Life in the Finger Lakes Holiday/Winter 2014 by Fahy-Williams Publishing

LIFE IN THE FINGER LAKES

WINNERS OF THE 13TH ANNUAL PHOTO CONTEST! SINCE 2001

13TH ANNUAL PHOTO CONTEST • TIPS FOR WINTER PHOTOS • SNOWY OWLS • DICKENS CHRISTMAS

The Region’s Premier Magazine

Holiday/Winter 2014

Tips for

Fabulous

WINTER PICTURES page 88

HOLIDAY/WINTER 2014 • VOL. 14, NO. 5

LifeintheFingerLakes.com GREAT PRICE! $4.95

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Books to Read for Winter, p. 22 • Snowy Owls, p. 46 • Dickens Christmas, p. 28

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SINCE 2001

Volume 14, Number 5 • Holiday/Winter 2014

F E A T U R E S

Laughter and Good Humor in a Finger Lakes Village

The 21st Annual Dickens Event in Skaneateles by Tara Lynn

Photo Contest

Sighting the Tundra Ghost

Behold... Breakfast!

The 13th Annual Winners showcase talent and patience with fine photographs

An irruption of snowy owls in the Finger Lakes by Phillip Bonn

Breakfast gems found in the region story and photos by Cindy Ruggieri

Cover: In winter, look for dramatic lighting (here a setting sun) to create picturesque photos like this one captured by photographer Derek Doeffinger in Perinton. See more of his photo tips on page 88. This page: This is a typical pose of a snowy owl, perched on a fence post, ready to be photographed. Photo by Bill Banaszewski

E a r ly S u m m e r 2 014 To Subscribe, visit LifeintheFingerLakes.com or call 800-344-0559

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SINCE 2001

Life in the

D E P A R T M E N T S 4 My Own Words

thoughts from the editor

5 Letters

reader feedback

6 Finger Lakes Map

areas of interest in this issue

Happenings

news and events

12 Finger Lakes Scrapbook reader snapshots

14 Enterprising

44 Natural History Almanac outdoor observations Naturalist and writer Bill Banaszewski shares notes and photos from his winter 2013 journal.

60 Day in the Life

moment in time A unique antique boutique

64 A Proud Community

cities & villages Canisteo – a picturesque village in the valley

in business Barrelling ahead

68 Fruit of the Vine wines, spirits & brews An intimate approach at Kemmetter Wines

81 Index of Advertisers 88 How-to 18 Outdoors

be a better photographer Tips for fabulous winter photos

in the open air Snowbirds

22 Book Look

reading reviews

26 Finger Lakes Funny

stories that make you laugh In the spirit

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To Subscribe, visit LifeintheFingerLakes.com or call 800-344-0559

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Connect . Learn . Fitness . Happiness . Purpose . Nature . Peace

At the age of 77, I have a new career.

I modeled & loved it! ~ Joan, Model for charity fashion show benefitingWilmot Cancer Center

At The Highlands at Pittsford, opportunities abound for you to share your talents and skills for fun or for the benefit of those in need. Go to “Purpose” in theVideo Cafe on our website homepage to learn more about this from Joan and other residents.

Seven Dimensions. One Goal.

www.highlandsatpittsford.org

Rochester’s Only University-based Retirement Community

100 Hahnemann Trail, Pittsford, NY 14534 (585) 586-7600

Seven Dimensions of Wellness

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My Own Words

thoughts from the editor

A Little Bit of Everything

Serving lunch, dinner & late night Located downtown on the Ithaca Commons corner of Tioga/Seneca Streets

