Feeling Salty

After 4-feet of snow fell across the Syracuse area last week, road crews and sidewalk shovelers braved the cold to clear the powder and ice covered travel ways with of course, salt.

Not everyone is happy though. It seems all the good salt has done for the area, whether it be the industry of days past or simply melting ice, goes un-noticed by some residents. In fact they despise salt. But why?

"They don't like [that] it rusts out their cars, pits their concrete sidewalks.

It makes a mess and you track it indoors. It ruins floors, but, it's the only way to be safe on the ice,"says Mark Casale of Suburban Hardware in Liverpool.

That's quite a laundry list of complaints considering the U.S. dumped 22.6-million-tons of salt on roads in 2008 - according to the United States Geological Survey.

With plenty more snow on the way, plan to wash your car a few more times and sweep up rock salt tracked into the house, but be patient, because nothing else does the melting job salt does. And besides, Syracuse, with it's rich history of salt production, is after all nicknamed "Salt City."

Near Record SnowFall puts Syracuse in the lead for Golden Snowball

Residents of the greater Syracuse area are still digging out after last weeks near record snowfall that brought over forty-three inches to the region in four days. The total, a mere one inch from the record books, pushed Syracuse into a commanding lead in this years Golden Snowball competition.

Syracuse is a near perennial winner of the award, which is held among five upstate and central New York cities to determine the snowiest city in the continental United States.

This years late start to the Winter put Syracuse at a big disadvantage to its chief rival, Buffalo, starting at a near two foot disadvantage. But those days are gone for now as the massive snowstorm has left our city with a nearly twenty inch advantage with more snow in the forecast.

Four Winter Veteran, Pete Ross said, "I have never seen this much snow up here, since I have been here, crazy." Mr. Ross has his own ideas about beating the winter blues. "I'm headed to India over Christmas break," he said, "I will be warm there."

Syracuse has won the annual award nearly seventy percent of the time since it began competing in 1951.

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!

Originally reported for NCC News on 05 Dec 2010

The Christmas tree has been a holiday tradition for more than 500 years and for the past 26 years, Drexler’s Trees has taken pride in adding a little holiday spirit to each of its customers who wanted just the right tree.

The Drexler family’s tree lot, which opened after Thanksgiving, is located less than 20 miles south of Syracuse in Manlius behind Snowtop Ice Cream and is open every day until Christmas.

Although the Drexler family’s Springside Farm has been making a living from agriculture for more than 200 years, one of its members has been creating memories for children of all ages for quite a while. According to one family member, how long is that?

“My whole life,” says Travis Drexler. “I’ve been doing this before I was a thought. This has been my December for as long as I’ve ever known.”

Travis says he gets a kick out of seeing children’s faces light up when they pick their tree. The tree farm contains several varieties of trees including Fraser, Canaan, Balsam, and Douglas fir and every customer searches for just the right tree.

“I don’t even know how to put in words,” says Travis. “You gotta think back to when you were a kid at Christmas time and what it meant and you just try to be a part of the experience.”

Once a family chooses their tree, Travis or one of the other Drexlers, ensure it is the right height. If not, they trim it to as needed before putting it through the baler so it is easier to take home. However, the Drexlers also offer a delivery service for a small fee.

Despite freezing temperatures and snow falling on hundreds of handpicked trees, families and their pets endured the weather to get into the holiday spirit by choosing this year’s Christmas tree from Drexler’s and keeping the centuries old tradition intact.

Syracuse's Snow
Originally reported for NCC News on November 12, 2010.

The city of Syracuse was pounded with heavy snowfall this past week. The people of Syracuse told us how they spend their time and what they think of the snow. These three gentlemen told us that "there's not really much you can do out in this weather." With the tempature dropping into the single digits at night and reaching a high of mid thirtys during the day, many people would agree that staying indoors is the best thing to do.

The National Weather Service reported that we recieved more than 40 inches of snow in some areas of Syracuse. With that much snow on the ground the snow plowing crews had their work cut out for them. The New York State Police says to leave the distance of at least two cars between you and the car in front of you. To allow your self more time to get to your destinations.

Jessica Martinez said she takes these percations in order to come out and skate at the Clinton Square Ice Rink. She says "that's what I like to do when it's snowing because I can't go run outside so this is kind of like my exercise activity." Some people like to stay indoors and others find hobbies during this heavy snow fall. The forecast does show we will be getting a break from the snow.

