ashley Mixson

SHORT FEATURESSenior Editor Taylor Georgeson

Assistant Editor Keturah Raymond

FRONT OF BOOK Senior Editor Angelica Welch

PUBLIC RELATIONS DIRECTORCait Cordova

WEB DIRECTORCourteney Larocca

DESIGN DIRECTORSChris McCarthy

Peter Murphy

PHOTO DIRECTORNatalie Goldstein

DESIGNERS

Nina Mullin

Sydney Hirsh

Meaghann Lahiff

Rachel McKnight

Mustafa Thomas

Crystal Yang

PHOTOGRAPHERSMaddie Buckley

Jacob Marcus

Trevor Zalkind

Xiaoqian Zhu

COPY EDITORS Stefani Clark

Cait Cordova

Page 5: 360 Magazine: Fall 2015

1

360 Magazine

10

15F”Emme” Fatale

Point and Shoot 18

Snow or Shine 8

Lacrosse Comes Home

A Chambermaid’s Tale 25

Smooth Sounds 6

Faiths Intertwined 22

Ten on-campus jobs where work and play go hand-in-hand.

You know when that hotline bling, that can only mean one thing.

Take a trip through Central New York’s own Candy Land

Orange alumni give back to their alma mater through new business ventures.

SU professor Sam Van Aken combines art and nature in the Tree of 40 Fruits

Success Starts with SU 4

Sugar Rush 12

Rethinking the Tree 29

Tinder Takeover 3

Will Work for Fun 2

Mission Statement: Since its debut at Syracuse University in 1998, 360 Magazine has always strived to achieve a balance between tradition and change. Founded by Lanre Mayen Gaba as a new lens to view culture, 360 has a different focus, format, and feel than its predecessors. Through the years, the magazine has become a general interest publication with a cultural twist, dedicated to informing students about issues on campus, in the community, and in the whole world at large.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in 360 Magazine are not necessarily those of the entire staff. 360 welcomes contributions from all members of the Syracuse University & SUNY-ESF community but retains the right to publish only material 360 deems acceptable to the publication’s editorial purpose.

Contents

Page 6: 360 Magazine: Fall 2015

2

Daily Orange delivery personHop on your tricycle for an early morning shift of delivering newspapers to dozens of on-campus buildings. The news doesn’t wait, and as a Daily Orange delivery person, neither can you.

#Team44 - Syracuse University social media teamAre you passionate about Snapchat filters? Can’t stop Instagramming Crouse at sunset? Then you might have a place on #Team44, the team of students responsible for keeping SU’s social media at the top of its game.

Ropes course facilitatorEarn some cash while playing outside as a guide at SU’s ropes course, located on South Campus. You’ll be responsible for making sure nobody falls off the course and calming plenty of nerves when students realize how high up they really are. Fun, right?

SU Archives assistantIf you don’t get enough of Bird Library during finals week, how about getting a job there, too? Student workers in the archives help out with preservation and restoration projects, often handling documents that are nearly a century old.

Tennity Ice Skating AttendantFor those who spend all summer dreaming of the days when the lakes will finally freeze over and hockey season starts up again, Tennity might be the place for you. Hand out skates to couples on cute dates and friends looking for Friday night fun and take to the ice alongside them to make sure that nobody has a bad tumble.

Bartender at the Inn CompleteBelieve it or not, Chuck’s and Faegan’s aren’t the only bars frequented by SU students. The Inn Complete on South Campus is operated by SU Food Services, offering beer and bar food to the over 21 crowd.

Personal trainer at the gymDo you even lift, bro? Help others navigate the world of the weight room as a personal trainer at one of the campus gyms. As a bonus, you’ll be able to work out as you earn a paycheck.

Intramural refIntramural sports can get pretty serious, and referees for SU Recreation Services have ultimate authority over the games. Touting itself as the only job on campus that will work around your intramurals schedule, the job lets you have plenty of fun while bringing in some cash.

Telefund callerLove to talk on the phone? Passionate about chatting it up with strangers? As a telefund caller, you ensure that SU has enough money to stay running by soliciting donations from alumni. Sure, you might get an angry answer every once in a while — but the ‘Cuse pride you’ll feel from the rest of the alumni make it all worthwhile.

Lightwork Gallery lab attendantSpend your days in the darkroom at SU’s Lightwork Gallery developing beautiful photos into full-sized prints for display. If you love art, photography or dark spaces, this could be the perfect gig.

Will Work for FunTen on-campus jobs where work and play go hand-in-hand.Words: Meghan Rimol

Page 7: 360 Magazine: Fall 2015

3

360 Magazine

Tinder TakeoverYou know when that hotline bling, that can only mean one thing.Words: Keturah Raymond

If you’re “just looking for a Netflix and chill… maybe more,” Tinder might be the dating app for you. And no, I didn’t just make that up — that was a direct quote from someone’s profile. With its easy-to-use interface and simple swiping concept, Tinder has exploded in the app world. It has garnered millions of users, including many right here on campus. Your floormates probably use it, your roommate probably uses it and, for the purpose of writing this article, I used it. So, in a Drew Barrymore “Never Been Kissed” undercover-but-not-so-undercover journalistic style, I went into the app store and hit download. Upon reaching the home screen I was immediately prompted to connect to my Facebook account (no “catfishing” allowed here) to log in. I will admit it was pretty weird at first. The app presented me with pictures of people in the area accompanied by their name and a small description they wrote about themselves. If I thought they were cute I would swipe right, and if not I would swipe left — virtually kicking them to the curb. The concept was fairly simple, but a little boring at first. I considered calling it quits after only 30 minutes of swiping. A few moments later, however, my phone screen lit up with the words “It’s a match!” followed by a message and possibly the corniest pick-up line I’ve ever heard: “Shouldn’t you be up in heaven with all of God’s angels?” Suddenly my test run had taken a turn and I found myself up until 3:00 a.m. with dozens of matches. Some of them were students on campus, none I had actually met personally, and most of them were just looking for a hookup. I spent a total of two weeks on the app, and to sum up my experience I would have to say it was... interesting. Tinder was definitely a confidence booster. In the real world I’m too shy to speak to guys, but in this virtual one I had a voice. However, at times it felt very superficial. Tinder is often criticized as an app that is used solely for hookups, which deviates from its original purpose of dating and establishing relationships. All in all, I can now see why the app is such a success. It gives a fresh, unique experience to traditional dating sites and also takes away the negative stigma behind them. My advice to anyone interested in trying out Tinder — come up with some better pick-up lines.

