Sean Kirst: Through a ‘year in quotes,’ a columnist reflects on struggle, love and inspiration in 2025, from Syracuse and beyond
A courageous parks commissioner, after great loss. A new mayor inspired by the sheer resilience of her mother. The passing of a selfless humanitarian legend, in Buffalo: Words put to heart and soul, in 2025.
SEAN KIRST’S UPSTATE JOURNAL
Sean Kirst: In fitting gesture for last game at Highmark, Bills provide tickets for America’s first ‘Boomer’
Buffalo’s Al Nachreiner, longtime Bills fan and first ‘Baby Boomer’ to reach 80, feeling strong to be there despite treatments for lung cancer.
Sean Kirst: A ‘Resolution Run’ with New Year’s chance to light candle for young readers
A fitting opportunity to honor Eric Carle, a Syracuse-born children’s literature legend.
Sean Kirst: In mist of snow, graveyard quests of “hearts and souls” lead to wreaths for veterans
At the Onondaga County Veterans Memorial Cemetery, family members used their hands to dig out tombstones, hidden by deep snow.
FEATURED STORIES
Sean Kirst: At 95, Oren Lyons trusts SU and its skilled archivists with his treasury of papers
A lifetime of letters, documents and photos from a global Haudenosaunee diplomat will be made available to scholars, at SU.
Sean Kirst: A half-century after the Landmark Theatre was almost lost, Syracuse will see it again in its true colors
The detailed, high-profile restoration of much of the grand theater becomes an emotional symbol of a key preservation victory.
Sean Kirst: At a sacred place, ‘mindblowing’ tale of the nesting eagles of Onondaga Lake
An historic nest of bald eagles near Onondaga Lake attracts a loyal group of skilled photographers, who waited months to see the young eagles take flight.
More Culture
Sean Kirst: A reflective ‘Mr. 1946,’ point man as ‘Baby Boomers’ reach their 80s, appreciates why Bills took all-or-nothing chance
Despite a cancer diagnosis that he tries to take in stride, Al Nachreiner looks back on his life and says: ‘I’m happy.’
Sean Kirst: On Christmas morning, a card with our wish for longtime readers
For a gray-haired columnist, a Yuletide reflection of gratitude about renewing bonds forged over many years.
Sean Kirst: As ‘Freedom of Espresso’ turns 30, recalling a Chuckie Holstein truth to fit the milestone
The fight against a corporate giant is the famous story, but maybe the real lesson for Syracuse is what 30 years represents.
Sean Kirst: In shadow of state football playoffs, city dreams — old and new — at Roosevelt Field
Remembering a landmark game, 62 years ago, that marked changing eras on a South Side field the city school district hopes to restore.
Sean Kirst: At 25th Adoption Day gathering, a ‘founding father’ finds a roomful of children, love and meaning
For Kevin Harrigan, there since the beginning of this annual event, every few steps led to a mom, dad or grown child saying: Thanks.
Sean Kirst: Centuries later, original wampum still evokes living truth of Canandaigua
At an annual remembrance, generational witnesses to the flesh-and-blood commitments of a treaty.
Sean Kirst: Two centuries after Erie Canal transformed Syracuse, museums seek lost plaques that make the point
One of world’s leading experts on the Erie Canal recalls how an Erie Boulevard monument — now missing key plaques — ignited his childhood curiosity.
Sean Kirst: A moment for honoring Earl Lloyd, Syracuse legend who shattered NBA racial barrier 75 years ago
The late Earl Lloyd was a humble guy, but his contemporaries understood: His courage helped transform American basketball.
Sean Kirst: On Valley hillside, bond of revered lacrosse coach, beloved stickmaker lives on in one young tree
At a high place at Onondaga Valley Cemetery, Roy Simmons Jr. and his sons plant a tiny hickory sapling in honor of Alf Jacques.
Sean Kirst: In this city so rich in hoops history, why I asked my students to remember Lawrence Moten
Recalling the profound impact at a critical moment made by Moten, a Syracuse University basketball legend who died at 53
Sean Kirst: Family’s eviction from lamented Fairmount landmark ignited mission of immigration lawyer
Matt Gonnella, a West Genesee High School graduate, relates his family’s eviction, years ago, to helping free a Massachusetts woman from detention this autumn.
