Will this Clinton Square tree grow on me?

Syracuse city-goers used to complain that the real trees cut down and brought to Clinton Square for the annual holiday celebration were always decorated the same. From this year on, we’ll have the same artificial tree. I will give the decorators this. The lighting pattern is far different than years past. Here’s a nighttime view…

Is it still a really pretty tree?

So the City of Syracuse switched out to an artificial Christmas tree for the traditional spot on downtown’s Clinton Square for the first time this year. Lots has been discussed in local media spots regarding costs, the saving of one really big live tree that won’t be cut down each year, this and that. I…

Hanover Tree holds a familiar swirl

Walking through downtown Syracuse this holiday season, the decorated trees in Hanover Square caught my eye. Like our lawn at A Bitty Better in the Liverpool neighborhood of Galeville, they’re working with non-evergreen-style trees to decorate. I agree with that.

Happy New Year, and may things look up in 2017

The Christmas tree at the very center of Syracuse mega shopping, dining and entertainment complex Destiny USA caught my eye on the one day I rushed around to complete my shopping for my dear wife Karen. I was hit hard by the angle above, and knew I’d hold onto it for the first day of…

Our new little tree makes us smile

Little by little, my dear wife Karen and I got the inside holiday decorating done in A Bitty Better exactly the way we wanted it. The final piece of the puzzle fell into place with a trip to Chuck Hafner’s Garden Center, just down the road now from our lovely new home in the Liverpool…

It looks like all-skate to me

The famous 30 Rock isn’t the only downtown outdoor center that’s got it going on. I thought I might find a deserted core Saturday in the heart of Syracuse, N.Y., when I had my dear wife Karen stop the car off on our way to a holiday party so I could see if there was…