Trending
This was my second time in Forestville, and I felt the presence of the local community just as I did the first time. From what I experienced during my visit, the town and surrounding area is brimming with culture, tradition, and a sense of identity for those who call it home.
On Friday evening, I went to Tavern on the Mall to properly participate in a Western New York fish fry. It was a designated plan but reinstated when I was told at the pier the night before, when Uncle Ben's Remedy performed and herds of people were letting loose, that The Fish Fry Guy rated it 4.5 out of 5 tartar sauces on his YouTube channel.
I watched the video, and then I went. I was excited for what was to come. I walked into the Tavern and made a beeline for the bar, even though I wasn't looking for a drink. I was dazed by the Tavern's artistry: the magnificent architecture, the arches and columns lit up by the glowing hanging lamps. Perched on a stool gazing up and around, I felt contentment. The feeling that this is it; I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.
The fish fry was delectable. It was my first one and boy, it set my standard high. The garlic country fried haddock with sides of cottage cheese and a baked potato (which had its own side of sour cream) was out of this world. I barely left a crumb!
The music was idyllic as well, spilling out of the speakers and into the scene. I was tickled by the choice of songs because I had played most of them on my radio show. "Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)," "Into The Mystic," and "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" encapsulated the feelings of warmth and smiles in the Tavern that night. It was truly "hygge:" the Danish concept that encompasses happiness and well-being. It's what my show, Hygge with Joi, is named after!
After the meal, I took a tour of the town. I listened to a recount of memories, one story taking me to the American Legion's Memorial Day tradition of firing off guns ceremoniously. Then I heard about Halloween and the fire hall where festivities take place, plus the trick-or-treating through the neighborhood streets. I even saw the house on the corner lot, and the porch that would convert into a haunted house!
Born and raised on Long Island and exposed to New York City many times, I found the area's sense of comfort and ease refreshing and relieving. Wading through creeks, meditating to waterfalls, picking black raspberries, and peering over Sunset Bay as oranges and pinks meshed in the sky were just a handful of the wonderful moments I had.
And visiting Frosty Treat, the ice cream parlor -- or should I say, the specialty sundae parlor! When I recalled the shop from my last visit, I imagined it was the shape of a large penguin with its belly serving as the counter. Even though the penguin I saw this time was only on the sign, what does it matter? The fact that my memory included it says buckets about the place and the area itself. Forestville feels so wholesome. It has a sweet spot in my heart!
Melanie Formosa is working as a broadcast assistant at Times Radio in London this summer. She graduated from Stony Brook University in May 2023 as valedictorian with a degree in journalism. She can be heard on WUSB-FM and found on all social media platforms.