Page 8: 360 Magazine: Fall 2015

4

ThunderCakesThunderCakes, created by SU alumna Courtnee Futch ’15, started as a small dorm room hobby. When Futch checked her bank account and saw she had just six dollars left, she decided to start baking for profit. By word of mouth, and with the support of IDEA director Stacey Keefe and the Whitman School of Management’s Couri Hatchery, ThunderCakes transformed into a full-fledged business. Offering an assortment of treats from bacon cheesecake brownies to cannoli cupcakes, ThunderCakes pushes the envelope for conventional bakeries. Futch wanted to create a bakery that encourages indulging. ThunderCakes’ motto, “With love. And butter.” is meant to show people that it is okay to treat themselves every once in a while. Futch expertly states, “No, you don’t need a cupcake to live. But doesn’t it make life better?”

#BLVD404The newest off-campus housing complex, #BLVD404, was created by Jared Hutter ’06 to bring new and interesting experiences to SU students. Located four blocks from campus, these apartments are designed to cater to the needs of current students with amenities such as conference rooms for group meetings and projectors for presentations. A unique feature of #BLVD404 is that Coach Boeheim will be offering resident-only meet-and-greets, and once a year he will host a lunch for one randomly selected apartment. He will also be donating memorabilia to the Jim Boeheim Hall of Fame Room. Hutter accredits his former professor, Yildiray Yildirim of the real estate program, and former Whitman dean George Burman as major influences of the project.

Success Starts with SUOrange alumni give back to their alma mater through new business ventures.Words: Stefani Clark

Photo: Natalie Goldstein

Photo: Courtesy of ThunderCakes

Page 9: 360 Magazine: Fall 2015

5

360 Magazine

BrandYourselfBrandYourself is an online reputation management service co-founded by SU alumni Patrick Ambron ’09 and Pete Kistler ’11. BrandYourself offers a way for people to clean up their online presence for potential employers. It all started when Kistler was rejected for an internship because he was mistaken for a criminal of the same name. BrandYourself was one of the first companies to be featured in the Syracuse startup, Student Sandbox, which offers budding entrepreneurs mentorship for starting a business. SU was BrandYourself ’s first investor, which propelled the business into success.

Apostrophe’ SOak Street’s art gallery for aspiring artists, Apostrophe’ S, is co-owned by SU alumni Holly Wilson ’15 and Allison Kirsch ’15. Inspired to work hard by professors in the Sculpture Program at SU, Wilson and Kirsch found a way to show aspiring artists that dedication pays off. They hope to influence other art students to showcase their work in a professional gallery setting. In addition to providing a space for creative liberty, the owners of Apostrophe’ S are trying to encourage others to restore the culture of the Northside neighborhood. By opening up a new unique business, they hope to spark a trend. Wilson and Kirsch host art shows in their renovated space and are always looking for new artists to showcase.

Photo: Courtesy of Apostrophe’ S

Photo: Courtesy of BrandYourself

Page 10: 360 Magazine: Fall 2015

6

Smooth SoundsA look at the evolution of jazz culture in Central New York.Words: Kristen Gwilt Photos: Jacob Marcus

Born in the U.S. in the late 1800s, jazz served as a musical means through which African-Americans expressed social, spiritual and

working experiences. Over time, jazz expanded into other cultures and thousands of people became infatuated by this phenomenon, including many in Central New York.

Since it originated and grew to be very popular in the South, many often question why jazz culture is so prominent in the Syracuse area. In 1995, Larry Luttinger suggested the establishment of a jazz performing arts organization that would be located in Central New York. Over the next 30 years, similar organizations were created and flourished in cities such as Cleveland, Columbus, Chicago, New York City, Washington, D.C. and San Francisco, although jazz’s prominence in smaller locations was still nonexistent.

In 1996, Syracuse became one of the only cities that had a national-caliber, regional, not-for-profit jazz orchestra. The orchestra originated in 1998 and was called the Central New York Jazz Arts Foundation (CNYJAF). It became an independent organization that planned and ran jazz events. In 2001, the Jazz in the Square summer concert was introduced,

promoting the music and culture the foundation felt so passionate about. In 2009, the CNYJAF renamed itself the CNY Jazz Central in order to re-establish the main goals of their operation: to educate, present and perform the art of American jazz.

Located on East Washington Street in Syracuse just 10 minutes from SU’s campus, the CNY Jazz Central is a 2,300 square foot space that contains offices, ticket windows, a musical library, and a 99-seat theater. This center has become recognized as a regional culture hub that also hosts comedy, film, folk, theater and other events throughout the year. This building was completed through a $250,000 grant from Sen. John DeFrancisco, who is a strong supporter of the arts, especially jazz.

Melissa Gardiner, a jazz trombone professor at SU, also yields a distinct love for the art and is engaged in the city’s jazz scene. Gardiner’s middle school teacher, Brian Tuloweicki, was her first inspiration to pursue jazz and encouraged her to improvise her music. Gardiner’s band has had the opportunity to showcase their talents in front of a variety of audiences, including former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

In high school, another teacher gave Gardiner the opportunity to play with known artists at gigs around

Page 11: 360 Magazine: Fall 2015

7

360 Magazine

“I can go anywhere in the

world and jump on a stage with other jazz musicians and play with them on the spot, because

even if they do not speak English,

we all speak the language

of music.”

Syracuse. This was when she was truly exposed to the Syracuse Jazz Fest and Jazz in the Square. Driven by her love for this music, she became part of a conglomerate band called the 315 Allstars, who went on to perform in New York City two times as finalists in the Eddentially Ellington competition.

Gardiner attended weekly events hosted by Larry Luttinger and the CNY Jazz Central at the Happy Endings Café on South Clinton Street, as well as Jazz Jams, which her friends put together at the former Coffee Pavilion. Because these events were so substantial to her development as a musician and her love for the music, she now holds weekly Jazz Jams at Funk ‘N Waffles downtown every Sunday. This is her personal effort to create an environment that fosters the growth and support she had growing up, as well as a chance for her to see the potential for greatness and success in the next surge of adolescents.

Gardiner is also a performer at CNY Jazz Central as a feature artist, participating in concert series such as Jazz Vespers, Jazz at the Plaza and Sitrus. To her, the most important aspects of jazz culture are the basics, which start with those who teach it in schools and go above and beyond to make their programs excellent.