607-273-2632 www.kilpatrickspub.com

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s an artist, I’ve always been interested in birds, especially birds of prey. There’s something regal in their bearing. Scientists think they are descendants of dinosaurs, and I can certainly believe that when I look at their menacing eyes, always looking for prey. The snowy owl is one such bird, and although I’ve never captured one in paint on canvas, it’s on my list of things to do. Freelance writer and photographer Phillip Bonn brings us the story of the irruption of snowy owls during the 2013-2014 winter (see page 46). Many of you may remember hearing about, and seeing more snowy owls in the region than you have in recent memory. I know I received more emails and social media posts of pictures of snowy owls than I ever have before. Last winter was a long cold one, but going out in your car and searching for the birds helped to pass the time in an interesting way. I was lucky enough to see one in person, although briefly. I was picking up my son from swim practice at school at dusk, and as we were leaving the parking lot, we saw a large white bird take flight in front of us. Seeing one with its wings spread out reinforced how large of a bird it really is. Photographs have always been a huge part of Life in the Finger Lakes magazine. That’s one reason why we chose to start a photo contest back in 2002. And we are lucky enough to be celebrating the 13th anniversary of the contest in this issue. As usual, photographers sent a huge selection of excellent pictures, and as usual, the judging process was a challenge because there were so many high-quality shots, and there are only so many winning slots. If you entered the contest and weren’t lucky enough to have a photo published in this issue, take heart because I’m sure that your photo was still very good. I’m using my position as editor to once again present my Editor’s Choice to a photograph. Although this shot wasn’t a part of the 2014 winners, I still think it’s very good and worthy of recognition.

Maxwell Maloney took this photo at the Glassfest in Corning. To me, it captures the craftsman performing his trade, and shows the intense interest of the crowd focused on what he’s doing. The composition is solid, and the lighting is good,

showing the back of the glass blower in darkness, without turning him into a silhouette against the lighter background of the crowd. And of course, your eyes are drawn to what he’s working on, the developing glass artwork.

’m very excited to bring you this news. In 2015 we will start publishing on a bimonthly basis, and the first of six issues will be the January/February edition. We will still be focusing on the seasons, and we will still be bringing the same quality editorial and photographs that you have come to love and expect. The magazine will also have a different look with its perfect binding – a spine with the description on the side. This will enable collectors to better keep track of their issues while they’re stored in a magazine box or on a bookshelf. And that kind of binding also enhances the durability of the magazine. Thank you for being a loyal reader and for being a part of the evolution of this special magazine.

mark@lifeinthefingerlakes.com

To Subscribe, visit LifeintheFingerLakes.com or call 800-344-0559

10/22/14 1:53 PM

reader feedback

Dear Mark, I want to mention how much I liked the sunflower farm article in the Summer 2014 Issue (“Fields of Gold” by Carol and Derek Doeffinger). You really have a knack for highlighting unique and interesting attractions in the region that I’m sure readers will make an effort to visit. The article and photos were outstanding. – Bill Wingell

I read the very good article about the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology in the Fall 2014 Issue of Life in the Finger Lakes (“Birds of a Feather” by Bill Wingell). As the head volunteer and coordinator for the weekend walks, I certainly appreciated the mention and Caroline Manring is a very wonderful leader as are the other volunteers who step forward to guide people to see birds. In the interest of accuracy and to make sure that deserved credit is distributed correctly, I would like to make clear that these weekend walks are a joint project between the Cayuga Bird Club and the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, with the bird club taking the lead in providing its members as leaders, and making available the binoculars that are loaned out. The beginner bird walks did start as part of a visitor outreach program of the lab, but after some personnel changes at the lab’s visitors’ center, the

Letters

bird club decided that the longevity and viability of the program would be much better served if we in the club took this on. I have been the volunteer coordinator of the group since 2008. The bird club has had this as part of our outreach for over a year now. Please go to cayugabirdclub.org where you are able to see these walks on our calendar and if you go here, cayugabirdclub.org/sapsucker-woodsbeginner-walks, you can read reports that leaders file after each walk. I would love it if you were somehow able to clarify this to your readers and send them to our bird club page. – Linda Orkin, Vice President Cayuga Bird Club Beginner Bird Walk Coordinator Please direct your responses to mark@ lifeinthefingerlakes.com or to Life in the Finger Lakes magazine letters, PO Box 1080, Geneva NY 14456.

