Monthly Archives: December, 2025

ARISE – EFR Podcast – Inside Advocacy: How Change Happens from the Ground Up

Published - December 30, 2025

The ARISE – EFR podcast comes to WCNY Community FM from ARISE in Syracuse. Hosted by CEO Bruce Drake, each episode introduces listeners to someone in our community supporting access and independence for those with disabilities. Join host Bruce Drake of ARISE – EFR as he sits down with statewide systems advocate Phil Phren to unpack how meaningful systems-change happens in the world of disability rights and independent living. In this episode, we explore: What it really means to be a systems advocate and how that role differs from direct service. Phil’s roots in community organizing, his own connection to

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CNY Latino Podcast, Episode 87 – CNY Latino Talks with Sabor Latino

Published - December 29, 2025

(#87, 12/29/25) In this January 2026 Episode of CNY Latino: cnylatinonewspaper.com/Podcast, Marisol and I (Hugo Acosta) have a full-hour of informal talk and conversations, with our associates and friends Rita Paniagua and Jesus Rolon, as we were invited to their Podcast Show ‘SABOR LATINO’, that airs weekly in the 24-hour PBS HD Radio Station WCNY of Syracuse, which we incorporated into this, our own Podcast show. En este episodio de enero de 2026, Marisol y yo (Hugo Acosta) tuvimos una hora completa de charla y conversación informal con nuestros colegas y amigos Rita Paniagua y Jesús Rolón, ya que fuimos

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S10 Ep17: Too Many Keyboards, Part 4

Published - December 27, 2025

“The organ is the grandest, the most daring, the most magnificent of all instruments invented by human genius.” – Honore de Balzac   The pipe organ is a marvelous instrument.  More accurately, pipe organs are marvelous instruments.  Because each one is unique.  Each is custom built to fit the space in which it resides.  Today we have wonderful works and performances by women for the organ.   “Too Many Keyboards, Part 3” Libby Larsen:  Tambourines Ji-yoen Choi, organ “Laureate Series – Organ” Naxos 555367 Florence Price:  An Elf on a Moonbeam Anna Lapwood, organ “Luna” Sony Classical Hans Zimmer:  Stay (from

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There’s More to That from Smithsonian magazine: The Foods and Flavors That Make Our Holidays Delicious

Published - December 20, 2025

Host Ari Daniel drops into two homes to explore two holiday traditions. We start with Elisa Hough, an editor at the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, and the Filipino torta recipe that her mother prepared every Christmas. Now during the holidays, Elisa is the one making torta. And it’s the time of the year when she connects most closely to her Filipino heritage. Then we head to Jamaica where we meet Vaughn Stafford Gray, an independent journalist and former chef, who explains the history of jerk and what it means in contemporary Jamaican culture. New to WCNY is

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Check It Out: MOST Special Guest Lauren Kochian

Published - December 20, 2025

We wrap up Check It Out for 2025 with a very special guest. Tom and Maggie welcome MOST president, Lauren Kochian. We talk about the great relationship between the MOST and the OCPL, the importance of reading as it relates to science and the exciting things they have planned in 2026. Happy holidays from the Check It Out team.

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S10 Ep16: Words and Music for the Winter Solstice

Published - December 20, 2025

“I do know there’s no need to apologize for my own gladness, today, midwinter, that has no apparent cause in the daylight cast from the sun.”                      – “Midwinter” by Nadia Colburn   It’s something different for the winter solstice – a pairing of words and music, all by women.  Enjoy these works and poems.  (complete list of poems at the end of this post.) “Words and Music for the Winter Solstice”   Sylvia Woods:  Winter Bells Sylvia Woods, harp “3 Harps for Christmas” Tonmeister 1226 Rebecca Dale:  Winter Voces8 “Winter”

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Join Us for WCNY Day at the Dome🍊

Published - December 19, 2025

 Syracuse Women’s Basketball Head Coach Felisha Legette-Jack invites you to be part of a special day at the JMA Wireless Dome for WCNY Day at the Dome. 📅 Sunday, Dec. 28 ⏰ 4 p.m. tip-off 🏀 Syracuse vs. Duke 📍 JMA Wireless Dome WCNY Day at the Dome celebrates the launch of WCNY’s new series, “Gamechangers,” and we want you there to cheer on the Orange. Bring your family and friends, wear your Orange pride, and be part of an exciting afternoon of basketball and community. Exclusive WCNY Discounted Tickets Available As a WCNY supporter, you can take advantage of

