December 5, 2009 ~ Holiday Tour Guides

Here is some information on a few of our many wonderful tour guides.

Dr. Allan O'Grady Cuseo

According to the dictionary a neighborhood is defined as: a district or area with distinctive characteristics; a neighborhood of fine homes; an ethnic neighborhood. This definition would certainly apply to our beloved Corn Hill. More importantly, however, than the fine homes are the fine people who reside there. It is difficult to explain Corn Hill without mentioning its neighbors. One can live anywhere but if one chooses to reside in Corn Hill, the individual is buying into a concept, an idea, a dream come true. Corn Hill is about involvement - whether it be the reclaiming of a proud area of the city or showing the results off through the Festival or the Holiday House Tour.

As a long time tour guide one of the first reactions I receive from our guests is their amazement as to the feeling of neighborhood and the friendliness of all who live here. Many guests over the years have expressed how lucky I am to be part of all this. I, of course, invite them to join us as a Corn Hill neighbor and I am happy to report that several did just that. “Good Fences Make Good Neighbors,” wrote American poet Robert Frost from his perspective in rural New England in the early 1900s and I would conjecture to Mr. Frost that it is not only good fences but also good relationships that make good neighbors. Social networks are important and it is this spirit that is evident throughout the Holiday tours, and yes, of course, also our annual Festival. Being a Holiday House Tour guide has given me so much pleasure and I joyfully welcome the guests that repeat their experiences with us on an annual basis. I have enjoyed my new relationships as I annually show off Rochester's jewel - Corn Hill.

Bonny Mayer

I became familiar with Corn Hill during the jazz age of the python room, now Clarissa's. I then got heavily involved in renovating a friend's newly purchased condemned home which she eventually purchased. I like to think that I have a strong sense of the potential of urban communities and neighborhoods. During the Holiday Tour of Homes, I pepper the walk between houses with antidotes and the history of some of the houses on the tour. You never know what I’ll chat about as tour goers stroll through the old third ward and rattlesnake hill!

Elizabeth Holley

I have lived in Corn Hill my whole life (so far) and my grandson is the fifth generation to live in our house on Eagle St. I have seen firsthand how a neighborhood can decline and be reborn through the determination of concerned neighbors who worked with the governmental powers at the time to stop the demolition of historic homes that could never be replaced. Then the hippies moved in and through sweat equity they brought the stately homes back to life. My take on the folks that have come and gone through the years are hippies, yippies, yuppies, and generation X. Being the first residential neighborhood in Rochester there is so much history within Corn Hill that folks are amazed when they hear about it. Corn Hill has a comfortable feel to it and neighbors are what make it that way.

Steve Baldwin

I enjoy being a tour guide because I love to share my neighborhood with the rest of the community. I think it is a wonderful opportunity for people to explore the life style of others, share ideas and be energized by what they have experienced. I hope people walk away with a better understanding of who we are and what a diverse neighborhood we live in.

Rachel Johnson

I’ve been a Corn Hill resident for two years and have served as a holiday tour guide both years. I relish living in this neighborhood because of the eclectic mix of residents, beautiful houses, and proximity to downtown. I enjoy volunteering for events and showing guests how much my neighborhood has to offer. I can’t wait to visit the homes on this year’s tour and especially to spread some holiday cheer to the Corn Hill visitors!