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Finger Lakes Regional Map 1 Auburn (p. 8, 58) 2 Aurora (p.8) 3 Bloomfield (p. 60)

4 Canadaigua (p. 8, 59) 5 Canisteo (p. 64) 6 Clifton Springs (p. 9)

areas of interest in this issue

7 Elmira (p. 57) 8 Farmington (p. 79) 9 Hammondsport (p. 10)

10 Ithaca (p. 9) 11 Marcellus (p. 11) 12 Penn Yan (p. 23, 56)

13 Rochester (p. 10, 11, 58) 14 Skaneateles (p. 28) 15 Syracuse (p. 8, 11, 58) 104 04A 4A

Lake Ontario 255 250

Webster

Irondequoit Bay State Marine Park

386 8

Spencerport

Rochester E. Rochester

33 490 33A 3

383 833

38 386

Fairport

252

155

Lima

Can an da igua L ake

Honeoye Lake

Conesus Lake 256 25 256

54 t Keuka Ou

l et

144 Lodi Point State Park

34B

Keu

Hammondsport

Avoca 86 17

4 415

144

221 22

Marathon

41 26

From Binghamton 79

TOMPKINS

38 38

224 24

eC Catharin

34 9966

Horseheads

2233 22

Elmira Heights

River

352

CHEMUNG

Elmira

427 42 27

Van Etten

3 34

Newtown Battlefield State Park Two Rivers State Recreation Area

Waverly

14 14

Candor nk Cr.

Pinnacle State Park

Spencer 3344

o tat Ca

225 22 25

Addison

22 224

133

k Cayuta Cree

221

96B 6B

414

Painted Post

Chemung

4177

366

Buttermilk Falls State Park

Mark Twain State Park

1 86 4415

366

Corning Rexville

Montour 228 Falls Odessa

144

4177

2488

1 13

Cayuta Lake

215 15 13

Dryden

Cayuga Heights

Ithaca

Robert H. Treman State Park

Watkins Glen

Riv

STEUBEN

The Finger Lakes Region of New York State

41 S C H U Y L E R 414

n cto

Canisteo Canisteo Rive r

248 24 48

226

Coho

Bath

Hornell From Jamestown

Watkins Glen State Park

. Cr

Burdett

Lamoka Lake

l Fal

3666 366

96 Allen H. Treman State Park

14A 4A A

41 41

McGraw

r ive aR

Lansing

222288

227

4 414

Waneta Lake

CORTLAND

Cortland

38 89

Homer

222

Groton

Taughannock Falls State Park

230

5 54

41 90

iog

133

41A 41 41A A

Trumansburg 22 227

133

390

211

Filmore Glen State Park

g Tiou

Cohocton

Moravia

Dundee

37 371

CAYUGA

14A 4A

5 54

70 Stony Brook State Park

Keuka Lake State Park

Long Point State Park

wa s

Interlaken

388

96A

54A A

Aurora

et Inl

Wayland

211

41 41A 38A 8

414 1

Branchport

911

9 90 Deans Cove Boat Launch

Ovid 96

YATES

Naples

4 436

Penn Yan

Dansville

4 436

3664 364

st We

9 96

Sampson State Park

63 63 3366

144

14A 4

9 91

ONONDAGA 11A A

Harriet Hollister Spencer State Recreation Area

9666A A

245

34 34B

an ea t

173 17 73

Manlius

Clark Reservation State Park

Fayetteville

481

173 173

911

Honeoye Lake Boat Launch State Park

411

89 2 7 247

Union Springs

SENECA

36 364

644

344

41A 1A

La es el

Honeoye

326 26

15 80

17774

4 41

390

258

Nunda

Geneva

Cayuga

Cayuga Lake State Park

Auburn

Green Lakes State Park

o isc Ot

20A

Letchworth State Park

4408 088

36 364

yuga and Ca 414 14 eca en

e ak o L

1 A 15A

Canandaigua

Canandaigua Lake State Marine Park

41 414

Waterloo Seneca Lake State Park

Marcellus

sc Owa

15 15

4 488

e Lak Cayuga

4408 08

LIVINGSTON

175

From Utica

290 90

State Park at the Fair

Syracuse

Skaneateles 175

Seneca Falls

318

Phelps

ake Seneca L

e ock Lak Heml

2566

Clifton Springs

ONTARIO

Hemlock Canadice Lake

Conesus Lake State Marine Park

. Cr

Livonia 20A

96 96

332

Bloomfield

Honeoye

39 63

Mt. Morris

Ganondagan State Historic Site

Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Site

Avon

366

Victor

Honeoye Falls

390 15

Can

s ne Ge

Geneseo

Caledonia 366

321

298

481 90

3188

344

North Syracuse

690

Solvay

Weedsport 38 38

ndaigua Outlet Cana

4488

Jordan

3 31

Newark

251

4811

37 370 690 900

31 90

655

383 8

Clyde

Palmyra

4114

Lyons

Baldwinsville

6 64

3 36

337700

Macedon 311

490

57 57

WAYNE

350 550

Oneida Lake

4441 41

31F 31F

370 70

104 144

286

490

259 5

From Watertown 176 7

Wolcott

35 350

104

Sodus

104

100044

TIOGA

17C 7C

ego C r.

