November//December 2022 Buffalo Home Magazine

of the

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY:

Holiday Magic at

DON’T MISS OUT ON THE RUSTIC BUFFALO!RUSTIC BUFFALO!

Christmastime may be forever in our hearts, but it’s only here for a short time at Rustic Buffalo. Don’t miss your chance to pick up breathtaking, one -of-a-kind local gifts this Christmas, all the more meaningful since they support creators in your comm unity. Find everything you need to make your season merry and bright when you visit our three vi ntage buildings overflowing with cheer, goodwill, the soft strains of holiday medleys, and magical gi fts crafted by over 110 Buffalo area artisans!

Rustic Buffalo Vintage Boutique

Make your way into our Rustic Buffalo Vintage Boutique. Channeling Mrs. Claus with antiques and goods of yesteryear, charming home décor, and inspirational Buffalo and non-Buffalo themed items, the Vintage Boutique is yet another beautiful part of the Rustic Buffalo shopping experience. Artisan Ashley Erickson has created a dazzling boutique environment, which both smells fabulous and envelops our guests in a warm and comfy glow.

Built in the 1800s, the two-story Rustic Buffalo Barn is a vision to behold. Original framework draws the eye to its beautiful ceiling made of literal tree trunks. This awe-inspiring, historic barn holds the work of dozens of award-winning Buffalo artisans. Packed with everything from stocking stuffers to 6-foot Grinches, gift giving has never been easier. Thanks to our talented creators, there’s no need to worry about items being in stock, shipping delays, or supply chain issues. Like Santa’s workshop, “If you dream it; we can make it!” The only thing in short supply is time, so stop by soon to order early!

In a rush? Stop by our grab-and-go section to select a delightful gift wrapped in beautiful cellophane. Our Rustic Buffalo gift cards also make great gifts and stocking stuffers and come in any denomination!

Rustic Buffalo House

If the Rustic Buffalo Barn is Santa’s Workshop, then the Rustic Buffalo House is its Gumdrop Forest! Filled with artisanal foods, the Rustic Buffalo House is home to a hyper-local gourmet kitchen. Here, you’ll find a wide variety of area specialties such as Fowler’s candy, Weber sauces, decadent jams and jellies, dips and salsas, and even fresh eggs from one of our neighbors! Dig into our goodies to find stocking stuffers and share childhood candy favorites with your grandchildren. Our gourmet kitchen includes our bake shop, carrying fresh pies daily. Beat the Thanksgiving rush and pre-order your holiday pies at any time!

While you’re here, pop into our café. Enjoy a slice of pie, sip on one of our specialty holiday cocktails, and give the kids delicious hot cocoa while you sample our hot spiced and spiked cider, our boozy hot cocoa, or a little Baileys and coffee to warm you right down to your toes. Take in the crisp air when you sit in our outdoor seating and bask in the warmth of our radiant heaters. Tastings are held frequently. Follow us to catch your favorites!

Get your Rustic Buffalo passport stamped in each building to enter our $200 drawing!

The Rustic Buffalo team showing their holiday spirit at the Christmas Cottage in Lockport!

Looking for that perfect gift for the football lover in your family? Rustic Buffalo is your licensed Buffalo Bills retailer!

Rustic Buffalo ‘s the Buffalo Bills! As your licensed, registered NFL retailer, we have everything Bills from in-demand jerseys to popular tailgating accessories and souvenirs, right down to Bills toothbrushes, and much more! Overflowing with NFL items, Rustic Buffalo was recently named the Buffalo Bills store destination of Western New York. Stop in to find that Buffalo Bills item the fan in your life doesn’t have!

on our Rustic Buffalo

Enjoy a VIP shopping experience when you download the Rustic Buffalo app to your phone or smart device. As a Rustic Buffalo insider, you can shop online at your leisure and from the comfort of your home, get the scoop on what’s up at Rustic Buffalo, find upcoming specials and exclusive deals, and even join our Rustic Buffalo Live: From our Home to Yours! broadcast every Thursday from 7pm-8pm.

