Hilton resident Chad Williams is no stranger to doing hard things. He was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at age two and has gone through years of physical therapy, a surgical procedure in his youth, and daily perseverance just to manage routine tasks.

In 2022, he decided to challenge himself through running. He started with a 5K that included obstacles along the course and found himself just as capable as other runners. Spurred on by a supportive community, he ran a race every month that year, eventually taking on the Boilermaker 15K in Utica.

To demonstrate that physical limitations need not define one’s potential, Williams founded the Doing Hard Things My Way brand and organized a virtual 5K under the brand last summer to benefit the nonprofit Cerebral Palsy Strong.

“Through this award, I hope to create opportunity, visibility, and encouragement for students who embody the spirit of doing hard things their own way,” Williams said. “My goal is not only to provide financial support, but to remind applicants that their journey, identity, and perseverance matter and that their future is worth investing in.”

For more information or to apply, visit https://bold.org/scholarships/doing-hard-things-my-way-adaptive-athlete-scholarship/.

For the past few years, BISCO and the Village have co-hosted the festival, but that partnership has been dissolved, and the 2026 festival will be hosted entirely by BISCO. With the end of the partnership, the Village raised concerns first about the cost of Department of Public Works services, then about police overtime, and finally about insurance. That led to weeks-long delays in obtaining the required approval and concern among organizers and community members that the festival wouldn’t be allowed to return to Main Street.

Mayor Ben Reed said the delays were about protecting the Village’s best interests and getting the legalities squared away.

In the MOU signed on December 15, BISCO agreed to reimburse the Village for DPW overtime and to pay for police overtime or private security to patrol vendor canopies overnight on Friday and Saturday. BISCO has also provided details of its insurance coverage to satisfy Village concerns.

Now that planning for the 2026 Brockport Arts Festival can officially get underway, vendor applications will open soon on Zapplication.org. New vendors are advised to use this time to create a profile and portfolio on the Zapplication site, so they are ready when applications open.

For updates, follow Brockport Arts Festival on Facebook.

Teaching the next generation to honor and respect the sacrifices made by those who have served in the military is important to the Fisher family of Brockport. Mom Sarah says, “As a former military family, an American, and most importantly a mom, it is my duty to educate my young son on the significance behind our federal holidays with military significance.” Beyond homeschool lessons on Veterans Day and the different branches service, the Fishers have turned education into action.

On Memorial Day, her then-four-year-old son, Brax, was welcomed into five area restaurants to arrange Missing Man Tables, also known as Fallen Comrade Tables or White Tables. The tables provide an opportunity for restaurant patrons to reflect on and commemorate those who have fallen, are missing in action, or are prisoners of war.

A Missing Man Table consists of:

•A small table set for one – symbolizing the fact that some are missing from our ranks.

•White tablecloth – symbolizing the purity of their intentions to respond to their country’s call to arms.

•Black napkin – represents the sorrow of captivity.

•A single red rose in a vase – signifies the blood shed to ensure America’s freedom.

•A yellow ribbon around the vase represents a demand for proper accounting of those who are not among us today.

•A lemon slice on the plate – to show a captive soldier’s bitter fate.

•Grains of salt on the plate – reminds us of the countless fallen tears of families as they wait.

•An inverted glass – because they cannot toast with us.

•An empty chair – because they are not here.

•A white candle – for the hope that all our missing will return someday.

On November 10, now five-year-old Brax visited five more local restaurants – 58 Main BBQ & Brew, Custom House, Ridge Runners, Robbie’s Bar and Grill, and Kim’s Woodshed – to set the symbolic tables for Veterans Day. The family sees it as a way to give back to the community. Sarah said, “Our dream is to create even more relationships with local establishments in order to provide such a symbolic set-up for both military holidays.”

At one location, Sarah noticed a man standing off to the side watching Brax set the table. He became emotional with tears rolling down his face. She approached the gentleman and learned that he was a veteran, having served in the Air Force. “This is why we are doing what we are doing!” Sarah said. “We hope that over time, we can grow our efforts and impact more and more individuals.”

