Neighborhood News

It's so good to live in an active and generous community, the likes of which were evident at the annual Swillburg Fall Festival. This was an upbeat gathering of eighty neighbors, on the evening of November 7th at the Artisan Church - a big thanks to them for opening their beautiful facility to us! The meeting room - the sanctuary was artfully decorated, thanks to neighbor Ward Pedde for beautifully ornamenting our tables with such festive inviting colors! We had delicious food in abundance provided by the Swillburg Neighborhood Association (SNA) and SEAC, from Davinci's of Greece Restaurant, and desserts contributed by steering committee members. 

 

Mayor Malik Evans was our noted guest and responded to a range of questions provided by neighbors, which he solicited in advance. Topics from neighborhood safety, housing, and car thefts to health care were a few of the questions the mayor addressed. Our leadership chairperson, Judy Lee Hay, mc’d the event, welcoming and introducing the mayor. We heard about the work of the Swillburg Neighborhood Association that happened throughout the year.

 

Josh Jacobs gave an update on the new additions to the SWAG store, Sarah Keyes and John LaFrance encouraged people to sign up for a plot at one of the community gardens at School 35 and Nelson Street. Megan Critelli spoke on the very successful Clean Sweep Program at the Bloom Garden on Field Street. Aimee Owens shared the improvements of new lighting in the gazebo and a rock wall around the north garden in Otto Henderberg Park. The SNA led a successful event at Bay Creek Paddle in September, Roc Samba in the Otto Henderberg Park, as well as, our annual summer picnic, and plantings at the Bloom Garden. This year we had 5
people trained by the Rochester Police Department to walk Pac Tac. It is terrific to be part of an active hands-on neighborhood.

 

New business owner Jaina Dinino will soon open Buttery Joy Bakery near the Cinema Theater.  The raffle of 51 items was conducted by neighbor Bob Palmer and generated lots of applause and delight.  

 

Generous donors to our raffle included: Abundance Food Co-op, Bay Creek Paddling Center, The Bop Shop, Butter Joy Bakery, Crepe & Go, Crisp, The Cub Room, Dicky's Corner Pub,   Georgie's Bakery, Hedonist Chocolate, Highland Park Diner, India House, Jack Mars Glass and Metal Artworks, Attorney Mark Alquist, More Fire Glass Studio, Natural Pet Foods, neighbors Ericka and Casey, Roc Cinema, Rooney's Restaurant, Salvatores, SEAC Tool Library, SEACing it Out, South Wedge Diner, Stuart's Spices, Swillburger, Swillburg Neighborhood Association, Wegmans, White Swan, Wine Basket, Zameta Restaurant, and J. Francis J. Designs. 

 

The City is launching a new program Neighbors In Action to support local projects and build neighborhood capacity. Neighbors were solicited for suggestions for neighborhood improvement, many submitted ideas such as street flags, flashing crosswalks, music in Otto Henderberg Park, holiday decoration competition, etc. Everyone received a chocolate reward donated by Hedonist Chocolate (the results of these ideas are already being assessed for implementation). 

 

Of course, the Swillburg Swag Shop was present selling many of our popular items; hoodies, cups, T-shirts, ornaments, and much more! The Swag Store, by the way, is now online right here at Swillburg.org. You'll find many unique and affordable holiday gift ideas, and your purchase will be delivered to your door in Swillburg. 

 

Beginning in 2015 the fall festival has been one of our most festive neighborhood gatherings and this year’s was no exception. In addition to the annual fall festival, the Swillburg Lunch Bunch is another community event and continues to meet monthly. Please watch for email and Nextdoor announcements. We meet at Swillburg and South Wedge area restaurants.   

 

Upcoming activities to mention, the SNA is planning to host a free movie event on February 8, 2025, at ROC Cinema, the film hasn't yet been determined but will be selected to appeal to kids of all ages. We’ll be sure to announce this well in advance - last year's viewing of the movie "Babe" was a fun time! Well, I think I’ve run out of space here so I’ll sign off, wishing you all a happy holiday season!  

 

Best wishes Swillburg neighbors!  
Mike Henry