Winter Ice fun

Originally reported for NCC News on November 12, 2010.

This week’s heavy snowfall brought about three to four feet of snow to the Syracuse area. Some people are calling it the worst snowfall in years. While some people we spoke to say winter keeps them indoor most of the winter. Others we spoke to like Marie Shaw say's "I wait all year to come ice skating here." The reason why she waits is because Clinton Square opens its ice rink in the last week of November.

Kids at the ice rink like Alessia say’s "I like to make snowman’s and ice skate in the winter." If you think that summer is the only time to enjoy the outdoors think again ice-skating is a great way to get outside and get some exercise. It’s also a good way to spend with friends and loved ones. says Irene Smith a worker at the ice rink.

Clinton Square Ice Rink in downtown Syracuse opened its doors for the 2010- 2011 season. The ice rink first opened its doors in 2001 and has been one of Syracuse popular destinations. The ice rink attracts over 20,000 visitors each season bringing people to the downtown area to shop.

A video of the story can be seen here by clicking on this link.

Cardio Kickboxing

Originally reported for NCC News, December 7, 2010.

Roxanne Wightman started R Total Fitness in the Ultimate Goal Family Sports Center in Marcellus.

Wightman teaches seven different classes throughout the week from TRX suspension training to Zumba. She also teaches Cardio Kickboxing.

“It’s just for a total body workout. To do a really high cardio but incorporate the muscle and then some plyometrics for power," said Wightman.

“It’s a great workout and it gets your aggression out if you’re frustrated. Everyone knows if I’ve had a bad day because the bag moves across the room.” said Denise Longtin, a participant in the Cardio Kickboxing class.

Wightman hung a large banner in the room that says "yes you can," and teaches her students to work by that motto.

“She does a great job. She’s really fun and you can tell she’s in it to help people out. And she makes it fun," said Longtin.

Wightman isn't your typical fitness instructor; she's a sales representative for a dairy company, and a grandmother.

“As a matter of fact I’m 55 right now and I’m just getting started," said Wightman.

A month of unlimited classes is 59 dollars and seven dollars for one class.

Click here to watch the video.

A Fourth Place Storm

Residents of Syracuse are just now beginning to get the upper hand over the onslaught of lake-effect snow that was unleashed on Central New York from Sunday to early Thursday morning.

Early Thursday morning, the National Weather Service reported that 43.2 inches of snow had fallen at the Syracuse Hancock International Airport, after removing the 4-day lake-effect snow watch that had been in effect since Sunday.

This storm is ranked as the fourth highest total record snowfall over a four day period, 1.4 inches lower than the top ranked blizzard that occurred in February 1966.

Even with all the snow Syracuse University had classes on schedule. Kyle Harris, a student at Syracuse remarked “ Its fun to see, but not, I mean not to walk in and go to class and stuff” Even with maintenance crews working around the clock snow still clogged the streets and covered the sidewalks.

Not all the people of Syracuse had bad things to say about the storm, a local running group who run every Thursday stopped to say “Its beautiful, gorgeous, it Mother Nature at its best.”

Syracusans continue to move the mounds of snow off their cars and brace against any other weather that may be on it way.

Snow Plowing

Originally reported on December 9, 2010

We have already seen more snow than the usual average of snowfall in the entire month of December. 2010 has been added to Syracuse’s snow record ranked as the fourth worst experience.

The blizzard of 1966 and the blizzard of 1993, are the only two occasions that can really compare to what we have experienced. Richard Ashby says that within his span of ten to twelve years, “I never seen this much snow at one time ever.”

Ashby is in the landscaping business, which at this time of the year consists of snow plowing. He jokingly says “yeah, this a good sign when they see that roll through the parking lot,” speaking of the siren on top of his truck.

He says, “each day get about two hours of sleep and work about eighteen,” since the snow has been non-stop the plowing must be also. “You got to roll with it, roll with the punches.”

Youth Boxing

Originally reported on December 7, 2010

At this gymnasium founded by Ray Rinaldi to keep troubled youth off the streets, they provide the opportunity for children to focus on something positive in life.

“If we paid attention and did prevention instead of intervention, I think that this place would be a much better place to live in,” says Barb Karas, who is a woman of many job titles at this facility due to budget cuts.

Some children such as D.J. White have become involved with the boxing program while serving his court ordered community service. He says, “if it wasn’t for boxing right now, I’d probably still be getting in trouble, chilling on the streets doing dumb stuff.”

