On-Demand

30 Years of Miracles: Tom Golisano and a Legacy of Giving On-Demand

30 Years of Miracles: Tom Golisano and a Legacy of Giving explores the extraordinary life of entrepreneur and philanthropist B. Thomas Golisano. It features an intimate in-studio conversation with Golisano, never-before-shared images from the Golisano Family collection, and items from the newly opened Golisano Archive at Rochester Institute of Technology.

30 Years of Miracles: Tom Golisano and a Legacy of Giving is a WXXI production which explores the extraordinary life of the entrepreneur and philanthropist and takes a fresh look at how this self-made billionaire has left an indelible mark on the world around him. The documentary is a follow up to WXXI’s 2003 documentary Golisano, which profiled him after he purchased the Buffalo Sabres.

30 Years of Miracles begins with Golisano at the 2015 opening of the new Golisano Children’s Hospital, for which he made a $20 million donation to support construction of the new facility. At the podium he shares that he is humbled to have his family’s name on the building. That sets the stage for a retrospective that follows Golisano, the humanitarian. From Irondequoit High School’s star baseball player to Paychex founder, he has touched many lives in Rochester and beyond. Personally donating more than $250 million to hospitals, universities, and other institutions, he holds the record for charitable giving in Rochester – unmatched since George Eastman.

“Tom has allowed us to dream and to realize our dreams,” explains Elizabeth McAnarney, MD, Professor and Chair Emerita, University of Rochester Medical Center, Golisano Children’s Hospital. Dr. McAnarney is just one of several of colleagues, family members, and friends, who share stories of Golisano. Interviewees include: Ann Costello, Director, The Golisano Foundation; William Destler, PhD, President, RIT; Marie Golisano Graham, Golisano’s sister; Martin Mucci, President and CEO, Paychex; Dan Meyers, President, Al Sigl Community of Agencies; David Still, Managing Director, Fishers Asset Management; and Larry Quinn, former General Manager, Buffalo Sabres Hockey.

The documentary features an intimate in-studio conversation with Golisano, never-before-shared images from the Golisano Family collection, and items from the newly opened Golisano Archive at Rochester Institute of Technology, as well as archival footage of a 1994 WXXI interview with Golisano.

30 Years of Miracles: Tom Golisano and a Legacy of Giving also spotlights the Golisano Foundation, one of the largest private foundations in the United States devoted exclusively to supporting programs for people with intellectual disabilities. Founded in 1985 with an initial gift of $90,000 from Golisano, the Foundation now has more than $32 million in gross assets and has awarded more than $19.5 million in grants to non-profit organizations in a multi-county region surrounding Rochester.

30 Years of Miracles: Tom Golisano and a Legacy of Giving first aired on WXXI-TV Thursday, April 28, 2016 at 8 p.m.

Benches on Parade • Watch On-Demand

Shot in high definition over a period of six months, this production showcases all 119 benches that were transformed into the beautiful works of art that have adorned the streets and parks of Rochester. Narrated by AM 1370 local Morning Edition host Alex Crichton, Benches on Parade also offers a glimpse into the creation of these public works of art.

Gannagaro On-Demand

Gannagaro “Town of Peace” was the largest Seneca village of the 17th century, located in present day Victor, NY north of the Finger Lakes. Today it is called Ganondagan. Seneca elders detail how the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois Nation) became united, describe daily life. and harvest of the Seneca. Archaeologists and historians reveal the cause of the village’s abrupt demise in 1687 through excavation and journals written by the French military.

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Boynton House: The Next Hundred Years On-Demand

This beautifully shot documentary spotlights the restoration of Boynton House – the Frank Lloyd Wright house located on East Boulevard in Rochester, New York.

Owners Fran Cosentino and Jane Parker share how they acquired Frank Lloyd Wright’s Boynton House, and how they worked to restore it to its original beauty using materials and processes that Wright himself intended.

