There is what appears to be a small plot of land on Rte.105 with a for-sale sign. Though the land for sale looks small in size, its history is very large. The store shown in the first picture was originally a barn and stable built in 1710 and belonging to Minister Timothy Ruggles. The photograph was taken in 1934 when the store building was 294 yrs. old. In this picture, it is the John Alden General Store. In later years it became the Rochester General Store and has had several owners.

            Over the years, the buildings to the left and right have been home to a variety of businesses. In the late 1940’s, the building on the right became Rochester’s Post Office until the new one was built in the 1980’s. On the left there was a grocery store and beginning in the 1950’s George Kirby II operated a garage followed by one owned by Buster Locke.

            In later years there was a bar and restaurant and a lunch counter which was a community gathering place where you were sure to get caught up on local news and gossip. These businesses closed and the buildings were sold. Their last occupants were a bakery cafe with two apartments above and a commercial bakery behind. Once again, people gathered to eat, talk and catch up on community happenings.

            Unfortunately, on July 28, 2011, a massive fire consumed much of the building. The second picture shows the demolishment of what was left. That fire ended 310 years of this small Rochester center of commerce.

By Connie Eshbach

Get your body moving with MAC Dance classes for Adults. The MAC offers a six-week adult dance program on Tuesday evenings with instructor Teah Keogh at its new partner location, the First Congregational Church Community Center at 144 Front Street, Marion. Choose from multiple options including Ballet/Jazz, Tap, or both. Drop-ins are available for those who wish to try a class before committing to the entire session. Registrations are accepted at any time throughout the program.

            Ballet/Jazz runs 6:00 pm to 6:45 pm, and Tap runs 6:45 pm to 7:30 pm on Tuesday evenings, May 6 to June 10. Prices range from $23-$28 for a single class drop-in, $115-$145 for one course, and up to $195-$235 for all six weeks of both classes. Choose between 45-90 minutes of movement. Register online at www.marionartcenter.org/classes.

            The 45-minute Ballet & Jazz Fusion weekly class is perfect for adults looking to reconnect with movement, creativity, and a sense of joy. Ballet builds strength, flexibility, and posture through elegant, structured movement, while jazz brings in upbeat rhythms, expressive style, and a whole lot of fun. Together, they offer a balanced workout that nurtures both body and mind. No prior experience is required – just bring your curiosity and a willingness to move. Whether you’re new to dancing or returning after years away, this class offers a supportive space to explore, sweat a little, and smile a lot.

            Ready to tap out of “adulting” for a bit? Join Teah and the MAC for a lively, fun Tap-Dancing class. This 45-minute class is designed for adults who want to add a little more happiness and a little less seriousness to their week. Tap dance is a classic American theatrical style that blends percussive footwork with rhythmic precision. In this class, great for beginners or those with some experience, you’ll develop rhythm, balance, and coordination while exploring your creativity and boosting both physical and mental wellness. Whether you are brand new to tap or dusting off old skills, this is your percussive playtime. This means everyone is welcome, no prior dance experience necessary.

            More Improv Comedy for More Fun – Instructor Kate Teichman offers a six-week improv comedy class at the MAC on Thursday evenings, May 15 to June 19, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Classes will be held in the MAC’s Patsy Francis Gallery (upstairs) or in the MAC’s Anne Braitmayer Webb Theater, located at 80 Pleasant Street, Marion. The cost is $165 for MAC members and $195 for nonmembers for all six weeks. Register online at www.marionartcenter.org/classes. In this intro to improv class, students will learn the basics of improv comedy in a supportive and fun environment. You will learn how to create compelling characters and build dynamic scenes with a scene partner using only an audience suggestion. No experience is necessary; this class is for everyone. Whether you’re looking to unleash your creativity, build confidence, or simply have a blast, this class is your perfect ticket to laughter and fun. Each class will include warm-up, various games and exercises, and exercises that help students use their ideas to create and build strong scenes together. This course runs once a week for six weeks.

            Practice your painting skills with Abstract Acrylics: Boats & Stormy Seas – Delve deeper into the method of abstract painting with acrylics, beyond a one-day workshop. In this four-week painting class with Elyse Laurelle, attendees will learn how to work with acrylic paint to create their own boat and stormy sea paintings. The instructor will provide demos and examples while working on a painting with participants throughout the class. This four-week program gives students time to develop their paintings through layering, color exploration, and classroom discussion. The class meets for four weeks on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, May 14 to June 4 at the Marion Art Center, 80 Pleasant Street, Marion. The cost is $110 for MAC members and $125 for nonmembers. See the full list of supplies and register online at www.marionartcenter.org/classes.

            During this 4-week session, Elyse will share techniques and offer advice with constructive feedback. The goal of this class is for participants to feel more comfortable working abstractly with acrylic paints and to create a painting, or paintings, of their very own. The instructor will offer demonstrations and examples, but students are encouraged to explore their own artistic styles with their boat- and sea-inspired artworks.