They have two different locations in Syracuse, one on the west side, then this facility we visited here on the north side of Syracuse.

This boxing program is open to all ages. Children are free and adults would only have to contribute a thirty-five dollar donation every month. 
To view this story click here.

Custom Sculptures

Originally reported for NCC News on November 12, 2010.

Syracuse is known by many people for its lake effect snow. This snow falls in record numbers creating ice during the winter months. Some people view this as a beautiful scenic season change and others view the ice and snow as an inconvenience. However, Brenden Belge from Custom Sculptures looks at ice with an artist eye all year round.

Belge sculpts ice at the Holiday Ice cube factory on Vine Street. This facility has a large freezer with a temperature cold enough to store the sculptures before being delivered to the customer. Although Belge wasn’t sure of the exact temperature of the freezer where the sculptures are stored he simply said, “You don’t want to be stuck in there with out gloves. If your in that freezer without gloves for more than 30 seconds your gonna feel it.”

According to Belge, the winter months are actually slower in business for an ice sculptor than the warmer months. “As you kind of fade out of summer you fall into more weddings only, you know, your not doing the barbecues anymore.” The winter may bring the suitable weather for keeping an ice sculpture solid but the summer time brings more of the cold cash.

Belge uses many helping aids when sculpting ice. A chainsaw is used to carve away the larger pieces that need to be eliminated in order to bring shape to the overall image. A lightweight Excalibur drill bit specifically designed for ice sculpting is used as well. Belge says, “It takes to the ice and just removes it.” A chisel is used to fine tune the details and add texture within the sculpture. But the most beneficial helping aid used during an ice sculpture is an extra set of hands. Rob Loring cuts into the action adding his own vision of detail to the sculpture. There may be an “I” in Ice but there is no “I” in team.

According to Loring,“When its super, super cool or warm, I mean it cuts like that.” Naturally ice will melt in a warehouse when it’s not stored in the freezer. Puddles then form on the ground causing a potential slipping hazard. It's highly recommended to have an extra person on hand to make sure they clean up or clear away the extra ice and puddles that may form up on the ground.

This particular piece Belge and Loring are carving is a hatchet stuck in a block of wood for a party at Venue 658. The handle of the axe is beveled out so alcohol can

be funneled through the sculpture into a shot glass. Instead of using ice in the drink the sculpture will act as a cooling device as it’s filtered through the handle. The piece is stored after completion in a large freezer wrapped in plastic. The plastic is used to insure that the sculpture doesn’t freeze to the wooden palette it’s stored on.

Something to think about this Winter

Syracuse got a break from the heavy snow that blanked the area. Some people are relying on four-wheel drive to get them through the winter months. Places that are putting winter tires on the cars are backed up do a high demand. If you haven’t gotten tires yet you might have to wait a day or two.

Here are a few safety tips to think about:
•Flashlights and extra batteries
•Battery-operated radio and batteries
•Fire extinguisher
•can opener
•Bottled water
•Extra blankets
•First aid kit
•Emergency heating equipment
•Emergency non-perishable foods

Deputy Robin Stark of the Onondaga County Sheriff Office said it is dangerous out on the roads in the wintertime. Just because the ice is not seen on the roads, there is black ice. Deputy Stark stated, the way you know you hit black ice is when you’re siding. Black Ice is a glazed coat of ice on the road, which can’t be seen while driving. Make sure to give two lengths of space in case the car in front stops unexpected

The snow crews have been working over 15 hours to keep the roads clear. Later through the day you see them laying down salt to help melt the left over ice. Some people ask what these guys do in the summer time. Most of them work for the city to help fix the roads or landscaping. The Weather Channel gives information about the weather that will happen do to the Lake Effect. This condition is when cold winds move across long expanses of warmer lake water.

Pinholes, Popcans, and an American Icon

What is art? In the mind of Wes Pope, it’s a moment of time, caught in the darkness of a soda can. For twelve years, he’s transformed pop cans into cameras. It’s one of the earliest forms of photography, a pinhole camera, and Wes uses them to document life on Route 66.

Wes said he’d never been on the road until found himself in L.A. needing to get to Chicago, “so it just worked out that I made his first trip on Route 66. After that, I was totally hooked.

Soda-can pinhole cameras look at the world a little differently. A piece of photo paper is taped to the curved interior of the can. Light enters in through a small hole in the side and exposes the film. The result is an organically distorted, black and white image, which often catches moving objects with a degree of motion blur.

