Award-winning columnist, photographer and news writer Ellen Leahy is back as the editor of the Skaneateles Press, in beautiful Skaneateles New York.
She is the former editor of the Skaneateles Press and the Marcellus Observer, and most recently the Syracuse City Eagle. She makes her home in Skaneateles where she is also a freelance photographer and caregiver for her parents, Bill and Marion Leahy.
She began her formal writing career as a columnist with one of her hometown papers, The Duxbury Clipper, in Duxbury, MASS. Born in California, she then moved to Sea Girt, NJ. She is a product of small town America - and the late great American Middle Class.
The photo at right is the drive down to Brook Farm off of West Lake Road - one of my former Skaneateles haunts.
Currently reading...
CLEAN, as well as other assorted reads on my dad's Kindle.
Back in Syracuse, I realized I’d been out of the loop while covering the news in two small CNY communities for more than five years. So, how to catch up on the ins and outs of issues in the currently salt-less city? Then, I remembered overhearing people at the “water cooler” talking about this radio guy Jim Reith. They would be discussing local issues and this Reith’s name would always come up. I thought, I know, I’ll listen to Jim Reith.
So, on the day of the Mayor’s state of the city address, I switched off NPR and dialed AM 570 WSYR in on my car radio. I had about a half an hour drive. It was 5:30 p.m. and apparently Jim had been having a heck of an afternoon...
At home in Fabius: Dale Sweetland announcing his intentions to run for the 25th District Congressional seat.
For him or against him, it would be hard to deny that Congressman James Walsh is a man of quality. So who is going to follow in his wingtips?
Interestingly enough former County Executive, Nick Pirro, reminded Onondaga County last week that Walsh had lost a race to him for County Exec, before going on to win the 25th district seat in Congress. Pirro was speaking in regards to the GOP’s Dale Sweetland announcing his intentions to consider a run for Walsh’s seat in Congress after Peter Cappuccilli had to bow out because of health issues.
Sweetland, who for many years was the chairman of the Onondaga County Legislature, lost last year in a primary to Joanie Mahoney for Onondaga County’s top seat...
This is in response to City Poetry Editor Herm Card's call to carry a poem in your pocket day:
If I had to pick a favorite poem besides roses are red, daffodils are yella, my aren’t you, a frisky fella, (Amy Morrissey), it would have to be one by Billy Collins. The two-time United States Poet Laureate (2001-2003) actually has a CD with an introduction by the comedian/actor Bill Murray. That’s pretty cool on its own...
When I first moved to Skaneateles, around the age of 17, the two people I feared the most were the Trabolds. The Mrs., or Elizabeth “Betty,” was my English teacher at SHS. I felt as if I were back in Catholic grammar school with the Sisters of St. Joseph. The good sisters were smart, tough and didn’t put up with even a blink of nonsense. Mrs. Trabold led her class with an iron pen. To say she was stern would almost be an understatement. And even though I didn’t like it, I had an inkling that the formal hardcore education she was doing her darnedest to instill in us was ultimately the correct approach.
Mr. Paul Trabold, I really only knew by reputation and that scared me enough to keep my distance.
The Trabolds were serious working people...
Again I have been chosen to be one of the lucky women who gets to judge the Men Who Cook. There is nothing I like better than judging men’s performance. Yep, I’m one lucky gal. And this time it includes food – and men make great cooks. I think it’s the other sex’s scientific nature and instinct for adventure. A love of chemistry meets linear thinking and curiosity. They get to work with their hands and tools and gadgets too. And let’s not forget that there is weaponry and fire involved – even chainsaws if one is doing an ice sculpture or whatever...