Gardiner feels that a downfall of jazz is that it is predominantly classified as an extracurricular activity at schools, and not all families can afford to pay for the instruments or lessons. According to Gardiner, this culture is “very fragile but extremely important, and needs well rounded attention, all the way from political support to your attendance at a local jazz event.” Gardiner encourages students to contribute time or money to non-profit musical organizations, hire up-and-coming live musicians for their events and get involved in the music scene on campus.

Gardiner feels extremely blessed to hold a job that she is so passionate about. To her, jazz has many levels and is an incredible form of art. It allows for a multitude of personal expression, growth and discovery. She loves that jazz music transcends social and cultural boundaries, which is showcased in many ways through its various changes over the years. “I can go anywhere in the world and jump on a stage with other jazz musicians and play with them on the spot, because even if they do not speak English, we all speak the language of music.”

The next events for the CNY Jazz Center can be viewed online at http://gotocnyarts.org/.

Page 12: 360 Magazine: Fall 2015

8

Every time an elevator breaks, a light goes_out or a shrub needs trimming, the Syracuse University Physical Plant is there and ready to fix it.

The SU campus covers over 638 acres, and the Physical Plant is the department responsible for maintaining it all. They deal with the landscaping, elevator functioning, snow plowing and building construction on campus. There are several departments under the Physical Plant, but three of them are responsible for most of the work that students actively notice: the Construction Division, the Grounds Department and the Elevator Administrator.

The Construction Division is comprised of various skilled tradespeople who often work with several other departments at the Physical Plant to complete projects. They handle any renovations to dining and residence halls, academic buildings and South Campus apartments. Their most recent and noticeable project is the Shaw Dining Hall renovation, followed by their work to improve Sadler Hall.

Joe Guadagnolo, Construction Manager of the Construction Division of the Physical Plant, is involved with the lock shop, maintenance around campus and implementing any design changes. The lock shop handles the university’s keying needs, which is important to campus safety and accessibility. Guadagnolo works closely with the Office of Campus Planning, Design, and Construction (CPDC) and with many of the other shops and departments within

Snow or ShinePhysical Plant keeps Syracuse University’s campus up and running. Words: Ashley Mixson Photos: Natalie Goldstein

the Physical Plant to get certain projects completed.For a typical project or renovation, the Construction Division receives all necessary documents and drawings and works out a budget. If the budget is approved, they gather the appropriate materials and schedule work time for the job. Guadagnolo says that tight deadlines & long delivery times for needed materials can be frustrating, but “walking away from a project well done” is very satisfying for him.

His most recent project was working on the lower level classrooms of Bird Library. The Construction Division is currently working on two ongoing projects; one to implement remote locks to all buildings and another card access installation project.

The Grounds Department plays a vital role in the upkeep of all the greenery on campus in the warmer months and all of the snow removal during the winter. In the fall and spring they diligently mow, trim, plant and water around campus to keep SU looking beautiful. Their work includes lawns, athletic fields, and many flowers, trees and shrubs around campus. In the winter, the Grounds Department is busy clearing the snow & ice from a total of 2,979 stair treads, 10 miles of driveways and 20 miles of walkways.

“I don’t think people truly realize the vastness of the campus…and all the little nooks and crannies that we’re responsible for,” says Grounds Department manager Jim Miller. Maintaining the grounds is a huge undertaking and is accomplished by four

Page 13: 360 Magazine: Fall 2015

9

360 Magazine

groups of people in the department: the groundsmen, laborers, heavy equipment operators and the truck drivers. There are eight laborers and 22 groundsmen who work in conjunction to remove trash off lawns and to empty hundreds of trash bins on campus. A group of groundsmen also do the weeding, trimming and planting. The heavy equipment operators drive some of the bigger vehicles required for waste and snow removal such as dump trucks, skid steers, back hoes and bucket trucks.

When the seasons start shifting to the colder months, even more work is added to the Grounds Department’s busy schedule. The department is on-call 24/7 due to unpredictable weather conditions. If there is a sudden storm overnight, the department must have people ready to deal with the aftermath. “Snow removal is by far the most challenging thing we do on campus,” Miller says. Anyone who has lived through a Syracuse winter can easily see why. The snow plow operators have to deal with sudden snow & hazardous conditions & they must make sure they are doing so in the safest, most efficient manner possible—especially while maneuvering through pedestrian traffic.

But despite the difficult parts of his job, Miller remains passionate and enthusiastic. “In this industry, the results are immediate. Your gratification is instant,” says Miller. “Just the impact that you have in a short period of time and transforming a part of the campus from something that needs work to something that’s really nice … There’s no waiting.”

Also responsible for the inside of campus buildings is the Elevator Administrator. Jim Nelson, the current Elevator Administrator, supervises maintenance on the 138 vertical conveyance devices which includes all elevators in residential, academic and administrative buildings. In his position, Nelson also recommends upgrades and oversees new construction for all units. In the case that a repair is needed, Nelson schedules these repairs, and makes sure that there will be wno negative impact to the building while the elevator is being fixed.

If the scope of the repair is large, Nelson will arrange for code inspections after repairs to ensure that the unit is functioning properly. To complete these fixes, he needs a particular set of tools and highly qualified people. “Elevator mechanics are among the highest required skilled workers due to the various components of the elevator system,” Nelson says. They must be skilled in electrical work, plumbing, carpentry and rigging. The equipment used is also highly specialized. There is hoisting equipment, electronic testing devices, laptops equipped with special software and various other tools.

His job also requires a vast amount of technical knowledge, but Nelson says he takes pride in “providing safe, reliable vertical transportation to the campus community, which runs in the background.”

Page 14: 360 Magazine: Fall 2015

10

In the tournament, Syracuse alumnus and three-time first-team All-American Casey Powell competed for Team USA. Powell had led the Orange to victory in the 1995 NCAA National Championship. His brothers, Mikey and Ryan, were also extremely successful at Syracuse, making them one of the great family lacrosse dynasties at the university. The U.S. ended up placing third in the tournament.

In the end, Canada prevailed as the tournament winner, but not without its challenges. This included the gold-medal game against the Iroquois National team, led by the Thompson brothers. Like the Powells, Jerome, Lyle, Miles and Jeremy Thompson are considered lacrosse royalty in Central New York. Miles and his cousin, Ty Thompson, played together at The State University of New York at Albany, while Jeremy played for the Orange. The Thompsons hail from the Onondaga Nation, where many of them played lacrosse at LaFayette High School, about 10 miles south of SU. The brothers joined together to help propel the Iroquois Nationals to a silver medal victory.

