Life in the Finger Lakes May/June 2024

Boat Cruises Through the Summer, p. 46 • Being Andretti, p. 58

LIFL

The Region’s Premier Lifestyle Magazine Since 2001

May/June 2024

Cultivating

Beauty Page 92

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LIFL

Life in the Finger Lakes Volume 24, Number 3 • May/June 2024

features

46

Boat Cruises Through the Summer

From Rochester to Ithaca to Syracuse, there’s a boat ride to suit you.

Photos by Derek Doeffinger and Gary Whelpley

42

54

58

Old Ball Game

The Other Edibles

Being Andretti

A look back at the beginnings of baseball in the Finger Lakes

Foraging in the Finger Lakes Region

One man’s dream to race on the track at Watkins Glen comes true

story by Kirk House

story and illustrations

by Corinn Marriott

by Mark W. Holdren

Front Cover: Jenny Marks of Trademark Flower Farm in Clifton Springs showcases her rare and heirloom cut flowers. Read more on page 92.

Photo by Larkin & Trevor photography.

M a y / J u n e 2 0 2 4 ~ ­­­­­­­­­­­­1­

contents

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departments 4 8

my own words

102 advertisers

happenings

104 finger lakes map

Editor Mark Stash mark@lifeinthefingerlakes.com

7

Associate Editor Victoria Ritter

Human Interest Laurel C. Wemett: The Passing of a Finger Lakes Icon

Graphic Artists Maia VanOrman Tammy Spear

14

Cultured Music festivals in Canandaigua, Geneva and Skaneateles

20

Gardening The Genrich Girls Grow for Generations

26

Musical Notes The Healing Power of Music: Guitarist Loren Barrigar

32

Contributors Bill Banaszewski

66

Discovering Something Beautiful at Glen Hollow

Mark W. Holdren

73

78

Jennifer Morrisey

Off the Easel

Outdoors Pink Lady’s Slipper

Cattails - Wetland Wonders

85

Dining Delicious Dishes

88

Fruit of the Vine Is Sustainability Important to You?

Nature Notes with RMSC Cumming Nature Center

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Jenny Marks Corinn Marriott Nancy E. McCarthy

Outdoors

64

Kirk House

Product Picks

84

Catatonk Valley Wood Carvers

Carol A. Henry

Natalia Kivimaki

Pickled Garlic Scapes

Cultured

Lauren Chamberlain Derek Doeffinger

The Big Ideas of Metalsmith Benji Carr

38

Christopher Bennem

Home Showcase

Do It Yourself

35

Editorial & Production

92

Gardening Cultivating Beauty in the Finger Lakes

96

People in the Know Because Art Moves! An interview with the staff at Naglee, Inc.

Lisa Moore

Tammy Spear Gary Whelpley

Editorial Office 315-789-0458

For Advertising Inquiries - 315-789-2475 Darlene Ryan darlene@lifeinthefingerlakes.com

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Life in the Finger Lakes is published by Fahy-Williams Publishing, Inc. and owned by Eleven Lakes Publishing, Inc. Co-owners: Mark S. Stash; Timothy J. Braden.

Copyright© 2024 by Eleven Lakes Publishing, Inc. No part of this publication may be reprinted or otherwise reproduced without written permission from the publisher.

TO SUBSCRIBE, RENEW OR CHANGE ADDRESS, visit our website at FingerLakesMagazine.com.

my own words

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t is getting to be that time of year again. ‘Tis the season for more outdoor activities and enjoying the warmer weather that makes the Finger Lakes Region one of the best around. The flowers are popping, the grass is green and the blue skies are becoming more frequent. As I write this I am experiencing a monsoon-like day in April, with the cold rain coming down and the wind blowing. But I keep in mind, April showers give us May flowers.

Speaking of flowers, this issue abounds in the beauty of those delightful plants. They represent rebirth and beauty and bring joy to all of us. Right off the bat, the cover of this issue showcases the flowers that Jenny Marks grows, a cut flower farmer in the Clifton Springs. Trademarks Flower Farm grows specialty rare and heirloom flowers that aren’t commonly seen in floral outlets. Jenny is filling a niche that is going well for her business. Read more about this amazing flower farm on page 92.

Lauren Chamberlain is a Keuka College student that has been contributing to this magazine for almost a year. While enjoying her summer vacations, she also worked part-time at Genrich Garden Center in Irondequoit. The business has been a local fixture since the 1960s, and family members Deborah and Stephanie have since taken over the business and it is flourishing, along with their plants and flowers and flower arrangements. Lauren tells us more about this garden center starting on page 20.

Did you ever take a walk along a path or a woodland and see plants that make you wonder if they’re edible? Illustrator and nature-lover Corinn Marriott showcases various plants on page 54 that certainly can be edible. Her incredible detailed illustrations showcase a variety of mushrooms, wildflowers and ephemerals (a plant with a very short life cycle or very short period of active growth) that may become part of your next meal. And if you do take this step, please be extra careful and double-check against other plant field guides.

And don’t forget to forage responsibly. Exploring on private property without permission is a no go.

You may be asking, what else is there to do besides communing with nature through plants and flowers? Well, writer and photographer Derek Doeffinger has the perfect solution (page 48), especially when looking for things to do with out-of-towners visiting you. Cruising the rivers, canals and lakes in a boat can be the perfect solution. Experiencing Seneca Lake in a two-masted sailboat may be your cup of tea or cruising along the Erie Canal in a packet boat may also sound appealing. Many of the larger boats also serve food and drinks on some of their cruises, and usually there is some kind of history lesson being presented by crew members while plying the Finger Lakes waters. I can say from experience that when I have visitors from outside the region, going on a boat cruise is a huge hit.

And afterwards, visiting a local eatery, craft brewery, winery or shop can be the perfect ending to the day.

I continue to be blown away by what the Finger Lakes Region has to offer.

The variety of interests that one can experience here is almost endless. I look forward to seeing out there, enjoying this special area.

mark@lifeinthefingerlakes.com

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human interest

The Passing of a Finger Lakes Icon

by Mark Stash, Editor

T

he first time I can remember meeting Laurel C. Wemett, it was around my dining room table in Rushville, NY, in 2001. This was a meeting that involved my business partner Tim, and several local freelance writers and photographers. It was the initial core group that helped to put together the very first issue of Life in the Finger Lakes magazine. She proved to be a valuable asset to the startup of a regional lifestyle magazine that continues to this day.

Laurel passed away this past February, and she certainly lived a long, full life. Laurel was born in Rochester in 1944. She attended Bloomfield Central School as a member of the Class of 1961.

She was a graduate of the University at Albany where she majored in history.

Photo by Steve Chesler She later continued her studies at Emory University in Georgia and received her Master of Arts degree in art history in 1981.

Laurel taught art history at Finger Lakes Community College, and was a freelance writer for publications such as the Finger Lakes Times and Messenger-Post newspapers. She also wrote more than 100 articles for Life in the Finger Lakes magazine, and probably some of her best known articles concerned reviewing books about the Finger Lakes Region.

Laurel also owned an antique store in Canandaigua called Cat’s in the Kitchen for more than 30 years and was involved in the local antique scene.

Most of Laurel’s articles revolved around historical and cultural themes. Her attention to detail and the depth of her research stood out in the many Finger Lakes articles that she wrote. I for one learned so much about this region through her articles and photographs. She was in the middle of writing several articles when she unexpectedly passed away.

Laurel will be missed greatly, not only as a regular contributor to this magazine, but also as a friend and a true proponent of the Finger Lakes Region, which she loved.

M a y / J u n e 2 0 2 4 ~ ­­­­­­­­­­­­7­

happenings HUMANE AND EFFECTIVE BIRD DETERRENTS

Colorful Pennants Enliven Waterfronts and Deter Bird Mess

N

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othing says “fun” or “festive” like colorful flags and streamers floating in the breeze.

The lively action of flags and pennants signal us for special places and alert us of special events. And it seems that in the right form, the color and flutter can also provide a surprising and welcome service to lake home and cottage environments.

The Dori Pole, a special pole-mounted pennant/flag product manufactured in Kalamazoo, Michigan has become widely known as a bird deterrent for docks and lake shores. As each nylon pennant dances, drifts, sways, flutters and floats, riding the wind in a carefree and casual manner, it creates shadows and movement 19’ above docks that birds would normally find attractive as landing spots. However, the pennant movements appear to scare-off the birds as though, perhaps, a larger predator bird is around.

Does it work every time, you might ask? According to the company president, Roger Lepley, “My estimate is about 95% of all customer comments are to the positive and we do get what I call actual love letters on the subject, and lots of enjoyable testimonials. Some folks have ordered simply to show where they are on the lake or to show pride with certain school colors.”

Visit doripole.com for more information.

VISIT WWW.DORIPOLE.COM TO REDEEM AT CHECKOUT

EVENTS Contact event for details MAY May 11…Mother’s Day Brunch at the William Phelps General Store Join Historic Palmyra for this exclusive event as they serve Mother’s Day brunch in the Victorian home of Sibyl Phelps. Treat yourself, your mother or daughter for this first-time event. Brunch will be prepared and served in the parlor. This event is limited to 20 people and expected to sell out fast. Tickets are available by visiting 132 Market St. in Palmyra or online at historicpalmyrany.com. Cost is $30 per person.

140 Market St., Palmyra, NY 14522 historicpalmyrany.com

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Installation management, maintenance plans & garden coaching

May 13-October 29…Live Music Every Wednesday at Ventosa Vineyards Ventosa Vineyards has free, local, live music yearround every Wednesday (and select other days), along with a buy one, get one happy hour. If the weather is nice, music is out on the terrace … which comes with a beautiful view of Seneca Lake and sunsets that will take your breath away. Come support live, local music while enjoying yourself. Music 6 to 9 p.m., BOGO happy hour 5 to 6 p.m. and Café Toscana will be serving until 8 p.m.

3440 Route 96A, Geneva, NY 14456 ventosavineyards.com/livemusic 315-719-0000

May 24-September 3…Representation and Experimentation: The Photography of William Wegman Famous for his images of Weimaraner dogs, William Wegman is one of America’s most popular photographers. This summer, The Rockwell Museum and the Arnot Art Museum examine two facets of Wegman’s impressive career. At the Arnot Art Museum, visitors can explore the whimsical side of Wegman’s dog portraiture, while The Rockwell Museum features photos of dogs as art.

Exhibition is located at the Spotlight Gallery (Floor 1M) at the Rockwell Museum.

111 Cedar St., Corning, NY 14830 rockwellmuseum.org 607-937-5386 (Continued on page 11)

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happenings June 8-September 14…

Live, Outdoor Concerts in Downtown Ithaca Free and fun for the entire family, the CFCU Summer Concert Series in downtown Ithaca will be taking place outside and live starting at 6 p.m. each Thursday at the Bernie Milton Pavilion. Local and national acts perform music in genres including jazz, blues, reggae, folk, hip hop, country, bluegrass, rock and more.

198-100 N. Tioga St., Ithaca, NY 14850 downtownithaca.com/summer-concert-series

JUNE June 1... Free Community Paddle at the Saunders Finger Lakes Museum Curious about paddling? Come to the museum to try out a kayak for free and enjoy time out on the water.

10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

3369 Guyanoga Road, Branchport, NY 14418 fingerlakesmuseum.org 315-595-2200

June 14...Owego Strawberry Festival Block Party The festival runs from 5 to 9 p.m., capped off by a fireworks display; and then again on Saturday with a parade at 10 a.m., followed by entertainment, crafts, food, and even the return of everyone’s favorite dinosaurs. owego.org/strawberry-festival (Continued on page 13)

Finger Lakes Community College Students Select Wine Label Winner for 2023 Vintages Finger Lakes Community College (FLCC) students in the viticulture and wine technology program selected a wine label designed

by Laura Lopez, a graphic design student from Colombia, for their 2023 varieties.

Lopez offered an abstract brand design she called Fresca Leyenda, Spanish for Fresh Legend, that is filled with symbolism.

“When I found out that my design had been selected, I experienced a mix of surprise and overwhelming happiness, validation that all the hard work, effort invested, and time spent had been rewarded,” she said.

Information about the FLCC viticulture and wine technology and the graphic design programs can be found on the College website at flcc.edu.

A video of Laura Lopez’s winning presentation is available on the FLCC YouTube account.

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Quail Summit offers residents a variety of services and amenities including: • Maintenance-free living

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Quail Summit residents also enjoy priority access to a higher level of care in our assisted living or memory care communities if it’s ever needed.

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1/8/2009

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happenings

June 16...Performance Plus Series at George Eastman House The Musicale: Performance Plus series showcases outstanding young performers from the Eastman School of Music, plus lively in-concert commentary provided by the school’s Ph.D. students in Musicology. Concert is included with museum admission. 3 p.m.

900 East Ave., Rochester, NY 14607 eastman.org June 21…Memories of Elvis Concert Ultimate Elvis tribute artist, Patrick Johnson, will be coming to the OFC Creations Theatre Center with the King’s greatest hits. Songs include “Burning Love,” “Suspicious Minds,” “American Trilogy Unchained Melody,” “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” and many more. Johnson’s show is appropriate for the whole family and will get you singing and dancing with the King. 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

OFC Creations Theatre Center, 3450 Winton Place, Rochester NY 14623 ofccreations.com/tickets 585-667-0954

Discover Cayuga Lake’s Eco-Cruises

D

iscover Cayuga Lake, based out of Ithaca, offers near-daily public cruises on the largest motor vessel on Cayuga Lake, the MV Teal, from May-October. As a non-profit organization with a mission to promote appreciation of the Finger Lakes, DCL has a unique focus on sharing information and experiences related to the cultural and natural history of the lakes. In addition to its relaxing sunset and Farmers Market cruises, it offers a suite of engaging ecocruises that are well suited for young and old alike, with interactive activities on board.

DCL’s Osprey, Night Sky and Fall Foliage Eco-Cruises are focused on sharing the beauty of local plant and animal life, and the wonders of the natural world below and above the waters.

Every year the organization works with thousands of local children through their Floating Classroom to introduce them to lake ecology with interactive lessons. These on-board activities are also great for local adults and visitors of all ages,with tourism fares supporting the organization’s educational programs.

Discover Cayuga Lake’s latest addition is a Lake & Land Tour which combines the best of their narrated and interactive eco-cruise experience with a trip to the famous Taughannock Falls State Park.

At the park visitors have the option to enjoy a short, guided hike to the tallest waterfall east of the Mississippi or go kayaking or paddleboarding.

On the cruise back to Ithaca, lunch is provided, and guests have the opportunity to interact with DCL’s Youth Crew, teenagers who are learning valuable life skills as they learn how to conduct tours of their own and lead water ecology experiments.

For more information visit discovercayugalake.org/cayugalake-boat-cruises-charters-tours or contact Astrid Jirka at astrid@discovecayugalake.org or 607-327-5253 ext. 0.

M a y / J u n e 2 0 2 4 ~ ­­­­­­­­­­­­13­

cultured

Summer

Music is in the Air Check out these all-star concert series, coming to a venue near you.

Music to Our Ears: ChamberFest Marks 20th Anniversary

W

ith spring comes the unveiling of the ChamberFest Canandaigua’s concert season. This year, ChamberFest is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a star-studded series of classical chamber music performances.

The season will take place across two weeks, from July 12 to July 21.

This season’s guest artists include Grammy-winning classical Americana ensemble Time for Three, lauded pianist and recitalist Andrew Armstrong, violinist Min-Young Kim, lauded Korean pianist and chamber music collaborator Jessica Cho, violinist Jessica Thompson and Evan Meccarello who is the conductor and founder of the Hochstein Orchestra of Rochester.

“From the exuberance of the music on stage, to the unforgettable moments spent in community with our artists and listeners, this season is only a foretaste of what’s to come over the next decades,” said ChamberFest directors Kevin Kumar and Amy Sue Barston. “We simply invite you to experience it all anew this season – the music, the friendships, the joy.”

ChamberFest’s concerts will continue to provide exquisite music in unique settings. Four concerts –

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Time for Three on July 12, Andrew Armstrong on July 14, Poets at the Piano on July 19 and Expanding the Score on July 21 – will take place at Fort Hill Performing Arts Center. ChamberFest’s performance on July 16 will be presented at The Lake House on Canandaigua, featuring a five-course meal paired with musical selections. The fan-favorite Classical Blue Jeans Concert returns on July 17 at Casa Larga Vineyard with Appalachian tuned paired alongside local wines. The season will wrap up with the festival’s free family-friendly Children’s Concert at Wood Library with a Star Wars inspired theme based on the book “Are You Scared, Darth Vader?” illustrated by Adam Rex. Purchase tickets at chamberfestcanandaigua.com.

Amy Sue Barston and Kevin Kumar

c hamber f est canandaigua

­

Exceptional chamber music performed by world-class musicians Time For Three

Andrew Armstrong

FRIDAY, JULY 12 - 7:30 PM (Pre-Concert Chat: 7:15pm)

SUNDAY, JULY 14 - 2:15 PM (Pre-Concert Chat: 2:00pm)

FORT HILL PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

FORT HILL PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

The vocal, instrumental, and Grammy-winning magic of Time For Three lies at the busy intersection of classical music, Americana, and modern pop.

Praised by critics for his passionate expression and dazzling technique, seasoned recital-pianist Andrew Armstrong brings a vibrant performance to ChamberFest Canandaigua.

