ROC, NY April 2026

Investing in Every Day A P R I L 2 02 6

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LIFESTYLE LETTER

Gratitude: Our Greatest First-Year Return

April 2026 PUBLISHER

Betty Dolce | betty.dolce@citylifestyle.com P U B L I CAT I O N D I R E C TO R

It was April of 2025 when the first issue of ROC City Lifestyle arrived in homes and businesses across the greater Rochester area. We launched with a mission to deliver hyperlocal content—stories about the people, nonprofits, and businesses that define our region. As I reflect on this past year and craft this letter for our second "Investment" issue, I am filled with gratitude for the community that enabled Laura Bennett and me to bring our vision to fruition.

Without our Founding Partners, there would not have been an April 2025 issue. What remains a point of awe for me is that these business owners chose to partner in an idea. With no physical ROC City Lifestyle magazine to show them, they believed in our vision for a community-based, luxury publication and trusted us to execute. Beyond that first month, we are deeply grateful to all the partners who have aligned with us throughout this past year. We deeply appreciate the thoughtfulness you bring to your representation in each issue—not only in their aesthetic beauty but in how you often align so meaningfully with our monthly themes. A business’ access to our audience certainly has merit, but the true value lies in supporting a platform that sheds light on remarkable individuals doing incredible work. Thank you for the investment you have made in ROC CL and the greater Rochester community.

We have aimed for a high aesthetic, both visually and in our storytelling, and we are profoundly grateful to the photographers and writers who make our community come alive in words and images. We have been blessed with two standout editors on this first-year journey: Mary Stone, and our current skipper, Katrina Randall. Your vision for storytelling is comprehensive and whole; thank you for the heart and soul you bring to every finished product.

To the many community members who allowed us to tell your stories, and to the readers who provide regular feedback and ideas: thank you. Whether your expressions come in the form of critique or praise, they are the greatest compliment because they prove you care enough to connect with us.

Thank you all for joining us on this beautiful, inspiring path. Watching this shared investment blossom into such a vibrant connection has been nothing short of magical.

Warmly, Betty and Laura B E T T Y D O LC E , P U B L I S H E R L A U R A B E N N E T T, P U B L I C AT I O N D I R E C T O R @ROCCITYLIFESTYLE

Laura Bennett | laura.bennett@citylifestyle.com E D I TO R

Katrina M. Randall | katrina.randall@citylifestyle.com SAL E S S U P P O RT C O O R D I N ATO R

Payton Carroll | payton.carroll@citylifestyle.com S O C I AL M E D I A C O O R D I N ATO R

Ashley Fosdick | amf00275@sjfu.edu CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Sarah Keeler | sarahkeelerb@gmail.com Marie Gillette

Corporate Team CEO Steven Schowengerdt President Matthew Perry COO David Stetler CRO Jamie Pentz CoS Janeane Thompson AD DESIGNER Mary Albers LAYOUT DESIGNER Kathy Nguyen QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas

Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com//franchise.

Proverbs 3:5-6 ROC City Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the ROC area’s most affluent neighborhoods.

Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions.

Visit our Instagram CITYLIFESTYLE.COM/ROCNY

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L I F E ST Y LE LE T T E R

No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent.

Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in ROC City Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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inside the issue APRI L 2 0 2 6 | I N V EST MEN T

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Featured

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Genesee Land Trust Protecting the Places We Love

Beyond the Spotlight

16 On the Cover

Departments

Read more about Stephen Harkola’s acrylic on canvas, “Risurrezione,” in Behind the Frame.

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Lifestyle Letter

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City Scene

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Business Monthly

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Outdoor Adventure LIFE + CULTURE

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Giving Back LIFE + CULTURE

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Expert Help FINANCE + LEGAL SERVICES

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Artist’s Palette ARTS + CULTURE

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Local Limelight LIFE + CULTURE

Service That Continues Beyond the Newsroom

Behind the Frame

Spotlighting Local Creativity This April

Memories Over Materialism

Choosing Experiences Over Gifts to Create Lasting Memories

Cover Art: Stephen Harkola

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Realty Report REAL ESTATE

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Events

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APRIL 2026

city scene WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN

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1-7 An Evening of Craft & Mischief at The Nefarious Brothers annual holiday party 2: “The Nefarious Brothers” Ralph Dandrea and Sean Flaherty enjoying their own cocktail creations. 3: Valerie and Brent Abbott 4: Robyn Owens, Sheila Herbert, Michael Lesher 5: Jeff and Jen Valentine 6: Lindsay Cray, Zulma Irizarry 7: Ralph Dandrea and Lindsay Hackett enjoying “The Irish Redhead” cocktail by The Nefarious Brothers.

