R.O. Chester
Interview No. 211
Interview by Emily Hessney Lynch.
Published December 20, 2019.
Where are you from? How did you end up in Rochester?
I came to Upstate NY from California via eBay and the United States Postal Service. It was a comfortable ride and I gotta tell you, if you ever need to make the trip, those bubble-lined envelopes are the way to go! I don’t remember my life before the journey, so you might say that my life really started when I arrived here. My current home is in a little canal town west of Rochester, but I visit the city practically every weekend with my owner (“Person”) to explore and take pictures.
What is your favorite part of living in Rochester?
Well, my Person and I live about 30 miles west of Rochester but even so, I love how close everything is. Whether it’s the lake, the malls, or the city itself, it’s all within easy driving distance, making it easy to plan our weekend adventures.
What are some hidden gems you've discovered around Rochester?
I love all of the informational signs and markers that are everywhere along the Genesee Riverway Trail. The history of Rochester is amazing, and I’ll bet it would surprise many of the people who live here if they knew some of the cool historical facts about this place. They’re not really hidden, but how many of us actually stop to read them? Well, everyone should!
What's your favorite neighborhood in the city?
I really love Center City. Ok, so it might not seem like a neighborhood at first glance, but there are a lot of residences downtown, and the whole area has a nice, upscale feel. Plus, the river is within easy walking distance, so that’s a plus for sure. If I can convince my Person to move us here someday, I think it’d be really cool!
What's the best place to get a garbage plate?
Oh dear...you just had to ask that, didn’t you? I must confess, I’ve never had a garbage plate! In all fairness, though, with this trim figure of mine, I’m not sure I could pack much more than a single piece of mac salad in here!
What makes Rochester unique?
Everyone jokes about the changing weather, but how about the diversity in scenery? You certainly can’t call Rochester boring! Looking for a lake that’s practically the size of an ocean? Lake Ontario is just to the north. How about a nice scenic walk along a historic canal? The Erie Canal is the place for you. Goodness...there is literally a gorge with a series of beautiful waterfalls running smack dab through the middle of Rochester! Basically, if you’re tired of your current surroundings, just walk or drive 5-10 minutes in any direction and it’ll change!
What could we improve about our city?
Well obviously, the crosswalk buttons are way too high. It’s not easy for a little guy like me to shimmy up the pole to hit the button, only to have the signal change back by the time I get down again…
Seriously, though, I think the city has done a good job showcasing its greatest natural asset, the Genesee River. There is room for improvement, though. In particular, I’d like to see safe and legal access to the bottom of the gorge on the west side of the river, just below Lower Falls. It’s such a beautiful area, but I feel that it doesn’t receive the attention that High Falls does.
Regardless of what the city does, however, it’s up to us as individuals to make sure we are taking good care of the Riverway by not littering or defacing the trail. Let’s take pride in what we have and never spoil the view!
If Rochester was a season, what would it be?
Let’s go with fall! Why fall? Well, that season brings change but it also brings beauty. Rochester has gone through a lot of changes over the years but it continues to be a beautiful city and region.
R.O. Chester is a lil Lego dude who loves exploring our city with his Person. For more of his perspective, visit our Instagram.
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