A Night To Remember

Classical Blue Jeans

FREE Children’s Concert

TUESDAY, JULY 16 - 6:00 PM

WEDNESDAY, JULY 17 - 6:00 PM

THURSDAY, JULY 18 - 11:00 AM

THE LAKE HOUSE ON CANANDAIGUA

CASA LARGA WINERY & VINEYARDS

FIRST METHODIST CHURCH

Enjoy chamber music exquisitely paired with specially selected food and wines at the exquisite new Lake House on Canandaigua Lake.

Our signature event! Enjoy a wonderful evening of fabulous wine, fiddle tunes, locally curated dinner, and dazzling multigenre music.

Our world-class musicians love to treat the young-at-heart (ages 2 to 102) to their favorite musical instruments and creative musical play.

Poets At The Piano

Expanding The Score

FRIDAY, JULY 19 - 7:30 PM (Pre-Concert Chat: 7:15pm)

SUNDAY, JULY 21 - 2:15 PM (Pre-Concert Chat: 2:00pm)

FORT HILL PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

FORT HILL PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

Filled with mystery, longing, and virtuosity, enjoy this evening with the Masters... Bach, Mozart, Chopin, Gershwin, and Schumann.

For the finale of our 20th Season, we’re joined by conductor Evan Maccarello, a full orchestra, and a slate of incredible soloists for an exuberant evening of music.

ChamberFestCanandaigua.com

cultured

T

his year marks the 45th anniversary of the Skaneateles Festival’s summer season. The 2024 theme is “Home.

Heart. Harmony.” The season will run from July 31 through August 24 and feature a variety of music styles – from jazz and bluegrass to classical and chamber. The season encompasses 14 main series concerts, two KidsFest performances, a free music lecture series with Juilliard professor Aaron Wunsch and several community outreach performances.

Dark

Light

Skaneateles Festival Presents “Home. Heart. Harmony.”

Exploring dichotomies that guide our understanding of the universe through music.

MAY 18 – JUNE 9, 2024 Festival news, updates and tickets GenevaMusicFestival.com

Concert evenings at the Robinson Pavilion at Anyela’s Vineyards are set for August 2, 10, 17 and 24. The musician lineup, in order, features renowned musician and Grammy-winner Rhiannon Giddens; Syrian clarinetist Kinan Azmeh; Grammy Awardwinning mandolinist, singer and songwriter Chris Thile; and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis.

The Skaneateles Festival will present its largest-ever orchestral concert on August 3 at an area high school. The program, Music of the Americas, will include Alberto Ginastera’s Harp Concerto featuring Bridget Kibbey, Gabriela Lena Frank’s celebration of Inca warriors and music by Aaron Copland and Gershwin’s beloved “Rhapsody in Blue.”

This season’s outreach initiative, “Searching for Home” invites participants to reflect on the nature of home and consider what it means to those who must search out a new one. It will highlight performers, composers and musical (Continued on page 18)

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traditions of those who have resettled in Central New York: Syrians, Somalians, Afghans and Ukrainians. This narrative of home is woven deeply into the fabric of the season’s programming and the outreach initiative will include a series of free performances open to the public between Syracuse and Auburn.

Chamber concerts at the First Presbyterian Church in Skaneateles are set for Thursday and Friday nights (with the exception of August 2) throughout the season. Two celebratory opening concerts at the church will feature favorite musicians including violinist Joe Genualdi, cellists Steven Doane and Rosemary Elliott and pianist Andrew Russo. One concert will be held as a matinee at 1 p.m. on July 31 and the other performance will present a different program later that evening.

Renowned violinist James Ehnes will make his Festival debut on August 1 with pianist Andrew Armstrong. The Dover Quartet will perform August 8 and 9. On August 9, the Festival will present a new collaboration between bass-baritone Davóne Tines and the Dover Quartet where they will explore spirituality and mysticism through varied cultural lenses.

The Claremont Trio takes the stage August 15 and 16, performing a new work by Kinan Azmeh, commissioned by the Skaneateles Festival, and a “Queen of Hearts” program which will highlight regal trios by Fanny MendelssohnHensel.

The Westerlies will debut at the Festival on August 22, joined by young violinist-fiddler George Meyer. Together they’ll present Songbook, a program of music of John Prine, Randy Newman, Woody Guthrie, spirituals by the famous Golden Gate Quartet and more. The final week of the Festival highlights this year’s Young Artist in Residence, the Ivalas Quartet, who are the current graduate quartet-in-residence at The Juilliard School. There will be several free outreach performances from the Ivalas Quartet, as well as a ticketed candlelight concert on August 23.

For more information on the season and to get tickets, visit skanfest.org.

Geneva Music Festival About To Begin 14th Season

E

ntering its 14th season, the Geneva Music Festival has thrilled both residents and visitors to the Finger Lakes each summer. With a series of concerts that spans May through June, and an emphasis on chamber music and community outreach, the festival consistently brings worldclass music to Geneva.

Each year the festival has a theme for the concert series – this year it is “Light and Dark.” fitting for a year in which the Finger Lakes will see a once-in-a-lifetime solar eclipse! While some concerts will use the theme literally, featuring pieces inspired by times of day; others will play with it figuratively, as thematic contrasts such as love and hate.

Many audience-favorite artists will return this season to form the core of “artists-in-residence” who will perform in several concerts. The backbone of the festival, these artists compose a community over the weeks of the festival, led by Geoffrey Herd – Geneva native, violinist, and festival founder and director.

Artists-in-residence will be joined by a number of talented musicians participating in the festival for their first time. Fusion ensemble Biriba Union will kick off the season at local winery Ravines on May 19 with a tantalizing synthesis of Brazilian beats, Bluegrass, Jazz, Classical, Hip-Hop, Funk, and Pop. Also new to the Festival are the storied Brentano String Quartet, performing May 30 at the Gearan Center; and the Kate McGarry and Keith Ganz Ensemble, who will wow listeners with enchanting jazz vocals at the Cracker Factory June 2.

Also not to be missed this season is the first-ever “Musical Mixology” night at the Linden Social Club. A collaboration between a long-beloved hometown bar, known for its hip interior and well executed cocktails, and festival musicians; the evening will pair each of four pieces of live music with a bespoke drink and small plate.

With artists new and old, inventive concert venues, and exceptional musicianship, this concert season’s cycles of light and dark in music renditions promises to the best yet.

The Geneva Music Festival was founded in 2011 by Geneva, New York violinist Geoffrey Herd as a weekend of chamber music in his hometown. To learn more, and to purchase tickets, visit genevamusicfestival.com.

M a y / J u n e 2 0 2 4 ~ ­­­­­­­­­­­­19­

gardening

Genrich The

story and photos

by Lauren Chamberlain

Girls

Grow for Generations

F

Stephanie Genrich

or the Genrich girls, Deborah and Stephanie, family means everything.

Now in its third generation of ownership and spanning over three acres, Genrich’s Garden Center in Irondequoit started much smaller.

In 1960, Ralph Genrich Jr. rooted his business on Cooper Road as a humble garden center.

The shop focused more on lawn care and sold shrubs and ball and burlap trees that he grew right on the premises.

Ralph’s wife, Mary Ellen Genrich, attended Hixson’s floral design school in the mid-1970s and added the florist shop to the store. Around 1981 their son, Ralph III, returned after graduating from college (Continued on page 20)

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gardening

and started building more greenhouses and shifted focus to growing annual and perennial plants. Around the late 90s, they added the gift shop.

“My Ralph was always updating things, always modernizing,” recalls Deborah, who is the current owner.

She added how Ralph III started to take on more responsibilities by the time Ralph Jr. retired in the early 2000s.

Mary Ellen worked in the florist shop with Deborah until she passed in 2006.

It wasn’t until 2009 that Deborah and Ralph III officially bought the business.

Deborah had a background in interior design for 15 years and was working at a real estate tax/title company when she met Ralph III. “My passion for design and display transitioned perfectly to updating and expanding the gift shop,” she said.

Before he met Deborah, Ralph III had two extra tiny shadows accompanying him – his daughters Heather and Stephanie Genrich.

Deborah fondly remembers how the girls would sit on the ladders, watching him and learning.

“He was always someone I looked up to in life,” Stephanie recalled. “We always gardened at home together. It was work, but it was always something we did at home and it’s something we always enjoyed together.”

The Genrich family and Irondequoit community were devastated by the passing of Ralph III in February 2014.

“After he passed, when it was only the three of us, there were so many times when the computers or something started going bad where I would be so petrified. I didn’t even know who to call to fix this,” Deborah admitted. “But they’d just be like, ‘Oh we’re just going to do it.’”

Stephanie explained how her dad did just about everything, including growing and tending to plants, bookwork, fixing things around the store and driving the loader. “The hole he left was very big. It was hard to figure it out and land on your feet and be like ‘You’re doing this.’”

But the three girls held strong – (Continued on page 24)

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gardening

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like pillars for their family legacy.

Deborah was in awe of the girls and how they are always one step ahead and working on the next thing without ever having to be asked. They all dedicate their work ethic from watching Ralph III throughout their lives.

“It wasn’t that we necessarily grew up in a generation where girls couldn’t do what guys could,” Stephanie explained. “My dad just never questioned you can’t do this, he just said ‘Do it.’ It could be as simple as lifting a soil bag as a kid.”

Deborah gained this mentality as well. She recalled times when she had to push back against people who would doubt their abilities to run the business or challenge that the girls could handle it. When faced with these doubts, she always counters back by saying, “Watch me.”

All the girls gained this hard-working mentality.

While Heather moved away a few years ago, whenever she comes home to visit, she jumps right back into work.

For Stephanie, this mentality goes beyond her time in the greenhouse; it applies to her artistic eye. She initially learned how to be a florist by watching her grandma. “I would come in and just stand next to her, use the little scraps off the floor and make my own little arrangements of whatnot,” Stephanie said.

While working with family every day might be considered troublesome, Deborah explained that the experience with Heather and Stephanie has been amazing.

“I’m sure I got on their nerves, but our relationship is very solid, loving and sincere. They were so little when Ralph and I got married, but I feel like they are and always have been [my daughters]. I’m very, very fortunate with that.”

The love these women have for each other seeps into their business and impacts their employees and customers.

With an established three-generation family business comes three generations of customers. Deborah reflects on how their community connects with the business.

It makes her emotional to think about “people who my mother-in-law did wedding flowers for and I’ve done their daughters’ flowers and all the generational things events like that. Sometimes you just forget how long some of these people have been customers and a part of everything.”

An employee who has been there for a few years, Will Johnson, expressed his respect for Deborah and Stephanie

Left: Deborah Right: Stephanie

as bosses. “They’re just kind and understanding people,” he said. “I enjoy how family-oriented this place is and how cohesive it can be when you have a good, healthy work environment and giving and receiving respect, especially from your bosses.”

Customers go out of their way to come and support the Genrichs and their store because of the relationships the women have built and maintained.

“A large part of the success of this business is the fact that guests can always find an ‘owner’ to interact with, or a well-versed, professional and friendly staff member,” Deborah said. “It truly makes a huge difference in trust and loyalty when personal connections can be built.”

Customers – even those who only come to the shop once a year – are regularly impressed with how the staff remember their names, along with those of their family members and pets.

Growing ever since 1960, there has rarely been a time when Genrich’s Garden Center hasn’t been updating and improving. In 2021, the Genrichs remodeled the front gift shop; in the beginning of 2024, they gave their back greenhouse a makeover. Shoppers can look forward to many exciting plans for the business, some of which are underway. The Genrichs plan to give the storefront a new look and are continuing to host new workshops.

On top of Genrich’s being a garden center, nursery, greenhouse, florist and gift shop, it is a place to learn and create art. So far it has hosted hands-on workshops for bouquet making, houseplant repotting and propagation lessons. Once, Stephanie hosted a behind-the-scenes greenhouse tour and invited local artists to teach printmaking and botanical drawings. The garden center regularly has popup events with food trucks and local artists.

The Genrichs admitted that they have played around with the long-term idea of hosting events like weddings and showers.

The mother-daughter team has proven that with family and hard-work, anything is possible. Despite their hardships, they have managed to blossom their lives and their business together as they uphold Ralph III’s memory and make their family proud. While their spring season is now underway, they are open all four seasons. Go experience the magic of Genrich’s for yourself.” Or something along those lines of the “go down and shop” call to action.

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M a y / J u n e 2 0 2 4 ~ ­­­­­­­­­­­­25­

musical notes

The Healing Power of

Music

Guitarist Loren Barrigar

by Nancy E. McCarthy

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MAKE YOUR OWN GLASS

Opposite page: 2023 Syracuse Irish Festival. Photo courtesy of Ella Fling

Barrigar’s photo was selected for a Chet Atkins high school guitar manual. Barrigar was taking lessons from Chet’s brother Jimmy Atkins in Nashville.

E

lbridge acoustic guitarist Loren Barrigar, 63, has enjoyed a successful music career with a family band and regional acts, as a solo artist and a duo with New Zealand guitarist Mark Mazengarb. These fingerstyle picking partners released four albums and toured the world together.

A catastrophic accident threatened to end it all.

On October 1, 2019 Barrigar was home before starting an American tour with Mazengarb in November. While cutting fire wood, his chainsaw violently kicked back, severely injuring his left fretting hand and wrist.

“In that instant, my mind could only think of my fingers not working,” Barrigar said. He couldn’t feel or move his ring and pinky fingers. These thoughts temporarily overrode the intense physical pain. Using his right hand to cover a gaping wound on his left wrist prevented him from calling 911. “I was actually afraid for my life.”

Barrigar hoofed it frantically to a nearby store for help.

He arrived by ambulance at Upstate University Hospital’s Level 1 Trauma Center in Syracuse. Eventually he was stitched up and sent home to wait two weeks for the injury to define itself and determine next steps. “That’s a very long time for a guitar player to wake up with fingers that don’t work, to wait for answers,” Barrigar said.

A guitar prodigy since the age of four, it was inconceivable that he might not play again. But he waited.

What else could he do?

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Growing up Barrigar Most of Barrigar’s family was musical. His parents, Ken (guitar) and Joan (piano), raised their children in Elbridge.

Ken held management positions later switching to the swimming pool business.

Barrigar was second of nine siblings. Astonishingly, at age 4, he picked up his dad’s guitar (which was bigger M a y / J u n e 2 0 2 4 ~ ­­­­­­­­­­­­27­

musical notes

Early photo of The Christophers: (L-R): Ken Barrigar and his sons Loren and Paul.

Country singer Jim Ed Brown and Loren Barrigar, who made his Grand Ole Opry debut at age 6 in 1968.

­­­­­­­­­­­­28­ ~ F i n g e r L a k e s M a g a z i n e . c o m

than he was) and began playing it. Barrigar imitated his father who took lessons from Auburn teaching legend Bob Piorun. Barrigar started learning from Piorun, too.

In 1968 when Barrigar was 6 years old, Ken took him to Nashville. Ken talked his way into young Barrigar sharing a stage with Ragin’ Cajun Doug Kershaw and playing

“Guitar Boogie” to a standing ovation. They interrupted a Chet Atkins (“Mr. Guitar”) recording session for Charley Pride and then Ken finagled a Grand Ole Opry audition and subsequent appearance. Barrigar played “Yakety Axe” on a bill with Minnie Pearl and Jim Ed Brown. Piorun had helped Barrigar master that Chet Atkins song.

The family moved to Nashville to experience the music scene and lived there for five years. Father and son studied guitar with Jimmy Atkins (Chet’s brother). Ken worked fulltime but he recorded Barrigar and sold hundreds of records while playing street shows. Younger brother Paul joined on a drum.

They became The Christophers, playing pop and country tunes in various venues. After the family moved back to Elbridge in 1973, they even traveled to perform shows in the Midwest and Nevada. Barrigar attended Jordan-Elbridge High School, playing weddings and parties on the side.

A music career After graduating in 1979, Barrigar supported himself by playing music and partnered with many musicians. Barrigar lived in Nashville and played in various bands for a couple

Chet Atkins Appreciation Society Convention performance, Nashville 2017 l-r: Barrigar, Emmanuel, Mazengarb

years and then, back in NY, performed regionally with saxophonist/vocalist Joe Whiting of Skaneateles. They cowrote songs including “Christmas (Ain’t Like It Used to Be)” which landed on a compilation album also featuring Patti LaBelle and B.B. King and on television episodes of “ER” and “The Young and the Restless.”

In the 90s, some Barrigar brothers resurrected The Christophers with Barrigar on guitar, Paul on drums, Brian on bass and youngest brother Kevin as vocalist.

When the Syracuse Area Music Awards (SAMMYS) debuted in 1993, Barrigar won Best Country Instrumentalist, with many more to come. That same year, Barrigar married Mary Pontello. Barrigar performed close to home when they started their family: Mason (1999), LJ (2001) and Jack (2005).

M a y / J u n e 2 0 2 4 ~ ­­­­­­­­­­­­29­

musical notes

Father and Son “Covid and my accident were close together and these events led to this beautiful partnership with LJ,” Loren Barrigar explained. Before his accident, when LJ was in high school, Barrigar was often on the road. During this timeframe, LJ taught himself to play guitar with occasional tips from his father and inspiration from Tommy Emmanuel’s YouTube videos.

During a community benefit concert held for Barrigar after his hand surgery, Performing at Steeple Coffee House, Barrigar found a way for the two to play Fayetteville, NY. Photo courtesy of Janet Fagal together. Father and son literally shared a guitar: LJ worked the frets with his left hand and Barrigar, leaning over LJ’s shoulder, picked with his right.

Thankfully these days, when they perform, Barrigar plays his own guitar with two hands – although he still just has partial use of his left fretting hand.

