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In this episode, Kelly is joined but John Friia, to talk about the history of the holiday season in New York City!

Join them as they talk about the first Christmas tree lighting in the United States! They learn about the inventor of Christmas lights and how they became a staple to the holiday season in NYC.

They then talk about t’was the night before Christmas and the development of Chelsea! How the writer of the poem didn’t want to be associated with it, and how it became a worldwide sensation.

On the topic of Christmas stories, they talk about a Christmas Carol. The surprisingly short time it took to write and where New Yorkers can go see the original manuscript.

Kelly and John then turn their attention to music! They talk about the origins of “I saw Mommy Kissing Santa Clause”, “Santa Baby” and “Need a little Christmas”.

And finally to close out the year, John and Kelly talk about ringing in the new year! John tells Kelly about the history of the Times Square New Year’s Eve party. They talk about their experiences going to the event and tell listeners what they need to know if they want to go themselves which they say that everyone should experience at least once.

But above all else; Santa Clause is a New Yorker.

Kelly Kopp’s Social Media:
@NewYorkCityKopp

John Friia’s social media:
@here_in_ny on Instagram
@hereinnyc on TikTok

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In this Episode, Kelly is joined by Jae as he tells us the story of why he moved to New York City.

Kelly and Jae start off by talking about their week, and how busy they are. Kelly having been to the Rockefeller Center Tree lighting and taking his favorite picture in recent years. Jae talks about putting together this episode.

Kelly and Jae talk about the founding of this podcast. How they started working on it a year ago during this time and the process that they went through to make it happen.

Jae talks about Let's Get Civical, the other Podcast that he works on, which will be mentioned below. Kelly and Jae talk about what their goals are for next year.

Kelly talks about his Dear Friend Sandy, and the advice that she gave him that changed his life.

Kelly talks about how moving to New York City was the best decision that he's ever made. He talks about his plan that he made for coming here, and how the city had other plans for him. He talks about selling his house and moving to a new city with absolutely nothing.

And finally, He talks about what it meant for him to become a New Yorker. How it makes him feel whole.

Because above all else; Kelly and Jae are New Yorkers.

Kelly Kopp's Social Media
@NewYorkCityKopp

Jae Watson's Social Media
@Studiojae170

Please Check out Let's Get Civical!
@Let's Get Civical anywhere you listen to Podcasts.

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In this episode, Kelly is joined by John Friia! He is a digital creator, New York City historian and featured on PIX11's New York Living!

Kelly asks John about his New York Story: Where he's from, What kind of content he does, and why he has such a profound interest for New York City History.

Kelly tells us about his time as a balloon handler in the Macy's Thanksgiving day Parade. How he got the position, which balloons he got to handle, and he tells the story about the time he almost got to High Five a Rockette!

Kelly and John give tips about where to go to see the parade the best. Where has the best view, how to go so you can leave early, and where the best place to go to the bathroom is.

John tells Kelly about the history of the parade. When it started, the original parade route, how the Central Park Zoo was involved. John also tells us about the lengthy process that the balloons and floats go through before they can make it to the day of the Parade.

Kelly also tells John about the inflation ceremony, where thousands of people from around the world gather to see the balloons inflated. He gives the listeners tips on the best places and times to see this too.

But above all else; John Friia is a New Yorker!

Kelly Kopp's Social Media:
@NewYorkCityKopp

John Friia's Social Media:
@Here_in_NY on Instagram
@hereinnyc on TikTok

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In this episode, I chat with Arianna Sartzetakis, the creator of Uncover More, a platform that brings local arts, culture, and hidden gems to life. Arianna is, “Your hyper-local guide to experiences around the world,”. Her approach offers a fresh way to explore the NYC & the world.

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In this episode, Kelly is joined by Sifat Razwan! He is a NYC content creator, IRL live streamer and host of The New York City Walking Show!

Join them as Kelly and Sifat talk about how they met! They talk about their content creator friends and how amazing it is to build a community with like minded people who love New York City.

Kelly asks Sifat about his youtube channel. Sifat tells us how his Thanksgiving video changed is career. He talks about his IRL live streams through the city, and his best practices when engaging people during his work. And he talks about Fordham, what it's like, how cool it is, and why people should go visit.

They then talk about Halloween: The different neighborhoods to go to to find the best Halloween decorations. The upper east and west sides, Harlem and even Dyker Heights in Brooklyn. They talk about a few attractions the city has: Boo at Zoo, Jimmy Fallon's Nightmare, Blaze, and the Pumpkin Flotilla at the Harlem Mirror.

Sifat tells Kelly about some spooky areas around the city. The bodies buried under Washington Square park, the asylum turned luxury condos on Roosevelt island, and the screams of a little girl in the Dakota building!

Finally, they talk about the West Village Halloween parade! Their favorite event of the year! learn how to be apart of the parade, join the thriller dance and enjoy the costumed fun!

But above all else; Sifat Razwan is a New Yorker!

Kelly Kopp's Social Media:
@NewYorkCityKopp

Sifat Razwan's Social Media:
@TheNewYorkCityWalkingShow

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Due to all of the hustle and bustle of NYC life, this week on the New Yorkers Podcast we are re-airing the very first episode of the New Yorkers Podcast. For all of our new listeners, please enjoy the first episode of our show, and see how far we've come since then. Leave a comment of your favorite New York Story, and maybe we will do a follow up episode with your favorite New York moments!

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Welcome to New York City!

Join Kelly Kopp and Jae Watson as they introduce you to the wonderful world of New York City!

In this episode, Kelly and Jae Interview each other to learn more about: what hustles they have, their goals for the show, and their most memorable New York stories!

New episodes are out every other Sunday!

Kelly Kopp’s Social Media:
@Newyorkcitykopp

Jae Watson’s Social Media:
@Studiojae170

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In this episode, Kelly is joined by Marco Abbiati! He is a New York City Christmas tour business owner, he is from Italy, lives in Luxembourg and is a New York city enthusiast.

Join them as they talk about how they met. Marco tells Kelly about how he started his social media platform. Seeing that there could be space to fill with pages about New York City during the holiday season.

They then talk about the weather. They tell you how you should pack for your trip, Kelly gives the secret to not getting sick, and Jae talks about New York City Christmases of the past and his experience with having a White Christmas in New York.

Marco remembers the exact day he asked Kelly to join him on his business venture of creating the Dyker Heights Christmas lights tours! They talk about how those tours came to be and Kelly's excitement doing them every year.

They talk about the Christmas tree lighting ceremonies: Tips for the best ways to experience them, good information on what to do if you want to experience the lighting without all of the crowds, and the best places to go to see all of the amazing trees that New York City has to offer.

Kelly tells Marco where he likes to take people during his tours to see the best Christmas decorations and displays. Seeing the Rockettes, The South Street Seaport, And all of the Manhattan Christmas markets.

Finally, Kelly asks Marco about the holiday tours that he runs. They tell listeners what they can expect if they book the tour for their trip. They give times for the tour, the length, exactly where they are going and for how long. Kelly talks about how they've become a family and how much he loves giving facts about New York City during Christmas as he's on the bus traveling to and from Brooklyn.

Marco tells Kelly about his new tour, "My Christmas Morning in New York" It takes place in Manhattan and ends with an exclusive reservation at Papillon, which is famous for it's Christmas decorations.

But above all else; Marco Abbiatti is a New Yorker!

Kelly Kopp's Social Media:
@NewYorkCityKopp

Marco Abbiatti's Social Media:
@MyChristmasinnewyorkcity

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In this episode, Kelly and Jae have fun asking one another random questions about New York City. They really have to put their thinking caps on!

They talk about how New York City has sculpted their personalities, humor and daily routines.

Kelly asks Jae what his favorite train station is, and Jae asks Kelly which intersection is his favorite. They tell each other what their least favorite neighborhoods are as well!

They describe to each other what they would write to New York City in a love letter. Kelly tells Jae why he initially came to New York City 11 years ago, and what the City had in store for him.

Finally, Jae asks Kelly what it means to him to be a New Yorker. He talks about why he came here, what he loves so much about the city, and how he came into his New Yorker hood. Jae talks about how proud he is to be a New Yorker.

But above all else; Kelly and Jae are New Yorkers.

Kelly Kopp's Social media:
@Newyorkcitykopp

Jae Watson's Social Media:
@Studiojae170