The Fishers hope that enough restaurants join in so that other families can participate in setting up the tables, further supporting the education of future generations. Local establishments interested in participating for Memorial Day and Veterans Day are invited to email ssegal11@yahoo.com.

One day, while dining at Frankie Fresh Burritos & Bowls in Brockport, Chloe couldn’t help but notice how blank their walls were. She said, “There was all this open, untouched space on the walls that to my eye looked like the perfect canvas.” After “ranting on and on” to her parents about what a perfect space it would be for a mural, they suggested she paint one.

“I had talked about painting murals in the past, but the idea of actually approaching a business and really doing it was terrifying,” Chloe said.

Chloe’s goal lately has been to push herself beyond her comfort zone, and this was one way to do just that. Once she decided the worst thing they could say was “no,” she sketched a design and painted a mock-up of her idea.

Knowing it would be difficult to convince a business to trust a teenager with their walls, she came up with the idea of donating her first mural to prove what she was capable of. Chloe does a lot of volunteering and giving back to the community on her own time. She viewed this mural as another form of community service – helping a small, local business by utilizing her own unique skill set.

Chloe returned to Frankie Fresh with her sketch in hand, ready to pitch the idea. As it turns out, the owners, Frank and Erica Pesce, weren’t there that day, but one of their employees took Chloe’s information and passed it on to them. “I was scared because I am so young, and the idea just seemed so far-fetched that I didn’t think it would ever happen. But to my surprise, they actually got back to me and loved my idea,” Chloe said. They agreed to let her paint a custom panel, which they wouldn’t see until the unveiling.

While working on the piece, Chloe worried that the Pesces may not like her approach or art style. “In the mural, I took their logo and put my own spin on it, which could be either really amazing or an epic fail because art is such a subjective thing. But I just had to trust my gut. This is my first piece of work I’m really putting out there, and I really want it to show a bit of me while also prioritizing the establishment as well.”

Chloe unveiled her finished work in front of the Pesce family, customers, and the media at Frankie Fresh the afternoon of September 5. It received an overwhelmingly positive response.

“The owners were happy with how it turned out, and I was so relieved,” Chloe said. “It was my first time actually meeting them in person at the reveal, and they were such nice people. I couldn’t have asked for a better place to start my art journey.”

The mural was installed on the main wall of the restaurant’s dining area, and is one of the first things customers will see when they visit.

Chloe hopes her story will inspire other young people to step outside their comfort zone, because although it can be a bit scary and make one feel vulnerable, she believes it is the only way to really allow for growth. She also encourages them to devise creative solutions to overcome obstacles when pursuing their chosen career. It is advice that could benefit people of all ages.

Since opening on September 28, 2009, Harbor House has offered safe, supportive, and affordable temporary lodging for families of adult patients receiving critical care in Rochester. The nonprofit’s cozy, home-like setting has provided thousands of nights of rest to out-of-town families, easing emotional and financial strain during medical crises.

The idea for a healthcare hospitality house emerged in 2001, shortly after Strong Memorial Hospital launched its heart transplant program. Early funding efforts stalled, but the spark was lit.

In August 2005, Spencerport resident Tom Arcara suffered a heart attack and subsequently needed a transplant. A match was found on September 27, which Tom calls his second birthday. It was mid-October before he had recovered enough to leave the hospital. During his two-month hospital stay, Tom’s wife, Chris, witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by out-of-town families enduring similar medical crises.

Less than a year after Tom’s transplant surgery, the Arcaras organized the first “And the BEAT Goes On…” fundraiser to benefit the hospital’s heart failure unit. The “BEAT” referred both to Tom’s new heart and to his role as a drummer in one of the event’s featured bands.

Driven by a desire to help others, the Arcaras had a long-term goal of creating a hospitality house. “God made me live for a reason,” Tom told Westside News in 2006. “I don’t know exactly what it is, but I think this (helping others who need heart transplants) is it.”

In August 2006, the Arcaras joined nurses, hospital staff, and Dr. Leway Chen, medical director of Strong’s Heart Failure & Transplant Program, on a learning trip to Pittsburgh’s Family House. Inspired and armed with best practices, the group returned to Rochester to ramp up fundraising and awareness efforts.