Center

from ALL

Clarence

35

Amherst – 20

Getzville - 15

Park

35 minutes

– 20

AND UNIQUE SETTING FOR YOUR SPECIAL EVEN T!

- from the artists’ desk -

The holidays are upon us once more! There’s a chill in the air nipping at your nose, there’s a warm feeling in your heart, and it’s the season of giving. (You might also be considering using 25,000 lightbulbs in your outdoor décor, to which we say good luck, Sparky!) Here at Home we’re bringing good tidings to you and your kin to make the most of the holiday season, and we can’t wait for you to join us! After all, there’s no place like Home for the holidays.

The weather outside might be frightful, but that’s no reason we can’t elevate our homes for the holiday season! Jenn Dempsey of MotherThyme is serving up tips and tricks for some festive DIY touches to our entryways, and we’re getting ready to cozy up by the fire with some feel good stories. Sweet Buffalo 716 is back with their “Make A Case for Kids” campaign, stuffing pillowcases full of goodies for young ones! Abby Widger of Belle of the Ball is also having fun with a winter fashion capsule just in time to find that perfect holiday dinner outfit.

We’re raising a toast with some seasonal mocktail recipes curtesy of Spirit Free WNY, and don’t fret about your holiday shopping list! We’ve covered all of the gift giving bases from Rustic Buffalo (a licensed Buffalo Bills retailer!) and locally flavored hostess gifts you’re guaranteed to BuffaLOVE!

From our family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and may your season be merry and bright. We can’t wait to share what we have in store in the new year!

SWEET STORIES

WORTH SHARING

‘MAKE A CASE FOR KIDS’ TO GIVE NEW PRESENTS TO KIDS IN NEED THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Totally Bu�falo Cares, a 501(c)(3) nonpro�it organization that gives back to the community, is gearing up for the annual “Make A Case For Kids” campaign where they collect presents for children facing hardship this holiday season.

The give-back initiative was star�ed by Totally Bu�falo Store owners Mary Friona-Celani and Scott Celani. The presents are donated by the community at various Totally Bu�falo Store locations and then packed into 500+ new pillowcases that have princess and superhero themes and other fun goodies! The cases include puzzles, pajamas, books, games and more for Hospice families as well as those in need in the community.

“A family might be laid o�f or not be able to a�ford gi��s this year. We want to help alleviate any stress they might have and bring a smile to children. We par�ner with Hospice, the Neighborhood Health Center in Niagara Falls, and the Response to Love Center in Bu�falo. We are always looking for donations and volunteers to help, so the whole community is invited to take par� and make a di�ference for kids,” said Friona-Celani.

You can donate a toy, gi�� or new pillowcase for a child to Totally Bu�falo Store at 3328 Sheridan Drive in Amherst and 3459 Amelia Drive in Orchard Park.

For more information about getting involved with the Make A Case For Kids program or to make a donation, visit https://totallybu�falocares.org/case-for-kids/.

SWEET BUFFALO EVENTS

Join Sweet Bu�falo and Totally Bu�falo for the Procrastinators Holiday Market at Bu�falo RiverWorks from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, December 17.

Shop with 100 local vendors and get your last-minute holiday shopping done! Admission is free!

For more “Just Great Feels!” stories visit:

SWEETBUFFALO716.COM

FB + IG @SweetBuffalo716 TikTok @SweetBuffaloToTheRescue

“Thank you to our friends at Basil Toyota & Basil Volkswagen for helping us in our mission to share stories that make a di�ference!” - Sweet Bu�falo

by TRISH PINO

C ELEBR A TE THE HOLID A YS WITH REFRESHING N O N -A LCO HOLIC A LTERN A TIVES

Local influencer Jessica D’Amour is on a mission to build a more inclusive culture in which people can attend social gatherings without feeling the need – or the pressure – to drink alcohol. Jessica decided to take a month off of drinking about two and a half years ago to see how she would feel. She was surprised at how much energy she had, but she also noticed how uncomfortable it was to attend parties, particularly those at breweries and bars.

