CHNA’s foremost challenge for 2022 was to reestablish the Corn Hill Arts Festival after its two-year hiatus, which was done masterfully by the Arts Festival Chair, Bill Belecz, Assistant Chair, Robin Plummer and a dedicated core of Festival volunteers. Excellent organizing, committed artists, super entertainment and great weather created a successful return and established the foundation for an even stronger festival for 2023 and beyond.
In addition to the Arts Festival, signs of normalcy grew throughout the year. The Corn Hill Connections Committee hosted another well-attended new neighbors’ event; the neighborhood gathered for a pre-festival picnic and the Security Committee was able to celebrate National Night out with over 150 neighbors along with members of the Rochester Police Department Command Staff.
Throughout the year, we continued to build relationships with other Corn Hill organizations; hosting a well-attended Corn Hill night at the Clarissa Uprooted Exhibit. For the first time, the CHNA hosted a Clarissa Street Reunion Committee booth at the Arts Festival to help promote the return of the Reunion this coming August. Partnering with the Philanthropy Committee, the Gazebo Concert Series featured three Corn Hill non-profits including the Phyliss Wheatley Library, Beyond the Sanctuary and the Dr Alice Holloway Young School of Excellence, raising awareness and needed funds for these organizations.
2023 saw the completion of the West River Wall and the North Star Commons that changed the face of the waterfront in our community. Thank you to everyone who contributed from the initial concepts drafted within 2012 Corn Hill Community Vision Plan to the continued advocacy to keep the project moving. We look forward to the addition of commercial tour boat “Riverie” operated by Corn Hill Navigation along with additional public art being added to the North Star Commons later this year.
The Beautification Committee was as busy as ever in 2022, from adopt-a-pots to tending the numerous pocket parks within the neighborhood. The restoration work was completed on the Gazabo to ensure it continues to be the center of our little village for years to come. Special thanks to ESL for generously funding 50% of the restoration costs. Plans are in place to install the long-awaited Butterfly Garden on the riverfront in the coming months. Special thanks to generous neighbors and the Rochester Garden Club for their support of this effort.
The Holiday Tour of Homes was also a great event for our neighborhood; its continued popularity became quite evident when tour tickets sold out within minutes of being offered for sale. This event has become an annual tradition for many tour-goers and for the many volunteers who reconnect and celebrate the season together.
Special thanks to the Investment Management Committee for their prudent work managing the association investments. These investments allowed CHNA to maintain vital activities over the past several years of pandemic adversity and provide stability into the future.
As we closed the year with a packed Holiday Gathering at the Hervey Ely House, it was easy to see why this is such a special place that we all call home!