Want to be seen in the magazine?

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C I T Y SC E N E

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APRIL 2026

business monthly A R O U N D U P O F N E W S F R O M LO C A L B U S I N E S S E S

A New Destination for Elegance: Maison & Bouquet Maison & Bouquet opens this month in Schoen Place, bringing a curated selection of home finery, art, and antiques to Pittsford. Owner Christina Shipley is currently preparing the space for an April 2026 debut, which will feature globally sourced jewelry priced between $20–$100, bedding, rugs, lighting, floral, and other luxury decor. Plan to visit for their upcoming grand opening celebration to experience this luxury floral and decor destination firsthand.

Scan to read more

The International Plaza's 2026 Season Kicks Off This Spring The 2026 season at the International Plaza will officially begin with an opening ceremony on Sunday, May 3. Located at 828 North Clinton Ave., the City of Rochester’s community marketplace is jointly managed by the City and the Ibero American Development Corporation and serves as a Latin-themed event and market space. The plaza features a mix of vendors, artists, performers, and weekly Sunday events that run through October.

A New Chapter for The Mayeu Financial Group The Mayeu Financial Group has relocated to 84 South Main Street in Fairport, a milestone symbolizing their commitment to client service and an enhanced work environment. The new office offers improved amenities, accessibility, ample parking, and space for future expansion. To celebrate this transition, the firm is hosting an Open House coinciding with their monumental 25th anniversary. Join them in honoring a quarter-century of expertise in their new village home.

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B USIN E SS M ON T H LY

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GENESEE LAND TRUST Cornwell Preserve along Lake Ontario; Photo credit: Barbara Monsour

PROTECTING THE PLACES WE LOVE ARTICLE BY SARAH KEELER | PHOTOGRAPHY SUBMITTED

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O UT D OOR A DV E N T U R E | LIF E + CU LT U RE

As Earth Day approaches, many Rochesterians will head outside— to a favorite trail, nature preserve, or farm stand. What they may not realize is that a local nonprofit has been working for decades to ensure those landscapes remain protected for generations.

Founded in 1989, the Genesee Valley Land Trust is dedicated to protecting land and water for wildlife, farmland, and families across the region. Its service area includes Monroe and Wayne counties and parts of Cayuga, Ontario, Livingston, Genesee, and Orleans counties—boundaries defined by the Lake Ontario watershed rather than municipal lines.

“We also work to connect people to nature,” says Executive Director Lorna Wright. Over the past 35-plus years, the land trust has protected thousands of acres through land ownership, partnerships, and conservation easements. It now owns 19 permanently protected nature preserves across the region.

Corbett’s Glen Nature Park on Penfield Road, a beloved hiking destination, was co-created and is co-managed by the land trust. “We ensure that it’s there forever,” Wright says. Another well-known project is Gosnell Big Woods Preserve, maintained in partnership with the town of Webster as a nature park.

Beyond public preserves, the organization works closely with private landowners, especially farmers, to protect working landscapes. Wright estimates the trust has helped 45 local family farms ensure their land remains dedicated to agriculture.

Farmers often learn about the land trust through neighbors.

“They are interested in ensuring that their farm can always stay a farm,” Wright says. Some worry about development pressure; others want their farming legacy to continue after they’re gone.

A key tool is the conservation easement, a legal agreement that permanently restricts development while allowing families to continue farming. Filed with the county, it functions like a deed that keeps land available for agriculture. “We don’t tell them what to do,” Wright says. “But they can’t turn it into a housing development or the next Amazon warehouse. It always has to be able to be used for agriculture.”

Land conservation has taken on added urgency with climate change. Forests and farmland help absorb carbon, protect water quality, and buffer communities from extreme weather. “The need to balance clean energy and affordable housing with clean water, clean air, and wildlife habitat is challenging and requires nuance,” Wright says. “Conservation is a long-term thing.”

Farmers are key partners. “Farmers are as much a part of the solution to combat climate change as everyday people are. The farmers we work with care greatly about this Earth. It supports their livelihood.” Supporting local agriculture can also help.

“Buying and eating locally, and thanking your farmer, can go a long way toward improving the environment,” she says.

There are signs that long-term conservation is paying off.

When Wright first joined the organization, the Rochester embayment was designated an environmental “area of concern” by the Environmental Protection Agency. In the past two years, that designation has been lifted. “It doesn’t mean it’s perfectly healthy,” she explains, “but it’s so much better than it was. It’s satisfying to see the payoff of decades of hard work.”

