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Cover Canandaigua, a few other communities — oh, and write the Eat, Drink and Be Murphy food and drink column — for the Daily Messenger in Canandaigua.
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Articles by Mike Murphy
‘Lake America’ controversy is booming business for Irondequoit T-shirt shop
Business could never, ever be better than this, thought Matt Saxon during the eclipse of 2024, when lines of customers stretched out the door of his small Irondequoit storefront waiting for his screen-printed T-shirts. But Saxon — and fair to say, most anyone living near the Great Lakes — never counted on President Donald J. Trump in August dubbing Lake Ontario "Lake America" in an executive order as part of a trade war with the country's neighbor to the north, Canada. What's in a name?
A grape time was had by all at the Naples Grape Festival. See the pix.
Follow A grape time was had by all at the Naples Grape Festival. See the pix. Mike Murphy, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle Updated Sat, September 26, 2026 at 5:23 PM EDT A grape time was had by all at the Naples Grape Festival. See the pix. Kelly Possert and Liam Fahy had the enviable task of judging the World's Greatest Grape Pie contest as part of the two-day Naples Grape Festival on Saturday.
A grape time was had by all at the Naples Grape Festival. See the pix.
A grape time was had by all at the Naples Grape Festival. See the pix. Sept. 26, 2026, 5:23 p.m. ET Kelly Possert and Liam Fahy had the enviable task of judging the World's Greatest Grape Pie contest as part of the two-day Naples Grape Festival on Saturday. Mike Murphy/Canandaigua Daily Messenger And a fine grape day to you, Justin Nyquist, who dressed for success at the Naples Grape Festival.
How to reach the Naples Grape Festival this weekend
The popular Naples Grape Festival once again will be attracting huge numbers of people to the Ontario County village this weekend. But one of the main routes into the village is closed. Now what? The Ontario County Sheriff's Office is encouraging motorists traveling to the festival to plan their route in advance, allow additional time for travel and follow all posted detour and traffic-control signs.
Finger Lakes Nurse Honor Guard gives late nurses a final tribute
As Ruth Benjamin was getting ready to retire after more than 50 years in nursing, two of her colleagues passed away. Benjamin, who was director of health management and research for Heritage Christian Services for 34 years, was away for one of their services, which devastated her. Nursing is a calling and a way of life, Benjamin said by way of explanation, and many like her and her colleague gave everything they had to their profession.
New craft brewery opens in Ontario County. What can visitors expect?
Sept. 21, 2026, 7:48 a.m. ET After several months of rehabbing an 1800s former wooden wheel manufacturing building, Ken Johnson, one of the owners of Wheel Works Brewing Co., finds welcoming customers and serving craft beers and food a relief. "It seems like the hard work is behind us but in some ways, it's just beginning," said Johnson, who also is executive chairman of the Leonard's Express the trucking and transporation company in Ontario County.
Canandaigua DMV eyes new home to solve parking woes
In an effort to ease customer wait times and provide more parking, the Department of Motor Vehicles office in Canandaigua may be on the move, as soon as late 2027 or early 2028. As part of the Atwater Place project, the plan is to take over 6,000 square feet of first-floor space in the historic Canandaigua Post Office location at 32 N. Main St., just about three miles away and still in the city. The Ontario County District Attorney's office already operates at this former Canandaigua YMCA location.
Bridge in Ontario County to be replaced. Here's what to know
Sept. 19, 2026, 9:06 a.m. ET The East Lake Road bridge in the Ontario County town of Richmond is scheduled to be replaced in 2028, but Ontario County wants residents and motorists to learn more about what is planned and why it's necessary sooner rather than later. A public informational meeting is scheduled for 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, at Richmond Town Hall, 8690 Main St., Honeoye.
New restaurants, stores planned for former Tom's Mobil site in Canandaigua
Soon, there may be long-awaited movement on a plan to develop the former Tom's Mobil site in Downtown Canandaigua. Developer Fred Rainaldi Jr. is seeking Canandaigua City Planning Commission approvals that would allow the consolidation of three properties into one, the primary lot being the former gas station site on South Main Street. The plan includes demolition of the former Beverage Center drive-thru business on Saltonstall Street and a home now owned by the developer behind it.