Wes says on of the allures of pin hole photography is the moment of discovery in the dark-room when he sees the image for the first time. He says it’s often days or weeks since he made the image before he can develop it and so there is an expectation that builds up. “You have no idea what you’re going to get!”

Pope’s photography has been featured in magazines, NPR, and goes on display periodically at art venues like Craft Chemistry in Syracuse where photo enthusiasts gather to enjoy and purchase this unique view of an Americana Staple.

Lights on the Lake

Originally reported on November 22, 2010

Onondaga Lake Park in Liverpool just opened up a light show November 22, 2010 to the public, and has been doing so for the last 21 years. This attraction is looking to bring in their 3 millionth guest this year. Every year it grows more in length and more displays are added. This year the show consists of over 200 light displays on a stretch of about two miles long.

The light show is now open from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm until December 12th, then from December 16th until Christmas. 

A lot of families come out because they say it is a great way to start off the holiday season. 

A guest by the name of Lisa Adams said, "it's just kind of a nice way to start the holiday season."

Even her daughter had to agree by saying, "all the lights are like cool, and sparkly, and it kind of inspires me."

Even though it was a rainy night and pretty cold outside, you wouldn't tell by all of the people who came out to enjoy the show. The "Lights on the Lake" show from this point will be a drive through show. 

Alluring Gingerbread Creations

Originally reported on December 2, 2010, for NCC News by Stefanie Antosh.

There’s a trail of gingerbread houses

at the 25th Annual Gingerbread Gallery inside the Erie Canal Museum in downtown Syracuse. Although we didn’t find Hansel and Gretel’s witch, we did find an assortment of displays.

Only a few were anything like an ordinary gingerbread houses.

“Oh my gosh, it’s little teddy bears sliding down the hill, and a gingerbread man,” said one boy, on a school field trip and whom the teachers wanted to stay anonymous, when he looked at a display that looked like a ski resort (seen here to the right).

That was only one of more than forty displays made by members of the community, professional bakers and also corporate

submissions. To name a few more, there was a Never Never Land, an haunted house, Candyland board game and a cuckoo clock.

One of the teachers called the kids over to look at a very detailed

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs display (photo to the left), complete with woodland animals and thatched roof. Although the kids liked Snow White, another viewer chose a different favorite.

"My favorite house is number four, because the animals are made in detail,” said Joohyun Lee, a viewer of the displays and a museum

volunteer. When asked which displayed looked tastier, Lee said, “Everything looks tasty; especially for the piece with [a] dragon, the wings of it is made up with Japanese seaweed and so it looks very tasty." (Photo to right.)

The displays are submitted for a contest. The rules require that everything be made of edible materials, however, no one will be eating these displays.

A few dollars are required for entry: $2 for children under 12-years of age, $5 for adults and $4 for senior citizens. Visitors can vote for the display they like best between now and Januaray 2nd. Various prizes will be given to the winners in categories such as youth, adult and professional.

The Erie Canal Museum is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

2010 Hammerheads Rugby Alumni Game

The weekend before Thanksgiving is known as Alumni Weekend at Syracuse University. Many of the the alumni come and visit the campus while several clubs and organizations plan events. One such club has a very unique tradition and that is the Syracuse Hammerheads.

The Syracuse Hammerheads is the rugby club. Every year they have an alumni game in which the current team plays a team comprised of alumni, some of which graduated back in the 70s. Coach Bob Wilson tells us " It give a chance for alumni to come visit and see how the club is doing."

Although this game is for fun, the alumni have a reputation to up hold. Current rugger Tyler Rowell or "Scruffy" tells us "We have a losing streak of pretty much forever against the alumni." He does later attest that the reason they have lost so many times is because the ref for the games is usually a coach who is also playing for the alumni side. On occasion the penalty calls can stretch from shorts looking to nice to throwing a pass too well.

Regard of the final score the real point to the game is to bring the generations together to enjoy one last rugby game of the year.

Syracuse woman goes for gold in fitness championship

This story originally aired on NCC News, November 20th.

For forty-one year old mother of one, Lea VanApeldoorn, there are no easy days at the gym.

On November 20th the Syracuse native, set her sights on earning her fitness master certification at the annual NYSX bodybuilding and figure championship. After months of preparation in the gym and at the dinner table, this competition has Lea hoping to earn her pro card. Earning pro status would mean that Lea could begin to compete for money.