Wildlife is also returning, with recent sightings of fishers—elusive mammals once nearly extinct in the area. As forests recover and ecosystems improve, their reappearance signals healthier habitats.

“The need to balance clean energy and affordable housing with clean water, clean air, and wildlife habitat is challenging and requires nuance.

Conservation is a long-term thing.”

For those looking to explore new natural spaces this Earth month, Wright recommends the Irene Gossin Nature Preserve.

“It’s bite-sized and right in the village of Penfield,” she says. “You can walk around and get fresh air without the kids having to go too far.”

Cornwall Preserve along Lake Ontario offers sweeping views, wetlands, meadows, and old-growth woods. Visitors can look for frogs, skip stones, or watch butterflies. Wright believes the region’s access to nature is sometimes overlooked. “People do take for granted how much access we have,” she says. “But since COVID, many have come to appreciate it more.”

Like many nonprofits, the land trust relies on grants and donations. “We have donors who give $10 a year, or kids who give a dollar,” Wright says. “Every amount matters.” Volunteer opportunities include a monthly Trailkeepers program that maintains preserves and builds small infrastructure. The organization also hosts at least one free public walk each month, often focused on birding, geology, or seasonal changes.

Community advocacy can also spark conservation. Corbett’s Glen, Wright notes, came under protection after residents spoke up when the land faced potential sale. “People said, ‘That piece of land is really important,’” she recalls. “Bringing those things to our attention and helping advocate is always a help.”

This Earth Day, Wright hopes residents will explore the region’s natural spaces—and remember the work required to protect them.

To learn more, volunteer, or donate, visit geneseelandtrust.org.

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SPOTLIGHT Service That Continues Beyond the Newsroom In Rochester, certain faces once felt like part of the family. Don Alhart. Doug Emblidge. Ginny Ryan. Jennifer Johnson. Norma Holland. For decades, they entered homes daily, trusted neighbors delivering the news. Yet, for each of them, serving the community was not limited to stories they reported on air. It was, and remains, a personal investment in the place they call home.

For these broadcasters, journalism itself was an act of service.

As Doug Emblidge says, “Delivering the news, covering the community—it’s a community service itself.” Broadcasters dove into the community they covered and became invested. So, when their career involvement ended, their responsibility and connection did not. Emceeing fundraisers, serving on boards, advocating for nonprofits, and showing up where and when help is needed became a natural extension of who they are.

INVESTING TO CONNECT For nearly six decades, Rochester welcomed Don Alhart into their homes as a trusted voice in local news. Sharing news, raising concern, spreading joy, rallying support for causes and initiatives, he became known across the area for his service in the community. When he retired in June 2024 after 58 years at 13WHAM, his service did not stop, and he jokes that he’s busier than ever, simply with causes and activities he chooses himself.

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G IV IN G BAC K | L I FE + C ULT U RE

Alhart describes himself as “the connector,” bringing together people who need help with those who can provide it. “If my only purpose in life was to connect people, then I’ve lived a good life,” he says.

Born and raised in Rochester, he learned community responsibility early from his hardware-store-owning father and business-owning extended family, fondly remembering helping raise awareness to restore and preserve a nearby historic cobblestone building, igniting the spark of what people can accomplish when they work together.

That mindset carried through decades on air, and he became known for modeling deep involvement with community organizations beyond what might be required for his profession.

He speaks most avidly about his involvement with Rochester Rotary Club, which he’s been a member of since 1976 and served as president for a time.

Beyond Rotary, Alhart remains active with The Arc of Monroe, Al Sigl Community of Agencies, Jordan Health Center, Lifespan, and frequently emcees events for organizations like HUGS and Advent House. Connections he made through his career continue to give him purpose in retirement and he couldn’t be happier.

“It gives me joy to help others,” he says—a philosophy that has shaped his life as much as his career. Alhart recalls his father’s

“If my only Don Alhart and his grandaughter Emerson

purpose in life was to connect

advice: “If someone asks you to go a mile, go two,” and throughout life, Alhart prides himself on helping every chance he gets.

INVESTING TO ILLUMINATE NEED Doug Emblidge, one of many newscasters inspired by Alhart’s example, considers service to the community he covered a “natural muscle I learned a long time ago.” Early in his career, he saw how engagement built trust with the community, and once that began, “it all snowballs.” Yet he’s quick to deflect attention, emphasizing that much of his service has been on boards and as spokesman, besides his “boots on the ground” work with Rochester Hope, he says the most credit belongs to those doing the hands-on work at each organization.