“I tell people he plays better with three fingers than I do with five!” LJ said. “It’s been great for me just to spend time with him and play music with him. I realize more and more how special that really is. It’s been a way for us to bond and I wouldn’t trade it for anything else.”

Loren and LJ Barrigar currently perform in the Finger Lakes Region. Visit lorenbarrigar.com for upcoming show dates. Follow LJ on Instagram @ljbarrigarmusic.

LJ began playing guitar during high school.

Barrigar sold out his first solo acoustic show at the Red House Theater in Syracuse in 2004. It launched his style: an upbeat and eclectic mix of instrumentals and vocals, cover tunes and original compositions with roots in country, pop, Americana, jazz and classical genres. Playing ticketed solo shows tripled his income. As his fan base grew, Barrigar released two albums.

“Loren has great stage presence and connects immediately to his audience. His musicianship is riveting,” said Jim Clare who books “Tunes by the Tracks” shows in Clifton Springs.

In 2005, Barrigar attended an adult guitar camp hosted by Australian guitar virtuoso Tommy Emmanuel.

Another attendee was New Zealander Mazengarb, a college exchange

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­­­­­­­­­­­­30­ ~ F i n g e r L a k e s M a g a z i n e . c o m

student. Despite an almost 25-year age difference, they immediately clicked musically and stayed in touch.

Barrigar and Mazengarb decided to form a duo after their dynamic performance at a 2010 Chet Atkins guitarist convention in Nashville brought the house down. Their mentor Emmanuel, also there, would later invite them to open for some of his tours.

For almost a decade the pair performed worldwide, composed songs and recorded albums. Their instrumental “Onward” won an International Acoustic Music Award in 2013 and a SAMMY award.

“When Loren was playing with Mark Mazengarb, I recall being stunned by the touch and speed of their guitars,” said Clare. “It was nearly impossible for me to figure out which guy was playing which part.”

Next steps On October 18, 2019, Barrigar underwent surgery to repair the ulnar nerve. Unfortunately, he lost use of his ring and pinky fingers. Retaining functionality for the rest of his hand required daily physical therapy. Barrigar’s hand swelled like a balloon and nerve pain was constant.

His tour with Mazengarb was a month away. Clearly,

he couldn’t play by then or maybe ever. The shows were reimagined. Barrigar still sang but Brooks Robertson replaced him on guitar. Hand exercises and hydrotherapy were conducted on the road with assistance from his girlfriend Cassie Osgood (Barrigar and Mary divorced in 2018). “It was a thing of beauty,” he said. “Performing became a blessing.”

It gave him hope to play guitar again someday.

Unbelievably, by tour’s end in March 2020, he played a song during a show in Eugene, OR. Shortly after, the world went into pandemic lockdown.

Barrigar is back to performing using three fret fingers – including his thumb. His current partner is his guitarist son LJ, 23 [see sidebar]. “He was there for me when my world changed,” said Barrigar. Their bond preserves the family’s musical legacy and was the silver lining in Barrigar’s healing journey.

For more information, visit lorenbarrigar.com.

The author wishes to thank Life in the Finger Lakes magazine subscriber and Barrigar “super fan” Janet Fagal for bringing Loren Barrigar’s compelling story to our attention for the Musical Notes department. Thank you, Janet!

M a y / J u n e 2 0 2 4 ~ ­­­­­­­­­­­­31­

do it yourself

See recipe on page 34

Pickled

Garlic Scapes story and photos

by Jennifer Morrisey homeinthefingerlakes.com

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G

arlic scapes are available only once a year for a brief period.

Making pickled garlic scapes is an easy way to preserve the mild garlic flavor and make excellent use of something previously seen as a by-product with little to no value.

Last fall, on a mild day, my family, sister-in-law and a few family friends spent an afternoon planting a small garlic field by hand. Planting garlic involves bending over, squatting and paying attention to the number of cloves planted and spacing. But with our little group working together, the task passed quickly and felt more like a social gathering than labor. On our farm, we only grow a few crops overwinter, like garlic and winter wheat. I always enjoy the planting of these crops, as it seems to bring a sense of hope and anticipation. It’s a reminder that despite the coming dark and cold months, spring is just around the corner.

As the ground warms in the spring, our garlic wakes up and starts

actively growing. The increasing sunlight and warmer temperatures encourage new growth, and the garlic sends a green shoot up above the ground. These shoots, known as garlic scapes, emerge from the center of each plant, curling gracefully as they grow. Scapes are the flower stalks of the garlic plant; if left untrimmed, they would eventually bloom into flowers.

Trimming back the scapes encourages the garlic to focus on creating a larger bulb instead of a flower. Some garlic growers toss the scapes, but they are considered a culinary delicacy around the world and are becoming increasingly popular here in the U.S. They have been appearing more frequently at farmers markets and in CSA boxes when in season. Garlic scapes have the texture and crunch of a green bean but with a mild garlic flavor.

Aside from pickling them, they are also good in stir fry, tossed over pasta, or pesto.

Why pickle garlic scapes?

Much like strawberries, garlic scapes have a very short season – and it’s happening right now! Pickling these scapes is a simple and delicious way to extend their lightly garlicky flavor. While freezing is also an option, there’s something uniquely satisfying about crunching into a pickled garlic scape straight from the jar. They also make a great addition to charcuterie boards. That’s why, every year, I make sure to prepare a few jars of pickled scapes to add to my pickled pantry.

How to pickle garlic scapes Pickling garlic scapes is incredibly easy. I find the most time-consuming part is trimming and wrangling the scapes into the jar. You can actually pickle every part of the scape – even the flower bud, which is usually more bulbous and rounded than the rest of the scape.

Garlic scapes have a natural curl, which makes them tricky to fit into a jar for pickling. I usually trim and use the straighter part at the bottom, cutting off any tough sections.

I chop the curly tops up for stir-fries or to sauté with pasta.

When it comes to canning, I follow the usual hot water bath canning methods, which work well for acidic foods. If you’re new to canning and want to learn, I recommend contacting your local cooperative extension. They often have canning classes at a low cost.

How to use pickled garlic scapes After allowing your pickled garlic scapes to pickle for at least two weeks, they’re ready to enjoy. These pickled scapes are excellent alongside cured meats on a charcuterie board, on a veggie platter or as part of a classic relish tray. Pickled garlic scapes are great chopped and sprinkled over salads for a garlicky crunch, used as a tangy topping on sandwiches and burgers instead of a pickle or thinly sliced for a unique twist on pizzas.

It’s rewarding to transform ingredients that might be overlooked or discarded into a treat we anticipate each year. The art of food preservation – whether through pickling, canning or fermenting – allows us to savor the flavors of each season long after they’ve passed and use the garden’s bounty in a traditional and resourceful way.

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M a y / J u n e 2 0 2 4 ~ ­­­­­­­­­­­­33­

do it yourself

Picked Garlic Scape Recipe Ingredients

1 bunch of garlic scapes, approximately what you can wrap two hands around, shoots aligned 1 cup vinegar (white vinegar or cider vinegar is fine as long as the acidity level is 5 percent) 1 cup water 2 tablespoons of canning and pickling salt 1 tablespoon pickling spice mix 2 cloves garlic, split

Instructions

1. Trim the ends of the garlic scapes, removing both the blossom end and the straight end near the original cut. Cut the scapes into lengths that comfortably fit your jar, approximately 3-4 inches each.

2. Prepare a boiling water bath in a pot with a lid that will accommodate the jar and be deep enough to allow a minimum of 1-2 inches of briskly boiling water to cover the top of the jar during processing. Submerge a single pint jar in the boiling water and boil for at least 10 minutes to sanitize. Wash the lid and band in hot, soapy water and rinse well. Keep the jar in the hot water until ready to use to prevent contamination.

3. Use jar tongs to remove the jar from the water and carefully empty the water. Once the jar has cooled, add the pickling spice.

Pack the trimmed scapes vertically into the jar on top of the pickling spice, alternating with split garlic cloves for even flavor distribution.

4. In a separate saucepot, combine 1 cup vinegar, 1 cup water, and 2 tablespoons of canning and pickling salt. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring to dissolve the salt.

5. Slowly pour the hot brine over the garlic scapes in the jar, leaving a 1/2-inch headspace at the top. Ensure the brine fully covers the scapes.

6. Carefully tap the jar lightly on the countertop to dislodge any trapped air bubbles. Check the headspace after removing air bubbles and add more brine if necessary.

7. Wipe the rim of the jar with a clean, damp cloth to remove any brine. Apply the lid and screw on the ring until fingertip tight.

Process the jar in the boiling water bath for 10 minutes (adjust the time for altitude, if necessary).

8. After processing, remove the jar from the water bath and place it on a towel or rack to cool undisturbed for 24 hours. Do not tighten the rings or press down on the lid during this time.

9. After 24 hours, check for a proper seal by pressing the center of the lid. The lid should not flex up and down. If the seal is improper, refrigerate the jar and consume the garlic scapes within a few weeks.

10. Sealed jars should be stored in a cool, dark place. To develop flavors, let garlic scapes pickle for at least two weeks before eating.

Safety and troubleshooting

Ensure you do not deviate from the vinegar, water and salt ratios for safety reasons.

To subscribe to Jennifer’s blog about getting back to basics and living a simpler life, visit homeinthefingerlakes.com

­­­­­­­­­­­­34­ ~ F i n g e r L a k e s M a g a z i n e . c o m

outdoors

Cattails

Wetland Wonders and the Stalk of the Town!

by Natalia Kivimaki, Saunders Finger Lakes Museum

Y

ears ago, I had the pleasure and privilege of speaking with G. Peter Jemison (Heron Clan, Seneca) thenhistorical curator of Ganondagan State Historic Site.

He shared the story of nature’s significance for his culture, highlighting the importance of the freshwaters for the Onondowaga Nation. The resource played a role in the travel, agriculture and overall lifestyle of many Native American cultures.

Because of this significant importance, it is of great responsibility, Jemison said, to take care of the earth while we’re here and to hand it on to future generations. We live in a certain harmony within our environment, and we should strive to respect the other beings that are here. This conversation with Jemison highlighted a profound respect for the environment and its delicate harmony.

This equilibrium can be seen around many freshwater resources in the Finger Lakes, even within the native species of the area. For example, wetlands are a place where the water and the earth come together for synchronous balance.

A major component of this relationship are the cattails which can be found on the shoreline. Standing anywhere from 3 to 10 feet tall, these impressive stalks have quite the presence.

They work to preserve the natural balance of this intricate water and land ecosystem.

Cattails filter water, control water quantities, provide habitats for animals, keep the soil steady and add oxygen to the air. Without them, wetlands wouldn’t be as healthy or long-lasting. Wetland environments are crucial to the balance

of the freshwater resource and deserving of the respect that Jemison spoke of. And cattails are designed by nature to preserve that respect. Cattails have been a part of various cultures for thousands and thousands of years.

The cultural significance of cattails can be traced as far back as 30,000 years ago, as remnants of stones show a flour-like substance found in Russia, Italy and the Czech Republic. These cultures may have used cattails for flour, but even more impressive is how Native Americans utilized every portion of the plant for food, medicinal purposes, clothing and housing.

Renowned for their culinary ingenuity with cattails, Native American cultures made use of every part of the plant in various dishes.

The rhizomes, or roots, were a staple, enjoyed either raw or processed with M a y / J u n e 2 0 2 4 ~ ­­­­­­­­­­­­35­

outdoors

Did you know?

C

urrently, Chinese researchers are investigating cattail pollen’s reputation for shrinking cancerous tumors.

Civil engineers have jumped on the cattail bandwagon to research their extreme filtration properties!

Cattail growing in tubs of poisoned water, after six weeks, reduced arsenic

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a similar taste and texture to potatoes. The dried inner root pith was ideal for long-term storage or ground into a versatile flour for making porridge, bread or cakes. Often these roots came adorned with delicate, edible shoots, perfect for snacking raw or cooking in salted water.

But the culinary adventure didn’t stop there! Early foragers also savored the tender, early shoots of spring cattails. These shoots boasted a refreshing cucumber flavor with a hint of onion, adding a fresh twist to meals.

Then there were the underdeveloped green seedheads of the female cattails. Whether roasted or boiled in salted water, these seedheads offered a delightful corn-like taste and a satisfyingly chewy texture similar to our breakfast oatmeal. No matter if they were eaten from the stalk or peeled for a more refined dining experience, they never failed to impress.

Cattail pollen was collected in the spring (don’t worry, it didn’t disturb the habitat or the plant) and used as a flour substitute.

The pollen added a vibrant yellow hue and a rich, flavorful dimension to a variety of dishes. When freshly harvested, it has a neutral taste; when heated, it transforms into a substance similar in taste to roasted corn.

Cattail pollen has tremendous medicinal properties as well. Pollen was mixed with water and herbs to make a paste to control bleeding. It was used to soothe and treat infections, blisters and stings. Cattails were also consumed to help with intestinal discomfort and coughs.

The fluff inside cattails is similar to dandelion fluff and was historically used for insulation for homes, clothing and boots, as well as making cotton balls.

During World War II the fluff was used to pad seats in tanks and planes as well as stuff life jackets. People

levels up to 89 percent.

Cattail plants are native to all U.S. states except one – Hawaii!

You can watch the SFLM interview with G. Peter Jemison at the QR code that will take you directly to the museum’s YouTube page.

weaved cattail leaves together to create makeshift shelters, mats, chairs, baskets and even hats. The dried cattail heads make ideal fire kindling and have been used as torches.

We are lucky at the Saunders Finger Lakes Museum to have such an abundant resource right in our backyard known as the Townsend Grady Wildlife Preserve. Along the shore of Sugar Creek and into Keuka Lake, cattails are visible as far as the eye can see. Our guided paddling trips often take a detour through a marsh-like cattail oasis, where the watery pathway is not much wider than the kayak itself.

Walking down the path at Sugar Creek, cattails line the shore and provide shelter and habitats for animals such as birds, frogs and beavers. The wind carries through these tall reeds, playing a melody.

The Townsend Grady Wildlife Preserve wetlands are an amazing spot for photos at any time of the year, any time of the day; this is evidenced by the wonderful images that Saunders Finger Lakes Museum longtime volunteer Helen Heizyk has shared over the years.

The Rochester Museum and Science Center has used one of Heizyk’s photos in its Wonders of Water permanent exhibit. Her work is displayed in a larger-than-life photo that takes up an entire wall, transporting exhibit guests into the wetlands despite being inside a museum building.

Cattails are an amazing resource in nature that is abundant in our area. I invite you to learn more about this plant and explore the Townsend Grady Wildlife Preserve when you visit the museum’s campus to see this marvel up close and personal.

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CliftonSpringsChamber.com ~ 315.462.8200 M a y / J u n e 2 0 2 4 ~ ­­­­­­­­­­­­37­

cultured

Catatonk Valley

Wood Carvers story and photos by Carol A. Henry

T

he Catatonk Valley Wood Carvers aren’t your oldfashioned grandpas sitting on the porch whittling group of wood carvers. They vary in age, and many are worldfamous, have won awards, and spend hours perfecting their craft.

The group started when a number of interested woodcarvers met in 1988 in the home of Roger Westgate, who was already a nationally known woodcarver. Since that time, they have grown; today, the group consists of carvers with a wide range of experience, from novice to intermediate and professional levels.

Both master and novice carvers’ art take on many forms – some of them are very detailed, all are colorful and intriguing.

But one has to see these carvings and talk to the carvers themselves to understand and appreciate their passion for carving.

Just such an opportunity happens each fall when they host their annual Catatonk Wood Carvers Show, held during Candor’s Fall Festival of Events over Columbus Day weekend at the Candor Fire Hall. Besides demonstrations, various wood carvers’ items are for sale, or commission. Each year they hold a major raffle which includes many handcrafted items centered around a specific theme. One such theme was a hand-carved wooden chest filled with a menagerie of hand-carved, hand-painted wooden Christmas ornaments, lovingly designed and produced by local carvers. In 2023, it was a complete farm set complete with various animals, barn, fencing and even a tractor, all carved by various members of the club.

Woodcarving has been around for centuries. It is a skill that has been handed down from father to son over the years.

Later, specialized schools taught the craft, and by 1835, there were reported to be some 2,000 families in Bavaria, Germany who were woodcarvers. In

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(585) 533-9050 DiamondsLimo.com Oberammergau, Germany, there are still over 2,000 wood carvers and sculptors and a leading woodcarving school.

In America, the craft was almost a lost art. There was a resurgence in the 1970s, and now there are thousands of woodcarving clubs all across the country – including the Catatonk Valley Woodcarvers Club.

Like many, Roger Westgate started with a jackknife and a piece of wood and simply began whittling. His interest grew and before he knew it, he won his first world championship in 1981 with a duck he carved using primarily hand tools.

Some form of hands-on instructional project is presented for everyone to work on, regardless of skill level at their weekly Monday night meetings. Depending on the object being carved – a fox, frog, walking canes, duck, etc. – these classes can take anywhere from three to eight weeks for members to complete their projects.

“Many people hesitate to get started,” said Westgate, who runs the club. “They think it’s too hard to learn. But it’s easy to get started. All you need is a knife, a sharpening

Left: Randy Conner received the 2023 Harold C. Westgate Carver of the Year award at the annual Catatonk Valley Wood Carvers Show.

Above: Roger Westgate received his first World Championship Award in 1981 for his hand-carved wood duck.

Put music on your schedule this summer!

Join us for individual lessons or choose from a variety of camps for high school students including: • Keyboard Explorations II • High School Wind Ensemble • Summer Studio Orchestra and more!

It’s not too early to start planning!

Visit us online today.