Knowing there is a wide range of reasons why someone may not want to drink alcohol –whether for a year, a lifetime, or even just a night – she was disappointed with the lack of selections she found. In 2019, these instances started popping up more and more, inspiring her to create her own social media account called Spirit Free WNY to share non-alcoholic products and post recipes of her own. A pharmacist by day, experimenting with flavors and creating her own mocktails gave her a much-needed creative outlet, especially when home during the pandemic.

While many have heard of Dry Januar y, the movement around more people choosing not to drink has gained national attention. Terms like “sober curious” are becoming more common as people re-evaluate their relationship with alcohol. Jessica shares that there are many misperceptions around why someone may choose not to drink, and it is up to all of us to create a culture of inclusion that normalizes whatever decision someone chooses to make.

Jessica is amazed by the response she has received since starting Spirit Free WNY, which has continued to gain traction since she launched. She continues to expand with the launch of her website and will be attending local pop-up and vendor fairs, with the goal of eventually opening her own brick and mortar location.

Follow along with Jessica for more tips & recipes on Facebook @SpiritFreeJess and Instagram @SpiritFreeWNY

Tips & Advice from Jessica

Spirit Free WNY’s mission is to expand options for people who are sober, sober curious, just want to avoid alcohol once in a while, and for everyone hoping to create a culture of inclusion for those who decide not to drink for whatever reason.

FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Holidays can be a high-pressure time to drink, but on the flip side, it is also a warm and welcoming time that brings people together, despite their differences and choices. When hosting, make someone feel welcome by not only making NA options available, but by also explaining what you have and serving it alongside the alcoholic options.

RECIPES & INGREDIENTS

I find a lot of great mocktail recipes on Pinterest and social media. You can even modify regular cocktail recipes by substituting the alcohol with a spirit alternative. One of my favorite ways to switch it up is by adding my own infused simple syrup which I make by dissolving sugar into water on the stove and adding herbs such as rosemary. It creates a nice herbal flavor so your mocktail isn’t just juice and seltzer water.

RESOURCES

Many of the non-alcoholic spirit brands have great information and recipes on their websites. Two of my favorites are Ritual Zero Proof (www.ritualzeroproof.com) that provides great recipes as well as rum, gin, tequila and whiskey alternatives and We Are Raising the Bar, which provides a monthly subscription box of alcohol-free craft cocktail ingredients to make drinks at home (www.weareraisingthebar.com).

pS a r k l i n g R o s e m a r y O ran geMocktail

Making infused simple syrups is my favorite way to add sophisticated flavor to mocktails. It may sound intimidating, but it is actually really simple! Rosemary adds an earthy herbal flavor that pairs well with citrus.

Here, I used blood oranges which are in season from December to April and add a striking red color.

ROSEMARY SYRUP

•½ cup granulated sugar

•½ cup water

•2-3 sprigs fresh rosemary

MOCKTAIL

•2 tablespoons blood orange juice (or regular orange juice)

•1-2 tablespoons rosemary syrup

•Non-alcoholic sparkling wine or seltzer (I used Gruvi Dry Secco)

DIRECTIONS

1. Prepare rosemary syrup. In a small saucepan over low heat, combine water, sugar, and rosemary. Heat and stir until sugar is fully dissolved and let simmer for 10-15 minutes. Remove from burner and allow to cool to room temperature.

2. Strain out the rosemary and transfer to a jar. Store in the fridge until ready to use.

3. Put 1-2 tablespoons of rosemary syrup into glass, then add orange juice and stir to combine.

4. Top off the glass with non-alcoholic sparkling wine.

5. Garnish with a sprig of rosemary, frozen cranberries, and an orange slice.

Spiced Cranberry Paloma

DIRECTIONS

1.

2.

3.

5.

W a r m M u l l e d CiderSangr i a

This drink is not only a warm and cozy treat, it will also make your home smell heavenly! This mulled sangria is perfect for cozying up next to the fire or welcoming your friends and family in from the cold. Change up the spices based on what you like and what you have on hand!

MOCKTAIL

• 1 cup apple cider

• ¾ cup cranberry cocktail

• 2 cinnamon sticks

• 2 orange slices

• 1 teaspoon whole cloves

• 3 star anise pods

DIRECTIONS

1. Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan over low heat. Simmer until warm and spices become fragrant and flavor the juice, about 15 minutes.