His service often grows from personal connections, including longtime involvement with Pluta Cancer Center, hands-on work at Rochester Hope, and supporting the HUGS Foundation after he reported on their medical missions and was utterly amazed at the life-changing surgeries. He’s excited to serve the newly forming Saunders Finger Lakes Museum (opening in 2027), sharing his passion for the Finger Lakes region’s natural and cultural history.

Volunteerism brings both purpose and perspective. “It’s very easy to become stuck in your own circle of friends, doing the same things … Community service gets you out and forces you to expand your horizons,” he says. “There’s so much we can’t control in the world, but we can exercise some control over the community we live in and the small part of the world we can affect.”

people, then I’ve lived a good life.”

CONTINUED >

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THE POWER OF SHOWING UP For Ginny Ryan, community service begins with presence. During her 35-year career in broadcasting, attending events and emceeing fundraisers gave her firsthand insight into the essential role community organizations play in supporting the community’s health and well-being. It was in the newsroom that “the seeds for my connections to community organizations were sown,” she says. That experience now informs her role as director of community engagement at Canandaigua National Bank (CNB), where she helps guide how the bank supports the region.

Showing up is at the heart of her philosophy.

“Maybe you can’t write a big check, but your time and interest are tremendously valuable.” Sharing personal stories and speaking authentically creates connection and helps others understand the urgency of a cause, she adds.

Doug Emblidge at Rochester Hope food pantry with a Rochester Hope board member

Golisano Children’s Hospital Family Connection Program leader Jennifer Johnson brings FCP to Dream Night at the Seneca Park Zoo, 2024

Ginny Ryan with Honor Flight veterans

“I want to raise the next generation of helpers because none of us goes through life without needing some help.”

Ryan is particularly drawn to organizations that support women and children, a commitment shaped by her own life.

After losing her father at a young age and watching her mother raise three children on her own, Ryan witnessed the challenges single-parent families face, as well as the long-term impact of support for them. “By helping a mother, you also help her children and grandchildren,” she says. “The support ripples for years to come.”

In a time when nonprofits increasingly fill gaps left by reduced government funding, Ryan believes their work “may never have been more important.” When organizations ask for her support, she sees it as “a responsibility and an honor.” And the exchange is mutual: “I get much more from showing my support than I give.”

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G IV IN G BAC K | L I FE + C ULT U RE

Norma Holland on the job back in 2015

INVESTING WITH LOVE AND COMPASSION For Jennifer Johnson, service is deeply personal. As a child, she watched her father respond to emergencies as a volunteer ambulance worker, learning early both the importance of showing up and how essential services often rely on limited resources.

During her 17-year career in journalism, Johnson gained a close view of the nonprofit organizations she calls “the glue that hold our community together.” That understanding deepened when her second daughter, Grace, was treated at UR Medicine Golisano Children’s Hospital for a severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia—an experience that reshaped her relationship to service and advocacy.

Today, as director of family and community outreach at Golisano Children’s Hospital, Johnson leads the Family Connection Program, which partners families with lived experience alongside hospital staff to improve care and support current patients. Creating “opportunities and spaces for collaboration is making a difference in patient care,” she says, particularly for medically complex children.

Johnson serves on boards that advocate for families of children with medical complexity. She says support systems outside the hospital setting are still evolving and she feels grateful to help other families navigate similar challenges.

For Johnson, community service ultimately comes down to presence and commitment. “Showing up for others—whether sharing your time, your talents, or your money—community service is love and compassion in action,” she says. When organizations receive that support, she believes, it can make “the impossible possible” for those doing vital work in the community.

HELPING OTHERS IS VALUABLE INVESTMENT After 25 years in journalism, Norma Holland frames service as leadership. During her time at 13WHAM, there was an “unspoken expectation” to give back, she says. For Holland, emceeing was a “privilege,” offering “a window on the world [she] wouldn’t have otherwise had,” meeting countless people and learning more about incredible organizations in the Rochester area.

Holland’s philosophy is that time spent elevating others is a valuable investment. “If I can help bring attention to something that helps elevate others, I count that as time and money well spent.”

Now director of public relations and community engagement for the University of Rochester’s Office of Equity and Inclusion, Holland serves on the boards of the Alzheimer’s Association, Huther Doyle, and Bishop Kearney, with each commitment reflecting aspects of her life and values.