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Boynton House: The Next Hundred Years, gives you an inside look into every room in the house and the amazing transformation that occurs during the restoration process. More than 150 talented individuals worked on the home over a two-year span to make Cosentino and Parker’s dream home a reality. The documentary shares details about the home’s structural repair, the unexpected insect infestation, the restoration of the 253 art glass panels, roof replacement, conservation of 17 pieces of the home’s original furniture, landscaping, and much more.

The history of the house, and that of its original owner Mr. Edward Boynton are also told by many experts including Jean France, Boynton Historian and Architectural Scholar; Carol Boynton Atwood, descendent of the Boynton Family; Eric Norden, owner of Eric Norden Restorations; and John E. Page, owner of Bero Architecture. The Landmark Society’s Executive Director Wayne Goodman also talks about the importance of preserving this national treasure.

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Boynton House: The Next Hundred Years is a co-production of WXXI Public Broadcasting, Fran Cosentino and Jane Parker.

Flight to Freedom On-Demand

Flight to Freedom is produced by WXXI and narrated by Cicely Tyson. The film traces the evolution of the Slave System and the Freedom Trails of the North.” In addition to examining archival photographs, records, artifacts, and interviews with national experts and descendants of slaves, conductors, and abolitionists, this program includes examples of spirituals sung by slaves as part of the “code” system, and visits homes which were used as shelters. The program highlights Rochester, New York, which was at the heart of the railroad, where passengers were hidden by Frederick Douglass, Susan B. Anthony, Harriet Tubman and others.

Produced by WXXI in 2000, this complete story of the Underground Railroad, narrated by Cicely Tyson, profiles the people, places, and events behind one of the most remarkable chapters of American history. It chronicles the rise of the slave system and follows the many freedom trails northward — from Memphis up the Mississippi, from Kentucky to Ripley, Maryland to Philadelphia, through upstate New York and into Canada.

Part 2

Echoes from the Ancients On-Demand

This is the tale of 1st Century tragedy and of a 20th Century quest to discover a city lost in time. We follow explorers to Israel’s Galilee where they uncover a mountaintop civilization destroyed during the First Jewish Revolt. What excavators find in the ruins gives a new insight into Christianity, Judaism, and the history of western culture. Academy Award winning actress Anne Bancroft narrates.

Watch On Demand

Crucible of Freedom On-Demand

In the middle of the 19th century, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony launched a woman’s rights movement that was to change the world. This documentary describes how the interplay of events of the time – evangelical Christianity, the anti-slavery movement and even the opening of the Erie Canal – gave rise to the women’s movement.

Watch On Demand

Secret Gardens of the Flower City On-Demand

Secret Gardens of the Flower City celebrates Rochester, New York’s, long love affair with all things green and grown, and offers a colorful tour of some of its greatest gardens, with comments and confessions from the passionate people who tend them. Learn about the history of gardening and horticulture in the Greater Rochester area and roam the region visiting gardens, large and small… From a small patch in the back yard of a city residence to the understated flower beds of a country dwelling… From a riotous jumble of plant life surrounding a traditional colonial to the elegant landscaping of an urban mansion … the fabulous flowers and gorgeous gardens provide indisputable proof that Rochester is indeed the “Flower City”!

The Eastman House Garden

Four of the gardens created and enjoyed by Kodak founder George Eastman (1854-1932) are in full bloom at George Eastman House. The largest is the Schuyler C. Townson Terrace Garden (pictured), which Mr. Eastman used for entertaining guests and for Kodak press conferences. Alongside Thomas Edison, he introduced Kodacolor (color motion-picture film) to the world from this garden in July 1928. The Townson Terrace Garden has been restored to the way it was in Mr. Eastman’s day using photographs, samples, and detailed records and includes a variety of plantings, a pool filled with gold fish, a mile of boxwood, a wisteria-covered pergola, and two 17th-century Venetian wellheads.