EASTMAN SCHOOL OF MUSIC • UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER

M a y / J u n e 2 0 2 4 ~ ­­­­­­­­­­­­39­

cultured

stone and a piece of wood. Sessions can be quite an eye-opener.”

As technology evolved, rotary tools have become necessary. These tools, some of which are actual dental instruments, give finer details needed to complete birds.

The various types of carvings are made with different woods including basswood, apple, birch, butternut and tupelo. As

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many different types of wood that carvers use, there are as many different types of carvings to be made. Incised or chip carvings can be used for picture frames, borders, jewelry, chests and signs, and are usually carved geometric cuts. Relief carving, carving in the round (birds, caricatures, animals) and chainsaw carvings all bring out surprising results. Wet pine, when let to sit in water for a period of time,

cuts like butter while still wet. The roots of small trees sometimes form handles, and tend to take the form of animals.

The support is very evident at these meetings, as well as the love for the craft.

Working with wood seems to bring out not only their creativity, but sets one’s inhibitions free. There is no one looking over anyone’s shoulder unless someone asks for assistance or direction. There is a great sense of sharing that goes on at these weekly meetings, a special family togetherness feeling where anyone is welcome who wishes to become a part of this unique group. All it takes is a sense of enthusiasm, time and interest in the craft.

For more information, contact Roger Westgate at 607-659-7769, Randy Conner at 607-659-4352 or visit catatonkvalleywoodcarvers.org.

Above: Dave O’Konski displays his wood carvings at the 2022 Catatonk Valley Wood Carvers Show.

Left: Each year the Wood Carvers create a major item to be raffled off at their annual show. The 2023 raffle was a complete farm, including a hand-carved tractor, fencing and an assortment of animals, hand-carved by the various members of the group.

10th Annual Bird Walk May 11th, 8-10AM Free Community Paddles June 1st & July 27th from 10 AM - 12 PM Kayak Lessons June 8th, June 29th & July 13th from 9AM-12 PM ACA Kayak Instructor Certification Training June 14th - June 16th Strawberry Moon Paddle June 22nd, 6-9PM To learn about program opportunities, visit FingerLakesMuseum.org

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by Kirk House

O

n May 4, 1871, James “Deacon” White strode to the plate in Fort Wayne for the first at-bat in the first half of the first inning of the first game in the first allprofessional baseball league. He hit a double and arguably initiated major league baseball.

The Taylor Wine Company team , also from Hammondsport but half a century later, has a game at the Bath V.A. Maybe som e of these guys had fathers or grandfathers on that Curtiss team.

White learned the game from retu rning Civil War veterans in his home tow n of Caton, south of Corning, and wen t pro in 1868. As the 19th century drew to a close, towns, churches, civic groups and places of employment all fielded their own amateur teams which played before hug e crowds.

The Finger Lakes Region was no exception.

e Cricket M.C.C. on the banner does not mean Marleybon t team cricke h Englis an Club, though during the Great War . team all baseb ort did square off against a Hammondsp ct suspe I and g, playin (I’m not sure what game they were in Lake, a daigu Canan they weren’t sure either.) We’re on se the Middlesex, as two players’ jerseys proclaim – I suppo plays ently appar big “M” is also for Middlesex. One guy the men for the “Farmers” as well. Notice that a couple of wear the old quilted pants.

on the Works (C.G.W. Corning Glass o – here’s own squads to jackets) had its the 1930s. , sometime in the Pyrex team g played am from Cornin A 1901 town te 2071) n steo (populatio a game at Cani raise g ectators, helpin before 1,200 sp . nisteo’s library $207.15 for Ca

Branchport is a small place in Yates County, at the tip of Keuka’s West Branch, but it outfitted its ball team superbly. Notice that some of the players have the old gloves with separated fingers.

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Drake’s Point is on Keuka Lake’s west shore, opposite the tip of the bluff, while Penn Yan is at the tip of Keuka’s east branch. The only practical way for the Penn Yan team to make the trip would have been by steamboat.

A Corning team once played Pulteney by taking the train to Bath, riding a second train to Hammondsport, boarding the steamer to Gibson’s Landing and finally either hiking or wagoning up the hill ... and then back. The game is “called” in the sense of “scheduled” – not called on account of rain.

Judging by the age range in this pho to, the Union School in Burdett (perched high above Seneca Lake on the east shore) had to work some to get up a team. Those caps don’t have much by way of visors – they’d bett er hope for a cloudy day.

Starkey (which includes Dundee) is on Seneca Lake’s west shore. We don’t know whether to thank the community, some sponsor or the athletes themselves, but the Starkey team is very nicely outfitted. The condition of their uniforms suggests that this is the beginning of the season. Notice the fans up on the porch.

erling High uch-larger Hav m m fro am te The oks older, around 1915, lo School, in Bath and very d , well-equippe well-accoutred the crowd. in st h seems lo ac co e Th e. ns inte

White was appalled at the first year’s class of inductees in 1936 for the new Baseball Hall of Fame – not only was he not in it, but he wasn’t even invited to the ceremonies! (Given that he’d been born when James K. Polk was president, they probably assumed he was dead.) His day finally came in 2013. He’s the oldest person in the Hall of Fame, as he was born before every other member. This is a record he’s likely to keep!

M a y / J u n e 2 0 2 4 ~ ­­­­­­­­­­­­45­

Boat

Cruises Through the Summer Story by Derek Doeffinger Photos by Derek Doeffinger and Gary Whelpley

The Teal offers great views of Cayuga Lake from the front of the boat.

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W

ith the arrival of warm weather, one thing is certain: in the next few months, there’ll come a moment when all you want to do is escape the house for an afternoon or evening of relaxation. It may occur when your Pennsylvania friends drop in unannounced as they’re returning from a Maine vacation. Or it might arrive when the tsunami of yard chores leaves your back aching, your neck kinked and your kids laughing at your sore shoulder football tosses.

When that time arrives, you will have a great option: a Finger Lakes or canal cruise. A multitude of cruises await you.

Some trips go to wineries, waterfalls, osprey nests, canal locks and past historic houses. Want some action? Take one that drops you off for a return towpath bike ride or entertains your kids with eco-centric activities complete with microscopes.

Nearing meltdown mode? Then pick one that glides through

The Colonial Bell is a common sight on the Erie Canal.

The Teal out of Ithaca

the fading sunset as you dine on a delicious meal.

You might even find romance or adventure on a twomasted schooner with sails billowing under a freshening breeze.

Choosing your cruise Finding the right cruise will likely come down to just a few criteria. Ignoring cost – since that depends largely on how many people come along – here’s a few things to consider: duration, port of departure, size of the boat and theme (meals, music, education and more).

You may want to prioritize one or two of these features.

Do you want a cruise that lasts an hour, two, or three? Do you want the one closest to you or in a location with additional activities? Do you want a meal, and, if so, what kind? Some offer full courses, while others tender sandwiches, snacks or nothing. Concerned about the weather? Choose a boat big enough to offer shelter and a smoother ride.

If you’re going to propose, network, party or exfoliate, you may want the privacy provided by a boat that you can charter.

One boat, the Patrick T. Kennedy (ithacaboattours.com) is a refitted PT boat (up to 49 passengers) that only accepts charters – at a surprisingly reasonable hourly rate. For groups up to 11, onkeuka.com offers two boats for charters and they provide water taxis with departures possible at several points along Keuka Lake.

From Rochester to Ithaca to Syracuse, there’s a boat ride to suit you

Duration Most of the bigger boats offer a variety of cruises lasting anywhere from 45 minutes to three or four hours. The longer times typically indicate the serving of a meal, sometimes live music or both.

Although they all post the length of the ride, none of the boats let you search for a cruise based solely on its duration.

For example, the Teal out of Ithaca offers rides with a variety of durations: about an hour for a simple out and back cruise with some narration, two to three hours for educational and participatory (think kids) environmental outings, and a fourhour ride and hike to Taughannock Falls. The Seneca Spirit (60 passengers) in Watkins Glen provides sight-seeing 50-minute daytime rides and 90-minute sunset outings.

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Boat Cruises

The Judge Ben Wiles is docked on Skaneateles Lake.

The Sam Patch is based in Pittsford on the Erie Canal.

A pontoon boat motors across the Erie Canal aquaduct in Camillus..

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The Patrick T. Kennedy cruises Cayuga Lake.

X P E R I M E N TA T I O N : R E P R E S E N TA T I O N A N D E WILLIAM WEGMAN T H E P H OTO G R A P H Y O F Science for kids reigns on the Teal out of Ithaca.

The glorious, two-masted 67-foot schooner True Love dishes the spice of romance and adventure, or the pleasure of special wine and beer outings with the thought that time will simply slip by – so they all last two hours.

Other large boats that post rides of widely varying lengths include the canal cruiser the Colonial Belle (two to three hours), the Canandaigua Lady (1-1/2 hour narration cruise, two-hour lunch cruise, three-hour dinner cruise). And in Skaneateles, the double decker Judge Ben Wiles gives you three options: 45 minutes, 2-1/2 hours (fine dinner) and three hours.

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R O C K W E L L M U S E U M .O R G

Where to cruise For many, taking a cruise may simply be the dessert at the end of a tiring day trip to a favorite destination.

For others, it may not only be the metaphorical main course but a real main course. So, you have to figure out if you need to synchronize or prioritize a preferred location with the type of cruise.

For example, you can ride the Genesee River on the Riverie in Rochester, and then finish up within walking distance of the noisy but aromatic atmosphere of the Dinosaur Barbecue, Uber over to the sophistication of the George Eastman House, or take a longer walk or short drive to the Genesee Brew House with its waterfall views, beef on weck and a fresh Genesee draft.

Since most of the tours begin at a tourist destination town, you can likely find all sorts of local food, lodging and sauntering opportunities that might influence where to take a cruise. Starting from north to south and west to east, here are the towns that offer most of the tour boats: downtown Rochester M a y / J u n e 2 0 2 4 ~ ­­­­­­­­­­­­49­

A Sampling of Finger Lakes Boat Cruises Where

Boat/Business Capacity Website/Phone

Genesee River Riverie

40

cornhillnav.org 585-662-5748

Fairport

Colonial Belle

149

colonialbelle.com 585-223-9470

Pittsford

Sam Patch

40

cornhillnav.org 585-662-5748

Macedon

Plug in Aweigh (electric boat)

6

captainjj.com 585-259-9283

Camillus

Pontoon boat

28

eriecanalcamillus.org 680-800-5298

Waterloo

Pontoon boat

8

fingerlakeswater adventures.com 315-789-5520

Canandaigua

Canandaigua Lady

146

cdgalady.com 585-396-7350

Canandaigua

Pontoon boat

8

livingthelifeboattours.com 585-749-0668

Penn Yan

Pontoon boat

12

cruisinkeuka.com 585-764-7672

Hammondsport or Penn Yan

Pontoon boat

11

onkeuka.com 607-742-0953

Hammondsport

Pat II

16

flbm.org 607-569-2222

Watkins Glen

Seneca Legacy Seneca Spirit

270 115

senecaharborstation.com 607-535-4541

Watkins Glen

True Love

22

sailtruelove.com 607-535-5253

Hector, NY

Cruiser

6

fallingwatersboattours.com 607-444-2428

Waterloo

Pontoon boat

49

fingerlakeswater adventures.com 315-789-5520

Dean’s Cove State Boat Launch

Cruiser or Pontoon boat

6

captjimswinecruises.com 607-280-4644

Ithaca

Teal

70

discovercayugalake.org 607-327-5253

Ithaca

Patrick T. Kennedy

49

ithacaboattours.com 607-697-0166

Myers Point, Lansing

Cruiser

6

fingerlakeswinecruises.com 607-280-3538

Sheldrake

Boat 1 Boat 2

7-15 6

watertowinetours.com 607-229-6368

Aurora or Romulus

3 Pontoon boats and Cruiser

6 per pontoon boat

bianconitours.com 607-874-7353

Myers Park

Pontoon boat

6

cayugalakewinerycruises.com 607-347-6289 / 607-279-6636

Judge Ben Wiles Barbara (mail boat) Stephanie

100 30 6

midlakesnavigation.com/ 315-685-8500

Corn Hill/Rochester

Erie Canal

Canandaigua Lake

Keuka Lake

Seneca Lake

Cayuga Lake

SkaneatelesLake Skaneateles

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The True Love sails on Seneca Lake.

Boat Cruises on the Genesee River; Pittsford and Fairport on the Erie Canal; Canandaigua, Hammondsport, Watkins Glen, Ithaca and Skaneateles for the Finger Lakes; and then back to the canal in Camillus, where the trip also includes a canal museum.

If one of those towns really appeals to you, combine a cruise with land sightseeing. The sidebar on the opposite page shows the boats at each location, lists boats’ capacities and provides contact information.

Offerings and themes to choose from These are surprisingly diverse.

Probably the most tempting will be the full meals covered further on.

But if meals on a boat take a backseat for you, there’s a lot left on the cruise menu of themes. For example, the Colonial Belle in Fairport offers canal cruises with themes ranging from murder mysteries and a wide variety of weekly live music performances to family pirate tours and a daily narrative of canal history. In addition to conventional narration cruises, the Sam Patch in Pittsford will take you looking for canal birds or a boat ride out with a 7-mile towpath bike ride back.

At the Camillus Erie Canal Park near Syracuse, on Wednesday and Saturday, you can take a boat ride over “the only rewatered and navigable aqueduct left in the World” according to their website; they can accommodate wheelchairs, too. They also have a canal museum and steam engine exhibit.

The Teal in Ithaca, the Judge Ben Wiles in Skaneateles and the Canandaigua Lady also offer several different cruises. When you go to a boat’s website, study the offerings carefully because most of the boats, especially the bigger ones, present you with many choices. The smaller boats tend to specialize in one or two areas, such as winery cruises. A big advantage of a smaller boat is that you can easily talk with crew members and satisfy your curiosity.

Before making a reservation, double check you’re signing up for the right thing.

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Full meals served You’ll find four of the bigger boats provide dinner menus. These are the Colonial Belle, Canandaigua Lady, Seneca Legacy and Judge Ben Wiles. Owners of both the Judge Ben Wiles and the Seneca Legacy also own restaurants within 50 yards of their dinner-serving boats. The Seneca Legacy proclaims an elegant dining experience that tempts with prime rib, chicken parmesan, crab stuffed sole and more. Not to be outdone, the Judge Ben Wiles counters with its own prime rib, Tuscan chicken, vegetarian lasagna, pan-seared Atlantic salmon with lemon herb creme fraiche, and special-ordered vegetarian. Menu writers sure know how to get you salivating.

The real draw of the Canandaigua Lady may be that it’s an authentic paddle wheeler that seems to conjure up Mark Twain and those 19th century paddle wheelers plying the Mississippi. The Barbara S. Wiles offers sandwiches during its entertaining water-to-shore mail delivery on Skaneateles Lake.

In Hammondsport you’ll get to ride on the historic Pat II, a beautifully restored antique mail boat. You won’t get a meal, but the fulfilling satisfaction

Reverie on the Genesee River in Rochester

Check the Reviews We all know that reviews need to be taken with a grain of salt, but don’t ignore them.

If a boat averages close to 4.5 or higher with a large number of reviews, you’re probably in good hands. But if there are a large number of 2’s and 3’s, it’s worth seeing why. Before you sign up for a trip weeks ahead, check whether cancellations are handled in a way that’s satisfactory to you. Flexible cancellation policies work best with our variable weather.

Boat Cruises occasional birding tour.

For waterfall cruises, the Teal out of Ithaca, offers a Thursday trip (July and August) to Taughannock Falls State Park, where you can take the flat 3/4-mile trail to the great Taughannock Falls. And fallingwatersboattours.com in Hector tours the southern portion of Seneca Lake and then gives patrons refreshments on a lovely patio that’s only steps away from the base of the large Hector Falls; bring a bathing suit because on a warm day you can bask in its cascade.

The larger boats like the Canandaigua Lady, Seneca Legacy (below), Judge Ben Wiles, and Colonial Bell offer dinner cruises.

of supporting the nearby Finger Lakes Boating Museum.

Boat-to-winery and waterfall tours Given the popularity of wineries, it would be an oversight not to include several of the many boat-to-winery tours that ply Cayuga and Seneca Lakes. Most of these are on smaller boats – cruisers and pontoons – that hold two to eight passengers.

On Cayuga Lake you can skim the waters to wineries on boats from biaconitours.com, fingerlakeswinecruises. com, captjimswinecruises.com, cayugalakewinecruises.com, and watertowinetours.com. On Seneca Lake, fingerlakeswateradventures.com takes you on whiskey/wine tours and the

Focus on the kids Although several boats offer one or two kid-focused cruises, the Teal, out of Ithaca, truly specializes in educational/ environmental tours that kids love.

The Teal refers to itself as a “floating classroom” (with a bathroom). You can choose from several educational cruises, including one that explores water quality, complete with kids taking and analyzing water samples and peering through one of the several microscopes for a closer examination of tiny water critters. Another tour takes you to view ospreys nesting lakeside. And to ramp up the sense of adventure for adult kids, you might opt for one of its sunset or “astronomy” tours, where some or most of the cruise is in the dark.

Cruise preparations Most of the boats carry water and snacks, but I also like to bring my own supply along, just in case. Read the fine print as a few boats discourage bringing food. Other necessities include a hat and light jacket or long-sleeved shirt for wind or sun protection, sunscreen and sunglasses. You probably won’t get wet but depending on your port of departure you may want to have a change of clothes, towel and swimsuit in your car for a little splash at a lake beach. The bigger boats provide restrooms and some boats are wheelchair accessible but their bathrooms likely are not.