As a mother, she’s also thinking ahead. “I want to raise the next generation of helpers because none of us goes through life without needing some help.” Service to the community isn’t about recognition or her past as a newscaster, she says, adding, “I’m here to make a difference.”

A COMMITMENT THAT CONTINUES Across different paths and passions, these former newscasters share a common aim: to be part of the solution. To give back, not for recognition, but because it’s the right thing to do.

Their careers in television drew them into the community. Relationships grew into long-term commitments.

The broadcasts may have ended, but the service has not.

For Alhart, Emblidge, Ryan, Johnson, and Holland, investing in the community isn’t a side project—it’s a crucial component of life.

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Investing in PEACE OF MIND ARTICLE BY ROC STAFF WITH BRIAN BLAUSTEIN

BLAUSTEIN OFFERS THESE SIX IDEAS TO INCLUDE:

1. The location of legal documents, such as your will, insurance policies, titles to automobiles, and deeds to property.

2. A list of financial assets, including savings and checking accounts, investment and retirement accounts. Include the custodian’s name, account numbers, PINs, and passwords where applicable.

3. A list of pensions or profit-sharing plans, including the location of their explanatory booklets.

4. The location of your latest tax return and Social Security statements.

Invest in Your Fut ure

5. The location of any safe deposit boxes and their keys.

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Advice to invest in your future, whether it’s for college, emergency funds, or retirement, is a common refrain. But investments aren't always measured in dollars. A letter of instruction is a way to invest in comfort and guidance for the people we leave behind and simplify their lives during an already difficult time. It’s never too early to create a letter of instruction, and it should be updated as your accounts and estate plan change.

“Most people don’t spend too much time thinking about their own funeral, and yet, many of us have a vision about our memorial service or the handling of our remains,” says Brian Blaustein of BlueMark Advisors.

While a letter of instruction is not a legal document, it’s meant to provide more personal and practical information about your estate. It’s typically addressed to your executor, family members, or beneficiaries, but it can be directed to anyone you choose.

“Think of a letter of instruction as a ‘cheat sheet’ guide to your estate,” he says.

He l p i n g L ove d O n e s N av i g a t e W h a t’s Ne x t

EXP E RT H E LP | FI NANC E + LE GAL SE RVICE S

6. Names and contact details for your investment advisor, insurance agent, attorney, and accountant.

You can also use a letter of instruction as an opportunity to clearly communicate your burial or cremation preferences. Blaustein advises including the location of your cemetery plot deed if you have one, names and contact info for people you want notified at end-of-life, and highlighting songs or speakers you’d like at your service.

“Although a letter of instruction is not legally binding, your heirs will probably be glad to know how you would like to be remembered,” he says.

Brian Blaustein is a financial professional with BlueMark Advisors. For the last 27 years, Blaustein has been helping individuals, business owners, and professionals with their insurance and investment plans. He takes a strategic, client-first approach and works closely with his team to create customized solutions to fit each person’s goals. He resides in Brighton with his wife, Shari, and sons, Benji and Max.

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ARTICLE BY KATRINA M. RANDALL PHOTOGRAPHY SUBMITTED

Spotlighting Local Creativity This April

Behind the Frame "Risurrezione" by Stephen Harkola

When we invited local artists and photographers to submit their work for consideration on our cover, the response was nothing short of inspiring—from moody waterscapes to iconic Rochester watercolors and everything in between. This issue is themed “investments," and for these artists, the investment is in their creativity and artistic voice, something we’re proud to celebrate in our April issue.

All of the submissions told a story and showcased the talent thriving in our region, so choosing one winner was no easy task. In the pages ahead, we’re proud to showcase our cover winner, along with a standout piece from three other artists whose work captivated us.

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"Miniera" by Stephen Harkola (acrylic on canvas)

Just like the water is a place for Harkola to feel peace and centered, so is his studio. “The meditation of being in a studio painting—there’s nothing like it, it’s like being on the water. I can be on the water or in my studio and the hours go by and I don’t realize it. Those paintings are a meditation, they required a lot of time and effort. And they felt good.”

Harkola hopes that anyone who lives in the Rochester area appreciates the lake. “If you live here and don't enjoy the lake you’re missing a huge part of what this area has to offer. I hope those paintings represent that.”

Learn more at: harkolastudio.com CONTINUED >

"Burrasca" by Stephen Harkola (oil on canvas)

Cover Winner: Stephen Harkola Stephen Harkola specializes in acrylic, watercolor, and oil paintings, capturing portraits, landscapes, and abstracts. Harkola submitted three pieces inspired by his time on Lake Ontario: “Risurrezione,” which means resurrection, revival, or renewal.

