This month, one of my dearest friends saved someone’s life. Through a kidney match exchange program, he’s undergone surgery to donate so another friend can receive a transplant. And in the midst of national news heralding anti-heroes and would-be villains, I want to take a moment to acknowledge that heroes — indisputable, unsung heroes — walk among us every day. My friend may be directly saving one life, but his decision will indirectly impact so many others: the man’s family, friends, perhaps even someone reading this right now. There is a ripple effect to every choice we make.
In our January 2024 Best Of Rochester issue, freelance contributor Abby Quatro wrote a piece about the bagels at Fox’s Deli: “Friends, there is a new bagel in town that’s rocking my world. So, here’s the tea. Fox’s Deli has recently started making bagels, and the quality is top-notch,” she wrote. Inspired by that 400 words, last month, owners Jason and Alex Rheinwald opened The Bagel Shop by Fox’s on Park Ave.
Ripples.
My December editor’s letter touched on “It’s a Wonderful Life,” which is, essentially, a movie about how one life impacts so many others. That letter resonated with readers and a dialogue unexpectedly opened. Many of you love “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Many others notice the burned out ‘D’ in the KODAK sign. (I’m happy to report it’s fixed!). But I’d like to share part of one email, in particular, that made me emotional:
“i have enjoyed the evolution of CITY. every month, when i snag the new issue, i get this little buzz about this town…it’s nice to read folks words that aren’t complaining about the weather or the grey or the violence.
as just a reader out here in the same city as you,
thanks for spending your time on this place.
rochester has given me everything i could have ever hoped for.
it’s nice to have and to hold a multi page manual every month
produced by people who have given this town
the same level of commitment as i have.”
I kept re-reading that one line: “rochester has given me everything i could have ever hoped for.”
Ripples.
That, my friends, is the Best Of Rochester summed up. That’s the outlook that keeps building a city (ours, or any city). Will there be days when you don’t believe it? When it’s cloudy and the news is tough and it all seems small and tiring? Of course.
But let’s remember the ripples. Everything we do — in a city this size, especially — affects someone else. That recommendation you make. That nomination you write in for Best Of Rochester. The dollars you spend on a local bagel, a night out at the theater, supporting public media (wink) or at the ballpark. It all adds up to a thriving local arts and culture economy that make Rochester #15 nationally (backed by real data! See my ‘hope’ on page 5).
The ripples are real. Don’t stay on shore.
In early December, Southern Methodist University in Dallas released “The Top 40 Most Arts-Vibrant Communities of 2024,” an annual data study “drawing on 13 unique measures which cover aspects of supply, demand, and public support for arts and culture, which are adjusted for cost of living and population.” Rochester ranked #15 on the list, just below Milwaukee and above New Orleans. We often talk about what a great arts community we have here, but it’s reaffirming to see data back that up. A further dive into the Top 40 shows something even neater: Ithaca, Auburn and Syracuse all made the list as well, which means the (greater) Finger Lakes region makes up for almost tenth of this year’s top communities. That’s significant! My hope for 2025 is that we remember moments like this. That we don’t take for granted the incredible region we get to call home — and that we invest our time, talents, money and energy into making it a better place for ourselves and future generations. See the full study at culturaldata.org/arts-vibrancy-2024 —LEAH STACY
This article appears in Dec 1-31, 2024.