Half the fun is trying to figure out which option best suits you. As you narrow down your list of potentials take some good notes and before you click that “pay” button, double check that the date and theme are the ones you decided on.

Ward W. O’Hara Agricultural & Country Living Museum

Over 18,000 Sq. Ft of Exhibits Depicting LIfe in the 1800 and 1900’s General Store • Creamery • Blacksmith and Woodworking Shop • Miniature Trains and Circus Displays • Country School House Kitchen, Parlor, Bedroom • Antique Tractors and Farm Machinery Plus, Much, Much More on Display

Museum Heated • Free Admission and Parking

Open 7 days a week - 10 A.M. till 4 P.M. Summer Hours - July & August - 10A.M. till 5 P.M. Located in Emerson Park on Owasco Lake

6880 East Lake Road Rt. 38 A Auburn, New York 13021 Contact us for Additional Information: 315-252-7644 • tquill@cayugacounty.us wardwoharaagriculturalmuseum.org M a y / J u n e 2 0 2 4 ~ ­­­­­­­­­­­­53­

The Other

Edibles

Foraging in the Finger Lakes Region story and illustrations by Corinn Marriott

S

your culinary pringtime in the Finger adventures.

Lakes region boasts a Ranging from the earthy, nutty spectacular display flavor of the morel to the light, minty of nature’s bounty. flavor of scarlet beebalm, there are a lot Ephemeral blooms of flavors to play with. dot the landscape, As an illustrator and nature mushrooms flourish enthusiast, countless hikes in my Finger in hidden nooks, and Lakes backyard have continuously the world awakens with inspired me. When I began my Master renewed vigor. At this time of Fine Arts in Illustration, I wanted to of year, foraging potential is at its peak, channel this passion into my thesis. This with favorites like morel mushrooms, led me to start a comprehensive field guide ramps, and fiddleheads emerging in Nasturtium officinale (Watercress) of edible plants in the region- a project their prime. that would not only serve as a personal Foraging isn’t just about gathering homage to my beloved home but also fill sustenance; it’s a pathway to a void. Foraging field guides tend to be embracing a slower pace of life and generalized to regions or states, so no illustrated forging a deeper connection with the environment. guide exists for the Finger Lakes region.

Taking the time to comb the landscape for potential My field guides aim to fill this void. It’s an food can make you feel more connected to your ongoing labor of love, meticulously crafted to home and dinner. In the diverse ecosystem of the showcase which plants are edible and impart crucial Finger Lakes region, the foraging opportunities are information on safe identification and sustainable as abundant as they are varied. Whether you are harvesting practices. Working with local botanists hunting the woods for a not-yet-discovered morel and professionals, I aim to create an accurate and grove or stopping on the side of the road to harvest illustrated guide. My vibrant gouache illustrations daylily tubers, these moments are rewarding and showcase the beauty of these edible plants. forge a connection to the land. Surprisingly, many of Through my illustrations, I hope to share my love of the plants found in your backyard my home. are edible and boast delicious Visit corinnmarriott.com to view more of flavors and nutrients. Plantains, Marriott’s work and to purchase purslane, and clover are field guide poster prints. among the wide edible varieties that can pop up on your lawn. From humble weeds to exotic mushrooms to delicate wildflowers, these plants hold the potential to elevate Please Forage Fistulina hepatica (Beefsteak)

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Responsibly

WILDFLOWERS WILDFLOWERS

Edible Wildflowers Native to the Finger Lakes Region of New York Edible Wildflowers Native to the Finger Lakes Region of New York Edible Wildflowers Native to the Finger Lakes Region of New York

Polygonatum (Solomon’s Seal)

Polygonatum Polygonatum (Solomon’s Seal) (Solomon’s Seal) Forsythia Suspensa (Forsythia) Forsythia Suspensa (Forsythia)

Monarda Didyma (Scarlet Beebalm) Monarda Didyma (Scarlet Beebalm)

Monarda Didyma (Scarlet Beebalm)

Forsythia Suspensa (Forsythia)

Helianthus Tuberosus (Jerusalem Artichoke) Helianthus Tuberosus (Jerusalem Artichoke)

Impatiens Capensis (Jewelweed) Impatiens Capensis (Jewelweed) Ranunculus Bulbosus (Buttercup) Ranunculus Bulbosus (Buttercup)

Helianthus Tuberosus (Jerusalem Artichoke)

Impatiens Capensis (Jewelweed) Ranunculus Bulbosus (Buttercup)

Hemerocallis Lilioasphodelus (Day Lily) Hemerocallis Lilioasphodelus (Day Lily) Campanula Rotundifolia (Harebell) Campanula Rotundifolia (Harebell)

Thalictrum Thalictroides (Rue Anemone) Thalictrum Thalictroides (Rue Anemone)

**Please Forage Responsibly** **Please Forage Responsibly**

Hemerocallis Lilioasphodelus (Day Lily)

Thalictrum Thalictroides (Rue Anemone) Campanula Rotundifolia (Harebell)

MUSHROOMS MUSHROOMS

Edible Mushrooms Native to the Finger Lakes Region of New York Edible Mushrooms Native to the Finger Lakes Region of New York Edible Mushrooms Native to the Finger Lakes Region of New York

Hypomyces Lactifluorum (Lobster) Hypomyces Lactifluorum Hypomyces Lactifluorum (Lobster)

Craterellus Cornucopioides Craterellus Craterellus (Black Trumpet) Cornucopioides Cornucopioides (Black Trumpet) (Black Trumpet)

(Lobster)

Coprinopsis Atramentaria (Inky Cap) Coprinopsis Atramentaria (Inky Cap)

Coprinopsis Atramentaria (Inky Cap)

Clitocybe Nuda (Blewit) Clitocybe Nuda (Blewit)

Morchella (True Morel) Morchella (True Morel)

Cantharellus Aurora (Golden Chanterelle) Cantharellus Aurora (Golden Chanterelle)

Clitocybe Nuda (Blewit) Morchella (True Morel)

Cantharellus Aurora (Golden Chanterelle)

Boletus Edulis (Bolete) Boletus Edulis (Bolete)

Coprinus Comatus (Shaggy Mane) Coprinus Comatus (Shaggy Mane)

Armillaria Mellea (Honey) Armillaria Mellea (Honey)

Boletus Edulis (Bolete)

**Please Forage Responsibly** **Please Forage Responsibly**

Armillaria Mellea (Honey)

Coprinus Comatus (Shaggy Mane)

SPRING SPRING EPHEMERALS EPHEMERALS

Edible Ephemerals Native to the Finger Lakes Region of New York Edible Ephemerals Native to the Finger Lakes Region of New York Edible Ephemerals Native to the Finger Lakes Region of New York

Pteridium Aquilinum

Pteridium Aquilinum (Bracken Fern) Pteridium Aquilinum (Bracken Fern) (Bracken Fern)

Lamium Amplexicaule Lamium(Henbit) Amplexicaule Lamium Amplexicaule (Henbit) (Henbit)

Alliaria Petiolata (Garlic Mustard) Alliaria Petiolata (Garlic Mustard)

Alliaria Petiolata (Garlic Mustard)

Allium Tricoccum (Ramps) Allium Tricoccum (Ramps)

Plantago Major Plantago Major (Broadleaf Plantain) Plantago Major (Broadleaf Plantain) (Broadleaf Plantain)

Athyrium Filix-Femina (Lady Fern) Athyrium Filix-Femina (Lady Fern)

Athyrium Filix-Femina (Lady Fern) Allium Tricoccum (Ramps)

Erythronium Americanum (Trout Lily) Erythronium Americanum (Trout Lily) Sassafras Albidum (Sassafras) Sassafras Albidum (Sassafras)

Typha (Cattails) Typha (Cattails)

**Please ForageErythronium Responsibly** Americanum (Trout Lily) **Please Forage Responsibly**

Sassafras Albidum (Sassafras) Typha (Cattails)

by Mark W. Holdren

W

hile the Finger Lakes countryside is renowned for its glacially carved landscapes, deep water lakes and burgeoning viniculture, there is a minuscule slice of Schuyler County – a mere 550 acres, just 3.4 miles of roadway – that has long been global in stature. Watkins Glen International is revered as one of the premier motor racing circuits in all the world.

I was 14 years old when I saw my first race there. More than 50 years later, having attended scores of races and taken full advantage of the perks afforded a Glen corporate marketing partner, and subsequently a sponsor of Trans Am, NASCAR and Formula 1 racing cars, I’d never driven the track at speed, never dared take a car to its very limit.

On the cusp of my 70th birthday I gave it a go.

The Porsche Club of America conducts a two-day high

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performance driving school at Watkins Glen. I signed up and was drenched in self-doubt when I arrived at the track in my Mini-Cooper S Clubman-top speed 155 mph. My instructor was waiting for me.

“Hi, I’m Tim Harper. Let’s gear up.”

We equipped ourselves with headsets, without which we would be unable to communicate, pulled on our helmets and joined a line of cars waiting to go on track. Harper explained we’d be driving four 25-minute sessions, about 40 laps each day. Passing was limited to straight portions of the track, and only when given a hand signal from the driver to be passed.

Reckless driving, ignoring instructions, a spin off track could result in immediately dismissal. Driving at 125 mph or more is serious business. It was Harper’s job to keep us in one piece.

But his first task was to calm me down.

“Relax. We’re here to have fun,” he chirped. “Trust your car.

It can do more than you think.”

We were waved on track.

“Check your mirror. Make sure we’re clear of traffic,” Harper barked. “And stay between those yellow lines until we’re into the corner.”

Things are already moving too fast.

Lesson one was to learn The Line, the straightest and quickest route through each of the track’s 11 corners. Each turn had its ideal turn in point, where the line led to the turn’s apex, or its halfway point. It’s where you’re off the brakes and back on the gas, unwinding to the turn out point, thus setting up your line into the next corner.

The trick was to pull this off at the fastest speed possible.

My morning laps were a litany of errors. In turn nine, a late apex, I

“If everything seems under control, you’re not going fast enough.” turned in too soon. Then over correcting, I nearly stuffed my car into the Armco steel guard rail. Turn 10 was a sweeping lefthander with enough camber – banking – to take at nearly full throttle. But I sheepishly hit the brakes.

“Trust your car,” Harper reminded me.

Later, in passing exercises, I was given the signal to pass my practice partner on her left. But I mistakenly initiated my pass on her right, triggering a sharp rebuke from Harper.

I blew my line into turn seven, hardly turning in at all. Harper grabbed my steering wheel and nearly yanked it from my hands, pulling my car to the curbing where it belonged in the first place.

“Trust your car,” he shouted. “It can handle it!” By day’s end, my selfconfidence was in tatters.

On track, everything happens in an instant, requiring an intensity of focus that is almost debilitating. The Glen had brought me to my knees.

But Harper is astonishingly upbeat.

“You’re doing fine. You’ll drive faster tomorrow. I guarantee it.”

Shaken, I headed directly to the Seneca Lodge bar.

The second day dawned cold and grey. We were urged to keep our speeds down until the track’s surface warmed up.

Driving my first laps at slower speeds was a confidence builder.

I settled into a rhythm. The grip was coming back to the track.

My speeds were up every lap.

“You’re on your own,” Harper said. “Let’s see what you’ve learned.”

The entry into Turn 1 was downhill. I was on the brakes early, my eyes taking me to a perfect apex. Back on the gas, unwinding to just kiss the left side curbing, I was at full throttle. Speeding uphill through the Esses,

- Mario Andretti

three lightningfast rightleft-right turns, I entered the back straightaway at 125 mph. Implausibly I caught up to a Porsche 911. I pass him cleanly.

“Nice,” Harper said. “Mini Cooper blows off 911 at Watkins Glen.

Love it!”

At the flag stand near the end of the straight, I was on the brakes hard entering the inner loop, two mirroring chicanes that drivers affectionately called the Bus Stop. It was great fun bouncing over the curbing at all four corners.

Turn 5, the Carousel, was a long right-hander with lots of camber. At its apex I was at full throttle, then unwinding to the left side of the track, I just wanted to touch the curbing before transitioning to the right side for my

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line into a three-turn section of the track called The Boot. Turn 6 – the Laces – was a downhill left hander with a very late apex. Hard on my brakes at turn in, then back on the gas my car’s rear end began to slip away. Lifting off the throttle drove me wide of the apex. Harper grunted in my earpiece.

The Toe of the Boot, Turn 7, is where Harper grabbed the wheel from me on Saturday. I didn’t make the same mistake and hit my marks perfectly. Back at full throttle, then braking early for Turn 8, or the Heal.

It’s a bumpy downhill right hander, transition left to the curbing, then

hard on the gas to Turn 9. The slowest turn on the track, it was deceptively difficult as the apex was late and the there was no camber, thus little grip.

It’s where I lost it the previous day. But this time I was patient, clip the apex perfectly.

Back at full throttle, Turn 10, the long, gentle left hander, looms ahead.

“Trust it,” Harper whispered.

Transitioning left I followed the concrete strip into the corner at full throttle, my tires howling for grip.

Unwinding right to catch the apex I nudged the curbing before unwinding left to for my line into Turn 11. All the while I was closing in on a red Porsche 944.

Still on the gas, I transitioned to the track’s left, then dove right to the apex, lifted slightly off gas, then unwound, almost brushing the guard rail on my way at full throttle on to the

main straightaway. I was now on the Porsche’s bumper. But there was no sign from him to pass. So, I slid to his right.

Now it was a 120-mph chase into the Ninety.

Harper squirmed just slightly in his seat. He knew what might be coming but wasn’t confident I could pull it off.

The braking zone was downhill, which meant the Porsche and I would have hit the binders soon.

But we were still on the gas.

Wait … wait….

The Porsche braked. By waiting just a split second later, I was able to beat him into the corner.

“Now you’re getting it!” Harper shouted.

At full throttle into the Esses, the Porsche was vanishing in my mirror.

Out-braking another car at over 100 mph heading into a 90-degree corner was as good as it gets.

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The checkered flag was waving at the Bus Stop. And it was over.

Heading home westerly on County Road 16, just a mile or so from the track, something felt very wrong. I was clocking 92 in a 45-mph speed zone. I may have left Athe track, but my brain was still in the Esses. I hit the brakes and pulled off the road, expecting a blaze of flashing lights in my mirror, being slapped in cuffs and hauled off to the Schuyler County jail. Luckily, Buford T. Justice was chasing bandits elsewhere in the county.

You just don’t snap out of two-day adrenaline rush.

A rusted pick-up sputtered by. Its sullen driver gave me a cold glance. There’s a Mennonite buggy heading in the other direction. Two curious youngsters peered out the back window. I give them a wave.

They just stare back at me. Their buggy disappears over a rise.

I’m not Mario anymore.

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OWEGO

H

istoric Owego Marketplace is full of one of a kind stores and restaurants located in the heart of Historic Downtown Owego. Enjoy the spectacular window displays throughout downtown, showcasing unique gifts and delightful treats perfect for everyone. Make Historic Owego Marketplace your destination to sip, shop and dine this spring and summer!

VISIT OWEGO.ORG

As seen on “American Pickers!”

A lovely boutique style shop that is filled to the brim with first quality trendy comfortable fashions and accessories all at affordable prices.

Chris Knickerbocker

A folk, fantasy, and fairy tale themed book store café in Owego, NY

7 Lake St, Owego, NY 13827

607-687-2009

OWEGO, NY oldsoulshome@gmail.com @old_souls_home @Old-Souls-Home www.oldsoulshome.net

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Hours Wednesday 9-3 • Thursday 9-3 Friday 9-5 • Saturday 9-5 • Sunday 9-5

Spellboundowego.com

ARTS • GIFTS INSPIRATION Shop Black Cat Gallery for unique gifts!

214 Front Street, Owego, NY blackcatgalleryowego.com

Pick Owego for Antiques, Collectibles, and Very Special Gifts!

• Coffee bar with specialty coffees • Lunches with a full menu • All food handcrafted & made here • Desserts made daily from scratch

French Farmhouse & Shabby Chic Décor

Stop in during the spring season and find that Special Gift for that Special Someone!

Live Music Daily!

Shop The Left Bank for unique decor and gifts.

177 Front St., Owego, NY 13827 Mon., Wed-Sat., 9am-5pm and Sun., 9-4pm

carolscoffeeandartbar.com (607) 687-1436

194 Front St, Owego, NY 13827

607-223-4150

leftbankowego@gmail.com Wednesday-Saturday, 11-5 • Sunday 12-4

43-45 Lake Street, Owego, NY Earlyowego.com 607-233-4723 1-86 Exit 54 10am-5pm Daily - Closed Tuesday

Enjoy fine gifts and eclectic dining throughout the historic downtown.

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by Cumming Nature Center Naturalists

Hooded warbler

sketches by Angela Cannon-Crothers and Maureen Dunphy.

M

ay and June are still springtime in the hills of the Finger Lakes, and the forests are full of soft, fairy-like hues.

Field Journal Prompt: Find a tree blossom.

What does it smell like? What does it remind you of? Record the date and weather, then sketch the blossom. Draw it large but include the actual size measurements. Later, look up the parts of a flower and label your sketch.

Citizen Science Opportunity: Observe and record the flowering dates for different trees, plants, and other flowers. Join Project Budburst at budburst.org to contribute your observations.

Throughout the month of May many warblers begin to arrive as redstarts, yellow-throated , such warblers, hooded warblers, chestnut-sided warblers, and more. Listen for their songs, like the “sw eet-sweet-sweet, I’m so very sweet” call of the yel low warbler who arrives in early May and frequents open areas and stre amsides.