188

Brockport

From Buffalo

Sodus Bay

Sodus Point

26 260

38 1004A 4A

Newark Valley

MONROE

ka L ake

104

Chimney Bluffs State Park

261 6

Seneca R.

259 5

Hilton 18

Barg e

260 60

1 19

360

From Oswego

Fair Haven Beach State Park

Hamlin Beach State Park

272 27

16 Tully (p. 58) 17 Waterloo (p. 55) 18 Waverly (p. 59)

388 88

9966

Owego

86 17

17C 7C

From Binghamton

427 277

Editorial & Production Editor......................................................................Mark Stash ......................................... mark@lifeinthefingerlakes.com Senior Graphic Artist...........................Jennifer Srmack Graphic Artist..................................................Liz Pieniazek Associate Editor..............................................Tina Manzer Assistant Editors........................................ Jenn Bergin .............................................................................. J. Kevin Fahy ............................................................................Carol C. Stash

Contributors............................................Bill Banaszewski ................................................................................Phillip Bonn ..................................................................... Derek Doeffinger ....................................................................K.C. Fahy-Harvick ............................................................................Jason Feulner ..................................................................................Rich Finzer ..................................................................... James P. Hughes .................................................................................... Tara Lynn ................................................................ Lisa Maria Rickman ..........................................................................Cindy Ruggieri ............................................................................. Mike Rusinko .....................................................................Laurel C. Wemett

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© 2014 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: write to Life in the Finger Lakes, P.O. Box 1080, Geneva, NY 14456, or call 315-789-0458. Subscription rates: $14.95 for one year. Canada add $19 per year. Outside North America, add $37 per year. For renewal or change of address, include the address label from your most recent issue of Life in the Finger Lakes. For gift subscriptions, include your own name and address as well as those of gift recipients.

Editorial Office..............................................315-789-0458 Director of Advertising................................ Tim Braden ............................................. tim@lifeinthefingerlakes.com

For Advertising Inquiries - 800-344-0559 Rhonda Trainor........rhonda@lifeinthefingerlakes.com

Online Advertising Sales Director Christie McConnell........................... christie@fwpi.com

For Subscriptions Tricia McKenna.............................................315-789-0458 ................................subscribe@lifeinthefingerlakes.com Business Office............315-789-0458, 800-344-0559 Business Fax...................................................315-789-4263 Life in the Finger Lakes 171 Reed St. • P.O. Box 1080 • Geneva, NY 14456 LifeintheFingerLakes.com Serving the 14 counties of the Finger Lakes Region

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Happenings

news and events

www.germanbrothers.com

NOVEMBER

3907 West Lake Rd www.germanbrothers.com www.germanbrothers.com

585-394-4000

~ LifeintheFingerL akes.com

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14-16…Canandaigua Christkindl Market at the Granger Homestead Held on the lawn of the majestic Granger Homestead and Carriage Museum in a series of decorated, heated tents, this event brings together over 130 regional artisans and unique food vendors. German food along with traditional fare, wine, beer and “Gideon’s Grog” is available. Live entertainment and holiday music fills the tents throughout the show. This event takes place from noon to 7 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. 295 N. Main St., Canandaigua, NY 14424 585-394-1472 canandaiguachristkindlmarket.com 15…Nouveau Celebration 2014 Join Glenora’s winemaker, Steve DiFrancesco, as he releases the first wine of the 2014 harvest. Try a glass of our Nouveau Wine, listen to live entertainment by Distilled and enjoy hearty seasonal hors d’oeuvres and roasted pork. All guests will receive a 30 percent discount on wine and coupons for the Inn and Restaurant. Glenora Wine Cellars, Dundee glenora.com

