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Connections

Coming up on Connections: Monday, September 28

Brett Dahlberg

First hour: Discussing the current and future state of the restaurant industry during the pandemic

Second hour: How to help people struggling with mental health or substance abuse challenges prepare for the pandemic winter

When is the last time you visited your favorite restaurant? How has it adapted to the challenges of the pandemic? Many restaurants across the country are finding creative ways to keep business going after shut downs and limits on indoor dining, and those conversations are becoming more urgent as we head into the cold months. Will restaurants in regions like ours be able to weather the winter? According to a recent study from the New York Restaurant Association, nearly 64 percent of restaurant owners surveyed across the state say they are likely or somewhat likely to go out of business by the end of this year unless they see financial relief. A consulting firm for the restaurant industry estimates that between 20 and 25 percent of independently-owned restaurants that closed earlier this year will never reopen. So what’s the situation here in Rochester and the Finger Lakes? We talk about the state of the industry with the New York Restaurant Association and local restaurant owners, and we hear from listeners about their experiences with take out or dining out during the pandemic. Our guests:

  • Melissa Fleischut, president and CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association
  • Lorna Underwood, owner of Caribbean Heritage Restaurant
  • Zury Brown, founder of El Pilón Criollo
  • Chuck Cerankosky, co-owner of Good Luck, Cure, Lucky’s, and the Jackrabbit Club; and director of the Rochester Cocktail Revival

Then in our second hour, the recent summer-like weather won’t stick around too long, and with the cold months approaching – and no end to the pandemic in sight – the way we live and socialize will change. In March, when the pandemic began, we had a conversation on this program about how to help people who may feel isolated or lonely. Those issues are still a concern for many people, and especially individuals who struggle with mental health challenges and substance abuse disorders. Research from July shows that more than half of U.S. adults reported that their mental health has been negatively impacted due to worry and stress over the coronavirus, and separate studies link social isolation and loneliness to poor mental health and an increase in substance abuse. This hour, we’re joined by guests from East House who help us understand how to provide different forms of support for people struggling with these issues. Maybe you or someone you know has been feeling disconnected, depressed, or has relapsed. We talk about how to have those conversations, how to find assistance, and how to prepare for the months ahead.  Our guests:

  • Kim Brumber, president and CEO of East House
  • Cheri Reed-Watt, residential program director for East House who is living in recovery
  • Sabrina May, program manger for East House’s Affinity Place Peer Respite Program who is living in recovery
  • Dr. Aaron Olden, M.D., physician and owner of Mindful Medicine Rochester
Connections
Evan Dawson is the host of "Connections with Evan Dawson." He joined WXXI in January 2014 after working at 13WHAM-TV, where he served as morning news anchor. He was hired as a reporter for 13WHAM-TV in 2003 before being promoted to anchor in 2007.
Megan Mack is the executive producer of "Connections with Evan Dawson" and live/televised engagement programming.