The importance of this tournament goes beyond statistics and medals. The sport of lacrosse has helped

Centuries before Syracuse University’s 10 NCAA titles, lacrosse was being played all over the northern U.S.

The local Onondaga natives, as well as the rest of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, consider the sport of lacrosse sacred. The sport was used as a healing ritual, a way to please The Creator and foster a greater connection with Mother Earth. In 1932, native teams were banned from playing “field lacrosse,” which is the most recognized mode of play in the U.S. today. This rule was instated because the USA Lacrosse Association declared that native people were considered professionals, due to their extensive history associated with the sport.

In Canada, lacrosse leagues started to form and play inside empty hockey rinks in the 1930s. As this was not “field lacrosse,” the Haudenosaunee began to participate in the newly formed box lacrosse. More colloquially referred to as “indoor lacrosse,” box lacrosse quickly started sprouting up within the various Haudenosaunee communities.

This fall, the Onondaga Nation hosted the World Indoor Lacrosse Championships. This was the first time that this tournament had been hosted on indigenous lands. Thirteen teams competed, including the U.S., Canada and the Iroquois Nationals.

Lacrosse Comes HomeOnondaga Nation celebrates tradition and bridges cultures through sport.Words: Angelica Welch Photos: Trevor Zalkind

Page 15: 360 Magazine: Fall 2015

11

360 Magazine

build a bridge between indigenous nations and the U.S. Dr. Sally Roesch Wagner, adjunct professor at SU’s Renée Crown University Honors Program, comments on the concept of this tournament, “bringing the sport home.” She recalled an incident in 2010 when the World Indoor Lacrosse Championship was held in Manchester, U.K. Upon their arrival to England, the British consulate refused to recognize the passports of the Haudenosaunee. Comparatively, England, upon arriving to the Onondaga Nation this fall, excitedly got their passports stamped. “Isn’t it breathtaking that we get to be a part of history in the making?” says Wagner. “They could have kept England from coming in, but they welcomed them. That spirit of ‘the good mind’ is the model not only for the Syracuse area but for the world. The spirit was just of welcome and of joy.”

An air of acceptance hasn’t always surrounded the relationship between indigenous nations and the U.S. government. A little over a year ago, the Onondaga Nation filed a petition against the U.S. government

with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to “seek assistance for human rights violations from the international community” and to “continue the healing process between themselves and others who live in the region,” according to the Onondaga Nation website.

The relationship seems to be improving, especially locally. Wagner pointed out that the Syracuse community has been more proactive in their relationship with the Haudenosaunee people. However, there is still a divide that is felt due to the horrible indecencies the early American colonists put these people through.

“The larger context is the long period of colonization and the attempt in the United States to eliminate the Haudenosaunee people,” explains Wagner. “Our work is to really, as citizens of the United States, demand that our government bring justice.” It is hard to forget the oppression, but Wagner feels there is hope to mend that. Rather than failing to recognize their sovereignty, Wagner believes it is crucial that we view the Haudenosaunee as we view the governing nation of Canada. “If we want to be responsible citizens, we must live up to that sovereignty,” Wagner says.

Moving forward, fostering constructive and respectful relationships between Nation neighbors, such as Syracuse to the Onondaga, is what will further the healing process. Events like the World Indoor Lacrosse Championships bring greater awareness to communal respect between the citizens of Syracuse and the Onondaga Nation. It should serve as an example to the rest of the country that positive relationships are possible and that mutual respect will lead to a stronger community.

Page 16: 360 Magazine: Fall 2015

12

Looking for a way to satisfy your sweet tooth? Follow along Central New York’s Sweet Treat Trail. This pathway of delicious goodies offers stops for all kinds of snacks, from savory wines to crisp apples to delicious cookies and more. Get a taste of the Finger Lakes Region and take a trip along the Sweet Treat Trail!

Sugar RushTake a trip through Central New York’s own Candy Land.

Words: Leah Wimmer

The Fly by Night Cookie Company14541 Fancher Ave. | Fair Haven, NYThe Fly by Night Cookie Company has a vintage personality all its own. The walls are composed of shadow boxes filled with intricate details representing historic Fair Haven, N.Y. The shop sells a variety of cookies and brownies with quirky and humorous names such as the “PMS Cookie” and “Buried Treasure.” Behind the museum is a small reading nook where guests can eat yummy baked goods and enjoy classic novels.

Giancarelli Brothers Farm & Winery10252 Short Cut Rd. | Weedsport, NYGiancarelli Brothers is a unique winery that is home to a plethora of wines of all varieties. In addition to tastings, visitors can pick their own pumpkins and gourds at the farm. All of Giancarelli wines are made in-house using 100 percent fruit. Their Elderberry wine has won various awards and is one of the farm’s best-selling wines. This winery is small and cozy — a great place for a little adventure.

Owen Orchards8174 Grant Ave. (Route 5) | Weedsport, NY The seasonal colors, assortment of apple trees, fresh pressed crisp apple cider, and rich history behind Owen Orchards has been attracting families for decades. Owen Orchards is a family-owned, antique apple farm, where guests can relax and relish in the beauty that is autumn. They are known for their homemade apple cider donuts that are made in three flavors: plain, cinnamon and sugar. Visitors to the orchards can pick their own fresh apples, or step the sweetness up a notch and try one of the shop’s famous candy or caramel apples.

New Hope Mills181 York St. | Auburn, NY The minute you walk through the door of this shop, the smells of fall flood your senses. New Hope Mills is a company that sells hearty organic products, including pancake mixes, Bee Attitudes honey, bean soup, smoothies, maple syrup, cookbooks and more. This company is also known for its artisan at-home baking mixes that provide the ingredients for treats like brownies and scones. New Hope Mills has a cozy atmosphere that everyone can enjoy while relaxing and savoring the beauty of the season.

Farmers Co-op Market of Cayuga County97 State St. | Auburn, NY At the Farmers Co-op Market, shoppers from all over Cayuga County can buy locally grown produce and explore stalls from multiple local vendors. Unlike a traditional farmers market, they deal with more than just food items. In addition to the rainbow assortment of fruits and vegetables, poultry and baked goods, there are also homemade rag rugs and handmade accessories. The beaded earrings are perfect to give as a gift or as a treat for yourself!