2. Strain the mulled “wine” into 2 mugs.

3. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and an orange slice on the rim.

Winter Capsule Wardrobe

Local blogger, Buffalo resident and middle school teacher, Abby Widger, started Belle of the Ball in 2013 as a creative outlet to share fashion trends and tips. Fashion has always been a big part of her life, and, after almost 10 years, she continues to use her blog and social media as a place to share more about her personal style, travel adventures, and lifestyle.

Inspired by her mom (who is still her photographer today!), Abby and her mom have always bonded over fashion. She loves how it spans beyond what you wear and believes that finding your personal style builds confidence in yourself and how you present yourself to the world.

From a young age, her style has always been preppy and classic with a modern twist. She loves trying new trends and incorporating them into her typical wardrobe. When looking to purchase something new, she encourages people to look beyond company websites, sharing “there are so many bloggers and influencers online that share details beyond what the item looks like on a model.” One of

her favorite things about the blog is being there for her readers to answer questions and share honest details about the pieces – or helping them rediscover a new way to wear something that is already in their closet.

When it comes to the holidays, she encourages people to have fun with their style and use it as a time to incorporate elements such as bows, sparkle, plaid and other festive touches. Here, it is always important to add an element of warmth, so she suggests experimenting with layers.

“Lately I’ve been loving layering with dresses which are the perfect transition pieces for the holiday season. I’ve seen so many adorable outfits lately adding a turtleneck under a dress or layering a sweater over a dress for added

Throughout the past few years I went on a lot of road trips all within a few hours of Buffalo. Some of my favorites are The Lake House on Canandaigua, Inns of Aurora, Glen Scott Manor, Geneva on the Lake and Ellicottville!

-Belle of the Ball Blog

From Abby

Where do you go for inspiration?

"Most of my style inspiration comes from social media! I love being able to follow and interact with so many people around the world on a regular basis. I especially love Pinterest and could scroll on the app for hours! Many of the friends I have met through blogging have become some of my biggest inspirations not only for fashion but also as role models in life."

...

What do you love most about the holidays?

"I view the holiday season as a time to focus on what truly matters and I’m very close with my family so it is wonderful to spend time together. It’s fun to take a step away from a chaotic life and enjoy the simple things like baking cookies, a fresh snowfall, or a cozy movie night. The holidays to me are a time to reset and focus on the important people in life!"

...

Where can we see more?

"Visit my website for more outfits and tips: www.belleoftheballblog.com or follow me on social media (Instagram, TikTok, etc.) @belleoftheball45."

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DOWNTOWN BUFFALO HOLIDAY MARKET 202 Ohio Street Nov. 25th - Dec. 23rd

VILLAGE OF HAMBURG HOLIDAY MARKET 202 Lake Street

Nov. 25th - Dec. 18th

sellers,

Beautiful

BUFFALO HOME TEA TOWEL

Spruce on Main, East Amherst & Amherst www.spruceonmain.com

AWARD�WINNING WINES

Black Willow Winery, Burt www.blackwillowwinery.com

WARM HEARTS WITH OUR BUFFALOVED

TH

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and gift giving is in the air! While the holiday season is full of laughter and cheer, it can also be a stressful time when it comes to gifts. When attending a myriad of gatherings and parties, it’s always a nice gesture to bring something to show your appreciation to the host. Big or small, putting thought into what you give is the most important thing.

Of course, any sort of gift is nice, but one that supports a local business with items unique to your area is even better! We all know that the holiday parties begin around Thanksgiving and keep rolling through New Years. Deciding what to get someone can be a bit tricky, especially when it comes to hostess gifts. These are just a small sample of some of the great local products in our area–shop local for yourself and see what you can find!

