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The holidays are just around the corner. The family and friends are visiting from far-flung places and you've caught up on conversation, played enough board games to last a year and attended every Continental sporting event on campus. Now where do you take them for fun? Around the Hill asked some Hamilton employees, and they graciously shared plenty of ideas:

Jeff Landry, director of residential life, says "We have taken a lot of our friends to Cooperstown to shop and go to the museums (usually the Baseball Hall of Fame).  Most of our friends have children around the same ages as my children (4 and 6) so we find the Utica Zoo is a fun, inexpensive afternoon as is the Utica Children's Museum.  We usually take a walk through the Root Glen as well.  Carmella's and Zebbs are usually the place we take friends to eat - good food and kid friendly!"

"We have taken guests on the Matt Brewery Tour, to the Munson Williams Proctor Arts Institute, antiquing in Madison/Bouckville, walking around Cooperstown, and (of course) strolls through Clinton," says Meredith Harper Bonham, executive assistant to the president. "Certainly, much relies on the time of year.  In the fall (when it seems that most friends or family come), no visit would be complete with a trip to the Clinton Cider Mill.  Going to a local pumpkin farm or apple-picking is fun too.  Another favorite thing to do when picking up or dropping off at the airport is a stop at Wegman's in Syracuse."

Donna Lutz, senior assistant to the executive director, western region, says "We take our guests to Charlotte's Creekside Inn in Oneida.  It's a fabulous Bed and Breakfast with a wonderful restaurant.  At the holidays, the decorations are stunning - in the summer there's a lovely outdoor deck. Guests are warmly welcomed, and the meal and the ambiance is a delightful treat."

 

 

Assistant Director of Student Activities Cameo Voltz offers suggestions for every time of year:
-shopping at a farmer's market to cook great food (in the summer)
-mini-golf and go-karts
-walking in the Root Glen
-trips to Armory Square in Syracuse
-introducing them to curling at the Utica Curling Club (as a member)
-browsing antique markets in the Madison area
-introducing them to Utica's specialties, chicken riggies and greens - or a trip to Rio Grande or Piggy Pats
-summer events like the Saranac Thursdays
-checking out the cute stores along Park Row
-golf at Hamilton's course for FREE! (always a hit with my father)
-Oneida Silver outlet store
-a movie at Clinton Cinema is a nice change from the huge theatre chains
-a cocktail at the Al Ham
-Hamilton's Performing Arts events
-taking the train to Old Forge ( This year The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg, is the theme for family rides on The Adirondack Scenic Railroad.)

Sally Carman, administrator of the Arthur Levitt Public Affairs Center says, "We're planning to go to the Emerson Gallery "1968" exhibit. My husband's peace tie is in a frame on the wall and my son David's GI Joe, Jeep and footlocker are in a display cabinet."

Other planned treats include Grande's pizza, a visit to Utica's Children's museum, the Utica zoo, (Sally assures us even in the winter time it makes for a fun family outing) and perhaps a trip to the MOST museum in Syracuse. "The kids love it," she says.

Because her son and daughters grew up in Clinton, the whole family is looking forward to attending the January 2, Clinton Central School Foundation gala concert that will be held in Wellin Hall, featuring CCS alumni who are musicians.

Finally, not to be missed is a local production of Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," featuring Sally's neighbor and friend Richard Enders, a Clinton lawyer, as Scrooge.

Jeff McArn, College chaplain, says "One of our favorite places to take out-of-towners is to Matt's Brewery. It's a great place to learn a little history, and we were surprised to learn that Matt's is the 12th largest brewer in the country including a large volume of contract brews domestically and internationally. It's also a great place to for kids -- at least our kids love it. Walking by the cooling tanks is refreshing on a hot day, and the tour ends in a trolley ride back to the tasting room where there are plenty of great Saranac soft drinks as well as the full line up of first-class Saranac beers.

"Speaking of kids, we also like to take folks over to the Utica Zoo. It's perfect for friends with kids because it's not too big, and you can see all the exhibits without having to walk too far. And a bonus, there's a playground for the pre-K, elementary kids," Jeff says.

"We also like to introduce people to the Oneida Community Mansion House in Sherrill, (just off Rt. 5.) Tours through this National Historic Landmark give a window into a 19th century utopian vision where men and women shared in labor, and in a massive open marriage which gave the community its distinctive characteristic, but makes it challenging to trace the family tree. The Mansion House has guest rooms, a public dining room, a fascinating library and beautiful outdoor gardens. If you ask my kids the main attraction is an outdoor swing attached to a skyscraper tree on long chains."

Jeff adds, "My personal favorite is in Cooperstown, the National Baseball Hall of Fame. If visitors time their visit during the Hall of Fame game it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience."

"Where we take guests depends on their interests and the season," says Louise Peckingham, electronic reporting coordinator.  "Most of our visitors come in summer, but a few hearty ones from Maine visit in winter since they consider us 'going south.'  We like to show off the natural beauty of this area. 

"We do a lot of boating--mostly canoeing and guideboating, and some power boating, depending on the comfort of guests with being on the water. The Adirondack Museum at Blue Mountain Lake is a favorite day trip.  You can take a picnic or get food there and the displays are outstanding.  You can also take a boat and enjoy the lake.  The Antique Boat Museum at Clayton is also a wonderful day trip.  They have a boat show and in-the-water boat parade each summer that is fun. Again, you can picnic or purchase food there.  They also have restored classic boats available for a short trip on the St. Lawrence River.  Spectacular on a summer's day.  Of course the Boilermaker in July is lots of fun. Some of our guests run and some do 'runners support,' but a great time is had by all.  A Matt's Brewery Tour is also enjoyable. We also like to take people to the Glimmerglass Opera in Cooperstown and to the Baseball Museum there.  Both are terrific."

"In the fall, the Remsen Barn Fest in September is a great craft show;  in the spring, Paddlefest in Inlet is fun.  People also enjoy visiting Clinton Village at any time of year.  There are lots of great places to eat around here and most visitors who are from big cities love the prices!  Walt's Diner in Old Forge (and a visit to the Old Forge Hardware Store) is a nice stop.  The Dancing Bear restaurant in Alder Creek is great for fine food in a casual atmosphere," says Louise. 

Karen DelMedico, assistant, Foundation, Corporate and Government Relations, says, "If they're up for it we definitely take our out of town guest to the Casino. It is such a beautiful place." And yes they do go to gamble. Karen said, "Gamble? Oh sure! We have something to eat then have a fun evening." The Casino offers plenty of "fine dining" but Karen's family prefers the 50s-style restaurant. She said there's also a great buffet but that isn't her preference. "If we did take guests out to eat, we'd stop at Charlotte's  Creekside (Oneida) before heading down to the Casino."

When she's not gambling or at home doing lots of cooking for her guests, Karen loves to go shopping. She said it's worth the drive to go to Albany to the Crossgates Mall or Stuyvesant Plaza.

Glynis Asu, reference librarian, loves to take her guests to visit Stone View Farm (ATH, Jan 2002.)   "They have sheep sheering and wonderful hand-made knit wool items." She also travels to the Corning Museum and the IMAX at the MOST in Syracuse. But a favorite snowy weather outing is to Skaneatles for a "Dickens' Christmas." Festivities include horse-drawn carriage rides, carolers, strolling Dickens' characters, music and visits with Scrooge and Father Christmas.

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