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May 2004 :: Issue 2

GOTO APRIL 2004 NEWSLETTER

GOTO JUNE 2004 NEWSLETTER

Meet the Editor

This is truly becoming an international community exchange newsletter. As more writers join this project, we are growing to represent the diversity and lifestyles that make our communities unique, enjoyable and a fun place for you to visit.

If you are reading this newsletter, then consider that you have the power - and an invitation - to help promote tourism to your community. Tell personal stories about your special community event, that exciting night spot, a great restaurant or just an experience you wish to share! This is your opportunity to promote your community by suggesting not only why someone should visit, but by recommending what they should experience when they do.

We're introducing four new columns with this newsletter. The first is "My Rochester". "My Rochester" represents stories from enthusiastic Rochesterians who wish to share their love of Rochester with you. Full of personal stories, visitor recommendations, or commentary about Rochester and the surrounding areas.

The second column is "My Toronto". The same theme, but Toronto residents share their experiences and visitor recommendations.

The third column is "Rochester's Own Outdoor Adventures - A letter to new friends!". Bruce Iuppa is my brother and he's one of the most active 48 year olds I know. He's purchased every big boy toy known to man and he uses them regularly. So sit back and enjoy his stories while he takes us on a white water kayaking trip, a jet ski adventure, a motorcycle tour and much more! If you love outdoor adventures, then you'll want to tune into Bruce's column - and perhaps even join-in with his friends to experience Rochester's Own Outdoor Adventures. 

Karen's Pic is the last column we're introducing this month. Karen is my Aunt. Karen is also an artist and one of her talents is photography. I asked Karen to tell us why someone should visit Rochester through her art. A picture is worth a thousand words, so keep an eye out for Karen's latest Pic!

As you'll continue to see in the coming months, my extended family is throwing our support behind Rochester's efforts to become a destination. The entire PORT OF ROCHESTER.com site is dedicated to supporting the success of the fast ferry, promoting international tourism, and supporting the growth of Rochester, Toronto and the surrounding area local economies.

However, we are just a catalyst. True success will come only when the chain reaction of support begins within a majority of you.

You are all invited to become part of this international community exchange newsletter project. Share your experiences, promote your community or simply pass along this newsletter to someone you know is interested in participating.

Thanks for your support!

ROCHESTER's OWN OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

. . .

A letter to new friends...
by Bruce Iuppa

Setting the Stage...

Hey all,

I’ve been considering the format of this column and my final decision is “a letter to new friends”. 

My name is Bruce and in the future I’ll be introducing you to outdoor adventures in the Rochester NY area.  At the time of this writing, I’m a 48 year old, out of shape man with delusions of still being 18.  What my body and my mind tell me are two completely different things, we’ve all been there I’m sure.  The perspective I place on things will be safe, sane, satisfying, satiating, silly, irrelevant, and at times irreverent.

You’ll meet my friends and hopefully become friends yourself.  Each month you’ll read about what we’ve done and what is going to be happening in this little group of older (but still sexy) outdoor adventurers. 

Keep smiling…its going to be fun as we talk about:

• White Water Kayaking through the Genesee River Gorge, on the Oatka or Keuka Outlet.

• Jet skiing Lake Ontario, the Finger Lakes, and the rivers.

• Motorcycling through the southern tier

• Co-Ed Softball and delusions of still having it.

• Snow Skiing, Water skiing

• Hikes

• Paintball

Rochester is home.  There’s plenty to do in all seasons, ok so it gets real COLD!  It will be my pleasure to introduce you to Rochester’s Own Outdoor Adventures.

In This Issue...

My Rochester

My Toronto

Rochester's Own Outdoor Adventures

Karen's Pic

MY ROCHESTER

Rochester Inspires!
by Elizabeth R. Agte

There is nothing like traveling away from home to re-introduce you to the delights of your own city. And this city has many. I am not a native, I was born out west. And though Rochester does lack mountainous terrain, it is a city of incredible history, interest, and beauty.