Page 17: 360 Magazine: Fall 2015

13

360 Magazine

Syracuse

Skaneateles

Ithaca

Trumansburg

Auburn

Seneca Falls

Geneva

Newark

Sodus Point

Lake Ontario

Penn Yan

Page 18: 360 Magazine: Fall 2015

14

Page 19: 360 Magazine: Fall 2015

15

360 Magazine

Did you know that the fashion industry today loses about $14 billion due to lack of marketing to plus -sized women? Even though nearly 80 percent of American and British women are over size 14, many plus- sized women still

struggle to find fashion forward clothing in their size in department stores. Melissa Aronson, a Syracuse alumna and former plus -sized supermodel more commonly known as “Emme,” realized that she had to go to the institutions teaching future designers in order to make a change. About four years ago, she turned to her alma mater to develop a program that would teach fashion design students how to design for all shapes and sizes. Fast forward to the fall of 2014 and Fashion Without Limits was born.

“I figured out in order to get to the root of any issue, it is from education,” Emme says. “In a corporation, you teach them from the very beginning with a good base and good foundation, and the foundation is always in a good education.”

Building off of these values, Emme launched the Fashion Without Limits program last fall for third year students in SU’s College of Visual and Performing Arts’ School of Design. The goal of the program is to teach students how to design and create fashion-forward garments for women of any size — particularly plus- sized. By the time the students graduate, they will be prepared to design for all women and can use their education to pioneer the change that is needed in the fashion industry.

“We need to change how the industry thinks that only people below a size 12 are interested in fashion,” Emme says.

Students participating in the program are able to learn valuable tips and skills that will be helpful in working with real clients in their future careers. Nicole Wezowicz, a senior Fashion Design major and last year’s winner of Fashion Without Limits, explains how Emme taught the students about the features that plus- sized women are looking for in their clothing today.

“We were shown how to drape on the plus-size forms, work with flattering the figure, and basic foundational skills,” Wezowicz says. “Through these exercises and demonstrations, it gave our class, as well as myself, a better understanding.”

F “Emme” FataleA Syracuse alumna breaks down barriers

in the fashion worldWords: Taylor Georgeson

Photos: Courtesy of Syracuse University

Page 20: 360 Magazine: Fall 2015

16

The program, now entering its second year, has faced some changes since its inauguration. Last year, Wolf Form Co. provided model forms for participating students. However, they had to purchase their own fabric, which became very expensive for students by the end of the program. Now in the program’s second

year, model forms of sizes 16 20 were donated again by Wolf Form Co., but this time 300 yards of fabric were donated as well for students’ use. Emme says she hopes that this change will help relieve some stress for students as they go through the program. Additionally, the fabric, which was donated by the Seattle based fabric company Stigmare, is made out of 70 percent recycled soda bottles.

“Students are not only making these great, up scale fashion pieces, but they

are doing it using sustainable fabric,” says Jeffrey Mayer, Associate Professor at VPA and ambassador of Fashion Without Limits.

In addition to the donated fabrics, Fashion Without Limits made other changes within its overall program. The first year of Fashion Without Limits was a

“Students invigorate me, and it has been great to see their energy building each year.”

competition among third year fashion students to design an evening gown, with Emme wearing the winning look at a red carpet event. This year, however, students will be designing a ready to wear look instead. The program is also looking to be integrated more within the school’s curriculum, so students will leave with a deeper knowledge of how to design, drape and produce fashion forward looks for plus -sized women by the end of the year.

These changes to the program have helped build excitement among students since its first year. Todd Conover, Assistant Professor at VPA and another ambassador of Fashion Without Limits, remembers how students were initially uncertain of the program, as there were no others like it and they did not see the need for it. According to Conover, many students believed Fashion Without Limits would be focused on designing one size fits all, oversized garments. This is often the only clothing available for sizes 12 and up in department stores today, unlike the high end, fashion forward pieces seen in smaller sizes.

“After we talked about it, students have come around and are now excited,” Conover says. “Being in this pioneering program will help benefit their career, and I think they were finally able to get that in their heads.”

The program taught students a variety of new fashion concepts and design techniques and helped build a bond and sense cohesiveness among the junior class, according to Wezowicz. “We all were learning how to

Page 21: 360 Magazine: Fall 2015

17

360 Magazine

drape and we were then thrown into learning how to drape on the plus-size form,” she says. “So it was nice to be able to hone in on our skills together to help each other.”

As much as SU students are now excited to be a part of the program, Emme is just as excited to be working with them and her alma mater. “Students invigorate me, and it has been great to see their energy building each year,” she says. “More and more students want to be a part of it now.”

Emme is dedicated to keeping close contact with Fashion Without Limits and the participating students throughout the year. She visited Syracuse in late September for the convocation of the program’s second year, and she plans to check in with students regularly throughout the year, either through campus visits or Skype sessions in the classroom.

“[Emme] has been very dedicated to this for four years,” Mayer says. “She really has helped to drive this program and has been very accessible to students throughout the process.”

The students in the program have also recognized the hard work and dedication Emme has put into the program. “She is a very motivated and intelligent woman, and it is obvious how passionate she is about Fashion Without Limits and spreading the cause,” Wezowicz says.

While Emme has enjoyed working with her alma mater, her larger goal is to spread Fashion Without Limits to fashion schools across the country and globe. She hopes that schools will create their own version of an inclusive fashion program, with Fashion Without Limits serving as the core template.

In order to further integrate the ideas of Fashion Without Limits into VPA’s program, Mayer and Emme began working on a textbook this past summer that will cover designing topics specifically for curvy women. Once the textbook is published, it will make SU the only school in the country to have a course specifically focused on plus-sized fashion.

As for the future of Fashion Without Limits, Conover is confident that it will continue to expand, become even more integrated in the school’s curriculum and have an even larger impact on the students’ views of today’s fashion industry.

Many students are just as excited for the future of the program and are encouraging their peers to become involved in it as well.

“It helps us as designers to think outside of the standard norm, as well as to understand and learn how to work with a client,” Wezowicz says. “The FWL competition is such an empowering movement that anyone who is interested in it should dive in head first.”

