autumn | winter 2015

unique and elegantfine art and antiques

area gift shopoffers many hidden gems

the big tree innhistoric pride and joy

EMBRACE around the lakeslife

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When you enter the Thompson guild gallery gift shop in f.f. thompson hospital, you probably have one thing in mind — a card or small gift for someone you are visiting in the hospital. but you may be surprised at what you see — and don’t see — in this special boutique.

of course the guild gallery gift shop sells the usual hospital gift shop items: flowers, greeting cards, magazines, newspapers, candy and various staples. but the shop also sells beautiful wares from artisan clothing to stylish shoes, unique housewares and special toys, baby items, sundries, home decor and speciality gifts — such as jewelry, purses, even seasonal goods — and most items are hand-selected by the store’s manager.

“the items are unique, not things you will find in other stores,” said bonnie dennis, manager. “and it all goes back to thompson health.”

it’s not just the merchandise that makes the guild gallery

gift shop special, it’s where its profits go that makes all the difference. since 1990, the shop has donated over $1million to thompson health, contributes to local scholarship funds, wish lists for different hospital departments and helps provide other needed services within thompson health and the community it serves.

When it first opened in 1961, the guild gallery gift shop’s primary mission was to help contribute to the thompson health guild. the guild is an auxiliary organization established in 1905 to help purchase medical equipment needed for the hospital. the

gift shop quickly became a much-needed arm of the organization, linking the hospital to the community through outreach, public relations and advocacy programs.

“the guild has donated well over $2 million to the health system over the past 25 years alone, and a significant portion has come from sales in the gift shop,” said robert

thompson guild gallery gift shopis a hidden gem at f.f. thompson hospital

By DeBorah BlackWell | Freelance WriTer

embrace hidden gems 3

F.F. Thompson Hospital • 350 Parrish Street • Canandaigua • 585-396-6662 • www.thompsonhealth.com

this undated photo shows the guild gallery gift shop in earlier days. the guild, founded in 1905, first opened a gift shop at thompson hospital in 1961, when the hospital was located on north main street in canandaigua. the hospital has been at its Parrish street location since 1971.

locke, thompson health guild president. “it’s one of our main income sources, and we wouldn’t be as successful as we are without the people who work and volunteer there, or without the support from the hospital.”

the thompson health guild is comprised of an all-volunteer body with over 200 members. the volunteers work on many sub-committees which sponsor fundraising and other events throughout the year to raise money for thompson health. there is a volunteer operating executive board which oversees the organization and guides its mission. one of the most valuable assets to the guild as well as the gift shop is the 55 volunteers who touch the community each day with their kindness and caring hard work.

“We are really fortunate to have a great group of dedicated volunteers who do a wonderful job,” said dennis. “a lot of hospital gift shops are run by paid employees, but we have an amazing group of people who donate their time and energy.”

linda sutfin loves volunteering at the shop, where she works three hours each shift helping customers, arranging displays and meeting with other volunteers to help plan events. she even travelled to atlanta with dennis last year on a merchandise buying trip.

“it’s a happy place to be. it’s just a great feeling, you make people smile when they come in,” said sutfin. “this has been one of the best things, being at the hospital, it’s been really good for me.”

according to dennis, the full time manager of the shop for six years, the constantly changing line of the boutique-style inventory is not only profitable, but also brings people

back over and over. the store is located in the hospital just off the main lobby, with a kiosk location in the lobby of the constellation center for health & healing.

“i love the customers, the interaction, it can be very social, and it is an extremely pleasant atmosphere,” said dennis. “surprisingly, almost 80 percent of the shoppers are hospital and thompson health staff. You get to know them all, and have a relationship with them. i love being hands-on and working with the volunteers and staff.”

but dennis would like to see a greater number of people from the community turning to the gift shop for more of their shopping needs, such as birthday gifts, a new outfit or for the unique items they carry that other stores do not. it has been described as a secret treasure by frequent shoppers, especially during the holidays.