Fringed polygala

mayapple

By May 15 the woods are filled with the spreading umbrellalike leaves of mayapples and the blooms of spring ephemeral wildflowers like trillium, trout lily, and fringed polygala.

Don’t forget to look up at the spectacular blossoms of shagbark hickory and fragrant pea-like drupes of black locust trees.

Shagbark hic

kory

Toads are trilling and gathering by the dozens in pasture ponds, where they lay their eggs by the thousands in long, gelatinous strands. These eggs will hatch in 2-12 days. Hungry garter snakes capture many breeding toads on their return back to the woods.

In the first w eeks of June you ca camouflaged, spec n spot kled fawns hidden in the fields wai for their mother’s ting return. Grouse fle dglings are practic their flush in thic ing kets and brush, lea rning to erupt in flight. Groundho to g kits are out expl oring beyond the making a prime den, food source for re d tailed Hawks sc the fields for a m ouring eal.

By the end of May, Pink lady’s slipper is blooming in bogs and pine forests. Pink azalea flowers are also in bloom, hanging over the wilder shores along the Finger Lakes.

In mid-June bright yellow pine pollen is billowing—on your car windshield, over the ponds, in the air, and everywhere.

Flavorful wild strawberries are found in fields and feral lawns.

June 20 is the Summer Solstice, the first official day Pink azalea

of summer. By this time, “toadpoles” (toad tadpoles) are swimming in groups as little black hatchlings. They still need another month to develop from two-legged toadlings into four-legged toads. Often called “penny-toads,” they start their life on land no bigger than a thumbnail.

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home showcase

Discovering Something

Beautiful at Glen Hollow

by Christopher Bennem and Lisa Moore

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If

you drive southward along the picturesque western shore of Canandaigua Lake, you will eventually reach Seneca Point Road, which slopes downhill. Huddled at the base of the hill beside a meandering brook is a stucco cottage with sharply pitched rooflines and dormer windows, abutting a long privet hedge and an expansive English garden. When spring verges toward summer, lush bridalwreath spirea give way to boisterous pink peonies which commune with the swaying purple bursts of allium in bloom. Beside the white garden gate, a 19-century cast-iron lamppost straight out of Narnia holds up a wooden sign that reads “Glen Hollow.”

It didn’t always look this way.

When we first discovered this rambling cottage, I was introducing my wife to the Finger Lakes. I’d grown up here, but she’d never heard of it, though she’d lived in New York State for nearly 30 years. The home had long stood empty; when we purchased it around Christmas 2015, it was a romantic ruin badly needing some love.

It took us two and a half years to restore it fully, as we evicted the squirrels and damp, opened the lowceilinged entrance into a two-floor

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home showcase

atrium and transformed the attached stable into a “luxe-rustic” guesthouse.

Our designer-builder, Billy Cultrara of Cultrara Associates, had an impeccable eye for the potential of this French cottage-style structure (which turns 100 this year). Retaining all its historic charm, Cultrara used reclaimed brick and barnwood found onsite to refurbish and build out the interior spaces. This year we’re completing the last of the building’s major upgrades which currently include spa facilities, a greenhouse constructed from antique windows, and a pergola-enclosed outdoor space with a firepit.

From the beginning, we’d imagined this place as something more than just our own private refuge – although as owners of a small apartment in Brooklyn, getting away from the City is something

M a y / J u n e 2 0 2 4 ~ ­­­­­­­­­­­­69­

home showcase

ALL WE ATHER WICKER • CAST ALUMINUM • R AT TAN RESIN • TE AK • WROUGH T IRON & MUCH MORE

ROCHESTER ’S PREMIER PATIO SHOWROOM

we look forward to. The property’s configuration did not lend itself to a traditional B&B. Instead, we were delighted to partner with Finger Lakes Premier Properties to make it available as a vacation rental. Glen Hollow’s guesthouse and spa is available yearround, while the entire structure can be rented during the peak months of July and August. Starting in 2025, we’ll be available for smaller weddings of under 100 guests.

The commitment to a broader mission was a natural extension of our love for this place and the region.

By supporting the goals of discovery, creativity and advocacy, we hope that people see Glen Hollow the way we do. For us, it’s a space where you can not only explore this region’s incredible food and wine, natural splendor, and deep history, but also connect with your own personal voice and vision.

PATIO SHOWROOM • (585) 383-0700 Country Club Plaza 825 Fairport Road • E. Rochester POOL PARK • (585) 392-7711 1186 Manitou near Latta • Greece

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Now is the Time to Special Order!

pettispools.com

BUILDING HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES For 45 years, Foodlink has worked alongside hundreds of community partners to address both the symptoms and root causes of poverty and food insecurity across the Rochester and Finger Lakes region. Supporters like you make it all possible.

Visit FoodlinkNY.org to learn more about our work, and how to help.

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home showcase

Entertain your guests in style at the Granger Homestead.

DINNERS WEDDINGS RECEPTIONS SHOWERS BIRTHDAYS REUNIONS TEA PARTIES Open year-round for private and corporate functions. Reasonable rates.

Granger Homestead and Carriage Museum 295 N. Main Street, Canandaigua, NY 14424 585-394-1472 • www.grangerhomestead.org

Philp$ Community tti$foriea1 �oeiitg Home of the only 2-story attached brick outhouse in America!

66 Main Street, Rte. 96, Phelps, New York OPEN: Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 10:00 a.m. till 4:00 p.m.

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This has taken many forms, including partnering with the Academy of American Poets, hosting aspiring and award-winning authors and filmmakers, collaborating with a broad array of social media influencers and supporting candidates and causes that promote the health and wellness of this region’s environment and its residents.

This year we’re starting our latest venture: Glen Hollow Vineyard. It’s to be a sustainably-grown wine produced with our neighbors at Heron Hill, exhibiting the world-class talent and terroir here in the Finger Lakes. There’s aways something beautiful to discover in this region, and we never get tired of celebrating it with those who have yet to visit.

Christopher Bennem and Lisa Moore are co-founders of Glen Hollow FLX and Glen Hollow, Ink. You can follow them on Instagram @glenhollowflx and find more at glenhollowflx.com.

product picks Pettis Pool

Relax in the Leisurecraft “Dundalk” Collection - Outdoor Barrel Sauna!

Made of knotty cedar and measures at 7-foot diameter with a 9-foot length. Includes a 7- by 7-foot bathing room with an 8-kw heater. Base model $8,295. pettispools.com

Long Point

Fireplace Fashions

The barrel-fermented 2021 Estate Grown Chardonnay is aged 20 months in French and Hungarian barrels. It contains flavors of honeydew melon, butterscotch and honeysuckle with a smooth round vanilla finish. $17.99.

Turn your backyard into an oasis with a Travis Industries Fire Garden Firepit or outdoor fireplace. fireplacefashions.com

Milly’s Pantry

longpointwinery.com

Choose from a variety of unique handcrafted Finger Lakes cutting and cheese boards to fulfill all your entertainment needs. millyspantry.org

Wine Country Barrel Art

This rustic oak barrel art, custom was designed

by Kevin Bailey, is made from “retired’ oak barrels.

These pieces offer attractive decorations in your home, cottage or business.

A variety of designs are available. winecountrybarrelart.etsy.com

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product picks

Brewery Ardennes

The Limited Release Apricot Saison is barrel-fermented for over seven months with fresh apricots from Red Jacket Orchards.

The lingering dry finish is complex with a pleasing tartness and vibrant fruit.

Billsboro Winery

breweryardennes.com

Andante – a dry, red blend – starts out with aromas of raspberry and cherry and finishes with a slight smokiness and cocoa. billsborowinery.com

The Jewelbox

These one-of-a-kind Opalized Wood & Blue Topaz Earrings are bezel-set in 14k yellow gold. They are from the GORGES Gem Series by Micky Roof Designer/Goldsmith. ithacajewelbox.com

Horning Woodworking

Check out this maple kitchen with whitewash finish and a maple onyx finish island with quartz tops.

Horning Woodworking helps create custom kitchens, baths and libraries.

Contact Ivan Horning Jr., 585-526-6100

Morgan Marine

Crafted with passion and innovation, these wakesurf boards merge California surf heritage with modern design. Experience the legacy of Hobie Alter in Wakesurf with models like the 5-foot, 10-inch Mike Hynson Endless Summer. morganmarine.net

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FingerLakes Bell Co.

The bell season is here. There’s a bell for each of the Finger Lakes and more. Ring on! flxbells.com

Greenheart of the Finger Lakes

Our 7-inch Green Heart of the Finger Lake wall art and 4-inch ornament made by Victor Wood Forge represents the true meaning of the Green Heart of the Finger Lakes.

Available at your favorite Finger Lakes shop and online greenheartflx.com

Red Tail Ridge Winery

Our sparkling wine is made of 100% hand-picked Pinot Noir. Extra brut in style with lush fruit, beautiful bubble structure and a touch of earthiness. redtailridgewinery.com

Crown Jewelry

Every piece of Jadeite has a special meaning. Hand-carved and handmade in Hawaii. mycrowndowntown.com

Zugibe Vineyards

Our bubbly wines are perfect for a boat ride or a picnic! Four-pack: $17.99. zugibevineyards.com

CabAve Cabinets

We have bathroom cabinets. cabave.com

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product picks Airy Acres

Our 2022 Rosé is a field blend and coferment of Cabernet Franc and Lemberger.

Bright acidity and fruit make it great for the summer! $20. airyacresvineyard.orderport.net

Lukacs Pottery

This collection of clay musical instruments features handmade clay flutes in keys of A and D, Native American style flutes, maluks (circular flutes) and ocarinas. lukacspottery.com

Lamplighter

Read our 2024 Book of the Year: Tip Lewis and His Lamp. Tip is the naughtiest boy in school … until he hears a story that compels him to come faceto-face with who he is and who he would like to become.

lamplighter.net

Cricket on the Hearth

Cricket on the Hearth can install a Mendota gas insert in your fireplace so you can enjoy the focus point of your home in comfort again! Installation takes just half a day. cricketonthehearth.com

Boundary Breaks

Dry Rosé is a perfect wine for fun, friends and any joyful occasions. Visit us on Seneca Lake and try this rosé. $19.95. boundarybreaks.com

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Ventosa

The 2021 Vino Fizzante is our first bubbly wine!

It has a grapefruit zest and a hint of candied ginger. Makes a great mimosa or spritz! $22.95. ventosavineyards.com

Lazy Acrea Alpacas

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Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery

The 2023 Gruner Veltliner has cool scents of guava, rosewater and candied lime with touches of apricot and papaya on the finish. It’s sleek and vivid while maintaining its focus and precision. $18.99. drfrankwines.com

M a y / J u n e 2 0 2 4 ~ ­­­­­­­­­­­­77­

off the easel

The

Big Ideas of Metalsmith Benji Carr

by Nancy E. McCarthy

C

ohocton metalsmith Benji Carr embraces all artistic challenges. The bigger and more complicated, the better! His last two projects were large-scale kinetic metal sculptures. “The Denizen”, an 18-foot dandelion, graces the front lawn of Cobblestone Arts Center in Farmington and “The Ghost of Roseland,” a 15-foot tribute to Roseland amusement park, will soon tower over the water about 75 feet from Canandaigua Lake’s north shoreline.

In addition to these high-profile projects, Carr produces a variety of privately commissioned metal pieces: smaller sculptures, custom railings, decorative hanging light fixtures, benches, tables and he dabbles in metal jewelry. He works with a variety of metals and techniques, using salvaged 20th century technologies and tools to weld, forge, cast and powder coat.

The artisan was initially intrigued by traditional blacksmithing because it was an outlier. Not many people still do it. “Blacksmithing is a lost art,” Carr said.

As a young adult, he was introduced to blacksmithing at the Naples Mill School of Arts and Crafts in the 70s.

“Blacksmithing felt like home,” said Carr. He was also exposed to other mediums and the skilled master artists who taught them.

But Carr credits his creative career to his earliest mentor.

His late mother, fiber artist Margaret Carr, saw the soul of an artist in her son and steered him to the Naples Mill School in the first place. “I owe it all to her,” Carr said.

Freestanding sculpture featuring seven local plant forms and eight metal forms

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s Canandaigua’ et!

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Genesis of an artist Carr, born in 1954 to Margaret and Benjamin Carr, grew up in Victor with seven siblings. Carr considered himself a “normal male kid,” interested in cars and motorcycles. He also liked to build stuff and take things apart to see how they worked. Carr wasn’t artistically inclined but he admired his mother, a dress maker and weaver, who carved out a niche for herself in the fabric world. “She could make a wedding gown out a feed bag,” he said.

Margaret was a well-respected weaving instructor affectionately known as the “mother of weavers” due to her exceptional skills and nurturing nature. She taught at Rochester Museum and Science Center, Naples Mill School, Cobblestone Arts Center and helped establish the Alling Coverlet Museum in Palmyra.

At the Naples Mill School, Carr observed and attended classes,

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Benji Carr at his Cohocton property.

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off the easel

Aluminum cast peace necklace

participated in social events and even worked as the school’s caretaker in 1976-77. He took a long detour from metalsmithing, serving in the Army from 1978-81 at the Fort Sill base in Oklahoma. He stayed in Oklahoma until 1985, working in the construction and oil industries.

In 1986 Carr returned to New York, bought 16 acres in Cohocton and began to pursue metalsmithing again. He is a longtime collector and seller of blacksmithing tools.

Before he built his studio, he put up a small shed to work and keep his tools out of the weather.

Commissions trickled in, then returning customers and word-of-mouth referrals. Carr supplemented his income with construction and carpentry jobs and a 2004-05 stint as an assistant to a college sculpture professor. Though he is mainly self-taught, Carr viewed his time there as free education. “I gleaned a lot of good knowledge being involved with bronze casting pours.”

In 2018, Carr ran into former classmate Lorene Benson

during Victor High School’s Class of 1973 reunion. Benson is the founder and longtime director of Cobblestone Arts Center (CAC) in Farmington. CAC owns some of Carr’s pieces such as tables, benches and a birdbath. Carr’s mother had taught weaving at their previous Victor location.

Carr had begun thinking bigger.

That serendipitous encounter led to Carr pitching “The Denizen” sculpture idea to Benson. She loved the concept, and commissioned him to create it.

Benson envisioned it as a beautiful centerpiece for a new wellness garden on CAC’s expansive front lawn replete with a brick walkway, memorial benches, trees, flowers, outside musical instruments and a water feature. The Denizen was “planted” five years ago [see sidebar] and plans are now underway to install the garden with benches constructed by Carr.

“Benji is a remarkable artist. His pieces breathe life and

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Model of “The Ghost of Roseland” sculpture. Photo by Eli Bowan

energy into an environment,” said Benson. “I see all of his work as an extension of himself: thoughtful and with deep convictions.”

A big idea In 2022, thanks to the efforts of two Canandaigua arts advocates, Carr landed his largest commissioned sculpture: “The Ghost of Roseland Park.”

Roseland Park was a family amusement park on Canandaigua Lake’s north end which operated 1925-85. Finger Lakes locals, including Carr, have fond memories of this beloved community hub. Roseland’s physical vestiges are long gone except for a lone concrete stanchion in the lake. It formerly supported the Satellite ride, a chair lift that transported people over the lake. Without historical context, it’s a curious eyesore clearly visible from the shore of what is now Lakefront Park.

For years, Ellen Polimeni thought the stanchion was a perfect base for a work of art. As longtime mayor of Canandaigua (1991-2019), Polimeni championed numerous public art projects and informally entertained ideas from the community for that stanchion. None seemed quite right.

Exhibitions • Workshops • Youth Programs • Art Resource Library connect with us

20 W. Main Street, Clifton Springs, NY | (315)462-0210 visit www.MainStreetArtsCS.org for information on upcoming events

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off the easel

The Artist’s Process

Constructing The Denizen Benji Carr first purchased a discarded aluminum street lamp post for the dandelion stem’s slender tapered shape. To mimic nature, he added subtle curves using a log and carefully applied heat. The 1,500-pound base was formed at a fabrication shop in Ohio.

He scanned real dandelion cuttings, transferred the images to translucent film and projected it to scale onto an enormous steel plate. The flower head, comprised of 352 aluminum parts, was cut and hand-fabricated by Carr. He cast a center hub with hinges for the petals. Petals ranged from 10 to 18 inches.

A concrete company built a six-ton bunker 7 feet in diameter and 5 feet high. It was sunk into the ground below frost level to eliminate possibility of frost heave. The linear actuator inside the bunker and a rod through the stem operates the flower head to open and closed positions with the flip of a switch.

Flower parts were sent off to be powder coated and Carr hand-painted the 8- by 14-foot arched bottom leaves. The sculpture was assembled on Carr’s property to test movement function. Then it was disassembled and trucked to Cobblestone Art Center for reassembly.

The entire process took a year.

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Polimeni, who also served on Ontario County Arts Council’s board, commiserated with board president Judi Cermak about the stanchion. Cermak shared her eagerness to see a new public art project unfold.

In October 2022, Cermak stopped to see Carr and bought a metal pendant during the Naples Open Studio Trail. Conversation turned to the stanchion. She and Polimeni were still looking for ideas. “I thought he might be interested,” said Cermak.

A month later Carr paid Cermak a visit with a detailed concept drawing of a stainless-steel sculpture he named “The Ghost of Roseland Park.” Liquid hydraulics would power the movement of smaller replicas of five Roseland rides: the Ferris wheel, Skyliner rollercoaster, merry-go-round, spinning teacups and Super Round Up. “Smaller” is a relative term: the highest point of the sculpture would be 20 feet above the water. A speaker on a lamp post near the shore would play faint carnival sounds, such as circus calliope, roller coaster, children laughing. Cermak was impressed: she never suggested Roseland Park as subject matter! She asked Carr to make a 3-D model to show Polimeni.