I am an avid walker, and constantly seek places that inspire this artist’s soul. One of my favorite places to walk is Mt. Hope Cemetery. Years ago, I was privileged to spend a day with a nationally acclaimed Canadian writer, Jane Urquhart, who wrote “The Underpainter” which won Canada’s highest literary award. In it, her main character, a painter, is from Rochester, and his recollections of Mt. Hope Cemetery were inspired and accurate. I’ve walked miles in that place, as well as taken a few of the walking tours that are free on Sunday afternoons, spring though fall. Each volunteer guide is allowed to focus on the aspects of the cemetery they are most interested in, so each tour is unique. Frederick Douglas and Susan B. Anthony are perhaps the most celebrated of residents there, but the Victorian monuments are stunning, and winding paths constantly lead to wonderful surprises.

Also in Urquhart’s novel, was a striking reference to a Frank Lloyd Wright house, where her imaginary artist resided. Coincidentally, it perfectly resembles the house he built here on East Boulevard, but that Jane didn’t know existed at the time of her writing. I’ve been a guest in that house, and it shines with Wright’s talent and skill.

My other haunts in the city include the Neighborhood of the Arts, with its inspired ARTWalk. The area surrounds the Memorial Art Gallery, and it is a place filled with studios of many talented artists, coffee houses, (Starry Nights is my favorite), galleries, and our literary center, Writers & Books.

When I am looking for a quiet, introspective walk along the beach, Durand Eastman Park is the place. On the weekends, in the summer the park is cooking, but during the week, I meander along a deserted beach, watch sailboats out on the lake, collect beach glass, and witness breathtaking sunsets.

When I get home, I empty my pockets and make beach glass jewelry. The experience of collecting, the sense of using my skills to “recycle” creatively, and make something that speaks of “home” is the perfect circle to me.

Home for me is a wonderful 1889 house, just a short walk from our “Public Market”. Every Saturday, I take my cart down the street to collect the bounty of local farmers. Apples, homemade bread, jam, tomatoes, garlic, potatoes, cilantro, basil, local wine, an armload of flowers… I go home and cook the rest of the day, listening to NPR and watching the squirrels play in my garden.

By evening we are ready to explore the town, and a mile down the road is the George Eastman House, and the Dryden Theater. It’s the place to see art films, vintage favorites, as well as their international film festival in May that showcases the best of independent film makers.

I teach workshops in the trendy Monroe Avenue area, at the Genesee Pottery, where you can buy pottery made on the premises, then wander off to cafes, get a tattoo, buy funky clothing, haunt used bookstores, and satisfy your best vegetarian cravings at Atomic Eggplant.

MY TORONTO

The Distillery Historic District

by Darryl Nielsen

Toronto has a brand new neighbourhood with a fascinating history.

In 1831, British immigrant James

Worts purchased 5.2 ha on the banks of Lake Ontario and erected a windmill. By the end of the

century the site held the world's largest whisky manufacturer, Gooderham & Worts

 Distillery. Of late, it's become Canada's most popular movie location, the setting for X-Men and Chicago. And now, the area looks and feels a bit like lower Broadway in New York City, or at least the way it might have been about 130 years back.

The Distillery Historic District is only minutes away from local hotels such as the newly renovated Boutique style Ramada® Hotel & Suites  which boasts 102 spacious guest rooms and suites with all the amenities of a larger hotel.

The new Distillery Historic District showcases both established and emerging galleries, restaurants and shops, a brewery, jewelry stores, a doggy boutique and a très cool café. All tenants are hand-picked by the property owners and absolutely no franchise or chain operations are allowed. It's not highbrow or lowbrow, but accessible for families, singles, artists and business types alike.

Rochester Inspires! - continued

Want a breathtaking vista of the city? Cobb's Hill Reservoir is the place. Built in 1908, the maintenance buildings resemble Greek temples, and the promenade around the 144,000,000 gallon reservoir itself is a wonderful walk. 

Ellison Park is another fine place for walking, but don’t try it after a rain storm! This is the site of the Tryon Settlement, the first white settlement in this area. And after many floods and much illness, they realized the folly of their location choice, and moved to higher ground, Rochester. The Irondequoit Creek runs through this lush valley area, on its way to the Irondequoit Bay. No longer a trading post, it is a favorite park for dog owners, and Ultimate Frisbee players.

For more personal favorites or to see more of my jewelry, please contact me.

Karen's Pic
by K. iuppa

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