“if you haven’t been in the gift shop, come in after november 1 and through the holidays, when we have our christmas set up,” said dennis. “You wouldn’t believe the shop at christmas. it’s like santa’s wonderland. original pieces, amazing merchandise, it’s a must-shop during the holidays.”

the guild gallery gift shop also has a post-holiday sale, and according to dennis they sell all of their holiday ware. the merchandise changes each season, so there are never repeat items. she says everything in the shop offers not only quality, but is also affordable, with a price point of $50 or under. and of course, the profits go to a good cause.

“i feel really good working here. i come home every day and i feel good about my job, said dennis. “the feel and the atmosphere really can’t be found anywhere else.”

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embrace elegant history 7

Where sophisticated luxury meets elegant history, the big tree inn offers its guests a chance to experience something special. located in picturesque geneseo in the vibrant finger lakes region of livingston county, the big tree inn’s local ties bind tightly for this dynamic college community.

“the big tree inn is a historic landmark not just in geneseo, but also in livingston county,” said kristen lankton, general manager. “the building is home to a restaurant, tavern and event center in addition to the inn, making it a wonderful place to stay.”

the inn’s roots stand strong now after a long period when its future looked bleak. originally built in 1883 as a home for mr. allen ayrault and his wife bethia, records show gentlemen by the names of mr. Wadsworth and mr. nash converted the grand home to an inn. it’s name comes from the local seneca native americans who called the area “big tree” for a giant white oak tree standing on the banks of the genesee river.

“the inn was the center of the community, a social gathering place of the area at the time,” said lankton.

but its fate took a turn over time, and in 1998 faced foreclosure and demolition. With the threat of its loss looming heavy in the community, campus auxiliary services (cas) who provides support services to the state university of new York at geneseo (sunY geneseo,) purchased the big tree inn. after nearly a year of intensive renovations, the inn was restored to its original grandeur with great care taken to maintain its Victorian era historical integrity.

“this tradition of being a social gathering place and community focal point continues today, with family celebrations in the event center, weddings, weekly meetings, and everyday gatherings in the restaurant and tavern,” said lankton.

the inn provides stately year-round lodging for a spectrum of guests, from the campus community to visitors of the area and the community. it is unique in its offerings, a blend of bed and breakfast charm with modern hotel amenities. it features eight guests rooms, including three suites each with a fireplace and Jacuzzi tub, one mini suite with a fireplace, and four standard guest rooms.

the big tree innoffers historic pride and joy in geneseo

By DeBorah BlackWell | Freelance WriTer

46 Main Street • Geneseo • 585-243-5220 • www.bigtreeinn.com

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the restaurant at the inn serves a diversified menu utilizing fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and what executive chef J. Zan mauler refers to as “honest, ingredient-driven cuisine.” the tavern features finger lakes wines and local craft beers. the inn’s polished casual atmosphere and offerings satisfy most any palate.

“the big tree inn has hosted a few famous people, including President theodore roosevelt, Jean harlow and mark twain,” said lankton. “mark twain stayed here in march of 1869, during his first national lecture series.”

lankton has been the general manager at the big tree inn for just over a year, and said it’s more than just the history of the inn, or the interesting and diverse guests who visit, or even the delicious food she enjoys. she also loves working with the staff, who she said are gracious and knowledgeable.

“When i came through the door the first time i felt a real energy almost like i need to be here,” said mauler, executive chef. “it’s seen a lot of different revolutions, the history, the

location, the type of food, the whole package is here. it’s a mainstay and a destination.”

the inn proudly sits in the center of the historic Village of geneseo, and is surrounded by a bounteous region. from the finger lakes Wine trails, to letchworth state Park, the genesee country Village and museum, sunY geneseo’s beautiful college campus, arts festivals, hiking, biking and more, there is plenty to see and do. fall is a favorite time in upstate new York with the colorful turn of the seasons and perfect climate.

“geneseo is a small country town, and we certainly have that hometown feel with a wonderful main street full of unique shops,” said lankton. “however, we have so many opportunities for visitors to fill their day with a wonderful experience.”