BUFFALO CUTTING BOARD, CHARCUTERIE BOARD, SERVING BOARD Seven One Six Wood Design Buffalo www.sevenonesixwooddesign.com

12OZ LET’S GO BUFFALO SOY CANDLE

Buffawix Candle Co, Williamsville www.buffawixcandleco.com

FACE + BODY SERUM SOAP BARS

Buffalo Gal Organics, Williamsville www.buffalogalskincare.com

COZY CANDLES

Holiday parties keep going right through Christmas when gift giving really kicks into full gear! Christmas time is all about keeping warm and feeling cozy vibes. Candles do just that. Candles always make for a lovely gift, especially ones that are unique to your home town!

LOCAL WINE

Bringing a bottle of wine is a really great option because it’s something that can be enjoyed by everyone. Thanksgiving is filled with lots of eating and drinking. You may plan to have Thanksgiving dinner at a family member’s house, or perhaps you were invited to attend a “Friendsgiving” where you may not know the host very well. These gifts are something everyone will love and enjoy.

While you can find these wines at stores in the area, why not make it more fun for yourself and visit a local winery? Take a little day trip for some tastings and tell your host or hostess all about why you chose the bottle that you brought them! After all, the holidays are about making memories and sharing stories with the ones you love.

Want to get extra creative with it? Try mulling your own wine. Snag some spices and a mulling ball, and you’ve got yourself a gift that shows how much time and thought you put into it.

SAVORY DELIGHTS

BUFFALO POTTERY MARBLE STYLE SOUP MUG

Rustic Buffalo Artisan Market, North Tonawanda www.rusticbuffalo.commentsold.com

Moving on from beverages to food, it’s never a bad idea to bring something that the host can put out for guests to eat. Charcuterie boards will be in full effect during the holidays, so bring something that can be easily added to it or even used for your host’s next party.

If you’re in the Buffalo area and looking for a yummy gift idea, Yancey’s Fancy has a gigantic assortment of artisanal cheeses to sample. For the meat lovers, Battistoni is the place to be. Grab some savory sausage and pepperoni from this specialty Italian meat shop that has been crafting its own meats in Buffalo for over 90 years.

�NOT BORED!� GAMES

There’s no better way to get a party going than with some fun games! Are you aware that many games are made right in Buffalo? Some favorites that work well with a larger group of people are What Do You Meme? and Telestrations.

Is your party host a big football fan? Bring them a Bills related trivia game like Who’s The Man? or You Gotta Know Buffalo trivia game.

By Lauren Leone

Tonawanda

Deck the Halls & THE PORCH

BY KAITLIN DONNAN

It’s about time to deck the halls (and every other room!), but an often-overlooked part of our homes in the winter is the front porch. It may not be the place we spend the most time as the temperatures dip, but it’s the first thing our guests see. As such, there’s no reason for our entryways to lose their warmth and inviting appeal, and no one knows that better than the woman behind the blog MotherThyme!

Born and raised in Buffalo, Jenn Dempsey is no stranger to the colder climes and trying to make the most out of her home during the blustery months. A wife and mom of two, we sat down with the woman who puts “mother” in MotherThyme to discuss some of her favorite ways and new innovative ideas to elevate curb appeal for our homes.

"For starters, it’s all about planning and preparing ahead,” Dempsey says, who often starts thinking about her holiday décor months in advance. “My goal is to show people how to decorate their homes by using some fun DIYs and to make sure they can really enjoy their season.”

When it comes to more expensive décor (and trying to balance out all of those presents!), Dempsey abides by the notion, “If there’s something you like, there’s likely a DIY for it — and it’s often easier than you think.”

In regards to holiday decorating, Dempsey says that sometimes it’s the simple décor that can elevate our curb appeal the most. Those ideas are the ones that give us a basis to start with, classics off of which we can build, and those are the ones with personal touches that “make a house feel like home.”

THE ENTIRE FAMILY CAN BE INVOLVED WITH THESE EASY TO MAKE FUN PROJECTS!

1. A timeless classic, candles inside each window facing the street add appeal to your home and are a perfect start. “A simple candle in each window creates a welcoming glow and is easy to do without going overboard.”

2. Adding wreathes to each of those same windows opts for a classic Christmas look. Faux wreathes can be used from year to year. Garlands with bows around the tops round out the window dressings.

3. “Don’t forget your light fixtures and lampposts!” Wrap them with garlands, bows, and add swags under the fixtures.