The women agreed the concept was perfect. “Benji is

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an incredible talent. He is detailed and precise in his work,” Polimeni said.

The project was presented to the Environmental Committee and then to full City Council in February 2023.

It was approved unanimously with the caveat that funding would come from private donations and grants.

“The project melds Canandaigua history with art and will result in an amazing addition to our city,” said Polimeni, who heads up the fundraising committee.

Carr has been hard at work ever since. Apart from planting a homestead garden, his singular artistic focus this year is “The Ghost of Roseland Park.” Like “The Denizen,” he will assemble the sculpture on his property, test it, disassemble and install it on the stanchion.

It’s clear to Carr that he will need a much bigger studio to accommodate more large and complex sculptures.

Building a new studio will be his next project.

For more information on Carr, visit isfmetal.com. To make a sculpture donation, mail a check payable to FLACE-Ghost of Roseland Sculpture to Lakeside Sculpture, PO Box 449, Canandaigua, NY 14424.

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outdoors

Pink

Lady’s Slipper story and photos by Bill Banaszewski

I

n his book, The Secrets of Wildflowers, Jack Sanders states, “Pink lady’s slippers are among those beautiful wildflowers whose locations are whispered to only trusted friends.”

This quote rings true to me. Years ago, I came upon a cluster of pink lady’s slippers in a hardwood forest in the Bristol Hills area. I shared that location with only three faculty colleagues in the Department of Environmental Conservation at Finger Lakes Community College.

The pink lady’s slipper (Cypripedium acaule), named for its resemblance to a miniature slipper, is one of several native members of the orchid family found in New York. Other less common names for the pink lady’s slipper include moccasin

flower, stemless lady’s slipper, squirrel shoe and whippoorwill shoe.

Found in all counties of the Finger Lakes Region, lady’s slippers bloom from May to early July. Slow growing, they take between five to 16 years to produce their first flower. Blooms can last for several months. They are perennial plants and can live from 20 to 50 years. However, during their lifespan they bloom only 10 to 20 times. The leafless stalk typically bears one pink flower with red veins and a fissure running down the front of the petal.

When I researched the habitats where lady’s slippers are likely to be found, the information was all over the board. Some botanists say acid soils are needed for them to flourish; others suggest they don’t do well in acid soils.

There are also differences whether they prefer dry soil in hardwood forests or moist-to wet soils in coniferous forests near wetlands.

One element in the soil that helps the plant to flourish is the presence of a fungus, which has a symbiotic relationship with the roots to provide nutrients for growth.

Nature is not consistent in its habits. I have come upon these flowers in a wide variety of environments. Hiking (Continued on page 86)

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dining

Delicious Dishes Nolan’s Lobster Roll

Nolan’s on the Lake This dish contains a generous portion of cold-water lobster meat, poached in warm butter. Served on a New England style roll. nolansonthelake.com

Ham and Asparagus Crepes

Simply Crepes These crepes are stuffed with hardwood smoked ham, lemon zested ricotta and roasted asparagus with melted gruyere and parmesan cream.

Topped with a fresh, sunny egg for brunch!

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Pizza

Seager Marine Enjoy our delicious pizza dockside at the Canandaigua City Pier. cohopizzawine.com

Lemon Cake

The Red Bird Café Enjoy a slice of cake! Lemon cake with seedless raspberry filling frosted with silky lemon buttercream. Cakes by Andrea at the Red Bird. redbirdcafeandgiftshop.com M a y / J u n e 2 0 2 4 ~ ­­­­­­­­­­­­85­

outdoors

Interesting Facts The blossom of the pink lady’s slipper is sometimes pollinated by bees that are lured to its bright pink color and sweet vanilla-like scent. However, since the plant produces no nectar, bees learn to avoid the flower, leading to low fertilization rates.

Botanists advise not to touch the glandular hairs on leaves or stems because they can cause a

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in Newfoundland, I found them growing on mossy rocks in the middle of a well-used trail.

Are pink lady’s slippers endangered, rare or fairly common? In New York it is believed they are declining. As a result, orchid species are partially protected by law and are illegal to pick on federal and state lands. They are not protected on private lands. They can only be picked with the consent of the owner.

Habitat loss is a growing threat contributing to the decline of orchids and many other wild species. Here in the Finger Lakes, forests are being cut and bulldozed for myriad reasons. People are increasingly seeking the peace and quiet of rural forested locations and natural settings to build homes. I can’t blame them, but unless the development is done carefully, fragile habitats are impacted.

Deer populations continue to increase throughout the state.

I love watching and photographing the plentiful deer in my yard, but we all know how destructive they can be to our landscapes. If lady’s slippers are present, deer will eat the flower, leaving the stem and basal leaves behind. Since it takes as much as a decade or more to produce the first flower, deer can decimate the lady’s slippers in just a few years. Studies show that deer eat more native plants such as orchids and leave unpalatable non-natives alone, thus allowing their spread.

Lady’s slippers are understandably sought for their

beauty. It is not uncommon for people to dig lady’s slippers to transplant to their gardens, but such a practice is discouraged.

Unfortunately, they transplant poorly, and only 5 percent survive.

Poaching lady’s slippers for sale on the global market is illegal, but it still occurs.

Concern about their decline is well founded, but these flowers are thriving in some locations in New York and elsewhere. Years ago, I was hiking in a mature tulip poplar forest in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Colonies of pink lady’s slippers were growing on both sides of a heavily used trail as far as the eye could see. It was quite a sight. Today I wonder if they are still in such abundance in the Smoky Mountains and in our Bristol Hills.

Thankfully, organizations like the Finger Lakes Land Trust are doing an excellent job of identifying fragile habitats and protecting them for future generations. Recently the land trust accepted a donation of property adjacent to Shindagin Hollow State Forest in Tompkins and Tioga counties. The property has a healthy population of pink lady’s slipper orchids.

“Pink lady slippers are not only incredibly beautiful; they also teach us about the delicate balance that is required for survival,” stated climate photographer Lynne Buchanan.

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July 6 & 7 – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The 2024 Annual Artisan Show is a juried event showcasing artisans and their work for sale. Stroll the grounds, sample some local wines and enjoy delicious gourmet foods from Sperry’s Catering, North Coast Catering and more!

Independence Day celebrations draw thousands of visitors.

Events include fireworks, 5K race and FREE concerts on the grounds. sodusbaylighthouse.org

Scan code for info

8830 Baker Baker Road Road Bloomfield, Bloomfield, NY 8830 NY 14469 14469 8830 Baker Road Bloomfield, NY 14469

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Halfway between Syracuse & Binghamton off I-81, exit 12 ~ Route 11, South

M a y / J u n e 2 0 2 4 ~ ­­­­­­­­­­­­87­

culture & attractions

rash similar to poison ivy.

Native Americans appreciated the moccasin flower for its beauty and medicinal value. The rhizome (underground stem) was used to produce the medicines for the treatment of nervous diseases, hysteria, pain and insomnia.

Artisan Festival

fruit of the vine

FLX Wine Drinkers: Is Sustainability Important to You?

Boundary Breaks Vineyard Adopts Regenerative Agriculture:

by Tammy Spear

A

s a wine guide at Boundary Breaks Vineyard on Seneca Lake, I have the privilege of talking “all things wine” with visitors to the Finger Lakes Region each weekend.

Some want to know about the Riesling or other popular varieties, some ask about our vineyards or the history of the winery, most are focused on finding their favorite wine. But lately in the tasting room I’ve noticed an uptick in the number of times questions on the topics of sustainability and climate change are brought up. So much so that I started to wonder if this was reflective of the larger community of FLX wine drinkers. And if so, what could I share with them? Are there ways for consumers to support sustainability and help wine growers as they adapt to climate change?

I decided to do a bit of research, and according to a range of recent studies, there has been a notable increase in consumers who are motivated by sustainability in their purchase habits. This is mainly driven by environmental factors such as climate change and social responsibility.

Research company Wine Intelligence reports that sustainability is important for at least two in every three wine consumers across five of the

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We employ techniques that minimize the amount of “off-farm” inputs such as herbicides, fertilizers and insecticides. One approach involves planting cover crops in the middle of the vineyard rows and then “crimping” them in place to incorporate them into the soil. We pull this “roller crimper” behind the tractor, and it terminates the crop in place, where it turns into mulch and contributes organic matter to the soil, improving the quality of the environment.

Airy Acres Vineyard Sprays with Care: We use a type of sprayer that’s not common in the Finger Lakes. It’s designed specifically for vineyards and it “contains” the spray better than other designs. Over a year, the sprayer uses about 35 percent less chemicals and covers the vines better so there’s less disease (the curtains capture most of any overspray and recirculate it to the tank). It also uses less tractor fuel and results in less over spray drift so it can be used in stronger winds; this offers us more flexibility/opportunity to get the sprays done with cleaner fruit and better wine as a result.

Zugibe Compost Limits Need for Chemical Fertilizer: Sustainability is a big part of our focus on promoting the life and health of our land at Zugibe Vineyards and the health of our customers. By composting vineyard and kitchen wastes, we limit the need for chemical fertilizer and naturally feed our soils. Health and resilience are further supported by encouraging a diversity of plant life within the vineyard and surrounding meadows. To preserve this life, we refrain from using herbicides and sparingly use organic pesticides.

Red Tail Ridge is LEED Gold Certified: Sustainability has always been one of our core values. In 2011, our winery became New York State’s first LEED Gold Certified Winery. The use of geothermal heating and cooling allows us to cut back our energy use by more than 50 percent. The walls are made with recycled materials, the fieldstone facade was pulled right from our vineyards and the windows are double paned and sealed with inert gas to utilize daylighting and minimize energy use. We also used suppliers within a 500-mile radius to cut down on our carbon footprint.

Ventosa Vineyards Property is Biodiverse: We leave native vegetation between vine rows and edges instead of removal and our post-harvest biological waste is composted. Organic products are utilized while spraying.

We only hand-pick in the vineyards (no machinery) and use well-water for watering and winemaking. Our property features a pair of donkeys and a bald eagle nest!

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M a y / J u n e 2 0 2 4 ~ ­­­­­­­­­­­­89­

culture & attractions

Public Cruises & Private Charters

fruit of the vine world’s biggest markets – the US, UK, Australia, Canada and China. In the US, wine consumer interest increased significantly in 2022, up 13 percent from the year before.

Research from Wine Opinions shows strong support for sustainably produced wines, with two-thirds of wine consumers in the US responding that they believe sustainable production is important in making purchase decisions.

Wine Opinions research also shows that Millennials (age 28-43) and Gen Z (age 12-27) consumers are leading the way for sustainable action. With Millennials as one of the largest cohorts of wine tourists to visit our region, it’s no wonder there are more sustainability conversations in tasting rooms.

The FLX wine industry practices sustainability As the largest wine-producing region in the US east of California, there are more than 130 wineries in the Finger Lakes. And, good news, sustainability is paramount to the region. Most wineries and grape growers have adopted efforts to practice responsible stewardship in their vineyards, production operations and tasting rooms.

Although sustainability is a broad and complex concept, at its core it refers to the awareness of the long-term impact of human activities on the planet. The aim is to have a winemaking process that protects the environment, supports social responsibility, maintains economic feasibility and produces high-quality wines.

Many environmental factors are considered as grapes are grown, harvested and made into wine. This includes everything from maintaining biodiversity in vineyards to ensure soil health, to utilizing renewable energy technology – like solar or geothermal heating and cooling – as wine is being produced.

In 2023, a significant milestone was achieved as the first group of NY vineyards was certified in the New York Wine & Grape Foundation’s Sustainable Winegrowing program. This comprehensive program grants certification to vineyards who are seeking to advance their environmental, social and economic sustainability.

Certification is based on science backed, regionally defined standards and independent third-party audits.

More than 30 Finger Lakes vineyards were certified in this inaugural group, including: Airy Acres Vineyard, Boundary Breaks Vineyard, Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery and Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars, just to name a few. (For the full list, go to newyorkwines.org/industry/ sustainability) Sustainability is also practiced in packaging.

Perhaps you’ve noticed a growing number of wines that no longer have a foil sleeve around the top of the bottle.

Winemakers are working to eliminate their carbon footprint through packaging changes, with many now choosing to forgo those capsules as foil wrapping has become solely aesthetic in modern times.

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•

How can wine drinkers help support sustainability?

Check winery websites, come into the tasting rooms and attend wine tasting events. Winemakers communicate about their sustainable practices there.

•

Look for the designated NY Trustmark on your favorite sustainably certified FLX wine bottles starting in 2024 to ensure that the wine you are enjoying is environmentally sound, socially equitable and financially sustainable.

•

Buy wine directly from local farmers and winemakers or request local, sustainably produced wines at your favorite liquor stores and restaurants. Buying local wine helps reduce its carbon footprint as transportation adds to greenhouse gas emissions.

Wine packaged without capsule

•

Choose wine with eco-friendly packaging materials such as lighter weight bottles. Lighter weight packaging affects truck load in transportation and the manufacturing process, decreasing greenhouse gas emissions.

•

Recycle your glass bottles. The infinite recyclability of glass creates a closed-loop system that generates no additional waste, thus reducing the carbon footprint.

•

Minimize waste. Learning about proper wine storage and serving techniques can help reduce spoilage and waste.

Each Finger Lakes winery is unique, so be sure to ask questions at your favorites to find out how they are implementing sustainability practices. In the Boundary Breaks tasting room, we enjoy sharing information on what we’re doing to help the environment. Finger Lakes grape growers are adapting to a world of warmer temperatures and more extreme weather. They’re doing things they never used to do. For grape growers, climate change isn’t something that’s coming in 2050. It’s here now. And they need our support to keep doing the right thing.

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gardening

Cultivating Beauty in the Finger Lakes

by Jenny Marks

E

ighty percent of the cut flowers sold in the United States are imported from countries like Columbia, Ecuador, Holland and Kenya. But here in the Finger Lakes Region, a local cut flower farm is changing that story by producing sustainablygrown specialty cut flowers.

Trademarks Flower Farm, located in Clifton Springs, is putting a spin on traditional, imported flowers by growing specialty rare and heirloom varieties of flowers that aren’t commonly seen in traditional floral outlets.

Flowers like dahlias, giant ranunculus, ruffled lisianthus, and specialty peonies are stunning, yet are rarely found in grocery store floral departments or your traditional florist shop.

When owners Jenny and Matt Marks purchased an abandoned piece of land with intentions to start their own farm, they knew they wanted to grow something that truly made a difference within their community … and even the world. But they couldn’t quite figure out what that would look like until Jenny accidentally stumbled upon fresh, locally grown flowers nearly 10 years ago.

“I grew up working on farms, but had never even considered growing flowers before,” Jenny said. “I didn’t even like flowers that much – or at least, not the dyed carnations or imported roses I saw in most

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grocery store floral departments. But one day I randomly stumbled across a unique flower called a dahlia, and it was unlike anything I had ever seen before in my life! It was breathtaking. It stopped me in my tracks and I’ve been obsessed ever since.”

The idea was immediately sparked: Grow flowers!

“The simple act of bringing flowers into my life transformed the way that I lived,” Jenny stated. “Looking at flowers on my table makes me stop throughout my day and deeply feel a sense of warmth, happiness and gratitude for the incredible natural

world that surrounds us. I want to share that feeling with as many people as possible.”

Most of our lifestyles are rushed, overwhelming and fast-paced which allows things like burnout and fatigue to creep into our lives. It’s a longknown fact that being outside in nature surrounded by living, growing things effectively reverses those negative feelings and gives us a renewed sense of energy, gratitude and a general feeling of wellbeing. Unfortunately, most of us can’t simply plant ourselves outside all day when we’ve got jobs, kids to raise and lives to live.

Luckily, Jenny offers a unique solution with her sustainably grown cut flowers: Why not just bring a little bit of the outdoors, inside?

Fresh flowers have an uncanny ability to lift anyone’s spirits. Humans are biologically wired to be fascinated by flowers’ seductive scents, colors and forms, and there is undeniable science that proves that flowers are an instant mood-booster. The simple act of bringing fresh flowers into our offices and homes brings us simple happiness between the day-to-day bustle.

One customer remarked on the benefits of the flowers, saying, “Signing

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Enjoy our premium selections and stay for lunch at our on-site eatery, Amelia’s.

Business Hours: 20 miles Winery Sun-Thurs: 10 am-5 pm south of Auburn Fri and Sat: 10 am-6 pm on scenic Route 90 Deli Fri, Sat and Sun: 11 am-4 pm Order Online: longpointwinery.com

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up for Trademarks Flower Farm’s flower CSA subscription was the single best thing I did for my mental health!”

Plus, Trademarks Flower Farm’s locally grown flowers are intensely different from imported flowers.

“We don’t grow traditional, readily-available flowers like roses or carnations,” Jenny said.

“Instead, we focus on growing rare specialty and heirloom varieties that you can’t find anywhere else.

They honestly have a completely different feeling and tone than most imported flowers … they’re undeniably more vibrant and gorgeous.”

Similar to how a locally-grown, fresh, in-season heirloom tomato tastes in summer compared to the blandness of shipped tomatoes in January, locally-grown flowers are vibrant, delicate and longlasting compared to their imported counterparts.

