March 24th, 2025

Greetings folks,

     Today is the birthday of my fourth born child Rose Katina Bernunzio-Barocio….she was a surprise baby. Julie told me she was pregnant when we were on a rowboat in the middle of Keuka lake… with no place to go but to jump overboard. I was 41 years old and was not planning…well, let’s just say "planning" was never my specialty. I decided to stay the course and nine months later we had the most wonderful little child.

   Now all grown-up, Rose is a teacher in the city of Rochester along with her husband, Jose and together they are now proud parents of a two week old baby girl…Talia Rose….(I call her I’talia Rose!). She is the sweetest thing since I’ve seen since her mom was born…and just like her with a full head of hair and a sideways smile! Oh yes, children are our investments and grandchildren are the dividends, and I am piling up my dividends as I  move towards retirement!

   This past Saturday, the store was packed with people. The old-time jam with Dan Palmer always brings its own crowd, and there were more and more people overflowing the back room. Lots of friends came in to say hello and to ask about my trip to Sicily. We had a great talk with all kinds of people and made several new friends. We have bought lots of instruments and we sold a few things too. Ryan and I are planning a road trip to the New England sometime soon. If anyone has instruments they are interested in selling or consigning, please contact us at the store or send me a message.

With peace, 

John Bernunzio 

Our friends from Hickory Street Banjos came by with a new instrument which they will be unveiling soon. It is an incredible sounding five string with lots of surprises on the back end.

….and at the end of the day, this fellow came in needing a little help because his homemade guitar was buzzing a bit. I let Sam Snyder handle him and I left for home a little bit early.