Author

Kelly Breuer

IN HER OWN WORDS

IN HER OWN WORDS: A MOTHER’S PERSPECTIVE BY LAURIE MCNIGHT

When your child is diagnosed with Testicular Cancer

If the Covid-19 pandemic was not enough to change our lives in 2020, I had learned to manage this new normal and my position as Executive Director from home. I had not seen my five children for many weeks.- especially the baby who had been away at school and working. In late May he arrived home and shared rather uncomfortably a health concern he had…something that would change our lives for the next few months and beyond.Continue reading

COVER STORIES

THE “QUEENS” OF ROAR

PHOTOS BY CHARLENE MANN PHOTOGRAPHY AND MICHELE ASHLEE

Recently Rochester Woman Online got to have some fun with some of the fabulous “Queens” of ROAR Nightclub. From getting to see behind the scenes, to the hysterical conversations and laughs, to chatting about what got them started and keeps them going, we are proud to bring you 4 of Rochester Woman’s favorite Diva’s starting with Roar’s owner and creator and veteran drag queen himself, DeeDee Dubois.Continue reading

COVER STORIES

CNY METEOROLOGIST: VANESSA RICHARDS

PHOTOS BY MICHAL LAPORE

Meteorologist Vanessa Richards of Spectrum News was born on Groundhog Day in Moravia, NY; studied meteorology at SUNY Oswego, lives and works right here in Central New York (CNY), supports local animal welfare shelters, and teaches the next generation of broadcast meteorologists. It’s fair to say she has devoted her life to not only watching the weather and seasons change here in CNY, but also making the region a better place. We couldn’t think of a better set of reasons for her to be our cover story for Central NY Woman Online.Continue reading

COVER STORIES

A CREATIVE ENTREPRENEUR: FALICIA FRACASSI

Falicia Fracassi pours her heart and soul into helping women and girls embrace their inner beauty. For more than a decade, Fracassi has worked to enhance the self-esteem of thousands of females through business, philanthropy and volunteerism. From local high school girls to women in business across the country to celebrities from New York to Los Angeles, the Fracassi brand is well respected.Continue reading

She Hustles Talks

SOFIT JUICE AND POSITIVE VIBRATIONS

PHOTOS BY KIJANA CRUES

Kierra Natalie is a native of New Jersey who moved to Rochester NY in September of 2019.

Early 2019 Kierra was diagnosed with a debilitating disorder that compromised her digestive system. Kierra’s desire was to explore natural practices that would aide and restore the diagnosis of gastrointestinal inflammatory disease without the adverse effects of medications doctors provided. Realizing that her diet had a big effect on her overall health, and going alongside of Positive Vibration Fitness food program, dance fitness courses provided motivation for a healthier lifestyle. Kierra explored and studied healing via food and wanted to share the treasure of how food was healing her body.Continue reading

ASK THE DOCTOR

ASK THE DOCTOR: DR. RACHEL FARKAS

Rochester Woman Online had the pleasure to be able to talk with Dr. Rachel Farkas for a little Question & Answer session. These are some of the answere she gave us. Dr. Farkas is a truly, remarkable woman and we are excited to announce that she will be joining us as a regular columnist with “Ask The Doctor”.Continue reading

COVER STORIES

RWO’S 2020 MEN’S EDITION COVER MAN: “SOCCERSAM” FANTAUZZO

PHOTOS BY CHARLENE MANN PHOTOGRAPHY

You may know him as the fun, track suit wearing, flamboyant Salvatore’s Old Fashioned Pizzeria franchise creator, Donut’s Delite franchisor and Rochester Lancers soccer teams owner, “SoccerSam” Fantauzzo. To Rochester Woman Online he is the 2020 Men’s edition cover, and a really sweet, down to earth guy who would give you the shirt off his back to try and help you.

Recently I had the chance to sit down with Sam and ask him to tell us a little about himself, how he got started, his franchise business and more. Here is what I found out, and it definitely wasn’t disappointing.

Everyone knows “SoccerSam” for his outgoing personality and style…tell us a little about what you are like under it all..
In real life, I am extremely shy and I am pretty awkward outside of my soccer and pizza worlds. I spent so many years working 7 days a week, 16 hour days that I never adjusted to a normal social life.Continue reading

SPECIAL FEATURES

A SPECIAL TRIBUTE: THE “PEOPLE’S COP” MANNY ORTIZ

Manuel AKA “Manny” Ortiz

Born in Brooklyn New York, raised in Pennsylvania and then relocated to Rochester New York at a young age, Manuel Ortiz younger years as a youth consisted of learning to play two instruments. He learned how to play the drums and also the trumpet. He performed for church ceremonies and joined in many parades. He was always full of great spirit.Continue reading

COVER STORIES

CNY WOMAN ONLINE’S 2020 MEN’S EDITION COVER MAN: TODD REID

“Accept responsibility for your life. Know that it is you who will get you where you want to go, no one else.” – Les Brown

June 1993, High school is over, I graduated. I have no plan to attend college; I didn’t do well in high school. I leave high school with a special education diploma, so in actuality I really don’t have options. I have desires, I have dreams and I know there is more to life than this. But let’s be honest, I have no academic skills, I have no role models, just a vision. I see people with nice houses and luxury cars but I don’t know the path to take to obtain these items. I had no one telling me to strive for these things when I was growing up. I lived in poverty. My view of success was the local drug dealer and rap videos.Continue reading

COVER STORIES

KATE SCHNIEDER: THE GOAL GETTER

Kate Schneider is an enthusiastic Radiologic Technologist, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with an MBA, a passionate advocate for childhood health, and our Mrs. New York America!

Kate’s radiology career brought her to the Capital District during the Summer of 2005, and she has proudly called New York her home ever since. That same year she met James, an orthopedic surgeon and lifelong resident of Upstate New York, who would later become her husband in October of 2009. They now live in the town of Rexford with their fur babies; two sweet little Yorkie’s named Martini and Maui.Continue reading

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