21…Inns of Aurora “Prohibition Era Cocktail Party” Get your flapper dresses ready for this popular speakeasy. Cost is $50 per person and the party begins at 7 p.m. Call 315-364-8888 to make reservations. 391 Main Street, Aurora, NY 13026 innsofaurora.com 21…Art Gone Wild! Reception, Art Sale and Auction If you’ve ever wanted to purchase a piece of animal artwork, now’s your chance! Dozens of pieces created by our zoo animals will be auctioned off in support Syracuse’s Rosamond Gifford Zoo chapter of the American Association of Zoo Keepers. Light refreshments and cash bar available. Cost is $5 per person, children 6 and under get in free and the event runs from 6 to 8 p.m. One Conservation Pl., Syracuse, NY 13204 rosamondgiffordzoo.org/art-gone-wild 21-23…21st Annual Holiday Shopping Spree Experience the holidays at the Cayuga Wine Trail’s 21st Annual Holiday Shopping Spree. You will receive a wine glass, a grapevine wreath and an ornament from each winery, as well as a Shopper’s Discount Card and a recipe

Warmth of the Holidays Weekend Christmas House Tour and Willard Chapel Holiday Open House

he holiday season during the month of December is a celebratory time of light and warmth during the darkest month of the year. Time at home and with family tops many a holiday wish list. Visit Auburn to check both items off your list with a Christmas House Tour on Saturday and the Willard Chapel Holiday Open House on Sunday. Enjoy the creativity of others on a tour of three festive Auburn homes on Saturday, December 13 at 1 p.m. Refreshments will be served at each location. Purchase $10 tickets in advance at the Willard Chapel office, 17 Nelson Street, Auburn, NY 13021, Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets cost $15 on the day of the tour. Home locations will be available at time of ticket purchase. Call 315-252-0339 with questions. On Sunday, December 14 from noon to five, visit the Willard Chapel at 17 Nelson Street in Auburn for some holiday magic at the Annual Holiday Open House. The chapel, always beautiful with its Tiffany designed interior of stained glass, mosaics and stenciling, will also be decorated for an old-fashioned Christmas. Join Santa and his helpers for his reading of ’Twas the Night Before Christmas. Santa’s annual visit is sponsored by the Literacy Volunteers of America. Susan May will be playing Christmas carols on the chapel’s Steere & Turner pipe organ, considered to be one of the largest and best preserved tracker organs in Upstate New York. Susan’s voice and piano students also will perform carols. Call 315-252-0339 for specific times for Santa’s reading and the carol concert. This event is free of charge and open to the public.

10/22/14 2:16 PM

Finger Lakes Museum

Gains Ground

Gift of land enlarges campus

he Finger Lakes Museum has more than doubled the size of its campus in Branchport. Thanks to a generous gift of land donated by sisters Anne Salisbury and Molly Sujan, and to a cash contribution from their neighbors Rolf Zerges and his wife Lynda Rummel, the museum now owns the 16-acre wetland adjacent to Crescent Beach at the north end of the west branch of Keuka Lake. The parcel comes with more than 1,400 feet of water frontage on Sugar Creek, which is a navigable inlet to the lake. The sisters donated half of their property as a gift to the museum, and Zerges and Rummel purchased and donated the other half. Zerges is a museum trustee. They also funded the closing costs and title transfer fees. The legal transaction was handled by Penn Yan attorney Donald Schneider, who donated his fee for professional services to the museum as a contribution. The parcel, which is being named The Townsend-Grady Wildlife Preserve in honor of the sisters’ father and grandmother, is deed-restricted for use as a wildlife preserve and will only be used for biological studies and educational programs by the museum. A variety of bird and waterfowl species, as well as mammals like beavers, foxes, and mink, already inhabit the wetland and bald eagles and ospreys perch there on occasion. It is also home to the somewhat rare and prehistoric-looking soft-shelled turtle. The Finger Lakes Museum plans to work with the New York