The three other gardens on the 12-acre property are not fully restored but do appear the way they did during Mr. Eastman’s time of residence, from 1905 to 1932. These gardens are the Rock Garden, the Library Garden, and the West Garden, the latter boasting a stone loggia and original lion-head fountain.

The Sonnenberg Gardens

Sonnenberg Gardens is a beautiful Victorian mansion and gardens, located at the north end of Canandaigua Lake, in the heart of the Finger Lakes Region in Upstate New York. Formerly the summer home of Canandaigua benefactors Frederick Ferris and Mary Clark Thompson, Sonnenberg (German for “sunny hill”) is open to the public. There are many formal historic gardens in all at Sonnenberg. They include a Japanese Garden, a Blue and White Garden, a Pansy Garden, a Rose Garden, an Italian Garden, a rock Garden and an Old-fashioned Garden.

The Brown Garden

The Brown Garden was designed by the famous landscape artist, Alling De Forest. This garden was first created in 1931 and although the Browns have tried to keep it true to its original spirit, many things have changed over the years. “Because the yard is shaded as a result of several Norway maples that grew up on the other side of the wall,” Pete Brown, Owner, said, “we had to change the mix to bring back the full plantings.”

The Yancey Garden

This garden was designed by the Pittsford landscape artist, Fletcher Steele. He referred to this garden as a small garden. Steele worked on this garden for 52 years, starting in 1915. Because the original owner, Charlotte Whitney Allen, did not like flowers, this garden is a collection of textures, shapes and hues of green. When Geff Yancey bought this residence five years ago, he says “it was in very very good shape. The people between me and Charlotte [Whitney Allen] were very meticulous about taking care of it.”

The Water Garden

There are many gardens at this private location. One featured garden is the Water Garden, that has a series of waterfalls, two ponds, water lilies and some spectacular lotus flowers. Built about five years ago by Bob Wilcox of Gardens for all Spaces, this garden is a special place for the owner as well as the landscape artist. “Everyplace you look is a wonderful view,” says Wilcox, That is what a good garden should do…everywhere provides a wonderful scene.”

The Urtis Gardens

The Urtis Gardens are quite eclectic. There is a rock garden, a children’s garden as well as many annuals and perennials are sprinkled over the property. There’s even several small electric trains that run through the garden! “I tried to use every inch of space because it is a small yard,” says owner Mary Urtis. “I just lose myself and I will say this [in regards to gardening] you just have to use your imagination.”

The Kral Garden

This garden has an incredible collection of conifers and evergreens. “I fell in love with miniature and dwarf conifers,” says owner Jerry Kral, “I have over 200 different varieties.” Also featured is an extensive collection of ornamental grasses and roses. The grounds give a sense of whimsy and delight to visitors.

The Monefeldt Garden

The Monefeldt Garden captures is an escape from the daily grind….offering the many shades and hues of green often found in a traditional Japanese Garden. A professional design, this garden is proof that one can transform their backyard into another world.

The Ellwanger Garden

This is a Victorian and family garden acquired by the Landmark Society from the famous George Ellwanger’s granddaughter, Helen. It has thirty beds of perennials that volunteers help to maintain. It has maintained its original structure but does have plants introduced by Helen Ellwanger in the 1930s and 1940s. “It has many of the plants that would have been sold in the Ellwanger Barry Nursery, ” said Beverly Gibson, Horticulturist from the Landmark Society. But Gibson also says that one of the nice things about it is “that it’s full of surprises.”

The Hart Garden

This garden has a distinct “Touch of the Orient.” The owners wanted to live in a unique place. They designed this garden to be a place of tranquility and relaxation while capturing the feeling and flavor of Japan. A Japanese garden has a “very high proportion of evergreens, conifers…is basically monochromatic …Green,” says Master Gardener Bill Hart, “then you use other colors as your accents.”

The Oesterly Garden

This garden is a meeting of East and West, melding the beauty of a traditional shade garden with the serene nature of the Orient. Covering nearly three acres it is a magnificent garden of textures and colors offering a relaxing environment for its owner.