A Look Back (Part I): An Early (1841) View Of A New Village

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By on November 10, 2020

Here’s an annoying problem I discovered while researching for the book Hamburger Dreams: there’s a lot of people and places that come up when you search the words “hamburger” or “hamburg” that have nothing to do with the delicious sandwich that spawned a trillion-dollar industry.

This required me to be both creative and patient as I sifted through hundreds of century old newspaper articles. It eventually worked, but it took a lot of time. In the end, it proved worthy.

The same thing is happening now as I complete my research on the Masonic Temple/Wilcox Hotel/Wilcox House/Falls Hotel (yes, that one building has gone by several names during its nearly 200-year existence). It turns out Continue Reading “A Look Back (Part I): An Early (1841) View Of A New Village”

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Pittsford-Mendon High School Highjinks

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By on November 4, 2010

[This Commentary originally appeared in the October 26, 1989 issue of The Mendon-Honeoye Falls-Lima Sentinel.]

CarosaCommentaryNewLogo_259For those of you who don’t know or don’t care, Pittsford-Mendon High School’s homecoming weekend fell victim to rude behavior and mass disciplinary retaliation. It seems a few passionate students took it upon themselves to start an egg throwing contest during a Friday pep rally. The ensuing food fight left plenty of smashed eggs, messy clothes and at least one egg-faced teacher.

Not tolerating anarchy in the least, the administration promptly cancelled all homecoming activities (except the games). So much for a fun-filled weekend of parading and dancing. The action of the powers that be so upset the student body that about Continue Reading “Pittsford-Mendon High School Highjinks”

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Mendon’s Secret

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By on May 27, 2010

[This Commentary originally appeared in the May 25, 1989 issue of The Mendon-Honeoye Falls-Lima Sentinel.]

CarosaCommentaryNewLogo_259I live in Mendon. I don’t live in Pittsford. I think that says a lot. Pittsford is a very nice town, but it is not Mendon.

A few years ago, I began searching Monroe County for a home suitable for my needs. I looked at a few houses in Pittsford, but something just wasn’t right for me. I didn’t know what it was then (and I still don’t). My quest for living space continued until I saw Mendon. “Wow, what a nice place,” I thought. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but I knew Mendon was the right location.

I’ve had some time now to settle in and meet other people like myself. Mendon denizens really don’t talk about their community the way a high school cheerleader might enthusiastically root, root, root for the home team, but you can catch a certain Continue Reading “Mendon’s Secret”

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Day 2 – November 15, 2009 (Sun): Create Your Background Image

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By on November 15, 2009

Start of Day Twitter Stats: Follow:   0  Followers:  0  Listed: 0

Missed yesterday? Go here to read what happened on Day 1 – November 14, 2009 (Sat): Sign Up and Settle In

twitter_power_joel_comm_150In his book twitter power, Joel Comm says to create a background image on day 2. In reality, I created it on day one. I wanted to choose something to acknowledge the respect for my forebears as well as my gazing into the future. Without a degree in graphic arts, I simply spliced two pictures together: One I took of my grandfather’s house in Fontecchio, Italy and the other a star field. I did not add the usual verbiage only because I didn’t know what to say. Perhaps later.

In addition, I choose a picture icon. My good friend Neil has a desire to get back into photography, so he showed up at the book review presentation I performed at the FreeNet group meeting in October at the Pittsford Community Library. He took several pictures. I used an “in-action” pose (hmm, how could it be a “pose” if it was “in-action”) for the “About” page of ChrisCarosa.com. He also had me take a more casual looking mug shot. I decided that made a good Twitter picture and uploaded it.

How many followers do you think I’ll have after 30 days? Click here to enter your guess on my Survey Monkey survey “Chris Carosa’s 30-Day Plan to Dominate Twitter Experiment.” There’s no prize, but the fan who guesses the closest correct number the earliest will “win” and I’ll mention you if you want me to.

Find out today’s results on Day 3 – November 16, 2009 (Mon): Read Around

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Back to the Future

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By on November 12, 2009

So I says to Mark I says, “Mark, I’ll go but I don’t want to pull in before you. You see, at the risk to confirming stereotypes, I’m a bit of a wallflower when it comes to these things. I could regale an auditorium filled with strangers, but put me in a small reception where I must talk to people face-to-face and I sort of stay to myself, speaking not, unless first spoken to.”

998276_97728952_business_time_royalty_free_stock_xchng_300“When it comes to groups,” I fully confessed, “I have a tough time feeling I really belong.”

Mark reassured me I could arrive after 6:30pm and find him already on hand.

Such was the set-up for attending my first meeting of the Rochester Social Media Club at Label 7 in Pittsford, NY. Funny thing. I discovered something there. Something really surprising.

Continue Reading “Back to the Future”

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