Life + Culture

Genesee Land Trust

Protecting the Places We Love Article by Sarah Keeler | Photography by Submitted 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...

Life + Culture

Beyond the Spotlight

Service That Continues Beyond the Newsroom Article by Marie Gillette | Photography by Submitted 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...

Arts + Culture

Behind the Frame

Spotlighting Local Creativity This April Article by Katrina M. Randall | Photography by Submitted 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. ...

Life + Culture

Memories Over Materialism

Choosing Experiences Over Gifts to Create Lasting Memories Article by Katrina M. Randall | Photography by Submitted 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...

Finance + Legal Services

Investing in Peace of Mind

Helping Loved Ones Navigate What’s Next Article by ROC Staff with Brian Blaustein 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...

Life + Culture

The Meaning of Home

Home Start Hope’s Thoughtful Approach to Stability and Renewal Article by Marie Gillette | Photography by Submitted For Kristin Mathis, president and CEO of Rochester’s Home Start Hope, the word home is rooted in lived experience and shaped by years of listening to the women the organization serves. Home represents more than shelter—it’s the foundation for stability, dignity, and the ability to move forward. Mathis spent many years as a single mother following a divorce, navigating the...

Home + Design

Timeless by Design

Blending Vintage Charm With Modern Living in Rochester Article by Katrina M. Randall | Photography by Paul Lossowski; Joshua Hubert Photography As an early American “boom town,” Rochester and the surrounding region are steeped in history. In its earliest days, the Genesee River and the Erie Canal fueled the area’s growth, transforming it into a bustling hub. Today, that history is still visible in the historic and vintage homes in neighborhoods like Corn Hill, Browncroft, and Cobbs Hill, and...

Life + Culture

Modern Homestead Movement

From City Yards to Country Hills Article by Sarah Keeler | Photography by Submitted A quiet but growing movement is taking root across the greater Rochester area. Homesteaders—locals committed to cultivating their own food sources and raising livestock—are redefining what it means to live deliberately in the 21st century. Once seen as a fringe lifestyle relegated to rural areas, homesteading concepts have come to be embraced by city dwellers and suburbanites alike. At its core, homesteading...

Home + Design

Home Through Life

How Aging Shapes the Way We Live Article by Katrina M. Randall | Photography by Submitted From front porches to community social hours, home takes many forms as we age. Not everyone gets the choice of whether to age in place or move to older adult housing. But for those that do get to choose where they age, home becomes less about the structure itself and more about how well it supports function, comfort, dignity, and connection.  For Karen Coffey of Brighton, the idea to age in place and be...

Shopping

Top Jewelry Trends for Winter

Winter 2025/2026 is shaping up to be one of the shiniest, most stylish, and most elegant seasons we’ve seen in jewelry in years — and we’re here for it. From vintage-inspired diamonds to the cool glow of sterling silver, this season is all about mixing nostalgia with modern luxury.Whether you're refreshing your holiday wish list, upgrading your everyday jewelry wardrobe, or searching for the perfect gift, here are the Top 5 Winter 2025/26 Jewelry Trends our gemologists, designers, and stylists...