Even though this is Lea first shot at pro status, it's not her first competition. "This is my fifth show, I placed first three times and second my first time out, I think I'm ready to move on up."

The competition was intense and Lea performed well placing first in two events but second in the all important masters category. For Lea this isn't the end though, after a short break she will be back in the gym going for the pros. "I usually give myself a treat, a piece of fried chicken and a few days off, after that, it's right back into the gym."

Bread and Butter, Nobody Does It Better

Originally reported for NCC News on November 29, 2010.

The Columbus Baking Co. on Pearl St. in downtown Syracuse does one thing—bakes bread—and no one does it better.
“We have been doing the same process since day one,” says Jimmy Retzos, a third generation Greek baker. “It’s gone through decades, over a century of making just one type of bread.”

The senses are overwhelmed as one stands inside the bakery. The smell of fresh bread—at each of its many stages—is enough to start one salivating. There is an uncanny rhythm to the sounds of the antique, yet reliable, bread-making equipment. The heat coming from the wood burning oven not only bakes the bread, but also doubles as a makeshift furnace on cool winter mornings. However, the one sense reserved for the experienced touch of the bakers is the lengthy process of preparing the dough for the oven.

“From start to finish, one dough takes about four hours,” says Retzos. “We take it out...cut it into 20 ounce pieces…it rests again for about 20 minutes to half an hour, then we shape it and then we put in the oven.”
The entire process, including the 30-40 minutes it takes to bake the bread, repeats itself throughout the morning.

One interesting anecdote customers may notice upon entering the bakery is the lack of conversation among the staff. There are two interesting reasons for this. First, the bakers have been doing it together for so long, each person knows what needs to be done and just does it. Second, the staff members, come from very diverse backgrounds and do not share one common language, but rely on a common ‘unspoken’ language.

Although a very miniscule number of dissenters balk at the price for one of their loaves of bread, the overwhelming majority would travel across the country to taste it.

Undoubtedly, the success, as well as the future, of the bakery are due to the compassion of its employees. Jimmy Retzos started when he was merely 14 years old and has done it for more than 37 years. He says, baking bread was his first job and it will be his last one.

The Gingerbread Gallery

For 25 years the Erie Canal Museum has hosted a Gingerbread Gallery from November 26th to January 2nd. During this event people from all over the U.S. are able to submit gingerbread houses to be displayed in the museum. Museum volunteer Joohyun Lee says she really likes this exhibit "it's a community involving exhibition."

This gallery is also a competition with cash prizes awarded to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd plsce winners. There is also a People's Choice award, for which the public decide the winner. Judging is based on overall appeal, originality, creativity, and difficulty.

Another requirement is that all the ingrediants used on the house be made from edible materials. There are five major categories consisting of: Youth, Family, Seniors, Confectioners, and Corporate.

A local vistor expressed "it's something different to for the holidays." During the gallery the museum also offers classes for children to come and learn how to build gingerbread houses.

Road trip "Pop 66"

Originally reported for NCC

News,November 19, 2010.

Craft Chemistry, an art boutique and gallery in Syracuse, shows local art work from artists residing in Central New York. Brianna Kohlbrenner the owner of the boutique says " the exhibit is a way to celebrate artists that reside in Central New York by displaying their artwork to the local community.

This month’s local artist is Wesley Pope exhibiting his Pop 66 photographs. The Pop 66 exhibit is a collection of photographs taken on his road trips on Route 66. Pope started taking the photographs in 1998 when he made soda can cameras for his mom's fifth grade class. He had 30 s cameras left, so he decided to use them on his road trip from Los Angeles to Chicago. Pope said, "After that first trip I was totally hooked," and " every time I get to go across the country I take Route 66."

The pinhole camera is a simple camera without a lens and with a single aperture. The shutter is manually operated, a light proof flap is made to cover and uncover the pinhole. The typical exposure time to take a picture is around five seconds to sometimes days. Pinholes cameras can be made with just about any type of material from cans, cardboard boxes and even an aircraft hanger.

Over a hundred pictures are at display at Craft Chemistry, showing all sorts of people and landmarks along Route 66. Some attendees we spoke to say the picture look like historical picture that were taken long ago. Pop 66 exhibit will be on display until December 23rd.

Rugby Club Finishes on Top of the Heap

Originally reported for NCC News,Dec 3, 2010.

The Syracuse University Rugby Football Club wrapped up another winning season with the traditional Alumni Game Saturday, Nov. 27.