Sean Kirst: In Elmwood Saturday, a memorial cleanup to reinforce how ‘we need to be community’
At 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, a group of Syracuse residents will gather for an annual peace cleanup in the memory of Jim Gifford, who was killed 12 years ago.
Sean Kirst: In a restored high school full of wonder, beams of sunlight become Central
In the last days before students return, workers hustle to prepare the new Syracuse Regional STEAM High School.
Sean Kirst: For Oren Lyons and Roy Simmons Jr., Alfie Jacques Award all about his knowledge of true value
Two old friends speak to the spiritual and natural meaning lived out by a legendary artisan of wooden lacrosse sticks.
Sean Kirst: From kindergarten to college, an oldest kid, a farewell, the aching glory of late summer
Wistful moments, as August becomes September, every parent understands.
Sean Kirst: With dad’s ashes scattered in dust of ‘Moody Mile,’ Syracuse family dreams of monument to revered dirt track, at state fair
It’s been 10 years since the last race, concert and demolition derby were held on that historic track, before it was torn out.
A fire closed Kind Coffee Company for 3 months. It reopened as strong as ever.
While Kind remained closed, a GoFundMe for owner Doug Nicolaisen raised nearly $9,000. The money helped Nicolaisen fully reopen Monday.
Sean Kirst: When beloved Central High reopens as STEAM school, Minerva will wrap together dreams of then and now
In barely two weeks, that statue will keep vigil when 250 students — representing 28 regional middle schools — bring life back to that high school, after 50 years.
Sean Kirst: As a World War II veteran turns 103, a chance for all of us to say collective thanks
On a monumental birthday, asking readers to send a note or card in honor of a legendary life.
Sean Kirst: 80 years after bombing of Nagasaki, OHA honors sailor’s photographic testament to devastation
An 18-year-old sailor from Syracuse who saw first-hand what an atomic bomb can do to a city spent his life trying to get across a simple truth.
At ‘DEAD END.,’ skate culture takes center stage
William Strobeck, from Syracuse, curated an exhibit featuring skate culture at the Everson Museum of Art. It includes work from 12 artists.
‘Kids like me:’ Personal goals fuel Mark DiGiorgio’s Party in the Square
When Mark DiGiorgio rebooted Party in the Square in 2020, he also wanted to generate enough revenue to buy city school kids instruments.
Sean Kirst: 50 years after historic Eucharist, remembering how Rev. Betty Bone Schiess shattered ‘stained glass ceiling’
Thousands of women today serve as bishops or priests in the Episcopal Church. Getting there took the barrier-busting courage of Rev. Betty Bone Schiess, and her contemporaries.
Sean Kirst: For his 100th birthday, ‘ray of sunshine’ Bob Menotti still spreads light, sign by sign
Family and friends gathered this weekend to celebrate a century of rich achievement for Bob Menotti, a monumental figure in the Syracuse Deaf community.
Sean Kirst: Artist builds civic plea into last summer for one big Syracuse couch, at Erie and McBride
A high-profile piece of Syracuse public art — in one climactic statement before it’s moved for Interstate 81 construction — will soon honor two slain officers, first responders and young victims of violence.
Sean Kirst: For John Kucko, ‘water in motion,’ Upstate beauty and what he was born to do
Kucko, a former sportscaster in Rochester, has become a digital force by sharing the region’s natural beauty.
Sean Kirst: The passing of Willowbrook survivor Henry Wesley, who championed “full humanity” of Americans with disabilities
Wesley’s life is a reminder — as cuts to Medicaid and the federal safety net loom — about the fragility of his and others’ hard-earned chance at independent living.
Sean Kirst: A secret donor made sure basketball’s game-changing shot clock is monumental, in Syracuse
John Marsellus died at 86 last month. Marsellus, whose family ran the renowned Marsellus Casket Co., made possible a monument to basketball’s shot clock. The shot clock was created in Syracuse.
Sean Kirst: After slaying, new parks commissioner tells her lifeguards, ‘You need to cry, you cry.’
In the face of a difficult week, Commissioner Syeisha Byrd, lifeguards and others tried to create the best atmosphere the parks can provide: a quiet landscape where ‘kids are just being kids.’
Sean Kirst: Close as twins, one lost at war, bond of North Side brothers deserves honor from their city
The once inseparable Spadaro brothers left school out of necessity in their early teenage years. Jimmy died at Normandy in World War II while Sam still mourns his brother 80 years after Jimmy’s death.
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