New public art piece unveiled in Canandaigua park
Sept. 14, 2026, 2:00 p.m. ET Now that it's there, the sculpture unveiled in the Gibson Street Park in Canandaigua seems such a perfect fit that it seems like it should have been there all along. The more than 8-foot high "From Where We Land" sculpture was created by Finger Lakes Community College associate professor Barron Naegel, with assistance from Joshua Long. His work was installed in the park last month, but kept under wraps until the big reveal Sept. 13.
Sculpture unveiled in Canandaigua park. See the pictures.
Follow Sculpture unveiled in Canandaigua park. See the pictures. Mike Murphy, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle Updated Mon, September 14, 2026 at 2:00 PM EDT Sculpture unveiled in Canandaigua park. See the pictures. Finger Lakes Community College associate professor Barron Naegel, second from left, shows off his "From Where We Land" piece, which he donated and was unveiled in Canandaigua's Gibson Street Park on Sept. 13.
Sculpture unveiled in Canandaigua park. See the pictures. Original
Mike Murphy Sept. 14, 2026, 2:00 p.m. ET Finger Lakes Community College associate professor Barron Naegel, second from left, shows off his "From Where We Land" piece, which he donated and was unveiled in Canandaigua's Gibson Street Park on Sept. 13. Mike Murphy/Canandaigua Daily Messenger Artist and FLCC associate professor Barron Naegel unveils his "From Where We Land" sculpture during a ceremony Sept. 13 at Canandaigua's Gibson Street Park.
Canandaigua honors 9/11 heroes and victims
Follow Canandaigua honors 9/11 heroes and victims Mike Murphy, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle Updated Sat, September 12, 2026 at 10:23 AM EDT Twenty-five years ago, America changed forever, said American Legion Post 256 Commander Matthew Parsons. The lives of the thousands of innocent victims killed in the terrorist attacks of Sept.
School superintendent in Ontario County announces retirement
Mike Murphy Rochester Democrat and Chronicle Sept. 10, 2026, 3:09 p.m. ET Bloomfield Central School District Superintendent Andy Doell will miss the "incredible" faculty and staff and "amazing" students. Doell, who has announced his retirement after nine years, will also miss being part of the special milestone moments, and there have been many of them over the years. Kindergarten and high school graduations, Halloween parades and sectional championships are among them.
Unaware pilot took off on 9/11 and triggered fighter jets
PENN YAN — An eerie experience is how Paul Middlebrook describes managing an airport and running a company that flew corporate executives around the world at an airfield where no airplanes are taking off or landing.
Experts discuss election security in Canandaigua
As voters throughout the country prepare to head for the polls for the midterm elections in November, election security may be on their minds. The issue also is on the minds of the organizers of the George M. Ewing Canandaigua Forum speaker series, which opens its 15th season on Sept. 20 with a deep dive into how election systems are protected, how threats are detected and what measures are in place to maintain public confidence in the democratic process.
Debris from the fallen Twin Towers carry deep meaning in Finger Lakes
Sept. 8, 2026, 2:21 p.m. ET CANANDAIGUA — Taken out of contest, it’s not much to look at. A mangled hunk of rust-colored steel, a foot and a half or so top to bottom. In spots, the metal is folded over itself. In others, sharp edges serve as a reminder of the necessity for a tetanus booster shot. Just a mangled hunk of metal that comes from and represents something much, much larger.
Star Cider brings pickle pizza to new festival
Sept. 3, 2026, 3:58 a.m. ET You know pickles don’t grow on trees, right? But pickles are part of the family tree at Star Cider, which will be hosting its first Pickle Fest on Friday, Sept. 11, to Sunday, Sept. 13, and another Friday, Oct. 16, to Sunday, Oct. 18. The family of Cortni Stahl, one of the Canandaigua cidery’s co-owners, used to gather up some cucumbers and begin the process of preserving them during a pickle-making day every summer.
Two measles cases confirmed in Ontario County
Sept. 1, 2026, 6:48 p.m. ET Ontario County Public Health is investigating cases of confirmed measles in two unvaccinated residents, but officials said the overall risk to the public is low, particularly for those who are fully vaccinated against the disease. The health department was notified on Aug. 31 of the positive results. Both people safely isolated at home while they were at risk of exposing others to the viral disease, health officials said.
Celebrate the season at these 12 local fall events
We’re going to steal an idea from the organizers of the two-day Harvest on the Canal celebration to help get you thinking about the upcoming season: “Fall isn’t officially fall until ... “ And you fill in the blank. Obviously, they’d like you to plug in the Harvest on the Canal, and we’ve included some details below of what’s happening when the event kicks off Sept. 12 at the Wayne County Fairgrounds in Palmyra. Here are 12 ideas of how you can fill in the blanks on your autumn to-do list.