Meanwhile, Gary and Linda Acker were navigating their own transplant journey. In 1999, before URMC had a heart transplant program, Gary had to travel to Cleveland to receive a new heart. During his hospital stay, Linda found herself in a strange city, struggling with the difficulties of medical crisis alone. The Ackers discussed the lack of support and questionable accommodations with their friends, the Wackermans and Tietgens.

Those discussions intersected with a local TV fundraising spot featuring the Arcaras and Dr. Chen. Because of that broadcast, the two families connected, leading to the formation of Harbor House’s founding board: Rob Wackerman, Gary Acker, Chris Arcara, Tom Arcara, and Leway Chen. In 2008, Harbor House of Rochester, Inc. became a 501(c)(3) organization, laying the groundwork for its future home.

With its nonprofit status secured, Harbor House received a transformative gift in 2009 from the Jennifer Linscott Tietgen Family Foundation, funding the purchase of 89 Rossiter Road, Rochester.

Heart transplant recipient Frank Imburgia volunteered his company, FSI Construction, to renovate the property. Local businesses and individuals rallied, donating labor, materials, and amenities, and by fall 2009, Harbor House opened its doors as a true home-away-from-home.

The “And the BEAT Goes On…” 2025 gala, emceed by former news anchor Ginny Ryan, will feature a multimedia slideshow with live narration chronicling Tom Arcara and Gary Acker’s pre- and post-surgery milestones. Musical accompaniment comes courtesy of jazz piano-percussion duo Laura Dubin and Antonio Guerrero.

Attendees can also enjoy one-of-a-kind raffles, a silent auction, a wine toss, and award-winning cuisine from Madeline’s. Tickets are $125 per person or $900 for a table of eight. Purchase tickets by visiting https://harborhouseofrochester.com and clicking on Fundraisers.

Stella’s mother, Lea Benedict, heard sirens and Stella called out that there were firetrucks. Lea assured her daughter that they weren’t for their street this time. Stella ran to the door and insisted the trucks were indeed parked on their street. “It was déjà vu!” Lea said. Her husband, Chad, had been outside watering plants when he heard the sirens and looked up to see black smoke coming from a house down the street. They quickly discovered that their neighbors’ home was on fire. Thankfully, all members of the Licata family were out of the home.

Just like after their first neighborhood fire, Stella, now age five, was inspired to help her neighbors “come home soon” by setting up a lemonade stand on Friday, July 19. Stella generously donated 100% of the proceeds to help her neighbors as they begin the long journey of rebuilding and healing.

“As parents, my husband and I felt it was important for the kids on the street have a positive fire truck experience,” Lea said. “We went in person to invite the firemen to Stella’s lemonade stand. Lo and behold, they remembered her from last year, and they happily stopped by!”

The Ridge Road Fire District Chief brought along two trucks and his team, too. The firemen met with all the kids, gifted them with fire hats and stickers, and let them all take turns sitting in the driver seat of the truck.

Lea said that it was an amazing experience for the kids. “The fire chief was honking down the street and exclaiming, ‘Stella has the best lemonade stand in town!’ The kids all pitched in to help with lemonade stand, and they all had pompoms and were waving the chief down!”

Lea said, “They all left with smiles on their faces, and we hope the experience brought each child comfort amidst any of the worry and/or sadness they may have felt.”

Provided photos

Williams, an adaptive athlete diagnosed with CP at age two, founded the Doing Hard Things My Way brand to demonstrate that physical limitations need not define one’s potential. He was featured in Westside News earlier this summer ahead of running the Boilermaker 15K Road Race in Utica alongside his 17-year-old son.

“I started running races to prove what I was capable of, but along the way, I saw that my journey served as hope and inspiration for others who were working through their own hard things,” Williams said. “I became a voice for them and for the CP community, and I wanted to carry that further—to an event like this 5K—taking something like running that has been so powerful for me and using it as a moment to raise awareness for the Cerebral Palsy community”

Cerebral palsy, the most common motor disability in childhood, affects movement, muscle tone, and posture. For Williams, managing daily tasks has meant years of physical therapy, a surgical procedure in his youth, and unwavering perseverance.

