Interview by Emily Hessney Lynch.

Published March 21, 2019.

Where are you originally from? How did you end up in Rochester at this time in your life?

I’m from Brick, New Jersey—I grew up right on the water on the Jersey Shore. My mom’s house had a lagoon for a backyard, so there was lots of boating and swimming every summer. After attending college at Fordham, where I studied media theory and how digital media shapes society, I started looking for jobs in public media. I was living in New York City at the time and started throwing resumes out everywhere. I interviewed at WXXI and was offered a job, so I moved to Rochester in November 2014 and started my job in December.

When you first moved to Rochester, what were your impressions of the city? What did you find surprising? 

I immediately fell in love with Rochester when I came here to interview at WXXI. I was dirt broke in New York City, and could tell on my initial visit that Rochester is accessible and friendly. At first, I lived in the Park Ave area and appreciated how it’s a residential neighborhood that also has a lot of great culture, night life, and local businesses. Later on, I moved downtown.

I was surprised at first that not a lot of people lived in Center City. When I first started looking at apartments in Rochester, I was looking at apartments in buildings downtown, but my coworkers all recommended living in a neighborhood like Park Ave or the South Wedge. Downtown seemed like an untapped area. I was also shocked by how low the cost of living is. Some areas can be pricier, of course, but my money goes a long way here.

What are some hidden gems you've discovered around Rochester?

The food culture is incredible. I went to Bar Bantam recently for dinner and the space is gorgeous. We’ve got Good Luck burgers, Revelry brunch, and food trucks like Le Petit Poutine and Marty’s Meats. I’m more of a sit-down-and-eat-dinner type person than a go-out-and-rage type person, so it’s perfect for me.

Swillburger is amazing; we have so many vegan options here. Plus, you can go out and play games at places like the Playhouse or Radio Social. Also, the beer culture is so vibrant. I moonlight at Tap + Mallet and have learned a lot about beer culture and all the great beers coming out of Rochester. Other Half picking Rochester and seeing the potential here is incredible, and Fifth Frame is doing some cool stuff too.

If you had $100 and 2 hours to kill, how would you spend the money/time in Rochester?

I’d probably go to the Market on a warm, sunny Saturday. I’d stop in at Cure for a bloody mary, then pick up some fresh produce, and check out the shops. Afterwards I’d head to Genny and hang out on the roof. Another great option would be sitting at Jine’s and people watching on a summer day, enjoying eggs, coffee, and orange juice. We have so many great places with outdoor eats for the warmer months.

What's your favorite neighborhood in the city? 

Center City—I hang out a lot here now. I like the walkability of it; I can walk from my apartment to work, then to lunch, stop at home and walk the dog, back to work, and out to dinner. It’s awesome to have that feeling; I love living downtown. I’d always wanted to live in the city because I love the energy. There’s so much going on with all the development and new stuff opening.

Are you a garbage plate person? If not, do you have any favorite Roc eats? 

I’m stubborn and haven’t tried a garbage plate yet. It just doesn’t appeal to me.

Poutine is my favorite Rochester food, and Tap and Mallet has the best in town. There’s something called disco fries in New Jersey, which is just cheese and gravy on fries, but it doesn’t compare. I always take friends who are visiting me to get poutine while they’re in town.

What is your personal coping mechanism for cold/gray weather? 

I’ve heard it said that there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing choices. When I moved here, I invested in a great winter coat. I also try to get outside a lot; I love snowboarding. I’ve never looked at Rochester’s weather as a burden. We also have so much going on in the summertime that it really forces you to take advantage of the warmer months.

What is your favorite Rochester memory? 

The first time I went to Jazz Fest back in 2015—I was assigned to cover it for WXXI. I love music, and have been attending music festivals my whole life. It was amazing to have crazy talented people, street vendors, and all that within walking distance. I buy tickets every year now.

What makes Rochester unique?

How unpretentious it is. People here are amazing, everyone is so friendly and nice. We have this potential that’s starting to be realized, especially within the city. Rochester doesn’t take itself too seriously, but it’s still really fucking cool.

What do you think could be improved?

Rochester has a serious race and poverty problem. It can be really segregated. We’re loaded with potential, but not for everyone. Rochester’s not the only place with this problem, either. I’ve talked about development a lot, but that’s also intertwined with gentrification. Opportunities here aren’t available to everyone. ⅓ of our population is living in poverty, and one in two children is living in poverty. The stats are disgusting. I think about it a lot as a journalist—I want to celebrate Rochester, but acknowledge how unfair and broken things can be. We shouldn’t ignore it or put blinders on to it. Some people believe that a rising tide lifts all boats, but I’m not sure that approach is working for everyone. It’s a tale of two Rochesters—you can live your own life in your Rochester and never confront what it’s like on the other side.

If Rochester was an establishment, what kind of establishment would it be?

It would be a bar where you can go in and order a delicious glass of Finger Lakes wine, a fresh local beer on draft, or the most perfect craft cocktail you’ve ever tasted. We’ve got so much to offer.

What's been the most memorable story you've reported/produced at WXXI so far?

Exited in 2017. For those not familiar, Exited is a podcast about how young people with disabilities transition into adulthood. It made me look through a different lens and see how society is built for certain kinds of people. You don’t realize how many barriers there are until you come up against them. It was eye-opening to interview those eight people.

What advice would you give to someone who's new to Rochester and looking to get to know the area?

Get a bike—I love riding mine. It gets you outside and in contact with the people, smells, and architecture of the city. It’s more fun and faster than walking. We have a lot of great spots to ride, like the Genesee Riverway Trail and Turning Point Park. Get outside in particular. There’s a lot going on.