Page 22: 360 Magazine: Fall 2015

18

Point and Shoot

The smoky sizzle of fresh meat on the grill filled the air at Carpenter’s Brook Hatchery on a sunny September morning. In the distance,

the ring of a shotgun pierced the air. A bit closer, a kookaburra cackled out its distinctive caw. The sun glinted off the shiny pelts of foxes, deer, skunks and other creatures proudly displayed above the tents of various exhibitors. This was Honeywell Sportsmen’s Days, an annual celebration of all things outdoors that took place on Sept. 26 and 27 to commemorate National Hunting and Fishing Day.

This event is one of the largest celebrations of National Hunting and Fishing Day in New York, attracting thousands of visitors each year. Co-hosted by Honeywell and the Onondaga County Federation of Sportsmens Clubs, the event offers a variety of activities to participants of all ages, including fly fishing, archery, target shooting, bird-calling and canoeing.

Among the demonstrations at this year’s event was a showing by the ESF Woodsmen. The oldest student group at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, the Woodsmen use old-time logging techniques for athletic competition. They participate in numerous regional competitions every year in events such as the horizontal chop, axe throw, pole climb, cross-cut and more. The group’s demonstrations at Sportsmen’s Days attracted substantial crowds who cheered for the athletes as they worked to chop logs and create small fires faster

than their teammates. Francis McParland, an ESF sophomore on the Woodsmen team, says that he enjoys getting to speak with audience members after demonstrations. “Most people I have talked to have never even heard of timber sports, so it’s nice to talk to them and teach them about the sport I love,” McParland says. “It’s a great way to meet people in the community that are either alumni from ESF or are interested in forestry and outdoor activities as well.”

The team performs these demonstrations in order to open the public eye to timbersports and allow them to see first-hand what the sport is about. Before the demonstration begins, the team provides information about the history of each event and how loggers actually use the skills in practice. ESF junior Erin Stoddard says that demonstrations are also helpful for the team. They allow team members to try events they may not normally compete in and practice performing in front of a large audience, and they give families and friends an opportunity to see the team in action.

“The best part about performing demonstrations for an audience is to see them get really into it and to cheer you on,” Stoddard says. “This may be the very first time they have ever seen anything like this, and you can just see and hear all the excitement. It’s exciting to teach people something new and so different.”

Central New York celebrated the spirit of the outdoors at Honeywell Sportsman’s Days. Words: Meghan Rimol Photos: Trevor Zalkind

Page 23: 360 Magazine: Fall 2015

19

360 Magazine

Page 24: 360 Magazine: Fall 2015

20

Page 25: 360 Magazine: Fall 2015

21

360 Magazine

Page 26: 360 Magazine: Fall 2015

22

A Catholic, a Buddhist, a Jew, a Pagan and a Muslim walk into a room…

It sounds like the beginning of a bad joke, doesn’t it? Yet, in reality, it’s the start of a meeting for the Spiritual Life Council. This student group,

made up of representatives from the aforementioned religious organizations and 20 others at SU, comes together weekly to discuss interfaith work on campus.

At the first meeting of the semester, the students on the council introduced themselves and shared what faith they followed. There were students representing the Roman Catholic, Buddhist, Jewish, Protestant, Pagan, Mormon, Baptist and Muslim religions, among others. Bringing unity to the student body of SU, the members of the Spiritual Life Council were engaged and ready to use their diverse perspectives to foster connections on campus through religion.

The council, now in its second year, is made up of one student from each religious organization on campus. To be represented, a religious group needs to be an officially recognized student organization by the Student Activity Council and Hendricks Chapel.

According to Mary Hudson, the Pagan chaplain on campus and sponsor of the council, there used to be an interfaith group of adult religious leaders that came together, but never a group that included students. The faculty realized that to create “richer and deeper” spiritual connections, they needed to go further and get students involved.

The members of this council aren’t necessarily the leaders of each organization, nor is it meant to be that way. “I think a lot of it has to do with making sure it is the right mix of students,” Hudson says. “It just has to be somebody who is enthusiastic about their faith being part of an interfaith experience.”

The council’s goals are hard to define. In fact, they spent many meetings at the beginning of the year trying to figure out their purpose. “At first, it was more about what is our mission, what are our goals, what are we trying to accomplish and how are we going to accomplish that,” says Andi Burger, who represents Young Life College Ministry. “And now

Faiths IntertwinedSpiritual Life Council creates connections and conversations through religion. Words: Keely Robe Photos: Maddie Buckley

Page 27: 360 Magazine: Fall 2015

23

360 Magazine

we’re kind of getting our feet on the ground.”Each student brings his or her own viewpoint to these discussions, but all agree that the main ideas are starting conversations and accepting different faiths on a campus that is lacking in that type of communication.

“There are a lot of challenges that our campus faces—fear, hatred and other bigger issues,” says Ryan Milcarek, the Latter-Day Saint Student Association representative. “Ultimately, we are trying to find a way that we can be something of a movement and bring the campus together. Spiritually, to some extent, and just in a common purpose.”

James Yu, the Vineyard Church representative on the council, didn’t have many expectations of SLC originally. After his first semester, he saw a clearer idea and vision of what the organization is doing as it becomes a “consulting group” for SU’s spirituality.

“It’s critically analyzing the problems that prevent spiritual growth, and implementing initiatives that target those problems,” he says. “I feel the council is important as being a space where the questions can be asked, and answers can be shared.”

During their meetings in Hendricks Chapel every Thursday, where the students follow a similar structure week to week. After introducing themselves and providing updates on their respective groups, the students start the meeting with an icebreaker as a way to get to know each other better. Over the course of the semester, they participate in games such as “Experience Bingo,” “The Great Wind Blows” and “Speed-Faithing,” where they get to learn more about

each other’s spiritual beliefs.“I love the icebreakers when we talk about our faiths, but I actually love most when we just do silly fun games,” Burger says. “It reminds me, and I think it reminds everyone, how we really are all the same.”

In Burger’s opinion, as well as other members’, this has brought the council closer together. “It’s cool because we all are starting to become really good friends,” she says. “I don’t think we really would have been friends, besides coming together for this.”

According to Mary Hudson, this was a primary goal from the start. She is a firm believer that all religions are more similar than they appear. “When asked what they have in common, just about everybody says, ‘We want to do good for people.’ I mean, who doesn’t want to do good?” says Hudson.

However, bringing together all of these faiths comes with challenges. Libby Harris, who represents one of the Jewish student groups, Hillel, noticed a lack of knowledge about other faiths can make it hard to be sensitive, even if people are trying to be. For example, she voiced concern when the group started planning an event where they would make ham and cheese sandwiches for the less fortunate. She was worried because this type of sandwich didn’t fit with some Jewish and Muslim dietary restrictions.

