SeanKirst
@seankirst.bsky.social
Columnist with The Central Current, journalist-in-residence at Le Moyne College, occasional TedX speaker, author, friend to Mattydale Terriers, Godfather of global Tolkien Reading Day, lifetimer in Upstate America, 51 years & counting as working journalist
I tell students of journalism: The ending is everything. Piece by Jere Longman of NYT on passing of Robert Stirm, American POW whose homecoming is shown in this iconic Slava Veder image: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/19/o...
November 20, 2025 at 3:02 PM
I tell students of journalism: The ending is everything. Piece by Jere Longman of NYT on passing of Robert Stirm, American POW whose homecoming is shown in this iconic Slava Veder image: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/19/o...
Went to Canandaigua for 231st anniversary of treaty signing last week with Mike Greenlar, legendary photojournalist with deep perspective - here’s Greenlar image of revered Haudenosaunee Tadodaho Leon Shenandoah leading treaty procession on 200th anniversary, 1994. My column:
November 19, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Went to Canandaigua for 231st anniversary of treaty signing last week with Mike Greenlar, legendary photojournalist with deep perspective - here’s Greenlar image of revered Haudenosaunee Tadodaho Leon Shenandoah leading treaty procession on 200th anniversary, 1994. My column:
Typically stunning work by photographer Mike Greenlar for my column on the annual commemoration of the treaty of Canandaigua - including return of longtime organizer Peter Jemison of the Seneca Nation, at moment when treaty’s meaning as imperative as ever. My piece:
November 18, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Typically stunning work by photographer Mike Greenlar for my column on the annual commemoration of the treaty of Canandaigua - including return of longtime organizer Peter Jemison of the Seneca Nation, at moment when treaty’s meaning as imperative as ever. My piece:
As part of my column on the possible beautification - think illumination! - of a forlorn Erie Canal monument in Syracuse, Mike Greenlar’s photos of a hidden and dramatic 185-year-old canal bridge downtown raise one giant question: Why can’t this be part of Creekwalk?
November 11, 2025 at 10:27 PM
As part of my column on the possible beautification - think illumination! - of a forlorn Erie Canal monument in Syracuse, Mike Greenlar’s photos of a hidden and dramatic 185-year-old canal bridge downtown raise one giant question: Why can’t this be part of Creekwalk?
On Veteran’s Day, Joe Watson’s daughter recalls how he was ‘overwhelmed’ by torrent of birthday cards for his 103rd birthday in August, many from graying Central New Yorkers who saw a reflection of their own mothers or fathers in the tale of this WW II veteran:
November 11, 2025 at 10:08 PM
On Veteran’s Day, Joe Watson’s daughter recalls how he was ‘overwhelmed’ by torrent of birthday cards for his 103rd birthday in August, many from graying Central New Yorkers who saw a reflection of their own mothers or fathers in the tale of this WW II veteran:
What happens when you set the great Mike Greenlar free to roam with his camera: Some images for my column today about a ‘forlorn’ Erie Canal monument … Mike captured some spots where you can still touch original canal in Syracuse.
November 11, 2025 at 2:09 PM
What happens when you set the great Mike Greenlar free to roam with his camera: Some images for my column today about a ‘forlorn’ Erie Canal monument … Mike captured some spots where you can still touch original canal in Syracuse.
Tale of Sharon Owens becoming mayor of Syracuse really began more than 60 years ago, when her 19-year-old mother left Florida home & Jim Crow conditions to travel North alone in search of better life. In speech, Owens thanked elders who understood so well. Michelle Gabel image:
November 6, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Tale of Sharon Owens becoming mayor of Syracuse really began more than 60 years ago, when her 19-year-old mother left Florida home & Jim Crow conditions to travel North alone in search of better life. In speech, Owens thanked elders who understood so well. Michelle Gabel image:
A whole lot of no-paywall Election Day reading from the growing staff of the nonprofit Central Current: centralcurrent.org
November 5, 2025 at 7:55 PM
A whole lot of no-paywall Election Day reading from the growing staff of the nonprofit Central Current: centralcurrent.org
I was waiting for my car at mechanic’s Friday when I noticed how all the guys working on the cars seemed like they had the same kind of 1980s hair … before I realized what was really going on, tale that was gut-deep funny, but also with touch of sadness and tribute. My column:
November 2, 2025 at 3:34 PM
I was waiting for my car at mechanic’s Friday when I noticed how all the guys working on the cars seemed like they had the same kind of 1980s hair … before I realized what was really going on, tale that was gut-deep funny, but also with touch of sadness and tribute. My column:
Seventy-five years ago, Earl Lloyd shattered
NBA racial barrier, in Rochester. Five years later, in Syracuse, he & Jim Tucker - close friends for life - were first Black players on NBA champion. Contemporaries like Bill Russell, with deep gratitude for Earl, understood: His impact remains alive.