To participate, scan the QR code or visit https://runsignup.com/Race/NY/Hilton/DoingHardThingsMyWay5K by 11:59 p.m. on August 23 to register for an entry fee is $27.50. Once registered, complete a 5K anywhere—on the trail, treadmill, or neighborhood street—during race week and log the results online. Runners are encouraged to share photos and videos on social media, tagging @CerebralPalsyStrong and using the hashtags #DoingHardThingsMyWay5K and #CPStrong.

Proceeds benefit Cerebral Palsy Strong, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides social support, adaptive programming, and community initiatives for individuals with CP. More information is available at https://cerebralpalsystrong.org.

“Doing Hard Things My Way isn’t just a catchphrase,” Williams added. “It’s about showing up for yourself, falling and getting back up, moving at your own pace, and rewriting limits—your way.”

“My wife (Patty) and I recently retired. I wanted to give her a gift to remember us by, so I chose the gift of a story,” Roushey said. “I quickly realized that I couldn’t tell the story of us without telling the story of my cross country running experience that year (1979). The two stories were so intertwined.”

In the novel, Carson, a college senior with a checkered past, returns to his Christian university in 1979, determined to make his final year count. When a quirky friend challenges him to join the cross-country team, Carson surprises himself—and everyone else—by saying yes. As the season unfolds Carson is introduced to Paige, a freshman nursing student. The two of them embark on a stormy relationship filled with twists and turns. Unexpected humor is injected into the story by the antics of Carson and his roommate, Mr. Trees, as they attempt to make the last year of their college experience memorable.

What begins as a last-ditch bid for a varsity letter becomes a life-changing journey of perseverance, purpose, and spiritual renewal.

Though the Christian university in the novel isn’t named, those familiar with Roberts Wesleyan may notice some similarities. As alumni, Bill said, “My wife and I have tremendous love for that institution.”

Most of the story takes place either on campus or at a cross country meet at one of the area colleges. “Anyone who is familiar with Roberts will recognize the buildings even though I renamed them,” he said.

“I did reference ‘the pit’ where varsity basketball games were played over a half century ago and the dorms students call the ‘quads.’”

Roushey used fictional names for all of the characters as the story happened 45 years ago and he wanted to be free from any social constraints. “My wife chose to name me ‘Carson’ in the story, probably because it is similar to her father’s name. I chose the name ‘Paige’ for her because I’ve always wanted to call her that,” he said.

Road names mentioned in the novel have also been altered, but Roushey says, “It doesn’t take much thinking to figure that Main Street is Buffalo Road, Vine Street is Orchard Street, or that Townline Drive is in fact Westside Drive.”

Some real places are named, like area colleges and a favorite hang-out: HoJo’s. “We called it that because those were the only four letters lit up on the Howard Johnson’s sign,” Bill said. “The establishment was on Buffalo Road in Gates at the 490 exit next to Abbott’s Ice Cream. Students went there a lot back in the day because it was open 24 hours. It was usually a good place to cram for an exam.”

Roushey’s first book, Junior’s Hope: A memoir of a Father’s Son, was written as a tribute to his deceased father. It was while chronicling his father’s battle with prostate cancer that Bill discovered his love for writing. His second book, When the Dogs Bark, explored the spiritual connection Roushey shared with the canines in his life.

“I’ve always wanted to try my hand at writing historical fiction,” Roushey said, noting his interest in genealogy and family history. “I guess you could say this book was an audition of sorts for that genre since it is set in 1979. I was quite surprised at how quickly the manuscript came together.”

He worked with his former cross country coach, Craig Hayward, on the running sequences. “In this case, writing fiction gave me the freedom to dramatize the events a little as they unfolded,” Roushey noted.

Bill says he loved writing this nostalgic and heartfelt story that explores friendship, faith, unexpected love, and the pressure to outrun regret. “Because of the editing and typesetting processes you have to go through, I’ve read it over a dozen times and I still get emotional reading the dialog between Carson and Paige,” he said.

