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Early Labor Day: Back to School and Apple Picking Season in the 315.

Early Labor Day: Back to School and Apple Picking Season in the 315.

Edition 19 - September 2 to September 8

Arthur Mucitelli
September 02, 2025

Happy Tuesday, 315.

It’s been a busy couple of weeks, and I didn’t get a newsletter out.. I'm glad you all stuck around. I did some reflection on what I want the newsletter to be and decided to make a few changes.

I won’t add a lot of news, but focus on events, what to do, music, culture, new businesses, and interesting people as I find them. There’s plenty of local media focused on the news, and I want to show the good in the area. I want to focus on why I started this in the first place—to show people there is stuff to do in the area.

I’ll focus on more local community events and interesting things to do, vs. places promoting themselves through paid events. I want to focus on more local music and would love to talk to some of the bands and solo musicians in the area.

As summer in the 315 comes to a close with the kiddos heading back to school, there’s still plenty to showcase all year. I plan to get out more, hit more events, talk to more people, and give you all something better as the newsletter and social media accounts grow.

Thank you all for supporting me, even if it’s a social follow and subscribing to this newsletter.

Art Mucitelli—Publisher

🍎The 315 Digest: It’s Apple Picking Season🍎

Labor Day hit early this year. Pumpkin spice, beige hats, and flannel season are upon us. You know what that means—apple picking season. Get the kids’ hoodies on and toss them on the itchy hay stacks for a hay ride into parts unknown, while the kids complain they’re tired and their brother picked the apple they wanted.

While I joke (except for the kids' stuff), there is something special about heading to a local orchard and picking 30 pounds of apples while eating apple cider donuts and drinking cider. Even if SNL made fun of us. Uncultured city swine.

You have a couple of months to get out there. But where do you go? Good thing you entered your email to get our newsletter, because here’s a list of places we like, and there’s one close to you. Click the link to get directions with Google Maps.

Mohawk Valley:
North Star Orchard: 4741 NY-233, Westmoreland
Sand Flats Orchards: 371 Main St., Fonda
Windy Hill Orchard: 577 East St., Cassville
Sweet Acres Orchard: 11145 Huey Rd., Leonardsville

Central New York Region:
Beak & Skiff: 2708 Lords Hill Rd., LaFayette
Navarino Orchards: 3655 Cherry Valley Turnpike, Syracuse
Adams Acres Farms: 7047 Sevier Rd., Jamesville
Fruit Valley Orchard: 507 Bunker Hill Rd., Oswego

We’ll visit each orchard (hopefully) and get some good social content up for you. If you visit, check the hours and opening dates. Some open after Labor Day.

When you get your apple picking photos and video, tag us on Instagram and Facebook. We’d love to share your content to help other locals and visitors find the best spots in the 315 to experience our culture. Use #whatshappening315 to get your post shared too!

🗓️Events happening this week in the 315!🗓️

Wednesday 9/3

Fall Artistery Refinery | thINCubator, Utica | 6:30 PM. Are you a creative who needs to bump up your business skills? This class might be for you.

Thursday 9/4

Coffee & Concepts | Griffiss Institute | 10 AM. Kick off the 2025 fall series with speaker Patrick Chase on the topic of the space industry in NY. Network and learn.

Canastota Community Carnival | Hickory St., Canastota | 9/4 - 9/6. Head out to Canastota for rides, games, food, and more for the 4th annual community carnival.

Friday 9/5

First Fridays: Welcome Fall | Munson | 5 PM. Kick off fall with Muson First Fridays. Come for art, live music, crafts, and more to celebrate Utica and the community.

Opening Reception for Contrapposto | The Westwood Utica | 5 PM. Join 4 Elements Studios for the free exhibit of sculptor Benjamin Entner. Enjoy light refreshments and meet the artist.

Party in the Wilderness | Utica Zoo | 7 PM. Enjoy partying under the stars with drinks, food, and music by DJ Mase. 21+ event.

Scare-A-Con | Marriott Syracuse | 9/5 - 9/7. Don’t miss CNY’s biggest exhibition of horror, paranormal, Sci-Fi, and anime right in Syracuse.

Saturday 9/6

2025 CNY Memorial Stair Climb | 207 Genesse St., Utica | 8 AM. Join the area’s first responders in remembering the heroes who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.

Classic Car Night | Franco’s Westmoreland | 3 PM. Check out some of the area’s classic cars and enjoy $2 slices served on roller skates, like a trip back to the 50s.

Adult’s Night Out | Fort Rickey Discovery Zoo | 6 PM. Enjoy s’mores, adult drinks, music by Isaac French, and baby goats with friends. 18+.

Sunday 9/7

Bowling with Badges | King Pin Lanes, Rome. Support the RFA girls’ bowling team as they face off against Rome’s finest, and enter for a chance to win prizes.

61st Annual Madison County Craft Festival | 435 Main St., Oneida | 10 AM. Shop local crafts while enjoying food trucks, local wine, and kids' activities.

Artisanal & Craft Market | Woodland Farm Brewery | 11 AM. Shop local craft vendors while enjoying local brews, food, and music, while the weather is still nice.

Chicken BBQ to Benefit the Little Ilion Theater | 100 Otsego St., Ilion | 11 AM. Grab a delicious lunch from Brook’s BBQ while supporting the local art community.

OCPA Pride Cafe | Emerson Ave. Coffee | 12 PM. Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy conversation while learning more about people in the community.

Monday 9/8

Build Your Own Care Package | Brimfield Farm Winery | 5:30 PM. Enjoy a glass of wine while creating the ultimate care package for your little ones or college kids away for the beginning of the year.

Check the event link. Some events have a fee. We only post beginning times.

To have your event added, contact us at [email protected]

Submit your event to be added to the list. 🥳

The deadline for inclusion is the Monday before your event for our Tuesday newsletter.

Central Oneida County Volunteer Ambulance Corps (COCVAC) 2025 Fund Drive

For over 55 years, COCVAC has been serving the community 24/7, responding to more than 4,800 emergency calls last year alone. Like many nonprofit EMS agencies across the U.S., they face rising costs, declining volunteers, and little government support. Community donations are vital to keeping lifesaving services available.

COCVAC answered 4,800+ emergency calls last year
98% of crews are now paid staff due to fewer volunteers
Rising costs: fuel, equipment, training, and insurance
No town, county, or state funding, unlike municipal services
Donations support ambulance maintenance, new equipment, and EMT/Paramedic training
Ways to give: mail, online at www.cocvac.org/donate, or drop off at HQ in Clinton, NY

“Be There for the Ones Who Are Always There for You.”

To sponsor a newsletter, email us at [email protected]

🎸Live music happening in the 315 this week🎸

Tuesday 9/2
Karaoke Tuesdays | The Beer Garden | 6 PM

Wednesday 9/3
Reyna and the Rustics | The Hamilton Inn | 5:30 PM
Traditional Irish Session | Five Points Pub | 7 PM

Monday 9/8
Jake Lozo Band | Downtown Chowdown, Herkimer | 4:30 PM
Pocket Change | Rome Arts & Community Center | 6:30 PM

To get your gig on the list, email us at [email protected]