National Hobby Month

It's National Hobby Month! Hobbies aren't just FUN ways to pass time, they contribute to our mental and physical health. They have been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood, enhance creativity and problem-solving skills and provide a sense of accomplishment and purpose. Hobbies have many social benefits as well-from giving people things they can connect socially about, to providing opportunities to meet new people with similar interests!

We asked our team what their favorite hobbies are and here is what they said!

Meghan Fraser McGrogan
Executive Director 

I love to do anything outdoors! Sometimes it's tough in the winter, but there are lots of ways to get outside for some fresh air and it has so many benefits! Walking and snowshoeing are my current favorites ❄️ (Hint: There are a few local spots that rent snowshoes out very reasonably like the Utica Zoo and Town of Marcy!) In the warmer months I love to spend time in my garden, go for a run, get out on the water, play golf and pickleball, or even just enjoy a meal outside with my family! 

Malik Johnson
Education Manager

In my spare time I love to travel! Recently I was lucky enough to go to Aruba. The weather was amazing, the food was fantastic, and the locals were extremely kind. Look at this giant cactus!

Kim Newton
Education Liaison

I enjoy skiing with my husband and family as a way to get outside and stay moving in the winter.

Heather Fiocco
Development Specialist

MINIS! Perhaps not technically a hobby, but there is just something I love about things in mini form! Here is a handful of some of my own favorites (pen for size reference 😆)

Elis DeLia
Graphic Design

Music has been a lifelong hobby and passion of mine. I've played drums for 20+ years and have been inspired by various artists and people in my life throughout that time. I cherish all of the experiences it has brought me and will continue to grow as a musician!

Julian Testa
Development

My favorite hobby is traveling! I love to explore and experience new things, places, cultures and foods. The best types of trips are those that are shared with family and friends as new memories are made discovering and sharing new experiences and adventures, together!

Jalie Vazquez
Events Coordinator

I LOVE to play games… card games and board games specifically. But there is one board game I love most of all!!! I collect different versions of Monopoly that represent a variety of my other favorite hobbies or parts of me. Can you guess how many I have so far?!

Michelle McCarrick
Marketing

A hobby I have had since I was 14 years old is collecting thimbles! I started at Epcot and got one from each country there. I was debating between starting to collect spoons or thimbles and I thought to myself “thimbles are smaller and will take up less space!” (Thank you, 14 year old me!) I have found them in the coolest stores and cities all over the country and people have brought them home to me from countries all over the world. The hunt is my favorite part. I head to the Bouckville Antique Festival almost every year solo and scour the vendor booths. One of the most memorable finds was a Whitney Houston thimble for only $1 that I found in an antique store in Stevens Point, Wisconsin! I have a favorite one with scrimshaw of a ship on the top that I imagine a sailor handcrafting on a long voyage. I keep them all at my house in old letterpress drawers.

Erin Kelley
Digital Marketing

One of my favorite hobbies is cooking, I love to open the cupboards and take out random ingredients to come up with something "Chopped" style. I have also been lucky enough that from a young age, my son has enjoyed cooking so it's something we can do together! From rolling sushi to firing up the grill it has allowed him to have fun, learn, and get adventurous with what he eats.