Since the height of the pandemic in 2020, the central region of New York State has experienced a significantly renewed interest as an area in which to vacation, relax, explore and relocate from distant visitors and New Yorkers alike. For those of us who grew up around the lakes and casually claim one as our […]
Culture
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Dear Maggie: How do I encourage my daughter to take better care of herself?
“I worry about how it affects her daily life, relationships and how others perceive her — especially professionally.”
Posted inCulture
A familiar face in fashion makes a spirited pivot into wine
A circa-1835 cobblestone house in Victor’s otherwise new-build High Point development is now home to Bonesteel Wines & Spirits, a design-forward, community-oriented shop which opened April 24. The minority and woman-owned boutique wine and spirits shop is helmed by Tanvi Asher, who also owns Peppermint Boutique at the Culver Road Armory in Rochester. “The store […]
Posted inCulture
Gordon MacKay might offer to buy the shirt off your back
Standing just off the curb on a street downtown, Gordon MacKay leans into the rear passenger door of his car. He holds up a shockingly yellow T-shirt. An affable blue alien named Irbir holds up a four-fingered hand in greeting. He looks like a cross between E.T. and something Luke Skywalker would nod to inside […]
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How local immigrant-owned boutiques outfit and educate across cultures
Over 20 years ago, Nita Brown was changing in the locker room at a local YMCA and her locker mate, Theresa Mazzullo, complimented her clothes. It was their usual interaction. Brown, who grew up learning about fashion from her seamstress mother and grandmother in Ghana, had been combining traditional Ghanaian patterns and fabrics with modern […]
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Where to celebrate Juneteenth in Rochester
This weekend packs a powerful local events lineup, with both the 2026 Juneteenth Festival (June 19-20) presented by the Greater Rochester Martin Luther King Jr. Commission and Rochester Area Community Foundation and the opening of the 23rd annual Rochester International Jazz Festival (June 19-27). Juneteenth is a federal holiday and known as the nation’s second […]
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As ‘Antiques Roadshow’ films in Mumford next week, these local shopkeepers are ready
Antiques are the name of the game this week in Mumford, when PBS’s “Antiques Roadshow” rolls into the Genesee Country Village & Museum to film on June 17. The production will host thousands of collectors looking to get their items appraised — and to explore what local spots have to offer. Rick McKay opened McKay’s […]
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An Italian cobbler still has tread in the trade, even as it fades
“What do you want to be when you grow up?” The age-old question seems impossible to answer. There is a domino effect of fear and doubt — endless possibilities await, but the uncertainty of the unknown is ever-present. For Mario Gagliardi, there was never an opportunity to second guess his future. “Where I come from, […]
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Backwoods brings 30 acres of nature to the foreground
When Joe Hurley and his son Chris first dreamed up Backwoods, they weren’t just trying to build another live music venue. Beyond the food, drink and music scene, they wanted to create an outdoor gathering place where people could slow down and explore. As the father-son team behind Kettle Ridge Farm in Victor, they’re already […]
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The iconic City of Rochester mark now has its own festival and documentary
Ask a city-dweller what best represents Rochester, and you may hear garbage plates orchicken French, Kodak or Xerox, even good old Genesee Beer. But the easiest answer is perhaps less obvious: the Flower City mark. That five-petaled sigil has become such an ingrained local icon that it can easily be overlooked, placed everywhere from the […]
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Summer of whimsy
A guide to maximizing our shortest — and most charming — season in Rochester and the Finger Lakes region.
Posted inCulture
Dear Maggie: Is my social media content ruining friendships?
Dear Maggie, I’ve started pursuing social media content creation and I feel like my friends don’t respect my work. It’s not full-time yet, but I’m serious about turning it into something sustainable. At first they were supportive, but now I get backhanded comments when I pull out my phone to try to capture content. One […]