4. Around this time of year, delivery boxes tend to pile up on our porches. Instead of tossing them, put them to use to create oversized presents! Take three boxes of different sizes to create a topiary by wrapping them in wrapping paper, adding a giant bow and placing them where you see fit. (“They work best on a covered porch, but since they’re empty, it’s not the end of the world if they get wet!” Also — don’t forget to place a stone in each box prior to wrapping to weigh them down!)

5. “If you have window boxes, fill them with ornaments and greens.” Some oversized ornaments at the craft store or spray painted balls with greens and a bow are the perfect whimsical touch to elevate those otherwise empty boxes.

6. Lanterns filled with ornaments and wrapped in fairy lights elevate the porch to a new level. Greet your guests with splashes of color and a warm holiday glow.

7. Create some jumbo ornaments with oversized plastic balls. Spray paint them if necessary, and something as simple as an empty tuna can with the label removed can be superglued onto it to look like an ornament hook!

8. Beyond the greens, make some jumbo bells to hang around your entry. A few large planters can be spray painted and then topped with some nautical rope to give them the appearance of bells. “The best part is that you can elevate your curb without having to go with an expensive product. From the street, no one knows the difference!”

9. “Bring the North Pole to your home with pool noodles!” Grab a couple red or white noodles and wrap them with white or red duct tape to emulate the swirls. Place them over some snowplow stakes and line your driveway or walkway.

10. Create a “sweet” walkway with some peppermint candies and other sweet treats. Colorful cellophane stands out against the snow and adds a touch of whimsy, while a few large planters can be spray painted with white and red swirls to look like peppermint.

“My goal is to show people how to decorate their homes by using some fun DIYs and to make sure they can really enjoy their season.” - JENN DEMPSEY

FUN TIP :

Add pine scented sachets in your urn s underneath your florals to make your porch smell amazing!

ORNAMENT WREATH CRAFT: 14” wire wreath form White mesh 84 - 2” ornaments 15 - 1.5” ornaments Berries Hot glue & glue sticks Scissors

Wrap your wreath form with the mesh & attach with hot glue.

Take the hooks off the ornaments and go around the inside and outside of the wreath, attaching the ornaments with hot glue.

Finish with the inside and a final row snug on top. Fill in any little gaps with the smaller ornaments and finish it off with the berries!

For all things home (including crafts and some delicious recipes!), Jenn’s ideas are featured step-by-step on her website, www.motherthyme.com Follow her on Instagram: @MotherThyme

TIPS TO ELEVATE YOUR HOLIDAY CURB APPEAL

WWhen it comes to our homes, some of the best ways to elevate our curb appeal are the easiest—and can be done even during the winter, too! For many, our porches are our home’s focal point and the first greeting our guests receive. Aside from being a place to leave packages or stomp snow off our feet, our porches can be just as cozy as our living rooms.

· Replacing old hardware or house numbers is a simple touch that can speak volumes, and it’s important for those house numbers to be easily visible from the street, no matter the weather.

· Before it gets too cold out there, consider a mailbox makeover! White and gray mailboxes won’t stand out too strongly in the winter weather, so consider some bright colors to make it pop! (Just be sure to bring the mailbox inside first so it has time to warm up before you paint it.)

· One of the quickest ways to elevate our curb appeal is everyone’s favorite winter chore: clearing snow. A cleared walkway or driveway shows maintenance and is also much safer for everyone.

· Adding a few chairs or a small bench can serve as decorative while providing a place to enjoy our morning coffee and take in the winter splendor of our yards. A seating arrangement can also encourage more social activity and serve as an invitation to sit and chat for a moment. A rustic piece like a wooden rocking chair can add a seasonal element and a stack of firewood offers both a whimsical and functional element.

· Aside from green, the poinsettia is a wildly popular holiday flower. With vivid reds that will stand out against the white snow, it adds pops of color to your porch. (Remember that only the fake ones should go outside!)

· While we often associate wintertime with gray and dreary weather, hanging a bird feeder in our yards can add color and bring in some local wildlife!

