Fall/Winter 2024 Meetings

News

December 2024

December found our branch enjoying each other's company over a delicious holiday meal and listening to the holiday music of the Harmony Katz.  This group was founded by Director Pete Carentz and Norm Manor in 1997.  In their words: "The Harmony Katz are a fraternal organization, a brotherhood of barbershoppers joined together in four part harmony, that have pledged to use their special gift of 4-part harmony to do good in our community."  

They perform for the love of singing, their joy in bringing pleasure to others, and their desire to help their community.  All donations made for their performances go to the The Food Bank of Central New York and other local food banks.   To learn more about them (and to hear them sing), go to www.harmonykatz.org where you'll also learn about their offshoot choruses the Katz Meow, the Silver Katz, and the Acousti-cats.

The Harmony Katz are pictured below, joined in their last number, Jingle Bells, by ESU volunteer Jean Soper, who did an outstanding job with the bells.   Thanks also to Program Chair JoAnn Wallace who arranged for the Harmony Katz to join us.

The Harmony Katz

Member Jean Soper accompanies the Harmony Katz on the jingle bells

ESU members enjoy the holiday program

November 2024

Our November luncheon brought us a lively and interesting presentation by Nan Eaton, President of the Central New York United Way.  She informed us of all the ways this nonprofit works to solve local community human service needs (unitedway-cny.org).  

Accompanying her was Laurie Black, Director of Community Education for United Way.  Ms. Black oversees the Book Buddies program, which pairs each volunteer with a student in grades K-3.  They meet once a week during the school day to read together (cnybookbuddies.org).  

The United Way presenters were introduced by ESU member Kathy Hinchman.

Presenter and ESU member Kathy Hinchman along with United Way's Nan Eaton and Laurie Black    

October 2024

We were pleased to welcome Tim and Lisa Ballantyne, Master Gardeners, garden designers, and owners of Ballantyne Gardens of LIverpool, NY.  They took us on a slide tour of several gardens throughout the Northeast from the charming Pickity Place in New Hampshire to the New York Botanical Gardens in the Bronx and beyond.  We learned about plants and designs, and we now all know about Lord and Burnham greenhouses. We enjoyed the beauty of these gardens and are probably all thinking about future garden visits.  Afterward Tim and Lisa graciously answered  gardening questions from our members. 

ESU member Ann Barker-Griffith (center) introduced Lisa and Tim Ballantyne.

September 2024

We started off our season with a presentation from Aldo Kattón, Artistic Director of the newly-formed Central New York Ballet.  This organization includes the artists in decisions regarding the company and has a goal of making ballet accessible to the entire community, believing that everyone can find joy and beauty in the art of dance.  

We were then treated to a ballet interpretation of the song "As Time Goes By" from the movie Casablanca, beautifully performed by Lucy Hamilton and Felipe Panama.

ESU member Shirlely Cruikshank introduced CNY Ballet dancers Felipe Panama and Lucy Hamilton, along with Artistic Director Aldo Kattón.

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