“We also grow our flowers sustainably and ecologically, which is impossible to find from imported flowers,” said Jenny. “Our flowers are ‘safe to sniff,’ meaning you can bury your nose into one of our peonies without worrying about

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2

harsh chemicals or pesticides.”

According to Trademarks Flower Farm, buying and arranging local cut flowers is the ultimate form of self-care. Science also tells us that doing activities with our hands is deeply rewarding and satisfying, which you don’t get from other “self-care activities” such as bubble baths, reading or watching TV. Caring for and joyfully arranging fresh flowers, floods us with dopamine and lasting feelings of reward and satisfaction.

If you want in on the moodboosting and luxurious fresh flowers that Trademarks Flower Farm offers, sign up for its seasonal flower CSA subscription program, which can be purchased through trademarksflowers.com. They also sell fresh flowers at the Brighton Farmer’s Market every Sunday and sell dahlia tubers online so home gardeners can enjoy fresh flowers in their gardens, too.

Learn more about Trademarks Flower Farm at trademarksflowers.com or follow them on social media @trademarksflowerfarm.

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people in the know

Because ART Moves!

H

ave you ever wondered how fine art is transported to museums? Enter Naglee, Inc., which specializes in packing, moving, installation and crating unique pieces.

Their list of past clients includes regional entities including the Corning Museum of Glass as well as renowned organizations such as the Smithsonian and Sotheby’s.

The Naglee Fine Arts team – Beau Roskow, vice president of Naglee, Inc.; Jeff Perault, director of Naglee Fine Arts; Jared DesRuisseaux, lead preparator; and Jerome Know, preparator – shares how their operation functions and what their work means to them.

How did Naglee Fine Arts get started as a business, and what was the inspiration?

Roskow: The Fine Arts Division was formed based on the needs of one of Naglee’s legacy clients. Phil Schwiger and Allan “Denny” Smith saw an opportunity to offer additional value and support to assist with the growth and expansion in the region. Since

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Left to right: Preparator Jerome Knox; Vice-President Beau Roskow; NFA Director Jeff Perrault; Lead Preparator Jared DesRuisseaux

1996 Naglee Fine Arts has been serving institutions, museums and private collectors throughout the Northeast U.S. In the past 28 years Naglee Fine Arts’ reputation grew from local to worldwide.

If you ask Jeff Perrault why, he would respond with the slogan he created, “Because ART Moves.”

Since Life in the Finger Lakes last visited with Naglee Fine Arts in 2019, have there been any changes or updates to the business?

Roskow: Yes, we’ve had a lot of great additions! The pandemic brought the entire art world to a screeching halt.

With pure grit and passion, the NFA team was able to pivot and adjust how we serve our clients. The team spent time diving deep into the business by investing in technology and discovering new ways of working to fit the changed environment of the post pandemic art world. We took significant leaps in the customer experience by leveraging technology. We reinvested in our museum-grade, condition-controlled warehouse by hiring a consultant, Meghan O’Loughlin, affiliated with the Smithsonian to rethink the design of our storage offerings and gain efficiency.

We also invested in our crate design and crate production area, as well as launched a fine arts shuttle. The shuttle

was a direct result of attending an industry-wide conference in Montreal, Canada.

What is your position with the company, and how did you get your start?

Perrault: My position is the director of Naglee Fine Arts. In 2014 I saw a very small notice posted on Facebook by Past Director Denny Smith, who was advertising a preparator/driver position.

I applied and was hired, not knowing exactly what I’d been hired for. While I’ve always had a passion for the arts, and actively paint in oils in watercolor, I had little appreciation of the support in logistics and handling museums and galleries required, all services Naglee Fine Arts provided. The first few years were spent on the road, learning the business and navigating a truck in and out of New York City, Washington DC and Philadelphia. Those years on a truck, working with museum staff, gallery owners and private collectors provided me with an understanding of their needs and requirements. In 2021 I was appointed director.

What is it about the Elmira location of your business that makes it appealing?

Perrault: Elmira is uniquely positioned to serve the needs of our

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clients. We have 17,000 square feet of museumgrade condition-controlled warehouse space that provides first-class art storage at a fraction of metro prices. Interstates are easy to access, and we are centrally located to Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, New York City, Philadelphia and Washington DC. Basically, if you draw a big circle, Elmira is in the middle.

What are some of the highlights of Naglee Fine Arts?

Knox: Naglee Fine Arts’ services have a positive impact on all the museums, universities and other educational institutions in the surrounding area and beyond. Our customers are always very grateful that we are here to accommodate their specific needs; many exhibitions would not be possible without involving our team. I’ve had the chance to work with some fascinating objects that museums own but never have a chance to go on display. I also get to work with truly one-of-a-kind pieces of art such as those by Monet, Cassat and Matisse. I also feel that upon completing a project I almost always learn something new either about art handling or the art I work with.

What is the favorite part of your job?

DesRuisseaux: My favorite part of working at Naglee Fine Arts is that I get hands-on involvement with unique pieces of artwork. Often these are rare and/ or extremely old! I also very much enjoy the challenge involved in packing and crating extremely delicate objects in a manner that is safe for travel; I take great pride in the responsibility entrusted to us that these objects are handled properly and arrive safely.

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Are you a Finger Lakes native?

Perrault: Jerome Knox is from Syracuse. After receiving his master’s degree in museum studies from Syracuse University, we were lucky to catch his attention and he ultimately moved to Elmira upon being hired as a preparator and driver. Jared Desruisseaux is originally from Philadelphia, but his family relocated to Horseheads when he was young. Jared moved back to Philadelphia at one point and graduated from Temple University. Jeff Perrault, a Penn State grad, grew up in the Scranton area and moved here more than 20 years ago. Beau Roskow relocated here upon taking over as vice president of Naglee, Inc. What do you enjoy most about the Finger Lakes Region?

Knox: I like how there is a focus on locally produced goods in this area.

All the wineries, breweries, farmers markets and other local establishments concentrated here are something few other regions have.

Do you have any favorite local activities you enjoy?

Perrault: So many! Hiking on the Finger Lakes trails, breweries and wineries, kayaking and fishing. I often painted with Tom Buechner and still enjoy plein air painting in the Finger Lakes. This area really offers an incredible diversity of high-quality entertainment, unique shopping, and weekend “things to do.” It’s a wonderful place to raise kids and enjoy life!

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Naglee Fine Arts has service packages available.

Fine Arts has service packages transport available. it WeNaglee will install/deinstall your artwork, We will install/deinstall it to our secure warehouse,your andartwork, store it transport for however to our long secure warehouse, store for however you are away.and Peace ofitmind. long you are away. Peace of mind.

Used by major museums and institutions, as well as Used by major museums and institutions, as well as private collectors. References available. private collectors. References available.

Naglee Fine Arts Naglee Fine Arts 1525 Grand Elmira,NY NY14901 14901 1525 GrandCentral Central Avenue, Avenue, Elmira, Tel. 607-733-5725 • NagleeFine Arts.com Tel. 607-733-5725 • NagleeFine Arts.com

Naglee Fine Arts has service packages available.

We will install/deinstall your artwork, transport it to our secure warehouse, and store it for however long you are away. Peace of mind.

Naglee Fine Arts has service packages available.

We will install/deinstall your artwork, transport it

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• Boat Rentals • Snacks • Sundries • Gas & Oil Fine Arts • Soda/Ice • Service Naglee Used by major museums and institutions, as well as • Ships Store • Tube Rentals 1525 Grand Central Avenue, Elmira, NY 14901 • Water Toys private collectors. References available.

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A Stone House Antiques.....................................................................101 Ahwaga Paints & Coverings...........................................................100 Airy Acres Vineyard.................................................................................94 Another World B&B................................................................................... 11 Antique Revival..........................................................................................101 Antique Wireless Museum................................................................ 87 Apple Country Retreat...........................................................................93 Artizanns.......................................................................................................... 97 Avant Gardens Landscape Design.................................................8

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FLX Goods.....................................................................................................100 FLX Helicopters........................................................................................... 24 Foodlinkny.org.............................................................................................. 71

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Gardner Construction & Development LLC..........................86 Geneva Historical Society..................................................................89 Geneva Music Festival...........................................................................16 German Brothers Marina Inc............................................................18 Granger Homestead & Museum...........................................72, 89 Green Heart of the Finger Lakes...................................................99

Pettis Pools & Patio................................................................................. 70 Phelps Historical Society.....................................................................72 Pittsford Fine Art........................................................................................99

Old Souls Home..........................................................................................62 Owego Home................................................................................................62

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Quail Summit................................................................................................. 12 R

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Billsboro Winery.........................................................................................94 Black Cat Gallery.......................................................................................63 Boundary Breaks Vineyard................................................................ 13 Brewery Ardennes....................................................................................69

Halco Energy....................................................................................................9 Hartleys Auto & RV...................................................................................91 Hejamada Campground & RV Park.............................................91 The Highlands at Pittsford..................................................................10 Historic Owego Marketplace............................................................63 Holiday Hill Campground....................................................................91 Horning Woodworking........................................................................101 Howard Hanna - Brighton Office.............inside front cover Howard Hanna Lake Group -The Moorings on Keuka.......5

Rasa Spa...........................................................................................................27 The Red Bird Cafe & Gift Shop.......................................................101 Red Tail Ridge Winery...........................................................................90 Reed Homestead.......................................................................................99 Reliant Community Credit Union..................................................52 RJ Cars Inc......................................................................................................99 Robert Dancause and Sons.............................................................101 Rockwell Museum....................................................................................49 Route 96 Power & Paddle..................................................................36 Roy’s Marina Inc......................................................................................100

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The Inde Design Studio...........................................................................6 Ithaca/Tompkins County CVB............................................................3

Saunders Finger Lakes Museum..................................................41 Seager Marine.............................................................................................49 Signlanguage Inc......................................................................................34 Silver Lake Marine, Inc..........................................................................60 Simply Crepes Canandaigua............................................................51 Skaneateles Festival.................................................................................17 Skaneateles Marina...............................................................................100 Smith Boys - Conesus NY......................................................................4.

Sodus Bay Lighthouse Museum................................................... 87 Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion.................................................18 Spellbound Books.....................................................................................62 St. Ann’s Community...............................................................................21 Stay Bristol Woodlands Campground...................................... 79 Sutter’s Marina............................................................................................ 97 Sweet Expressions................................................................................... 97

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CabAve Kitchens........................................................................................80 Canandaigua BID....................................................................................103 Carol’s Coffee & Art Bar........................................................................63 Cayuga County Tourism........................................................................61 Cayuga Landscape Company.............................................................7 ChamberFest Canandaigua...............................................................15 Cherry Grove Campground................................................................91 Clifton Springs Chamber of Commerce................................... 37 CNY Living History Center.................................................................. 87 Colonial Motel..............................................................................................93 Complete Construction Concepts............................................... 79 Consort Display Group.............................................................................8 Corning Museum of Glass...................................................................27 Cortland County Historical Society............................................89 Cricket on the Hearth..............................................................................18 Crown Jewelry...........................................................................................100 Cruise Planners - Sea and Shore Vacations LLC.............25

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The Jewelbox..................................................................................................19 Joseph’s Wayside Market..................................................................100 K

Katie’s Kreations........................................................................................62 Kendal at Ithaca....................................................inside back cover L

Deer Haven Park........................................................................................89 Design Build Geneva - Bayview/GJM Engineering INC.......23 Diamonds Limousine & Sedan Service, LLC.......................39 Discover Cayuga Lake...........................................................................89 Downtown Ithaca Alliance................................................................68 Dr. Konstantin Frank Wines..............................................................95

Lake Homes Realty.................................................................................. 37 Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars...............................................95 Lamplighter Ministries..........................................................................25 Lazy Acre Alpacas/Alpaca Country Clothing & Gifts....... 87 The Left Bank................................................................................................63 LeRoy Historical Society...................................................................... 87 Liberty Balloon Company...................................................................89 Long Point Winery....................................................................................94 Lukacs Studios Pottery.........................................................................89 Lynnie Lou’s...................................................................................................98

Tattoo the Lake, LLC................................................................................101 Tender Loving Care by Maureen...................................................62 Timber Frames Inc...................................................................................36

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Early Owego Antique Center............................................................63 Eastman Community Music School...........................................39 Eastview Mall...............................................................................................40

Main Street Arts..........................................................................................81 Manchester Mission Furniture.......................................................98 Mayflowers Garden................................................................................. 97 Miami Motel...................................................................................................52 Milly’s Pantry................................................................................................99 MJ Peterson....................................................................................................83 Morgan Marine............................................................................................82 Mr. Twistee’s..................................................................................................101

Unique Toy Shop......................................................................................103

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F. Oliver’s Oils and Vinegars............................................................103 FastSigns..........................................................................................................51 Finger Lakes Boating Museum......................................................53 Finger Lakes Premier Properties..................................................92 Finger Lakes Rail Riders......................................................................33 Finger Lakes Tram....................................................................................34 Finger Lakes Wax Studio.................................................................... 97 FingerLakes Bell Co.................................................................................19 Fireplace Fashions...................................................................................86 Fitch Construction / Rochester Skylights.............................30

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Naglee Fine Arts......................................................................................100 New Energy Works TimberFramers.......................back cover Nikolaus Satelmajer................................................................................92 Nolan’s on Canandaigua Lake......................................................103 North Star Art Gallery............................................................................33

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Vacation FLX, LLC......................................................................................28 Ventosa Vineyards....................................................................................95 Vinifera...............................................................................................................94 W

Ward O’Hara Agricultural Museum.............................................53 Wegmans.........................................................................................................31 West End Gallery...........................................................................................7 The Windmill Farm & Craft Market..............................................29 Wine Country Barrel Art.......................................................................99 Z

Zugibe Vineyards.......................................................................................94

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canandaigua

The Finger Lakes Choice For

Areas of Interest in the May/June 2024 issue 13 Middlesex (p.42) 14 Owego (p.62) 15 Watkins Glen (p.58)

10 Geneva (p.14) 11 Ganondagan (p.35) 12 Irondequoit (p.20)

7 Dundee (p.42) 8 Elbridge (p.26) 9 Elmira (p.96)

4 Catatonk Valley (p.38) 5 Clifton Springs (p.92) 6 Cumming Nature Center (p.64)

1 Bath (p.42) 2 Bristol (p.84) 3 Canandaigua (p.14)

From Oswego

Lake Ontario

Hilton

104

Sodus Bay

Sodus Point

MONROE

12

Brockport

Webster

104

Sodus

Baldwinsville

Rochester

490

E. Rochester Macedon

490

From Buffalo

Caledonia

Honeoye Falls

390

5

Avon

Lima

Victor

Bloomfield

20

5

Clifton Springs Phelps 20

Geneseo

Livonia Hemlock

20A

Mt. Morris

LIVINGSTON

11

20

11

9

390

CAYUGA

Ovid

Homer

Interlaken

Cortland Groton

7

Lamoka Lake Watkins Glen 15

Bath

Dryden

Cayuga Heights

SCHUYLER

Marathon

Ithaca

Burdett

McGraw 81

Lansing

Waneta Lake

6 Hammondsport

CORTLAND

11

Trumansburg

Dundee

Cohocton

Canisteo

Union Springs

ONONDAGA

Moravia

Prattsburgh

From Jamestown

20

Aurora

Wayland

1

20

Auburn

8

Branchport

Hornell

5

81

10

SENECA

Penn Yan

86 17

Manlius

Skaneateles

Geneva 10

YATES

Naples

Avoca

20

Cayuga

13 5

Dansville

Seneca Falls

7

6

4

2

Waterloo

Honeoye

390

Nunda

2

20A

3

1

5

Fayetteville

Syracuse 481

Marcellus 5

90

ONTARIO

3

90

Solvay 690

Weedsport 8

Newark

From Utica

481

90

Jordan

5

Manchester Shortsville Canandaigua

11

Clyde

Lyons

Palmyra

90

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North 11 Syracuse

WAYNE

Fairport

490

Oneida Lake

81

104

104

Spencerport

From Watertown

Wolcott

From Binghamton

Montour Cayuta Lake Falls TOMPKINS Odessa

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STEUBEN

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Painted Post

Horseheads

Corning Elmira C H E M U N G Heights 9

Rexville

Candor

Spencer 86

Elmira

Addison

Van Etten

4

TIOGA

Owego 14

15

Waverly

The Finger Lakes Region The York Finger Lakes Region of New State of New York State

­­­­­­­­­­­­104­ ~ F i n g e r L a k e s M a g a z i n e . c o m

Finger Lakes Finger Lakes 1 Conesus 1 Conesus 2 Hemlock 2 Hemlock 3 Canadice 3 Canadice

4 5 6 7

Honeoye 4 Honeoye Canandaigua 5 Canandaigua Keuka 6 Keuka Seneca 7 Seneca

Newark Valley

86

17

8 Cayuga 8 Cayuga 9 Owasco 9 Owasco 10 Skaneateles 10 Skaneateles 11 Otisco 11 Otisco

From Binghamton

T

oday’s aging adults are pursuing more activities and living healthier lifestyles than ever before.

At Kendal at Ithaca, we are committed to a supportive, caring environment that creates opportunities for each resident to maximize their potential.

Kendal at Ithaca is a premier life care community of the Finger Lakes. Residents participate in dozens of activities that range from the physical such as tennis, pickleball and yoga, to the more cerebral like poetry, and creative writing to creative pursuits like quilting and woodworking.

See more information on our website, www.kai.Kendal.org.

Kendal residents are creating a new age of aging. Come join us!

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30 YEARS BRINGING DESIGN & BUILD PROJECTS TO LIFE IN THE FINGER LAKES 800.486.0661

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