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Dec. 18, 2025: Sean O’Loughlin – Syr. Orchestra Holiday Pops

Published - December 18, 2025

  It’s always a pleasure to catch up with Sean O’Loughlin, Principal Pops conductor with the Syracuse Orchestra!  Sean spoke to mid-day host Diane Jones about this weekend’s holiday concerts, the incredible musicians and guest artists who are joining the orchestra – and even gave us some insight into the life of a touring conductor.   Everything you need to know about this and other Syracuse Orchestra concerts can be found on their webpage.

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Dec. 17, 2025: DeWitt Community Church “Messiah”

Published - December 18, 2025

    The DeWitt Community Church is hosting a Messiah Sing-a-long, and the public is invited to join in this event.  Music Director Bruce Campbell stopped into the studios to talk about the music, the soloists, and why the folks at DeWitt have generously stepped up to contribute the funds for this event to WCNY.   Learn more about this event at the DeWitt Community Church Facebook page.

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Dec. 16, 2025: Schola Cantorum “Pastores de Belen”

Published - December 16, 2025

  Schola Cantorum of Syracuse is giving two concerts over the next two weekends.  “Pastores de Belén” (Shepherds of Bethlehem) is a semi-dramatic presentation of the novella by Lope de Vega with music by Gaspar Fernandéz.  Director and guest artist Liamna Pestana and Music Director Barry Torres stopped into the studios to talk about the program, the adaptation of the novella, and the amazing musicians bringing all of this to life.   More about Schola Cantorum is available on their website.  

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Dec. 15, 2025: The Nutcracker with CNY Ballet

Published - December 15, 2025

    The Central New York Ballet is getting ready for this weekend’s production of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker.”  Artistic Director Claire Solis stopped into the studios to talk about the production, the dancers, and her role as Artistic Director for the company. More about the Central New York Ballet is available at their website.  

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S10 Ep15: A Little Romance, Part 2

Published - December 13, 2025

“It must be a sign of talent that I do not give up, though I can get nobody to take an interest in my efforts.” – Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel   Most folks know about Clara Schumann and Fanny Mendelssohn.  But who were their contemporaries?  This week, we hear works from some of the other women of the Romantic era. “A Little Romance, Part 2” Maria Szymanowska:  Nocturne in B-flat Major Margot Dilmaghani, piano “Gardens of the Heart” Celebration Recordings Tekla Bądarzewska-Baranowska:  The Maiden’s Prayer I Salonisti “The Last Dance: Music for a Vanishing Era” Deutsche Harmonia 77377 Tekla Bądarzewska-Baranowska:  The Prayer

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Checkup From the Neck-Up, Episode 36 – Stress and Families

Published - December 12, 2025

On this edition of Checkup From the Neck-Up, “Dr. Neckup” psychologist Rich O’Neill’s guest is family psychiatrist, researcher, author, and mother Dr. Nayla Khoury. She defines stress, what it does to our minds and bodies, how it can be healthy or toxic, and what we can do individually, in our family, and in our communities, to buffer potentially toxic stress, and give our kids the skills they need to do so throughout their lives.  

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Dec. 11, 2025: Auburn Chamber Orchestra “Sounds of the Season”

Published - December 11, 2025

    The Auburn Chamber Orchestra presents its annual holiday concert, “Sounds of the Season,” this weekend.  Music director Victor Vallo stopped into the studios to tell us about the concert, the feeling of community, and the need to bring this concert to an even larger venue this year! More about this concert and the Auburn Chamber Orchestra is available here.    

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Ring in the Holiday Season with Classic FM!

Published - December 10, 2025

Join WCNY Classic FM this holiday season for music that brings light and cheer! Check out our 2025 holiday lineup: Hanukkah: Celebrate Hanukkah with Classic FM! Host Adam Fine brings you “Hanukkah Highlights,” marking the eight days with a new vignette each day, starting at 1 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 15.   Christmas Eve: 10 a.m.: A Festival of 9 Lessons and Carols Live from Kings College – Cambridge Pipedreams host Michael Barone presents this live service of spoken-word and music (choral and organ) broadcast from the chapel of King’s College in Cambridge, England. The 30-voice King’s College Choir performs the legendary Festival

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