Jerry Garcia Symphonic Celebration comes to CMAC Original
Sept. 1, 2026, 9:52 a.m. ET The Jerry Garcia Symphonic Celebration, featuring Melvin Seals, Jacklyn LaBranch, Tom Hamilton, Grahame Lesh, John Morgan Kimock and Kanika Moore, will be held at the Constellation Brands-Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center tonight, Sept. 1. The Jerry Garcia Symphonic Celebration returns to celebrate 60 years of the Grateful Dead and the legacy of Garcia, one of the founding members and lead guitarist and vocalist of the group.
Canandaigua park gets mysterious new sculpture. Here's when it will be unveiled
Mike Murphy Rochester Democrat and Chronicle Aug. 27, 2026, 11:36 a.m. ET Now that a new gift has been added to Gibson Street Park in Canandaigua, a bit of intrigue seems to be in the air. The gift, which city work crews installed last week, is an outdoor sculpture donated to the city by Barron Naegle, an associate professor at Finger Lakes Community College who has taught ceramics, drawing and sculpture for more than 20 years.
Canandaigua park gets mysterious new sculpture. Here's when it will be unveiled
Aug. 27, 2026, 11:36 a.m. ET Now that a new gift has been added to Gibson Street Park in Canandaigua, a bit of intrigue seems to be in the air. The gift, which city work crews installed last week, is an outdoor sculpture donated to the city by Barron Naegle, an associate professor at Finger Lakes Community College who has taught ceramics, drawing and sculpture for more than 20 years. Naegle has also created public art in Michigan and, closer to home, in Ithaca.
Canandaigua's Gallery 32 seeks artists with 'Tiny Hands'
Aug. 26, 2026, 4:49 a.m. ET The folks who run Gallery 32 in Downtown Canandaigua say you’re never too young to be an artist. But sometimes, the youngsters may need a little bit of help developing their talents and keeping those tiny hands busy. The gallery, which is a project of the Ontario County Arts Council, will be hosting the Tiny Hands Art Studio, an art studio experience for 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds on Saturday mornings, beginning Sept. 12.
KiX on Main in Canandaigua could change hands in October Original
Mike Murphy Rochester Democrat and Chronicle Aug. 21, 2026, 1:04 p.m. ET A popular fixture in the Canandaigua culinary scene is expected to change hands at the beginning of October. KiX on Main owners Alexander “Xan” and Kimberly Vakiener Bacon have identified a potential buyer of their restaurant, which opened in 2021. Bacon declined to identify the potential buyer at this time. KiX on Main at 170 S.
Historic Shortsville site transforms into new craft brewery
Aug. 21, 2026, 3:00 a.m. ET SHORTSVILLE — Ken Johnson knows he and his partners have one opportunity to make a good impression. If all goes well, customers will get that first impression of the ambitious Wheel Works Brewing Co. in Shortsville when it’s scheduled to open Sept. 15. That would spell the symbolic end of the lengthy transformation of an old, crumbling building with historical significance to this Ontario County village, and the start of a new chapter in local history.
Canandaigua's Kershaw Park beach to close Saturday. Here's why
Aug. 20, 2026, 11:49 a.m. ET Swimming at the beach at Kershaw Park in Canandaigua will end for the season Saturday, Aug. 22. The reason is not due to the presence of harmful algal blooms, which forced its closure for several days earlier in the month. According to city officials, there is not enough staff to safely operate after this Saturday.
Canandaigua's Kershaw Park beach to close Saturday. Here's why
Swimming at the beach at Kershaw Park in Canandaigua will end for the season Saturday, Aug. 22. The reason is not due to the presence of harmful algal blooms, which forced its closure for several days earlier in the month. According to city officials, there is not enough staff to safely operate after this Saturday. “We have had a wonderful summer, and we would like to thank all of our lifeguards and beach staff for all you do to keep the public safe!” the city noted in the post on its website.
Local campers give Canandaigua Civic Center a makeover
Aug. 18, 2026, 4:05 a.m. ET The Greater Canandaigua Civic Center never looked cooler. The facility, which houses the ice rink popular with youth hockey players and skaters of all ages as well as special events, received an artful makeover over the summer, courtesy of the Paints & Rec summer camp program. The grand reveal on Aug.