“Burrasca," meaning storm or calm after the storm.

“Miniera,” meaning mine, materials underground, or figuratively a treasure trove.

While our team was captivated by all three pieces, we ultimately chose “Risurrezione,” for its complex beauty, ties to Rochester, and meaning.

After all, April is a month of resurrection or renewal.

“I spend a lot of time out on the water. If you didn’t notice, most of my stuff is pretty stormy looking—that’s Rochester, right? Beauty in its own right. If you’re a Christian, it’s hard not to see God's work in nature. That's kind of what I'm looking to get on canvas, to really capture how I feel when I’m on the water,” Harkola says. “Every time I go out on the water, for me, it is like a renewal. It’s where I get my energy, my strength. Maybe you’ve read about it, some people have an affinity with water. If things are going rough in life, when I get out on the lake it kind of all goes away.”

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CREATIVE STANDOUTS

Scott Martin: Martin’s vibrant watercolors capturing iconic buildings in the Rochester area are a spectacular homage to our area and its history. Of the three Martin submitted, our favorite was “For Those That Got Us Here,” featuring the Aqueduct Building.

“I draw inspiration equally from the GOATs hanging in galleries, to the student art displays at local libraries, to the street art on the side of buildings. Because the way I see it, regardless of form or style, an individual was compelled to tell a story and so I should give them a moment of my time to listen,” he says.

Learn more at: scottmartinart.com

"For Those That Got Us Here" by Scott Martin

Michelle Roberts: An impressionist oil painter, Roberts says she creates “for those who see beauty in the quiet moments—and want to bring that feeling home.”

Our team chose “Fall in Rochester,” which she says is inspired by the trees and water at Durand Eastman Park. “This fall painting reflects the calm, steady feeling of the season.”

Learn more at: michellemroberts.com

"Sacred Flight" by Susan Carmen-Duffy

"Fall in Rochester" by Michelle Roberts

“The meditation of being in a studio painting—there’s nothing like it, it’s like being on the water.”

Susan Carmen-Duffy: A mixed-media artist, Carmen-Duffy “explores themes of nature, interconnectedness, spirituality, and resilience. Of the three Carmen-Duffy submitted, we chose “Sacred Flight,” which depicts a dragonfly done in watercolor, ink, colored pencil, and silvery foil. A symbol of transformation, the piece “honors moments of transition and the quiet strength required to move through change,” she says.

Learn more at: https://createart4good.org

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A RT IST ’S PA LE T T E | ARTS + CU LT U RE

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MEMORIES OVER M AT E R I A L I S M Choosing Experiences Over Gifts to Create Lasting Memories

ARTICLE BY KATRINA M. RANDALL PHOTOGRAPHY SUBMITTED

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When Bradford and Jilly Berry’s daughter Harper was five, the then-Gananda residents decided that before she started school, they would travel. They sold their house, bought an RV, and set off across the country “to show her all the places materialism kept us from seeing,” Bradford says.

While their journey was extraordinary, the sentiment behind it isn’t. More families are choosing memories over “things,” and research supports it. A 2020 study in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology found people derive more happiness from experiential purchases than material ones. Judging by the overwhelming response when our team asked others to share their own experiences over possessions, it’s clear that more and more families are prioritizing time together over material things.

For the Berrys, the year on the road reshaped their priorities. Now living in Fairport, Bradford says RV life “slowed things down in the best way” and reminded them how little they truly needed. “Even now that we’re back in ‘house living,’ those values have stuck. We still prioritize shared experiences over possessions, and it’s brought us closer as a family,” he says.

Owner of Webster-based Gemini Travel, Flo Englerth, notes that multigenerational travel is on the rise. Fueling the growth is people longing for connection after the pandemic, a growing interest in genealogy, and trends on pop culture sites like TikTok, with its viral destination videos and family travel inspiration.

“Now, trips are about more than leisure.

They serve as an emotional reset—a chance

to reconnect, rediscover one another, and celebrate togetherness,” she says.

“Families are cherishing shared experiences more deeply than ever, recognizing that time spent together is invaluable.”

Of course, not all memory-making experiences are about travel. Sometimes the most meaningful moments happen right at home, in simple rituals, shared hobbies, or small adventures with the people you love.

A SHARED SOUNDTRACK

At 46, Emily Malone of Irondequoit and her dad started a new birthday tradition last year, with her birthday in the spring and his in the fall. Both music lovers, when he asked what she wanted to do for her birthday, she suggested a concert. “So, now he buys tickets for a summer show for my birthday, and I buy tickets for a winter concert for his. Last year we saw James Taylor and Pentatonix. Hopefully, we’ll get many more years with the new tradition.

Time with my dad is the greatest gift.”

CAKE, NO GIFTS

For Christine B., of Webster, making memories meant getting together every month for dinner with some of her closest friends. “We always celebrated birthdays but no gifts. Just the cake. We have the best memories of all 10 of us singing happy birthday all off key. We did it every birthday. [I’m] so very thankful for that memory because sadly we lost two to cancer. I’ve been best friends with these girls since the '90s. Gosh I miss them terribly. Those memories are the gift. Better than anything someone could have purchased with money.”

WRAPPING UP TIME

When her son left for Italy to play soccer after graduating high school, Greece resident Dawn Sevene began documenting the year—both his adventures and her life back home. She decorated a box labeled “Letters to Jacob,” filled it with notes she wrote, photos he sent, and small mementos. The tradition continues today: She draws on each envelope, tucks in spare cash from her purse, and saves everything to wrap up at Christmas.

“The first year, I wrapped the whole box as is. When he opened it, he had no idea what was inside—and I hadn’t opened it all year. There was so much in it,” she says. “We sat together going through it—it took over an hour. He read the letters, asked questions, looked at the photos and laughed. He tried to figure out what I drew on each envelope. I had numbered them; there were weeks he looked at the calendar to decode them. We didn’t leave until we had gone through everything. It was the first true quality time we spent during gift opening. It was truly an amazing bonding moment … You can give a child anything, but in the end it is the time that matters.”

BLINDFOLDED ADVENTURES

Growing up in the Bronx on a limited income, Una Margaret Kennedy, 69, of Fairport, was raised in a home that valued creative memory-making. So when her twin daughters were young, she created what she calls the “mafia car ride” (not as ominous as it sounds).

After discovering her husband’s travel eye masks one day, she told her girls to put them on, ask no questions, and get in the car. The surprise? Ice cream at Lickety Splits in the village.

“Soon, my two began to ask for a ‘mafia car ride’—sometimes after a good grade or cleaning their rooms without being asked. I blindfolded them and took them to the movies, the bookstore, for pizza, to the park, even the ‘cat farm,’” she says. As they got older, the adventures grew too—from manicures to, once in high school, seeing Josh Groban at the Auditorium Theatre.

The tradition expanded to include her sons-in-law and now even her two-year-old granddaughter (no blindfold just yet) with a surprise trip to her favorite diner. “Memories matter because they can be cheaply made but valuably kept,” Kennedy says. “There are no storage lockers big enough to hold them but a tiny heart can and will contain them, forever!”

A MANTRA FOR LIVING

From a young age, Alana Roberts of Canandaigua, was given the gift of time with her dad, Alan Bernhardt. Since her parents divorced when she was five, time with her dad was important. From camping trips and traveling by map (not GPS), from cooking classes together, he made sure their shared experiences were memorable. “‘Experiences, not things’ became a mantra, a guide to living life to its fullest. I am so grateful for having been raised with the mindset that came from my dad.”

GROWING THROUGH ADVENTURE

Irondequoit native and Auburn resident Lisa Bloss says her son, Liam, has always loved experience gifts— and for the past two years, he’s requested them almost exclusively. From white water rafting, to glass blowing, to staying at a cabin at a honey farm, the more unique the activity the better. Most recently, they played with river otters. “Whether I'm fully interacting in the experience or just watching, I'm always filled with so much pride for the young adult he's becoming. Our relationship is incredibly close and we genuinely enjoy spending time together on our little adventures,” she says. “Most importantly, though, every time my son completes an activity, I get to watch his self esteem grow. He always looks a little older to me at the end of those days.”

FINDING SHARED MOMENTS

Full-time working mom of kids ages six and three, Megan Gardner of Palmyra, says she and her husband have become much more intentional about choosing memories over material things. “Less buying, fewer packed schedules, and more presence. The time feels fleeting,” she says. With birthdays in December and January, they end up having a lot of stuff by the end of the holiday season. “Over time, we’ve shifted toward prioritizing experience gifts and simple shared moments.

Backyard tent camping, exploring the Finger Lakes, winter board games, dance parties, just being together,” she says. “When I think about the end of my life, it won’t be the things we bought that matter to me. It’ll be the memories we made and the love we shared, and I hope that’s what my kids carry with them too.”

CONTINUED >

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Alana Roberts as a child dancing with her dad, Alan Bernhardt

Bradford Berry with his wife, Jill, and daughter, Harper

Lisa Bloss' son, Liam recently got to play with river otters Dawn Sevene and her son, Jacob

Una Margaret Kennedy's twin daughters as adults ready for another "mafia car ride"

Jill and Harper Bradford looking out the window during their travels

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Lisa Bloss and her son, Liam, whitewater rafting

realty report A S A M P L E O F R E C E N T LY S O L D P R O P E R T I E S I N R O C , N Y. TOWN/ZIP CODE

ORIGINAL PRICE

SOLD PRICE

%SOLD/LIST

AV E R AG E D O M

Victor 14564

$169,900

$250,000

35%

7

Fairport 14450

$423,711

$459,066

10%

10

Penfield 14526

$372,948

$412,612

11.00%

19

Pittsford 14534

$522,358

$538,442

4.00%

36

City/Brighton 14618

$367,463

$377,750

3%

10

City/Eastside 14610

$279,116

$300,504

8.00%

28

West Irondequoit 14617

$257,571

$292,428

14%

11

Webster 14580

$474,647

$505,882

7.00%

40

East Irondequoit 14622

$175,125

$190,375

9.00%

14

Ontario 14519

$337,000

$387,000

15%

13

This data is a sampling of sold properties from February 2026. Source: IRES MLS system.

AP R I L 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / R O C N Y

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APRIL 2026

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A PR I L 9 T H

The Future of Your Health: Personalized Medicine Explained Hyatt Regency Hotel | 125 East Main St., Rochester | 4:00 PM & 6:00 PM Modern healthcare is often constrained by high-volume practices and time limits that erode the sacred doctor-patient bond. Internal Medicine Specialist Dr. Robert Caifano is reclaiming this relationship and explains the Personalized Medicine model in two forums open to the public. Register to learn how Dr. Caifano provides the unhurried, family-level compassion and preventive focus every patient deserves. RSVP: https://www.mdvip.com/doctors/robertcaifanomd#events A PR I L 1 2 T H

Memorial Art Gallery to Host Community Sustainability Market Memorial Art Gallery | 500 University Ave. | 10:00 AM Down to Earth Market is an Earth-inspired marketplace presented by RocOnly Events in partnership with Brown Hound Downtown and local artist Sad Scribbles. The curated event will feature local vendors offering jewelry, clothing, plants, and environmentally conscious goods, along with interactive experiences, including a build-your-own seed bar, live painting, flash tattoos, photo opportunities, and a raffle benefiting Wild Wings.

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Give A D*mn Dinner Set for April 17 at Monroe Golf Club Monroe Golf Club | 155 Golf Ave., Pittsford | 6:00 PM Home Start Hope's annual Give A D*mn Dinner fundraiser is described as a relaxed, interactive alternative to a traditional gala and will include a reverse raffle with a $5,000 grand prize, a “Punch for a Purpose” wall featuring surprise gift cards, and other fundraising activities to support the organization’s mission.

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EVE N TS

A P RIL 1 9 T H

Culinary Showcase Coming to Genesee Country Village April 19 Genesee Country Village and Museum | 1410 Flint Hill Rd, Mumford | 12:00 PM Genesee Country Village and Museum will host the fourth Annual FLX West Food Fest. Attendees can enjoy food and beverage tastings, chef and sommelier demonstrations, live entertainment, and artisan makers, all set against the backdrop of the museum’s historic village grounds. The event supports local businesses and highlights the region’s culinary culture.

A P RIL 1 9 T H

Event Raises Funds and Awareness for Organ Donation Genesee Valley Park River Bend Shelter | 1000 East River Rd, Rochester | 10:30 AM The annual Rochester River Run is held in observance of National Donate Life Month and is inviting participants to run, walk, or pledge support for transplant patients at Strong Memorial Hospital. Proceeds provide financial assistance for medication, lodging, and other medical expenses, while also promoting organ donation awareness and honoring donors and recipients.

A P RIL 2 5T H

Coffee, Chocolate and More at Rochester Festival Event Rochester Riverside Convention Center | 123 East Main St. | 10:00 AM The Rochester, NY Coffee & Chocolate Festival will feature two ticketed sessions offering samples of coffee, chocolate, wine, and spirits from local and regional vendors, along with artisan goods. Emmy Award–winning actress Rena Sofer will also be onsite for meet-andgreets, autographs, and photo opportunities. Check EventBrite for prices and specific time: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rochesterny-coffee-chocolate-festival-tickets

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