“It was like, oh they’re not kosher sandwiches and oh, they’re not halal,” Harris says. “Some people don’t feel comfortable touching that, and I don’t think we think of those things when they don’t apply to us.”Despite working through these differences, the council has started planning events to bring more

Page 28: 360 Magazine: Fall 2015

24

students from their individual groups together. Their first event was at the end of October, when four or five students from each group came to make sandwiches and participate in team-building games. To promote the goal of the council, all of the students were put into teams of mixed faiths.

Looking ahead, the council is planning a day during the spring semester where every group will be tabling in the Schine atrium at the same time. Many council members are excited about this plan.“Tabling in Schine is going to be a really amazing experience,” Harris says. “I think it’s a big deal that we can get so many different religious organizations working together and toward the same goal, … Hopefully it’ll get a lot of people interested about being spiritual on campus.”

They have also discussed organizing a forum for students to learn and ask questions about different faiths, having an interfaith cookout in the spring and hosting bonding events as a council outside

of meetings. “I think we will learn much about what the council is and the scope of its potential from analyzing the outcomes of these events,” Yu says.

Hudson agrees, as she looks into the council’s future with both optimism and realistic thinking. “I see it making

a very large impact, if it allows itself to do so,” she says. “I think that this first effort at bringing members together is a great place to begin, but it’s definitely not our place to end.”

“Ultimately, we are trying to find a way that we can

be something of a movement and bring the

campus together.”

Page 29: 360 Magazine: Fall 2015

25

360 Magazine

A Chambermaid’s TaleOur editor experiences a different kind of summer job while living on a remote Maine island.

Words: Maddie Buckley Photos: Maddie Buckley

fter completing my freshman year of college, I didn’t head off to a glamorous internship or take up a position at a summer camp like

many of my peers. I didn’t even sit around my small hometown wasting the days away. Instead, I chose to be a chambermaid.

Yes, I spent my days scrubbing toilets and hanging laundry. But I was doing so at a small bed and breakfast in my favorite place in the world – Monhegan Island, Maine.

Monhegan is about 10 miles off the coast and is only a mile by a mile and a half in size. Although a few trucks can be found on the island, there are no paved roads. Monhegan has a one-room schoolhouse, a grocery store the size of a gas station, a spectacular array of artists, amazing ice cream, a tiny beach and so much more.

I used to vacation on this rustic Maine island with my family every summer, and since I was about eight years old, I had dreamed of spending a full summer there. When this summer came around, I decided to say “what the hell” and fulfill that childhood dream.

The bed and breakfast where I worked was relatively small. My roommate Lucy and I maintained nine apartments and two rooms, in addition to cooking breakfast and managing other day-to-day tasks. We worked long mornings, but spent our afternoons and evenings living our summer to the fullest.

This unique job and even more unique location left me with more memories and stories than I can count, many of which I recorded in a blog. These are some of my personal favorites.

A

Page 30: 360 Magazine: Fall 2015

26

Monhegan Wildlife 101Due to the rustic nature and lack of insulation in our workers’ housing, it was pretty common to get insects inside.

Once, as I was pleasantly sitting and watching a movie, I happened to look to my right and see a spider coming across the carpet. Typically, spiders don’t phase me, but this thing was massive. I promptly grabbed a bowl to cover it, took a photo of it and called my parents in distress.

After pacing around the room frantically discussing what I should do about the spider, I decided that I would tell my employers about it in the morning. My parents and I also decided I should add a book on top of the bowl, just in case.

The next day, I was too embarrassed to ask my bosses to kill it, so I decided to deal with it on my own.

I built a wall around the bowl with cereal boxes, then lifted off the book and bowl. The spider wasn’t moving, even when I blew on it, so I thought it was dead. I tried to do the ‘slide paper under the bowl’ thing to take it outside, but unfortunately that’s when it managed to crawl out — very much alive. I ended up throwing the bowl down the stairs and dropping the book onto the spider. It wasn’t pretty, but it was effective.

Return of the SpiderAfter a late night viewing of “Mean Girls,” I was about to crawl into bed and get a few hours of sleep when I heard Lucy’s panicked voice. “Maddie! Come here right now!”

When I ran down to her room, I was faced with a monstrous spider on her pillow. While I have titled this story “Return of the Spider,” this new spider wasn’t much like the first at all; it differed in width and girth. Perhaps some sort of distant cousin.

So, after I snapped a quick photo, Lucy went upstairs and grabbed a pot. She was hoping to trap and humanely release it outside, but things didn’t go as planned.

The spider jumped away and disappeared as it saw the pot coming down. We screeched. I got a pretty fantastic video of the endeavor, peppered with some intense profanities.

At this point, Lucy promptly announced she would not be spending the evening in her room. So, because our bosses happened to be off the island that night, we camped out in their living room. Lucy took the couch; I took the recliner. I realize I had no direct reason to sleep in their house, but hey — solidarity, sister.

Page 31: 360 Magazine: Fall 2015

27

360 Magazine

When the Boss is Away, the Chambermaids Will Play

Nothing was much more exciting for me and Lucy than learning our bosses would be going ashore for a day or two. This was wonderful for many reasons — primarily because we were able to wrap up work pretty early, with the exception of waiting for afternoon check-ins. We would often treat ourselves to a lunch out, just because we could.

The best part, however, were the evenings. No, we didn’t throw big parties. We were more excited at the prospect of commandeering the entire first floor of their apartment.

Not that our little house was bad, but we were living out of a mini-fridge and cooking only with a microwave and two small burners. We also had to go outside and into the main building to use the bathroom, and we didn’t have hot water.

That being said, spending the night in their apartment (which they always gave us full permission to do) was like staying at a Hilton Hotel. It felt very homey, but also a bit strange having a bathroom so close at hand.

You would think that since we had the oven, we would cook ourselves a decent meal for once. Instead,

we baked a bunch of junk food, usually cookies or an apple crisp with ice cream, while we watched a movie on their huge TV.

Leap of FaithYou are not fully indoctrinated as a Monhegan resident until you jump off the dock. This practice, both terrifying and exhilarating, is for all ages and is something I had done many times as a child.

After I got Lucy to try it once, she became obsessed with the idea of jumping in the middle of the night. We found ourselves on the dock one evening, and she convinced me to do it too.