Track cormorant activity in New York with new tool
Aug. 17, 2026, 12:20 p.m. ET Locally developed technology and the help of the public may result in ways to better manage a federally protected water bird and in the process, help solve issues some Wayne County residents are having with bird poop and their impact on the Lake Ontario fish stock.
Popular bakery closing after 36 years in business
Aug. 17, 2026, 4:29 a.m. ET It was a good run, and Sweet Times Bakery husband-and-wife owners Kim and Jeff Roberge met a lot of great people — and their kids and in some cases, their kids, too. But it was time for a change. Sweet Times Bakery, a popular cafe for baked goodies and lunches in Victor, will be closing its doors after 36 “wonderful years” of business. The last day of business, according to an Aug. 13 post on its Facebook page, will be Aug. 28. The Roberges opened the bakery in 1990.
Tick-borne illnesses are surging in Ontario County. What residents should know
Aug. 13, 2026, 4:05 a.m. ET A year after Canandaigua City Council took on the issue of ticks and the prevalence of tick-borne illnesses in Ontario County, the numbers of cases remain on the rise. Tick-borne illnesses have increased from 62 in 2017 to 337 in 2025, with the numbers trending 40% more this year to date than last, according to Matt Hanggi, communicable disease coordinator for Ontario County Public Health and member of a City Council ad-hoc committee.
Strangebird brewery debuts 'secret fruit' ale for festival
Aug. 11, 2026, 12:11 p.m. ET Rochester’s Strangebird brewery is providing a bit of a tropical flair for one of the Finger Lakes region’s favorite near-the-end-of-summer festivals. Clothesline State of Mind, a sour ale brewed with paw paw fruit and pink peppercorn, will be available during the two-day M&T Bank Clothesline Art & Fine Craft Festival at the Memorial Art Gallery. When is the Clothesline Art & Fine Craft Festival? The 69th annual festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug.
Canandaigua starts work on new culinary arts hub
Aug. 10, 2026, 3:19 p.m. ET The official groundbreaking for the new culinary arts center was only minutes away, but that didn’t stop Moira Tidball, executive director of the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ontario County, from inviting everyone back next year for a toast to its opening.
Canandaigua gathers for massive singing bowl event
Updated Aug. 10, 2026, 4:32 p.m. ET They fell just short of the world record for the largest singing bowl ensemble. But on Saturday, the 306 people who participated in the Canandaigua Rising in Unity event may have achieved close to nirvana for at least five minutes. At 4:44 p.m., the participants — who crowded into the Central on Main and Commons Park — began to play their Himalayan singing bowls, which came in sizes large, small and medium, each with a different tone.
Canandaigua gathers for massive singing bowl event Original
Mike Murphy Rochester Democrat and Chronicle Aug. 10, 2026, 12:50 p.m. ET There's no official word on if they set the world record for the largest singing bowl ensemble. But on Saturday, those who participated in the Canandaigua Rising in Unity event may have achieved close to nirvana for at least five minutes.
Kershaw beach in Canandaigua closes for the weekend
Aug. 7, 2026, 7:56 p.m. ET It's not the news would-be beachgoers wanted to hear with the number of summer weekends dwindling. The beach at Kershaw Park in Canandaigua will remain closed through Monday, Aug. 10. The beach will reopen if the state Department of Health determines it's safe, based on test results.
Canandaigua seeks to set singing bowl world record Original
Mike Murphy Rochester Democrat and Chronicle Aug. 7, 2026, 8:19 a.m. ET After Saturday, Canandaigua may be known for something that no place else in the world has done. Canandaigua Rising in Unity, a free community celebration of connection, culture music and mindfulness scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 8, in Downtown Canandaigua, will culminate with an attempt at the world record for largest singing bowl ensemble.
Canandaigua Kershaw Park beaches closed due to algae bloom
Aug. 6, 2026, 3:25 p.m. ET The city of Canandaigua has closed the public beach and dog beach at Kershaw Park because harmful algal blooms, or blue-green algae, have been found in the water. As a precautionary measure, both beaches will be closed the remainder of today, Aug. 6, and Friday, Aug. 7, city officials noted in a post on its Facebook page. Harmful algal bloom conditions can change very quickly based on wind direction and water movement, city officials said.
Canandaigua hosts first combined community event. See photos
Aug. 5, 2026, 12:22 p.m. ET CANANDAIGUA — The city of Canandaigua hosted its first National Night Out and combined it with its popular Touch a Truck event, drawing many kids and their parents to Canandaigua Lake. The free event was held Tuesday afternoon and into the early evening at Kershaw Park.
