January 2026
Wednesday, Jan. 7, Lunch Bunch at the Peppered Pig, 175 Empire Blvd., Webster, NY 14580. RSVP to the Evite mailed to you no later than Mon., Jan. 5.
Monday , Jan. 19, Great Decisions, 3:30 pm – via Zoom. Trump’s return has marked a break from 80 years of U.S. foreign policy leadership, embracing an “America First” approach. Our January reading explores the risks of isolation and diminished influence in relation to Trump 2.0 foreign policy. Judy DuPreʹ will lead a discussion of Reading #1: “Debating America’s Global Role: America First vs. Liberal Internationalism.”
Friday , Jan. 23, Branch Program: “Let’s learn more about Willow” 1:00pm – via Zoom. Willow’s mission is to prevent domestic violence and champion survivor safety, justice, healing, and hope. Well known in our area for the work the staff accomplishes, now we will be able to learn additional information from Lisa Nolan who serves as the Director of Prevention Education. Her position includes training, educating and consulting on all things related to trauma and domestic, dating, and intimate partner violence throughout the community. Ms. Nolan has been part of the Willow Team for close to seven years following roles in higher education settings where she supported college students as the Director of Student Behavior and Conduct. Ms. Nolan is a lifelong Rochesterian who is a graduate of SUNY Oswego and who also earned a Master’s Degree in education from Penn State. Watch your email close to the program date for the Zoom link and hear about Willow achievements enacted to support women through their ongoing work and any challenges to be overcome to achieve future successes at Willow. Ms. Nolan will welcome your interactions as she presents.
Monday , Jan. 26, Book Group, 7:30 pm via Zoom. Our January selection, The Filling Station by Vanessa Miller, is historical fiction regarding the May 31-June 1, 1921 massacre of the entire community known as Greenwood (dubbed “Black Wall Street”) in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Fire, guns, air raids and looting by whites were followed by denial of insurance claims and false reporting of blame for the tragedy. There was no justice to be found at court. The narrative follows sisters Margaret and Evelyn Justice who were orphaned by the melee as one graduated from college and the other prepared for her high school graduation. It is their story of resilience as they struggled to rebuild their lives, home, and their father’s prosperous grocery business. Simultaneously mourning lost loved ones did not make it any easier to dispel their bitterness at how unfair their radically changed situation was. Fortunately, they were initially taken in by a family that ran the only gas station in the vicinity where Blacks could safely fill their gas tanks or get a bite to eat in Oklahoma where Jim Crow was ubiquitous. Please watch for a Zoom invitation to the Book Group meeting to be led by Nancy Shadd. All are welcome whether you have read the book or not.