“if you haven’t been to geneseo or to livingston county, make the trip. You’ll be amazed at what you’ll find,” said lankton. “We strive in giving our guests excellent service and an experience that they will soon not forget.”

embrace fine art 9

like a piece of fine art, finger lakes gallery and frame in canandaigua underwent a restoration that not only changed the face of the store on main street, but has added color and dimension to the community.

brett utter, along with wife sarah and daughter bristol, have created a stunning destination venue that includes over 6,000 square feet exhibiting the art and history heritage of american culture both regionally and nationally.

this unique family-owned business specializing in fine art, antiques, and innovative custom framing, recently added an exclusive line of designer jewelry to their repertoire, as well as restoration and appraisal services.

“our items are very unique and very exclusive things you can’t find

anywhere else,” said utter, owner. “We don’t do prints or reproductions, these are original works of art.”

utter and his wife recently returned from a buying trip in new england, specifically rockport and gloucester, massachusetts. they go there often, inspired by the history and artists in the rocky neck art colony, one of the oldest working art colonies in the country. they also travel frequently around the country to purchase one-of-a-kind paintings and unique pieces of art.

“We just returned from chicago to buy an impressionist painting by a rochester artist,” said utter. “i like to work with private collections and purchase from private estates. We source our art from many different places all over the region and country.”

finger lakes gallery and frameunique and elegant art is the specialty at

By DeBorah BlackWell | Freelance WriTer

175 South Main Street • Canandaigua • 585-396-7210 • www.galleryandframe.com

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utter always thought this would be a retirement opportunity for him, but instead has enjoyed dealing in art and antiques for 25 years. it was always his passion, so he decided to learn everything he could. he spent many years in museums, galleries and at auctions where he said he developed quite an eye for the business.

“beauty inspires me. the skill of the artist, how they capture a scene, what they are trying to convey, the light and shadow, the brush strokes, the subject,” said utter. “i love impressionism which allows the viewer to fill in the blanks.”

sarah utter has worked in partnership with her husband in their home-based business until their recent purchase of the store on main street almost three years ago. she specializes in the jewelry line they carry from southwest florida, which they call “wearable art,” one of the unique aspects of the gallery.

“i am proud to offer unique designer jewelry from around the world,” said sarah. “i ensure that the pieces we offer are exclusive to our gallery, to ensure our clients are confident they will be the only ones wearing their special piece of art.”

the utters completely transformed the physical space on main street to showcase all of the one-of-a-kind art they exhibit. they remodeled, and added new dimensions to the gallery’s line. Walking through the gallery is like enjoying

a stroll through a museum, according to utter, capturing different styles and luxuries of our country.

“the business was there for almost 13 years,” said utter. “before us it was a custom frame shop and represented a few local, living artists. We are still an incredible custom frame gallery but we have added the fine art, the antique art, the regional antiques, and the designer jewelry.”

finger lakes gallery and frame showcases over 30 regional artists representing the past and the present. a portion of the gallery floor includes an exhibition room for artist receptions and show openings. rochester artist cordell cordaro recently opened an exhibition of his work there, which utter said was extremely successful.

utter enjoys leading the community to different types of art in the gallery, which represents an array of fine artists. the art includes in both american and european paintings from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. the gallery also holds fundraisers and other events such as estate sales, and is continually updating its collection. the antiques include furniture, decorative accent pieces and sculptures from a variety of eras.

daughter bristol utter is the director of the gallery, and says she chose to work in the family business for a number of reasons, but especially because of her love of the area, its beauty and its history. this makes her work at the gallery a

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THE SHORE770 south main street • canandaigua • theinnonthelake.com

585.394.1480

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perfect fit she said, allowing her the opportunity to give back to the community that has given so much to her.

“bristol grew up in a home filled with art, and loved it and wanted to be part of the family business,” said utter. “she has truly developed an appreciation for art and for small business ownership.”

finger lakes gallery and frame has six employees, all of whom like bristol, are attracted to the gallery life and world. the other services offered are custom framing and complete restoration of paintings and frames, as well as appraisal services for estates and fine art.

“a lot of it has been self-taught, a lot has been working with antiques and art dealers through the years,” said utter. “and we try to maintain the best expertise in the business.”

For a list of current artists, events and more information please visit the website, www.galleryandframe.com

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