NBA racial barrier, in Rochester. Five years later, in Syracuse, he & Jim Tucker - close friends for life - were first Black players on NBA champion. Contemporaries like Bill Russell, with deep gratitude for Earl, understood: His impact remains alive.
November 1, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Seventy-five years ago, Earl Lloyd shattered
NBA racial barrier, in Rochester. Five years later, in Syracuse, he & Jim Tucker - close friends for life - were first Black players on NBA champion. Contemporaries like Bill Russell, with deep gratitude for Earl, understood: His impact remains alive.
NBA racial barrier, in Rochester. Five years later, in Syracuse, he & Jim Tucker - close friends for life - were first Black players on NBA champion. Contemporaries like Bill Russell, with deep gratitude for Earl, understood: His impact remains alive.
Delores Howard used to tell me she’d be in the kitchen, doing dishes, and she’d hear the front door - and long after she lost him, for a split-second, she’d think it was Wallie. Thirty-five years after her oldest son gave his life for this community, my column:
October 31, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Delores Howard used to tell me she’d be in the kitchen, doing dishes, and she’d hear the front door - and long after she lost him, for a split-second, she’d think it was Wallie. Thirty-five years after her oldest son gave his life for this community, my column:
My favorite Mike Greenlar image from our piece on legendary lacrosse coach Roy Simmons Jr. planting hickory at grave of his friend, Haudenosaunee stickmaker Alf Jacques: Sapling planted, Roy Jr.’s sons lend a hand as the great coach and artist returns to their SUV …
October 22, 2025 at 2:55 PM
My favorite Mike Greenlar image from our piece on legendary lacrosse coach Roy Simmons Jr. planting hickory at grave of his friend, Haudenosaunee stickmaker Alf Jacques: Sapling planted, Roy Jr.’s sons lend a hand as the great coach and artist returns to their SUV …
Mike Greenlar, one of great photojournalists in Upstate history, old friend of both legendary coach Roy Simmons Jr. and late Haudenosaunee stickmaker Alf Jacques. Mike’s images for my column today - Roy & sons planting hickory at Alf’s grave - demonstrate that intimacy:
October 21, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Mike Greenlar, one of great photojournalists in Upstate history, old friend of both legendary coach Roy Simmons Jr. and late Haudenosaunee stickmaker Alf Jacques. Mike’s images for my column today - Roy & sons planting hickory at Alf’s grave - demonstrate that intimacy:
The extraordinary work of photojournalist Michelle Gabel: Final days of City Hardware in Syracuse, classic spot famed for rescue dogs that roam aisles. Owner John Calley will be part of first downtown hardware store in a long time, opening next year. My column:
October 18, 2025 at 12:32 PM
The extraordinary work of photojournalist Michelle Gabel: Final days of City Hardware in Syracuse, classic spot famed for rescue dogs that roam aisles. Owner John Calley will be part of first downtown hardware store in a long time, opening next year. My column:
The legendary rescue dogs of City Hardware: Ancient and irreplaceable Syracuse landmark business closing today. To read my Central Current column, with stunning Michelle Gabel images:
October 17, 2025 at 3:04 PM
The legendary rescue dogs of City Hardware: Ancient and irreplaceable Syracuse landmark business closing today. To read my Central Current column, with stunning Michelle Gabel images:
I was young sports columnist when I first met Lawrence Moten, who dedicated every game he played at @syracuseu to grandfather who mattered so much in his life, whose collect calls home used to be accepted by 3-year-old sister he missed dearly. My column for The @Central_Current:
October 12, 2025 at 8:34 PM
I was young sports columnist when I first met Lawrence Moten, who dedicated every game he played at @syracuseu to grandfather who mattered so much in his life, whose collect calls home used to be accepted by 3-year-old sister he missed dearly. My column for The @Central_Current:
Dave Sage, an old friend and retired lead forecaster from National Weather Service in Buffalo, says one thing he loves about these high-profile Bills games in our magnificent autumn: Reminding millions of just how beautiful this region really is, especially right now. My column …
October 5, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Dave Sage, an old friend and retired lead forecaster from National Weather Service in Buffalo, says one thing he loves about these high-profile Bills games in our magnificent autumn: Reminding millions of just how beautiful this region really is, especially right now. My column …
The images of the great Mike Greenlar capture what several regional meteorologists say is simple truth: If you love being outdoors, the autumn weather we’re experiencing right now - including celestial September - is as consistently beautiful as they’ve ever seen. My column:
October 5, 2025 at 1:56 PM
The images of the great Mike Greenlar capture what several regional meteorologists say is simple truth: If you love being outdoors, the autumn weather we’re experiencing right now - including celestial September - is as consistently beautiful as they’ve ever seen. My column:
The 2014 leveling of this Fairmount landmark - on farm created by key engineer on Erie Canal - led to eviction of this family … & decision by one son to become lawyer devoted to helping powerless, which led last week to immigrant mother being freed to reunite with 3 children.
October 4, 2025 at 12:50 PM
The 2014 leveling of this Fairmount landmark - on farm created by key engineer on Erie Canal - led to eviction of this family … & decision by one son to become lawyer devoted to helping powerless, which led last week to immigrant mother being freed to reunite with 3 children.
Image of Onondaga Faithkeeper Oren Lyons, by his longtime friend and celestial photographer Mike Greenlar: At 95, Lyons has decided to place a lifetime treasury of letters, documents, artwork and photos into the hands of skilled archivists at Syracuse U. My column:
September 27, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Image of Onondaga Faithkeeper Oren Lyons, by his longtime friend and celestial photographer Mike Greenlar: At 95, Lyons has decided to place a lifetime treasury of letters, documents, artwork and photos into the hands of skilled archivists at Syracuse U. My column:
Oren Lyons, 1971, at the Onondaga Nation with John Lennon, Yoko Ono, Leon Shenandoah in photo provided by Oren's son, Rex. Such treasures will be part of massive collection of papers, images and artwork that Syracuse University will safeguard and archive for Oren, who retains ownership. My column:
September 26, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Oren Lyons, 1971, at the Onondaga Nation with John Lennon, Yoko Ono, Leon Shenandoah in photo provided by Oren's son, Rex. Such treasures will be part of massive collection of papers, images and artwork that Syracuse University will safeguard and archive for Oren, who retains ownership. My column:
That’s fantastic. Thank you. And fyi:
September 19, 2025 at 5:33 PM
That’s fantastic. Thank you. And fyi:
I share your sadness: Pizzazz was fantastic and ambiance of the shop so beautifully Syracuse. Miss it big-time. I honestly believe creative, inspired investment and planning - with buy-in from nearby neighborhood associations - could bring that commercial district back.
September 19, 2025 at 4:34 PM
I share your sadness: Pizzazz was fantastic and ambiance of the shop so beautifully Syracuse. Miss it big-time. I honestly believe creative, inspired investment and planning - with buy-in from nearby neighborhood associations - could bring that commercial district back.
The Elmwood neighborhood of Syracuse in its commercial heyday, image one (courtesy of OHA), image two as it appears all too often today. To read my Central Current column on a cleanup there Saturday and dreams for that district - as well as tale behind new Eli Harris mural - follow this thread:
September 19, 2025 at 12:16 PM
The Elmwood neighborhood of Syracuse in its commercial heyday, image one (courtesy of OHA), image two as it appears all too often today. To read my Central Current column on a cleanup there Saturday and dreams for that district - as well as tale behind new Eli Harris mural - follow this thread: