THE CONTINENTAL LOOK
Inspired by European fashion, the Continental look and lifestyle is about dressing with effortless sophistication. It’s about integrating fabrics and styles that interact well together, offering simplicity and an interchangeable wardrobe.
Dressing with sophistication and flair can take effort. But you also don’t want an expensive suit sitting in your closet, only to be dusted off for special occasions.
That’s why we bring the Continental look and lifestyle to the forefront of contemporary men’s fashion. It’s a style that’s all about having options while engaging your suit in more typical, everyday living.
We create a wardrobe—or wardrobe set—for the season, and you use it all together. It incorporates everything: suits, jackets, jeans, dress shirts, casual shirts, and knitwear.
We then show you how to wear it in a way that is truly Continental. Tailored for today. Inspired by tradition.
Vincent DiGiorgio ~ ONE Custom Clothier
Cedar + Deed Full-Service Design Studio
Whether you’re updating one room or your entire home, we’ll create a unique design that perfectly pairs style with function. Reach out today for a consultation and let’s bring your vision to life!
585.978.5652 | cedaranddeed.com V@cedaranddeed
Honoring Gentlemen and Gentle Men
To the Distinguished Gentlemen (and Those Who Appreciate Them),
This month, we raise a glass to the modern gentleman—the one who lives with intention, invests in self-respect, shows up for others, and understands that true style is about more than a well-cut suit.
In The Gents Issue, we celebrate what it means to be a contemporary continental man, with a nod to tradition and an eye on authenticity. You’ll meet Vince and Alessandro DiGiorgio, the third and fourth-generation tailors behind ONE Custom Clothier—our cover feature— whose craftsmanship continues a legacy of elegance and precision. From custom threads to modern grooming, including the art of the classic shave, we explore how today’s man takes pride in his appearance without sacrificing substance.
We also step inside the inner circle of a group of local CEOs who’ve formed a quiet but powerful network of trust. Their story reminds us that strength is often found not just in leadership, but in vulnerability, shared wisdom, and mutual support.
In By Example: Lessons Learned From Dad, readers reflect on the life lessons modeled by the men who helped shape their character—fathers who taught through action more than words. These stories speak to the values that endure: kindness, positivity, love, and a deep commitment to family. Whether you find yourself nodding in agreement or reflecting on your own father’s lasting impact, we hope this piece stirs gratitude and connection as we honor the men who helped shape our stories.
And because true community means creating space for everyone, we’re proud to share how the Village of Fairport is leading by example. Through thoughtful design and collaboration, businesses and civic leaders have made the area around the canal more inclusive for individuals with physical disabilities. It’s not just the right thing to do—it’s good for business. Accessibility ensures more people can fully experience all the vibrancy Fairport has to offer, while contributing to the economic and social fabric of our region.
Whether you're celebrating your own father, sharing life with great men, or striving to be one, we hope this issue inspires connection and gratitude. Here's to the good and fine men who shape our communities—with grace, grit, and style.
On behalf of myself and my partner in this endeavor, Laura Bennett, thank you for being part of this journey.
We’re so glad you’re here.
June 2025
PUBLISHER
Betty Dolce | Betty.Dolce@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Mary Stone | mary.stone@citylifestyle.com
PUBLICATION DIRECTOR
Laura Bennett | laura.bennett@citylifestyle.com
STAFF WRITER
Mary Stone | mary.stone@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Katrina M. Randall, Lisa Barbato
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Renée C. Veniskey, Paul Lossowski
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF SALES Andrew Leaders
AD DESIGNER Matthew Endersbe
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kathy Nguyen
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas
BETTY DOLCE, PUBLISHER @ROCCITYLIFESTYLE
Proverbs 3:5-6
city scene
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
1: The Mayeu Financial Group Client Appreciation Event 2: Porsche eZentrum at Watkins Glen. Amber Peshkin 3: eZentrum- Porsche experience at Watkins Glen. Rochester folks test drive Porsche’s new Electric Vehicles. 4: Porsche eZentrum at Watkins Glen. Michael McLean and Riccardo Figueroa 5-7: The Mission Continues: Rochester Platoon does Earth Day cleanup with Seneca Park Zoo.
business monthly
Bonnie & Clyde Hits a Bank in Fairport!
The original Fairport National Bank built in 1924 is now home to the new restaurant Bonnie & Clyde, housed in a historical setting and featuring seasonal American Cuisine, a global wine list and a curated craft cocktail bar. Whether you are having a private party on the mezzanine, enjoying the Chef's menu in the vault or a cocktail on the patio, Bonnie & Clyde is the perfect escape to a beautiful setting of culinary delight.
New Aesthetic Technology at Inclusion Med Spa
Introducing Aquafirme at Inclusion Med Spa - the latest in luxury, medical grade aesthetic technology. This non-invasive, 3-in-1 system uses plant-derived, chemical-free serums to naturally revitalize the skin and rejuvenate the scalp—no needles, no downtime. Whether you're seeking to improve skin tone and texture or address early signs of hair thinning, our highly trained estheticians utilize Aquafirme to deliver personalized, results-driven treatments with immediate, visible outcomes
2025 Greater Rochester Chamber MWBE Awards
Wednesday, June 18th , 5:00 p.m. at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center. The Greater Rochester Chamber MWBE Awards serves as a tribute to the accomplishments of minority- and women-owned businesses (MWBEs). It celebrates the outstanding achievements of the region's fastest-growing MWBEs, recognizing their ongoing success through growth rankings that consider both the percentage increase and the actual dollar amount of revenue growth.
Photography by Walter Colley
Level NEXT
Vincent DiGiorgio was nearly three years old in 1968, when he arrived from Sicily with his parents. He has been wearing a tie almost ever since, first as a five-year-old in private parochial school and then at the Aquinas Institute.
ARTICLE BY BETTY DOLCE AND MARY STONE PHOTOGRAPHY BY PAUL LOSSOWSKI
Today he runs One Custom Clothier–a Monroe Ave. business he started with his father and continues to run with his 23-yearold son. It’s not just a shop; it’s a sanctuary of self-expression, elegance and enduring craftsmanship, where customers are faithful. The shop has more than 650 Google five-star reviews.
Vince and Alessandro DiGiorgio
Vincent’s journey in menswear began in high school at a local men’s clothing store. There, he saw firsthand what happened when customers left disappointed—unsure, uncomfortable and unfulfilled. It lit a fire in him. “I knew I could do better,” he reflects. A few years later, he launched his own custom shirt business. What he discovered went far beyond measurements and fabric swatches—he learned that business is, above all, about relationships.
Vincent is the third generation to enter the custom clothing business, but he didn’t want to push his son to become the fourth. He let Alessandro reach that conclusion on his own.
When Alessandro graduated from high school five years ago, Vincent advised him to start his own business. Alessandro seized the opportunity and began a landscaping business that quickly expanded into other unrelated services such as garage and basement cleaning, furniture assembly, organization and painting projects.
“He did anything that the person couldn’t get to because of their age or their schedule,” Vincent remembers.
But as the projects grew so did the physical demands. “I enjoyed what I was doing, but the physical labor took a toll on my body,” Alessandro says. “My father always said, ‘Work smarter, not harder.’”
Vincent leveraged the contrast of physical labor with retail and proposed another, less back-breaking business to his son: custom clothes.
Alessandro started a custom shirts business like his father did when he was 18 and opened an office two blocks away from One Custom Clothier. And just like his father did, he eventually merged his custom shirts business with Vincent’s offering.
But ONE Custom Clothier isn’t simply about well-fitted clothing, it’s about the luxury of experience. From the moment a client walks through the door, they are greeted not just with premium fabrics and classic tailoring, but with a sense of being seen and understood. The process begins with a conversation: Who is this person? How do they want to show up in the world?
It’s a collaborative journey built on trust, where the final garment reflects more than style—it reflects personality. “We’re not just making suits,” Vincent explains. “We’re helping someone tell their story, in stitches and seams.” Every detail—from the lapel style to the lining, button selection to monogram—is selected with the client’s lifestyle, preferences and unique flair in mind.
The result is not only a precise fit, but a piece that feels like a second skin—one that enhances confidence and honors individuality. And for many clients, that process of co-creating a garment becomes a cherished ritual and often a family heirloom.
At ONE Custom Clothier, custom clothing is more than luxury—it’s legacy, craftsmanship and confidence woven together. It’s an experience that elevates not just the wardrobe, but the person wearing it.
Model: Michael McLean
Vince DiGiorgio
CEO SUPPORT
Business leaders turn to each other for perspective
ARTICLE BY MARY STONE
BY RENÉE C. VENISKEY
PHOTOGRAPHY
“When I’m in my meditation, my subconscious can start to think about what really is important in my life.”
We expect our bosses to be unbreakable, unflappable, infallible. But they are just as human as the people they employ–and just as prone to feelings of anxiety and overload.
To help support each other, a group of local CEOs meet monthly to talk about the topics most others in their circle of friends and family cannot understand: the pressures of payroll, of messy office dynamics, of uncertain market forces and pressures.
They do it under the umbrella of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization, an international network with more than 18,000 members across 75 countries. Founded in 1987, EO is a lot like a leadership support group, members say, where entrepreneurs can turn to each other to learn and grow, at home and at work.
The network has 201 members in New York, where members’ average age is 49; the average number of employees is 36 and their median sales are $2 million.
EO is not for networking but for support. In the context of their local forum, EO leaders rely on each other in a group dynamic where members don’t give advice so much as share their experiences.
Members of Rochester’s EO forum include Joe Crestuk, CEO, webSURGE LLC and Jason Pignagrande, Owner, Five Star Improvements Inc.
For one recent meeting, ROC City Lifestyle sat down with Members Ken Bianchi, founder and CEO, OMNI Security Security Inc., Ralph Dandrea, CEO, ITX Corp., Trevor Buccieri, founder, CEO and president, The Stay Young Center For Women and Justin Francisco, co-founder, Upsender Email Management. Here is an edited version of that conversation.
JUSTIN FRANCISCO:
Your friends are your friends; they don’t always get what we’re going through, but we do, right?
CONTINUED >
Joe Crestuk, Jason Pignagrande, Ken Bianchi, Ralph Dandrea, Trevor Buccieri
TREVOR BUCCIERI:
It’s also an understanding that we share, that you kind of don't really get until you get into this room and then you spill it on what's going on. You think, “Oh, this is potentially unrelatable,” and then everyone says, “Oh my God, I just dealt with that last week.” And you feel relief. It’s like, “OK, they get it.”
RALPH DANDREA:
Yes, so it's a combination of being gotten and also learning from each other.
QUESTION: WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM EACH OTHER THAT IS THE MOST USEFUL?
TREVOR BUCCIERI:
I think just overall there’s always a solution. There are multiple approaches to resolve something. I think that’s my takeaway. Many times when you’re looking at a situation, you’re looking at it so close to the tree that you can’t see the forest.
Perspective is something I’ve gotten from this group. It just reinvigorates you: It lights you back up. You can go back, tackle whatever it is, whether it’s personal or professional.
JUSTIN FRANCISCO:
When you’re running a business with employees and responsibilities and payroll, and you have regular life stuff happening–no matter what it is on either side or a combination of both--if you feel like you’re dealing with it alone and then you share it with like-individuals in similar lifestyle situations, you realize that your situation isn’t as unique as you
Top: Ken Bianchi, founder and CEO OMNI Security Security Inc.
Bottom: Joe Crestuk, Jason Pignagrande, Ken Bianchi, Ralph Dandrea, Trevor Buccieri
“You just have to accept that you only have so much time, and you’re never going to get it all done. So what are you going to get done?”
think it is. Others are going through it and have been through it. That’s really what it’s about: sharing your experiences, growing and learning from them.
KEN BIANCHI:
It’s like doing a trust fall: Getting to the point that you actually trust people enough to get to the deepest layers. We will give a rating at the end of this, unless there's been tears, you don't get a 10, you know? And it takes some time to do that.
We're not advice driven, we’re experience driven. So it's like, “Have we experienced that?” And then we get a chance to deduce what we want to take from that. If we want to ask for advice.
JUSTIN FRANCISCO:
Yes. We don’t give advice unless we’re asked for it.
TREVOR BUCCIERI:
Nobody likes to be told what to do, especially entrepreneurs.
QUESTION: HOW DO YOU KEEP YOUR BUSINESS APPROACH SEPARATE FROM YOUR APPROACH AT HOME WITH FAMILY?
JUSTIN FRANCISCO:
My wife and I consistently work on harmonizing the homebase. That allows everything else to flow and to see opportunities.
Trevor Buccieri Founder, CEO and President, The Stay Young Center For Women
“That’s where I think meditation comes in handy is getting a clearing to be able to focus on one thing.”
I did struggle with unawareness. I wasn't even fully aware of the effects that entrepreneurship and business and the drive was having on the home life, because of what I was doing and providing, creating. So it was the awareness and actually realizing that.
And this sounds very cliche, but starting my meditation practice is what brought the awareness to it. That was what made that shift for me personally.
TREVOR BUCCIERI:
I love Justin's answer about the foundation at home principle. That is completely right. I can attest to that. It's almost like everything is great and you can really focus on, say, business or whatever you're trying to grow–unless the ball drops (at home), then it's like, attention goes there: Fix, reset, good.
As a part two, for me personally, (I ask) am I growing? Because I think, the only thing we can be certain of in business is uncertainty.
And I think that, to know, “OK, am I prepared for uncertainty?” For me personally, it’s like, “Am I showing up? Am I able to show up better?”
JUSTIN FRANCISCO:
None of this is a perfect journey, by the way. It’s very messy actually.
RALPH DANDREA:
That’s where I think meditation comes in handy. You can clear everything out of your head, so you can take on one thing.
I’ll take a few minutes, especially if something’s throwing me off, like a surprise is throwing me off. Before I address it, I take a few minutes to create that clearing so I can step into it and work on something.
TREVOR BUCCIERI: There you go!
RALPH DANDREA:
You can clear everything out of your head, so you can take on one thing. I'll take a few minutes, especially if something's throwing me off like a surprise is throwing me off. Before I address it take a few minutes to just kind of create that clearing so that I can step into it and work on something.
QUESTION: HOW DOES THAT LOOK? IS THERE A TECHNIQUE YOU USE? IS THERE A TYPE OF MEDITATION?
RALPH DANDREA :
For me a quiet place is better, dark is better than bright. I focus first on breathing, focus only on the breathing and then start to clear things out. As I become more aware of myself, other things start to melt away and then I’m not thinking about those other things.
To continue reading this conversation, go to https://citylifestyle.com/rocny
By Example: Lessons Learned From Dad
THERE’S SOMETHING TIMELESS ABOUT A FATHER’S WISDOM
ARTICLE BY BETTY DOLCE
In honor of Father’s Day, we pay tribute to the fathers and father figures whose words and deeds helped shape our values, character, and spirit. Here of some examples from individuals in the Greater Rochester community.
My father was a “gentle” man who unconditionally loved his family. I was his Princess and he was my King. He taught me to be resilient in times of adversity. He never complained even though he was an Italian soldier, prisoner of war and immigrant. He taught me to forgive but never forget. My father instilled in me to always respect others and oneself, to honor family and be empathetic towards others. He was my hero, my example of how to live life, a true gentleman.
Sara Castro, Rochester
Dad Joseph Rivoli
My father is not known for being a man of many words, but during a particularly difficult period of my life, I recall him telling me that "As bad as it seems right now, it will not last and you will be stronger for it." At the time, I remember thinking it sounded more like a fortune cookie than the advice I needed. Turns out, it was exactly what I needed to hear. His quiet confidence and support helped restore my sense of stability and I will always be deeply grateful for the strength he gave me.
Cory Roberts, Fairport
Dad Bill Roberts
My dad, who passed in October, was a man of few words, but his actions said it all. Despite being abandoned by his own father as a small child, my father always showed up for and supported his family in every possible way. There was no limit to what he would sacrifice and do for us, regardless time of day, distance, cost or inconvenience. He always cut coupons and shopped the sales when it came to his own needs but had no spending limits when it came to bringing happiness to and taking care of others. This was most obvious with his granddaughters, but when going through his checkbook after he passed, I realized that his generosity extended to most any charity or church appeal that asked for his support.
Cheryl Shank Yawman, Fairport Dad Fred Shank
Enduring quotes and advice from my dad:
• “Sometimes it’s easier to get forgiveness than permission.”
• “Ya know, your car will run out of gas eventually.” After I told him I coasted into a gas station on fumes as the engine sputtered.
• “Want to delight? Give the customer more than they expected.”
• “Money is a tool. Not a goal.”
• “Always sit in the front of the classroom.”
Brian Reh, Victor Dad Dave Reh
My dad passed away in January 2024. There are a few lines he lived by: If you love your job, you’ll never work a day in your life; Listen and absorb—you don’t always need to speak.
People will never forget the lengths you go for them.
Don’t worry about the things you can’t control.
Family over everything. They will always be there for you.
Stefanie Fingler, Penfield Dad Steven V. D’Orazio
“His quiet confidence and support helped restore my sense of stability and I will always be deeply grateful for the strength he gave me.”
— Cory Roberts
IN HAIR RESTORATION, LASERS AND EXOSOMES REPLACE PAINFUL, COSTLY SURGERY.
Night and Day
ARTICLE BY MARY STONE
Before & After
Folix Fractional Laser
“Instead of taking lemons to make lemonade, I took a seed to make an orchard.”
The Pandemic occurred just after Rebecca Brown opened her spa in Webster and instead of letting that stop her business from succeeding, the pause allowed her to pour herself into research and reposition the company for greater success. The result was Inclusion Med Spa, which offers technology- and medically-led services that bridge the gap between surgical procedures and spa services.
A key highlight of the hair restoration service is the use of advanced laser technology combined with exosome therapy. This approach begins by scanning the scalp to identify areas of thinning and detect dormant or weakened hair follicles. Once targeted, a specialized laser stimulates circulation and follicle activity, while exosomes—messenger cells derived from stem cells— are delivered to the scalp. These exosomes are rich in growth factors that work to stimulate hair growth, rejuvenate follicle function, extend the hair's growth phase, activate dormant follicles, and even reverse follicle miniaturization.
The rate of success, the level of pain, risk of infection and price tag are a far cry from hair plugs, an outdated hair transplant method that requires grafting hair follicles from one area of the scalp and transferring them to another.
Hair transplants required subsequent maintenance procedures and a plastic surgeon, Brown explains. For Inclusion’s offering, Brown invested in Folix, a Food and Drug Administration-cleared fractional laser treatment machine, which allows people to reduce their investment in hair restoration. Treatment usually extends from six to 10 sessions over the course of a year, which means clients do not get immediate satisfaction, Brown says, but they do get better-looking, safer, more lasting results.
Before making the investment, Inclusion provides an initial follicle detection screening to see if Folix
will work on their hair or not. Brown was insistent about offering screening to ensure clients don’t waste their time and money on a process that won’t work for them.
“Every situation is different. It all depends on the individual,” Brown says. She helps men and women dealing with hair loss for a range of reasons, from hormone-related hair loss to male-pattern baldness.
Brown chose Folix after intensive research that involved meeting the inventor of the machine–an Israeli scientist. She spends most of her time researching the most innovative offerings from around the world that she can bring to her spa in Fairport.
Providing medical-grade services became her priority during COVID, when she realized that to weather the uncertainty of the pandemic, she needed to use the time to make strategic investments. She poured herself into research; hired a medical director, Neurologist Allen Pardee and revamped her spa services.
Brown herself comes from the medical field. As a pediatric nurse, she previously owned a nursing company that provided 24-hour services to parents. She became highly skilled in coordinating services and navigating complicated systems on behalf of patients, such as connecting with physical and speech therapy and organizing school and insurance assistance. She used those research and medical skills to start Inclusion.
“Instead of taking a lemon to make lemonade, I took a seed to make an orchard,” Brown says of her decision to expand her spa to include medical services. Many of Brown’s clients are able to significantly delay cosmetic surgery through Inclusion’s services, which include cosmetic injectables, body contouring, facial and laser treatments.
ART OF the Shave
MEN PUT THEIR GROOMING IN THE HANDS OF PROS
ARTICLE BY KATRINA M. RANDALL | PHOTOGRAPHY BY PAUL LOSSOWSKI
In the bygone days of the “shave and a haircut,” men gathered at barbershops and traded stories while they were professionally groomed. While the image brings to mind the slicked-back styles and clean-cut looks of the ‘50s, men’s grooming has made a comeback.
The Men's Room Barber Lounge & Spa on Monroe Ave. has a calming, masculine space, with dark leather furniture, dark wood and sports playing over a fireplace. The spa offers a variety of shave packages including beard facials. The most popular service is the beard outline trim—and there’s a definite art to the shave.
First, the stylist preps the face with pre-shave oil, then uses a series of steam towels to soften whiskers. Hot lather and a straight razor follow. “I think that’s where some of the art comes in. Everyone’s face is shaped differently; their beards are different, and they want different styles,” says Owner Rebecca Webster.
Beard styling uses different techniques including blow-drying the beard and using a round brush to style it straight, Webster says. “The before and after of the beards are always great to see," she says. "I think it’s kind of like a haircut. You want to upkeep it, so you want to come in every three to four weeks and maintain it.”
“I think men like to pamper themselves as much as women," Webster says. They want to look good and take care of themselves, and they know the outcome is going to be better than if they were to do it on their own.”
Rebecca Webster, owner of The Men's Room Barber Lounge & Spa
ARTICLE BY KATRINA M. RANDALL PHOTOGRAPHY BY PETER ABELE
“..everyone can wake up on any day of the week and say, ‘What’s our next adventure?’”
Rochester Accessible Adventures
Economic Growth in Fairport Through Inclusion
Some might call it kismet that Anita O’Brien and Peter Abele met when they did more than 10 years ago. O’Brien was looking to hold weekly events with adaptive bicycles, and Abele was on a mission to make his business, the Erie Canal Boat Company in Fairport, more inclusive.
The two began offering adaptive cycling and kayaking along the Fairport canal and even installed a Hoyer lift, or patient lift, at the kayak launch to make canal access possible for more people. Although businesses may have accessible offerings throughout the year, O’Brien and Abele began offering accessibility seven days a week. “The difference being we have the equipment available every day, literally on demand during our season,” Abele says. “People don’t have to wait for a week in September or October to do accessible kayaking and bicycling.”
Their efforts led to a movement, including the launch of Rochester Accessible Adventures (RAA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to closing the gap in access to health and wellness activities for people with disabilities. “It’s not about just adding a ramp or a program—it’s about reshaping how communities think about who they serve,” says O’Brien, who is RAA founder and executive director.
In the years since, Fairport has embraced the mission. The dock and launch area have been revamped with an adaptive BoardSafe kayak launch to allow people in wheelchairs, and those with disabilities, to more easily enter and exit. Adult changing rooms have been added to the public restrooms. Trails have been made more accessible for wheelchairs, the village has more thoughtfully considered the placement and usability of benches, curb cuts, and parking, and sidewalks are currently under construction to remove hazards.
While some accessibility updates can be more complex, Nancy Ragus, executive director of the local nonprofit Fairport Perinton Partnership, says it can also be as simple as enlarging the print on your menu for people with vision needs or the level of music for a family that has a child with autism. “I’ve never met a business owner who wasn’t interested in accommodating a customer,” she says. “Most of the time, they’re so busy running their business, they just don’t think of it.”
While the benefits of greater inclusivity are far-reaching, it has also helped boost the local economy. According to O’Brien, after the Erie Canal Boat Company implemented accessible strategies, revenue increased by 31% in a single season.
The American Institute for Research reports that people with disabilities hold $4.9 billion in discretionary spending power. “That’s a massive market of individuals and families looking for places to visit, dine, recreate, and stay. And they don’t travel alone—they bring partners, friends, caregivers, and children with them,” she says. “When a community becomes truly accessible and inclusive, it taps into a visitor base that is loyal, engaged, and actively looking for destinations that ‘get it.’”
Jeannine Pelusio is one of those people who truly gets it. She opened a Fairport location of her business Stony Point Art Studio in January. Accessibility has always
been close to Pelusio’s heart because she has a daughter with special needs. Her studio has a no-stop entry, and the bathroom is renovated to provide wheelchair access with a 60-inch turnaround. The gallery walls are also on wheels so she can shift them around the room as needed, making the space physically accessible.
“The physicality piece of it was new to me. But the inclusivity has always been a part of my programming,” she says.
RAA has expanded to do more work along the Erie Canal with the Accessibility Education Program, which launched in 2024 in collaboration with the New York Power Authority and the New York State Canal Corporation.
By Renée C. Veniskey
A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS JUNE
JUNE 1ST - 29TH
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
Geva Theater 75 Woodbury Street | 7:00 PM
Various start times. Before she was hit-maker Carole King, she was Carole Klein, an up-and-coming songwriter from Brooklyn. Beautiful: The Carole King Musical is the inspiring story of how she made her mark on the music industry – and found her own voice in the process.
JUNE 2ND - 8TH
Rochester Cocktail Revival
Various Throughout Rochester | 6:00 PM
New York State’s only weeklong spirits festival celebrating craft cocktail culture. Each year, 30+ cocktail bars in the downtown area take part in showcasing the spirit brands that make local craft culture. RCR highlights this culture through education and celebration, significant contributions to the Rochester economy, and displays of camaraderie between its bars.
JUNE 6TH - 8TH
Fairport Canal Days
Fairport | 10:00 AM
A charming, popular festival in Fairport celebrating the region’s rich history and culture along the Erie Canal. The festival features craft vendors, food trucks, music, and canal-side fun for all ages.
EXPLORE MORE IN THE ROC: SUMMER
By: Lisa Barbato
Summer comes alive with warm weather, vibrant festivals, and outdoor activities perfect for locals and visitors alike. Whether you’re soaking up the city’s eclectic arts scene, out on a foodie quest or enjoying a concert by the lake, there’s something happening every week. Here are some of the best things to do in Rochester this summer.
CONCERTS BY THE SHORE AT ONTARIO BEACH PARK
Starts June-August | Charlotte, Lake Ontario Beach
A weekly concert series at Ontario Beach Park, held on Wednesday evenings throughout the summer. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy everything from jazz and big band to classic rock—all with a stunning Lake Ontario sunset as your backdrop.
THE LUCKY FLEA MARKET
June-October, Sundays, 10am-4pm | 266 Broad Street
This open-air market showcases a mix of vintage clothing, handmade goods, art, home decor, and collectibles from local vendors in addition to food trucks, live music, and a community-driven vibe.
FOOD TRUCK RODEO
June 25th, July 30th, August 27th, September 24th
Rochester Public Market
The Food Truck Rodeo is a lively community event featuring a wide variety of local food trucks, live music, and a festive outdoor atmosphere at the Rochester Public Market.
BANDS ON THE BRICKS
Starting July 11th-August, 5:30pm-10pm
Rochester Public Market
This free concert series brings in local and national bands, covering a range of genres. Grab some food, sip a cold drink, and enjoy the music under the summer sky.
PARTY IN THE PARK
Starts June-August | Martin Luther King Jr. Park
A popular summer concert series featuring live music from national and local acts, food trucks, and a lively downtown festival vibe that happens every week.
LOVE YOUR LAZY LAWN
An easy way to help the ecosystem
Give some thought to this. Almost all US fruit and grain crops depend on pollination, yet our insect population has declined by 75% in the last 25 years - and most pollinators are insects. Fortunately, keeping pollinators (and our local farms) alive couldn’t be easier. Just get lazy about your lawn!
Lawns mowed every two weeks offer more food for pollinators than lawns mowed weekly. So, while you’re lounging on the couch every other Saturday, your longer grass will be supporting American food systems. As a bonus, longer lawns also need less water, so being lazy saves you money, too.
Perfect lawns are literally the empty calories of the ecosystem. By letting go of that green-carpet ideal, you’ll add color to your landscape by allowing dandelions, violets, and white clover to decorate your grass. More important, these “weeds” feed pollinators which, in turn, feed us.
Here’s one more way being lazy can save the world: skip the pesticides. Pesticides kill pollinators, and they’re hardly health food for humans, birds, and pets, either. In fact, research shows that when bees visit plants treated with neonicotinoids (a chemical in most pesticides), even small amounts can build up over time and kill the hive. Neonicotinoids disorient bees and disrupt their fertility. Worse, they can linger in plants and pollen for 2-4 years.
So be a hero. Stay in bed this weekend and stop fussing over your lawn.
For more information, visit www.fs.usda.gov/ treesearch/pubs/55816
ARTICLE BY ANDREA BUGBEE
What’s Your Signature?
Cufflinks for the classic Chains for the bold Signets for the legacy-maker Bands for the devoted Estate finds for the collector (Available exclusively in-store.)
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