I had declined her request many times in the past, but one night she said, “When you’re 50, do you want to say you jumped or that you didn’t?” So, we took off some of our layers and jumped in. It wasn’t quite as heart-stoppingly cold as I was expecting, which was a relief. However, it did get a bit chilly afterward as we crested the hill and felt the wind in our sopping wet clothes. My clothes ended up smelling really funky, but my bucket list got a little bit shorter.

A Pricey MistakeOccasionally, Lucy and I would help clean cottages that my bosses managed. One week, I found myself in the home of an artist my mother adores.

The main focus of my assignment was to vacuum all of the carpets in the house. However, the vacuum

Page 32: 360 Magazine: Fall 2015

28

in the closet was really bizarre. There was a regular main vacuum part, but it was attached to this separate bulky pack on wheels via a very restricting hose.

I was really struggling with this thing, and I tried standing the vacuum up while I looked for the power cord. But, unbeknownst to me, this vacuum couldn’t stand up on its own.

That’s when disaster struck. The handle of the vacuum came crashing down the moment my back was turned, and as my luck would have it, that handle crashed right into a wooden sculpture of a fish — a very nice, very expensive sculpture.

The fish broke.

I almost started crying on the spot. I was familiar with the artist’s work, because the fish are so distinctive. My family had even talked about buying one before, but they were too pricey. Here I had knocked the stupid thing right off of its stand, snapping the wood that had held it up. I desperately tried to put the fish back on its mount, but it was no use.

It took a few minutes, but I eventually calmed down enough to call my boss and tell him what I had done. Fortunately, he did not seem so familiar with these sculptures and told me to just stick the pieces in a closet. To this day, I’m not sure what became of it. I decided not to ask.

Fourth of July: Escapades of Independence DayOne very unique facet of Monhegan is its complete lack of police presence. As strange as it sounds, there really isn’t a need for one. With a zero percent crime rate, most of the houses don’t even lock their doors.

The absence of law enforcement does have its perks. One prime example was the Fourth of July. I’m not sure where they came from, but multiple residents stockpiled fireworks that were very questionable in regard to safety. But, there was no one to stop them. So, we all sat on the tiny beach as the fireworks exploded directly above us. Sometimes sparks rained down on us, and some of the island workers did stupid things like hold the firework right up until it went off. But it was kind of magical, in an invincible-youth sort of way.

If you can’t take the heat...Cooking has never, ever been my strong suit. Add that fact to an absolute scarcity of all things veggie, fruit or protein and you’ll get an idea of my diet this summer.

I knew from childhood summers what to expect in terms of the island grocery store, so I came on the boat toting a bin fully stocked with all things boxed and pre-made. I had lots of mac and cheese, instant rice and pancake mix.

I’ve never been one who eats incredibly healthy, but even I quickly became sick of eating carbs 24/7. Eventually I had to suck it up and fork over cash for some overpriced meat.

My first cooking excursion was a success. I bought a personal-sized ham steak for $8 and some baby red potatoes, both of which I managed to prepare on my stovetop. From then on, I continued supplementing my poor eating habits with a few healthy meals like that one.

Once, however, I got in way over my head. I asked my bosses to buy me some chicken breast when they were in-shore. Apparently “boneless” wasn’t implied, and they brought me back half of a chicken — ribs and all. This blew my plan to cut it into strips clear out of the water. I was left me crying on the phone with my dad while trying to flip over this giant hunk of meat in my tiny frying pan. I even managed to catch the tinfoil on fire. I eventually gave up and shoved the whole thing into our miniscule microwave.

That was the end of my cooking experimentation.

Page 33: 360 Magazine: Fall 2015

29

360 Magazine

Have you ever heard of a tree that carries 40 different stone fruit? Several of these astounding creations exist around the

country. Some are displayed in museums and galleries with futuristic backdrops, while others are hidden on orchards in Maine and Upstate New York. However, one can be found right on SU’s campus.

Planted three years ago, Syracuse’s Tree of 40 Fruit is located on the Shaw Quadrangle. The creator, Sam Van Aken, works on campus as an art professor. He is also an award-winning contemporary artist with a passion for grafting and has 16 of these “living art” projects across the country. Grafting, the technique used to create the Tree of 40 Fruit, is the process of inserting branches into the stem of a living plant to create a hybrid tree or shrub.

Van Aken grew up on a farm, which inspired him to graft vegetables together — cucumber with watermelon and tomato with potatoes, for example. However, he left to pursue a career in art, making a name for himself as a contemporary artist and eventually an SU professor. Years later, his passion for plants took him back to his childhood and his family’s peach orchard. He tried experimenting with the plants and found that stone fruit are very compatible for grafting purposes. Van Aken then incorporated different varieties of plums, peaches and apricots into his art pieces.

Rethinking the TreeSU professor Sam Van Aken combines art and nature in the Tree of 40 Fruits.Words: Chloe Hanley Kempken Photos: Xiaoqian Zhu

Page 34: 360 Magazine: Fall 2015

30

“The tree has given me a new sense of time,” says Van Aken. For each tree that he creates, it takes approximately eight years to reach the final product. Not only is it a time intensive venture, but he has to invest a lot of care into successfully joining the plants’ vesicular tissues together. However, Van Aken says “the tree is perfect for a family” because they can harvest small amounts of various fruit at different times in the year. Van Aken has worked for a long time on the preservation of old stone fruit types and developed a timeline of when the varieties blossom.

SU has influenced his artwork in many ways. Not only did the school fund the project to a certain extent, but every year Van Aken chooses two or three students to help him raise the offshoots in his nursery. Most of the individual trees come from Upstate New York, where one can still find hundreds of different plum varieties today.

Van Aken’s next project is to raise eight trees in Michigan. He also plans to write a book that will provide directions on grafting, including hand-drawn lithographs and traditional cake recipes from Europe using grafted fruits.

Page 35: 360 Magazine: Fall 2015

31

360 Magazine

Like what you see? Get involved!We’re looking for:

Writers (print and online)Photographers

IllustratorsCopy editors

At 360 Magazine, we believe it’s more than just what’s happening within the walls of the campus that makes Syracuse University great. That’s why we take the story off the hill, meeting people and visiting places that

students might not see on their walk to class each day. Join us in sharing these stories and help make our Central New York

community a little more connected.

Think you might fit in with our crew? Send an email to [email protected] and join the team!

Page 36: 360 Magazine: Fall 2015

Your Student Fee