The team known as the 'Hammerheads,' is comprised mostly of Syracuse University students. The Hammerheads finished the 2010 season winning all but one game, giving them a record of 9-1.

Coach Bob Wilson said the record was great, but not the most surprising thing about the season. "The really impressive thing about this team is that we have had more players than any year before," said Wilson.

In all the club had more than 60 players, many of which took part in the annual alumni game. In the alumni game, current players compete in exhibition against players from previous years, like Coach Wilson.


"It's a chance for the alumni to get out, have a run-around and check up on the progress of the team," said Wilson.

He also said that he enjoys playing in the game almost as much as he enjoys celebrating after it's finished. "It's a great way to enjoy both the physical and social sides of the game," said Wilson.

Because rugby is not an NCAA sanctioned sport, funding for the team is limited to what they can collect from alumni and fundraisers. Players are responsible for setting up the fields and sometimes also share uniforms.

Unlike many of Syracuse University's basketball and football athletes, these rugby players are not on scholarship and will likely not pursue careers in athletics after their final season.

"We're here because this is just fun," said player Tyler "Scruffy" Rowell. "This is our team, past, present and future...we put our hearts and souls on the line for each other because it's just fun."

Alvina's Salvation

After nearly 2-decades volunteering at the Salvation Army's Christmas Bureau, Alvina Dixon of Syracuse decided to try something different with the organization. A friend recommended she give being a "Bell Ringer" a shot.

For sometimes more than 10-hours a day, Ms. Dixon braves the cold air outside the doors of K-Mart in Liverpool collecting donations in one of those famous red kettles. She says she does it to give back for the times she's needed a bit of help herself.

"There's really nice people that come,"Alvina says. "Then sometimes people don't say nothing to you, you know? But I just say, 'God bless you', anyway and,'Merry Christmas', and keep on smiling."

Ms. Dixon is currently looking for an apartment and furniture, but is happy to talk about her perseverance over drug addiction.

"It's hard, I have a family History of it", she explains. "And by the grace of God, my brother's clean, I'm clean and my sister's clean."

She says she's been sober for 6-years now.

So now, even with struggles of finding a home still in front of her, Alvina has decided to give back this December, standing at the front door of a K-Mart, ringing a bell and collecting donations for people she doesn't even know.

On the Fence

Fencing may spark thoughts of sword-fights and duels to the death from days past. Not quite, according to Lubo Kalpaktchiev, a Fencing Instructor at Syracuse Musketeers Fencing in Dewitt. He says it's an Olympic sport that involves plenty of competition. Lubo would know, since he at one time was a member of the Bulgarian National Fencing Team.

Proudly, Lubo states,"I want to get out they build up confidence. This is an individual sport so they can be their own charicter, and everybody has a different style and they think different, so you can be your own charicter and be a good fencer."

Student Erik Erbes of Skaneatles, tried other better known sports, like baseball, before he saw a flyer one day, that eventually had him hooked.

"This is like one of the sports thait I feel I'm really good at", says Erik. He goes on saying,"This is like the kind of sport that's really fun, and you want to get up and go every morning or every afternoon.

Before you run out the door to get your kids signed up, get ready to pay a few bucks for the lessons. 6 lessons, 1-hour-and-15 minutes long each cost more than $100.

Erik seems to think that's reasonable since he says,"[fencing] is one of those sports that you can tell people or your friends, and they'll be like,'Oh, that's so cool.'"

Lights on the Lake Stroll

Originally reported for NCC News,November 22, 2010.

Onondaga Lake Park in Liverpool has been lit up with Christmas lights for 21 years. There are more than 200 displays stretching across about two miles.

“I had never seen it before I started working here. It’s amazing the different ages who come back year after year that enjoy it, that bring their kids, they used to come as kids. Just seeing the faces, people smiling, and just seeing all the hard work that pays off,” said Debbie Burne, Onondaga Lake Park's Senior Recreation Leader.

It's normally a drive through show, but for six years, Lights on the Lake has been started with a night for walking through it.

“We come out to lights on the lake because it’s something the kids like to do and it’s a nice family outing. It’s just a nice way to start the holiday season," said Lisa Adams.

It’s open for cars nightly from five to 10 until January ninth. Monday through Thursday it’s eight dollars per vehicle and Friday through Sunday it’s 12 dollars. It only costs six dollars Monday and Tuesdays if you have your Wegmans shopper’s club card.