BY KAITLIN DONNAN

MASTERFUL

RIN G Y OU R VISION T O U

CLEAN AND INSPECT

& CLEANINGS:

- THE JACKSON FAMILY -

For Amy Jackson, her husband Glenn, and their daughters Kaylie and Jayda, the City of Buffalo has given them much to be thankful for. As a multicultural family, the Jacksons celebrate and embrace diversity every day, both in their community and within their own family. Amy shared some insights into her family’s journey, raising strong daughters, Jackson family Thanksgiving traditions, and more.

by AMANDA DUDEK

Hi, Amy! Can you tell us a little bit about being a multicultural family?

Amy: It is definitely a learning experience! As the girls have gotten older—they are teenagers now—we have become more aware for sure.

How do you address topics like culture and ethnicity?

Amy: Given things that have happened here recently—and have really been happening for a long time—these are tougher conversations to have. We try to have an open relationship with them, answer their questions, and talk with them constantly. There are a lot of times when I can’t answer their questions, and sometimes, even my husband has a hard time (Glenn is a Chief Diversity Officer at M&T bank).

How about your daughters?

Amy: When [the recent tragedy] happened, one of my daughters was really struggling as were many kids in her school. As part of the diversity committee at her school, she started speaking in other classes after which kids—including a girl with autism—thanked her. Diversity, equity and inclusion goes well beyond black and white.

What do you do to spread diversity awareness?

Amy: I started posting things that my husband is doing in the community and at work. I also share things our family does, like a photo of us in Downtown Buffalo visiting a mural that says, “Love black girls even when they become women. Love black boys even when they become men.” It may be a difficult post, but maybe for a moment, people see it.

With the holidays coming up, how does your family celebrate Thanksgiving?

Amy: My husband starts the turkey early. I try to help, but he usually kicks me out of the kitchen! We watch the parade and football and just have the day to ourselves.

Any Jackson family specialties?

Amy: One thing my husband makes every single year (I used to make it, and I think mine was a little bit better!) is sweet potato pie. It’s delicious! Before we take a bite, we all take a deep breath and are thankful that we have made it through one more year together.

“After the Tops shooting, one of my daughter and her friend helping the Community Kitchen.”

1 BILLS & BISONS GAMES

These fun-filled teams are always on our Summer and Fall Bucket List! We love to cheer on our Bisons team, and we love a good Blue Cheese and Chicken Wing race! Then, we countdown the days until Bills season! We usually go to the Bills Training Camp practice with friends, and we get all decked out in our Bills gear! Then, we cheer them on all season! (P.S. Go Bills!)

2 CHEF DARIAN BRYAN

Coming off Covid, we were eager to celebrate my in-laws’ anniversary Jamaican style. Having met Chef Darian Bryan (The Plating Society) prior to the shut down, I knew he was the perfect person to call! Chef Darian and his wife Jessica put on the best celebration. We try to get to as many of his events as possible, such as the Jamaican Festival. (If you haven’t been to Chef Darian’s summer Jamaican Jerk Hut, we highly suggest it!) He has truly brought so much to this city!

3 THE AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE CORRIDOR & THE FREEDOM WALL

One of our favorite things to do in Buffalo is check out some Buffalo history, especially in the month of February (Black History Month). We try to check out a new piece of history a couple times every year. We have visited the African American Heritage Corridor, which includes the Colored Musicians Club and the Nash House. The Freedom Wall was also in one of our past visits. It’s always amazing to watch the girls learn about Buffalo’s amazing Black history.

4 VICE RESTAURANT, BUFFALO

One of our favorite restaurants! We were lucky enough to go to the soft opening (thanks to the Chef and his wife!), and we fell in love with it. We love the diversity and vibe there. The food and drinks are awesome, too!

5 BECKER FARMS

Always on our Fall Bucket List is apple picking at Becker Farms. We typically spend a couple of hours at Becker Farms while we enjoy the live band, the great food, a hayride, and apple picking. Now as the girls are older, some TikToks and photos are always a must at this Insta-worthy hotspot!

Five Reasons We’re Thankful to Call the �ueen City Home

“Our annual delivery friends appreciation box of goodies! Fuel up!”