As for his future writing plans, Roushey noted that there is a possibility for a sequel to The Race Against Time. “Only half of the story has been told. With the help of my editor, we reworded some of the last chapter to allow for that possibility.” He added, “Another possibility is a series of historical fiction novels chronicling the adventures of my ancestors from their Viking beginnings to their settlement in the Germanic states and their eventual immigration to America before the start of the Revolutionary War.”

The Race Against Time and When the Dogs Bark are both available locally at Lift Bridge Book Shop, 45 Main Street, Brockport. The author will be signing books at Lift Bridge on Sunday, September 7, from 10 a.m. to noon.

For more information on Bill Roushey, visit http://www.authorbillroushey.com.

Village leaders have been frustrated by the lack of transparency provided by the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT). In a statement released the afternoon of August 5, Brockport Mayor Ben Reed said, “Despite our requests for details, DOT representatives have not been forthcoming regarding the cause of this latest delay. We are hearing rumors about technical issues, including the bridge not fully lowering, but we’ve received no official confirmation from the DOT.”

The Village has enlisted the support of Monroe County Legislator Jackie Smith, State Assemblyman Stephen Hawley, and State Senator Robert Ortt’s office. Mayor Reed said, “We are working with these elected officials to bring pressure to bear on the DOT and secure the information and action our community needs.”

The DOT’s official bridge update says: “The New York State Department of Transportation is working to address unforeseen mechanical issues that arose during equipment tests on the Brockport lift bridge and expects to have the matter resolved in the coming weeks. The safety of the traveling public is always NYSDOT’s top priority and we appreciate the community’s patience as we work to complete the final stages of this important project to rehabilitate this historic bridge. The Department will keep the public informed of further developments.”

Mayor Reed says the new timeline offers little reassurance. “Frankly, we won’t be holding our breath, as previous timelines have not been met.”

He remains committed to greater transparency and accountability from the DOT. “Our community deserves clear, accurate, and timely information to better address the impact of this prolonged closure.” Reed says his office will share any verified information as soon as it is received. He also added a request to residents and visitors alike, “Please continue to support our downtown businesses during this challenging time.”

Brockport Arts Festival pivots
This delay directly impacts the Brockport Arts Festival happening this weekend. Organizers had previously been assured the bridge would be operational for pedestrian traffic in time and planned the festival to span both sides of the village. The last-minute change of plans created major logistical challenges.

Mayor Reed said, “I want to commend the Arts Festival Committee for their swift action and hard work. They’ve quickly reorganized, moving all booths, the music stage, and the car show to the south side of the canal, ensuring the festival’s success. Thank you for your quick ‘pivot’ and dedication.”

The Spurr Car Show and “58 Main Stage” will now be at Erie and Queen streets and the 500s booths have been relocated to Holley and College streets.

The only aspect of the festival organizers weren’t able to move south was the Bentley Brothers tractor display, as there simply wasn’t room. That event has been canceled.

Brockport Arts Festival is August 9 and 10 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Come for arts and crafts, entertainment, great food, a car show, and more. While you’re in Brockport, be sure to vist the local merchants on both sides of the canal and help support the Brockport community.

La Danse fits the needs of all its students – those who wish to compete and others who wish to do what they love best: dance! Emphasis is placed on developing poise, perception, coordination, and discipline in an enjoyable environment. Classes are offered in ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, lyrical, modern, Irish dance, acrobatics, and musical theater, with programs available for children as young as 18 months to adults.

Ashford Dance Company is an inclusive studio that offers a Dancers With Diverse Abilities program. Diverse abilities can be anything that makes a child unique or makes a typical class a little trickier for them. Specialized staff work with these students in sensory classes accompanied by dance.

Bertino says the end-of-year recital is the studio’s gift to its families. They performed six shows in May, utilizing state-of-the-art technology. The goal is for each family leaving the Fall-to-Spring session to have a lasting impression of a professional, well-put-together show. It’s “what our families deserve,” Bertino said.

The second of the six May recitals coincided with Bertino’s youngest son’s graduation from Nazareth University. While Bertino understandably had to miss that sold-out show, she said, “My village of amazing staff made it all happen. I’m so blessed to have such amazing, talented, hard-working staff!”
For more information, visit http://www.ladanseworkshop.com or http://www.ashforddanceco.com.

Provided photos