Canandaigua hosts first National Night Out event. See the photos.
Canandaigua hosts first National Night Out event. See the photos. Aug. 5, 2026, 12:22 p.m. ET Canandaigua police officer Jordan Carey demonstrates the use of a drone during the city's first National Night Out event at Kershaw Park. The event held Aug. 4 is an effort to build policing and community partnerships. Mike Murphy/Canandaigua Daily Messenger Brodie Congdon seems to be a Canandaigua firefighter in the making.
Canandaigua Main Street repaving starts this month Original
Mike Murphy Rochester Democrat and Chronicle Aug. 5, 2026, 11:47 a.m. ET The road project many motorists have been waiting for is nearly here. Repaving of Canandaigua's Main Street (Route 332) is scheduled to begin Monday, Aug. 24, according to a post on the city of Canandaigua's Facebook page. Work times are subject to the weather, of course. Drivers have been venting for some time on social media with complaints of potholes and assorted bumps on the road on Main Street.
Canandaigua rezoning plan near Jefferson Park shelved after business opposition
Mike Murphy Rochester Democrat and Chronicle Aug. 4, 2026, 1:17 p.m. ET A possible rezoning of land near Jefferson Park that could have led to more housing in the city of Canandaigua appears to be dead for now after several business owners gave a collective thumbs-down to the idea.
Harmful algal blooms reported in Canandaigua Lake. What to know Original
Mike Murphy Rochester Democrat and Chronicle Aug. 3, 2026, 12:26 p.m. ET It’s that time of year at Canandaigua Lake. Three harmful algal blooms, or HABS, were reported July 31 and Aug. 1 as of Monday morning, on the eastern side of the lake. This comes a week after Canandaigua Lake Watershed Association volunteer shoreline monitors on July 24 reported what is believed to be the first harmful blue-green algal bloom of the summer, also on the east side of the lake.
Victor Music and Food Festival returns this August Original
VICTOR — Six bands will perform on four stages as part of the fifth annual Victor Music & Food Festival. Admission is free to the event, which will be held from 2 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at Mead Square in the village. Performers include the headliner, Tryst, and State Line, Shades of Grey, JD Blues Band, Dave Turner and Rylee Pierce. The event last year drew more than 5,000 people to the village of Victor.
Canandaigua songwriter finds success with patriotic tune 'American Troubadour'
Aug. 1, 2026, 11:18 a.m. ET Years ago, Rich Cooley first began working on the song but set it aside. Country crooner Willie Nelson beat him to the title, “On the Road Again,” as Cooley called his song then, and Cooley didn’t want anyone — most of all, Nelson — to think he was copying him. Try as he might, Cooley couldn’t work around it, at least not then. Nine years ago, he tried again, coming up with a new title and theme, and a new chorus.
Canandaigua event celebrates life of Austin Steward
July 29, 2026, 3:01 a.m. ET A former slave who later in life would have a major impact on the Canandaigua and Rochester communities will be recognized on a day celebrating emancipation. The 1816 Farmington Quaker Meetinghouse Museum in Farmington and the Ontario County Historical Society will co-sponsor Commemorating Emancipation Day, a program marking the end of slavery in the British Empire. The event will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug.
Canandaigua event celebrates life of Austin Steward
A former slave who later in life would have a major impact on the Canandaigua and Rochester communities will be recognized on a day celebrating emancipation. The 1816 Farmington Quaker Meetinghouse Museum in Farmington and the Ontario County Historical Society will co-sponsor Commemorating Emancipation Day, a program marking the end of slavery in the British Empire.
Groundbreaking for $24M culinary arts center in Canandaigua postponed Original
Mike Murphy Rochester Democrat and Chronicle July 28, 2026, 7:47 a.m. ET CANANDAIGUA — Because of the rain and further threat of inclement weather, Ontario County officials have postponed a ceremonial groundbreaking on the $24 million culinary arts center of excellence in Canandaigua. The groundbreaking on this ambitious project was originally scheduled for Tuesday morning.
Canandaigua culinary arts center groundbreaking: What to know about $24M project
July 27, 2026, 4:03 p.m. ET The ambitious development project with many moving parts has been talked about for months, and various approvals have been signed off by various government agencies. Now, it’s time for action on a proposed culinary arts center of excellence near Canandaigua Lake.
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