Graupel is the technical term for it, it is the phenomenon of rain being crystallized in the atmosphere and falling as ice pellets because of the intense cooling caused by high-level winds. Us upstate New Yorkers just call that sleet, it happens quite often. Including this week in Oswego, winter is looming on the small port city located next to a massive and menacing lake. 

Winter means that hockey season is here and a lot of us got the first taste of it this past weekend, when the Oswego State Lakers played Utica College on Oct. 16. The game was just an exhibition but it symbolized the beginning of a new season for so many around the Oswego State community. Two groups deserving a shout-out are the sports departments of WTOP-10 and WNYO 88.9 fm, the student-ran television and radio groups on the SUNY Oswego campus. 

After months of anticipation for the biggest Oswego community sport to come back to the Deborah F. Stanley Arena and Convocation Hall, the night was finally here. What WNYO and WTOP did was impressive but overall it was a night of recognition for the two organizations. It took a copious amount of preparation for the two three hour broadcasts to go as well as they have. 

The congratulation has to go to the two Sports Directors of the clubs, Aaron Valentino and Brian Rudman. 

Valentino and Rudman stepped up to the occasion for an event that the entire Oswego community had an eye on. The stream of the WTOP broadcast of the hockey game had 1,200 unique views as of the day after the game. WNYO, will not have its numbers immediately but has had a proven audience in the past.

Alumni traveled hundreds of miles in order to witness the game and the atmosphere that only Oswego State men’s hockey can bring. The school has good sports teams across the board but the atmosphere that comes with men’s hockey makes it completely stand-out. 

It brings a smile to my face to think about the freshmen and sophomores that got to witness their first game inside the 3,000 seat arena. Lucky for them, the atmosphere will only continue to turn up. I witnessed first hand how the dial turns up throughout the season when I covered the team for WNYO my sophomore year. 

To stick to the trend of my past few columns, I will share my favorite locations around the area from this past week. If you have time to explore this week and try something new, take a look at these spots. 

The best spot being a combination of the pizza and chocolate milk, that is available at almost any time of the day at Byrne Dairy. I finally tried the pizza and it is by far the best slice I have had in Oswego. 

A close second was the pier walk located at the Fair Haven State Park, where I enjoyed a lazy stroll out into Lake Ontario. The walk was easy and the wind hit my face with ferocity, as only the brisk western breeze off the Great Lake can. If you enjoy the wind, make sure to check out this space. 

A mixed bag this week but that is the way I have seen it from my seat. The weeks are starting to turn and burn, grab the little moments when you can.