I watch my friends anxiously as wrapping paper flies everywhere–I saved their best presents for last, and I can’t wait to see their reactions. With the soft glow of Christmas tree lights reflecting on her face, I see Madge’s expression first: intrigue. And then: confusion. She removes the tissue paper from the box and pulls at the gift. “Okay,” she…
The Great American International Wine and Cider Competition has a rich history that started its evolution in 1999. Peter Parts, a member of the Camp Good Days & Special Times board of directors, was inspired by a charity wine auction in the Napa Valley and set out to bring a similar concept to upstate New York. In 2001, the Finger…
Before me I see timeless nostalgia served with a side of waffle fries, an Oreo shake, and a steaming cup of Joe … I’ve walked into Rochester’s iconic railcar diner more times than I can count; the pastel yellow exterior leads into cherry red booths, chrome barstools lining the long counter, and neon accents surrounding coffee pots and condiments. The…
Vegetable strudel In the dining room at grist, a cast-iron scale nearly as tall as the hostess stands near the bar. It’s a holdover from the building’s first life, when the Lower Mill on North Main Street ground grain for the village of Honeoye Falls. Built in 1827, it fed the town for more than a century. Now it’s feeding…
Few houses inspire curiosity quite like a cobblestone. Once far more prevalent in the Rochester area, these distinctive homes are now increasingly rare, tucked along country roads and inviting questions from passersby: Is that house really made of stones? Who gathered them all? And what does the inside look like? In today’s world of subdivisions and modern building materials, these…
In a world where you can find a video of absolutely anything—the first woman to travel to the moon, a deep dive debunking the newest health fads, the first steps after the birth of an endangered Przewalski’s horse—it seems a little peculiar that some of the most popular content is banal to the point of confounding. To turn our brains…
Sarah O'Brien While many environmental issues may feel abstract or intangible, fashion is deeply individual—and a part of our everyday lives. The fast fashion industry accounts for up to ten percent of global carbon emissions, according to earth.org. That’s more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined. Since 1995, Goodwill of the Finger Lakes has championed sustainability in fashion…
L–R: CFY youth leaders Taylor Blake, Jaci'ondra Wilson; Brown Girls Too stylist Angela Monique In 1971, a group of teens conceptualized a place where Rochester-area youth could receive support and advocate for themselves. Since then, the Center for Youth (CFY) has been that place. From food cupboards to crisis nurseries, CFY offers free services that cover a range of needs.…
It really all started by accident, or at least that’s how Nathaniel Johnson answers when asked how creating custom pieces became his career. For the past few decades, Johnson has quietly run his own design house, aptly named Nathaniel’s Original, right here in Rochester. Many know him for his gorgeous custom prom gowns, elegant bridal wear, and exceptional runway shows,…