card from each winery as you enjoy holiday-inspired dishes while sipping fine wines. This event takes place on Friday from 1 to 5 p.m. at King Ferry, Long Point, Montezuma and Six Mile Creek wineries. On Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. the event will be taking place at all 17 wineries. Tickets can be purchased at cayugawinetrail.com or at any area Wegmans. 800-684-5217 cayugawinetrail.com 22…Swing Zing! at Corning Civic Music Association See three generations of Swing Guitar, featuring Bucky Pizzarelli, Frank Vignola, & Vinny Raniolo. Concert begins at 7:30 p.m. 2424 Spencer Hill Rd., Corning, NY 14830 866-463-6264 corningcivicmusic.org 28-29…Dickens Christmas in Skaneateles See the article on page 28. 29…Thanksgiving Weekend Hidden Treasures of the Cayuga East On this tour, your experience will begin at King Ferry Winery, where you will enjoy a winery tour and learn about the wine making process. This is followed by a tasting of their wines paired with local cheese made right next door. Next, enjoy a fantastic three-course lunch at Pumpkin Hill Bistro prepared from locally sourced ingredients. At Long Point Winery, you will do a private vertical barrel tasting of four vintages of the Cabernet Sauvignon. This is followed with a select tasting of their other wines, paired with local chocolate. Our final stop on the tour, Bet the Farm Winery and Gourmet Market, you will enjoy a tasting of their handcrafted wines paired with New York products featured at their market. Cost: $120 per person. Includes transportation, tasting fees, food pairings, and lunch. Tour departs from Ithaca NY at 11:15 a.m. 607-233-4818 experiencefingerlakes.com

State Department of Environmental Conservation and The Nature Conservancy to develop an interpretive boardwalk trail, wildlife observation platform, and pavilion at the site. When added to its present 13-acre campus, the acquisition gives the museum a 29-acre presence in Branchport. The two parcels are juxtaposed on opposite sides of Sugar Creek and NYS Route 54A. Word of the land transfer follows by one week an announcement that the Finger Lakes Museum is relocating its entire project to its Branchport Campus, the site of the former Branchport Elementary School. It had previously planned to build in Keuka Lake State Park. For more information or to contribute, see fingerlakesmuseum.org.

29...Small Business Saturday Shop the many, wonderful, independently owned stores in the small towns and neighborhoods of the Finger Lakes today. Small Business Saturday, an event to support small businesses, celebrates the unique gift ideas and services that you won’t find in big box stores, like free gift-wrapping, helpful staff and holiday cheer. Plenty of stores, like the ones in downtown Ithaca (downtownithaca.com) offer events and special surprises for shoppers.

DECEMBER 1…Christmas at the Movies Join the Le Moyne College Chamber Orchestra and Chamber Singers for an evening of holiday favorites featured in films. Selections will include pieces from “Home Alone,” “White Christmas,” “The Polar Express” and many more, and the concert will conclude with a rousing audience sing-along! Coyne Center for the Performing Arts at Le Moyne College gotocnyarts.org 315-445-4200 5…Festival of Lights in Clifton Springs The annual tradition continues with free horse-drawn carriage rides, food and shopping specials, visits with Santa Claus, performances by Midlakes students, Dickens carolers, treats from merchants, street vendors, Tiffany mosaic of the Last Supper and a silent auction of decorated trees. The festival will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. cliftonspringschamber.com (Continued on page 10)

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My Visual Life

An Exhibition of Paintings and Prints by Alan Singer

he Spectrum Gallery (Lumiere Photo), located at 100 College Avenue in Rochester, will host a selection of more than 25 new prints and paintings by local artist Alan Singer during the month of November. There will be an opening reception and book signing with Anne C. Coon on November 7 from 6 to 9 p.m. Alan Singer is a professor in the School of Art at Rochester Institute of Technology, and has been a practicing artist for more than 40 years. His work has been featured in galleries here in the east and in museums such as the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., and the Everson Museum in Syracuse. Alan’s new paintings and prints have received critical acclaim. They feature brilliant color and striking character that has a lot of graphic appeal. There is a strong influence of mathematics in this new artwork, and the use of computer programs helped the artist to define his new style. A new book titled “Slice of Life, Paintings and Prints by Alan Singer” will be released during the exhibition with a book signing and artist talk to follow on November 13.

5-7…Deck the Halls Weekend 2014 is the 23rd annual Deck the Halls Weekend! Go to your assigned starting winery along the Seneca Lake Wine Trail and begin a weekend of fun and festivities while sampling holiday wines and food tastings. The wineries are decorated for the holiday season. Over the two-and-a-half day weekend event, visit the participating wineries, receive a recipe book and collect ornaments to decorate your handmade grapevine wreath. The event runs from 1 to 5 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. You can go any one day, or come out for the whole weekend! The event is co-sponsored by The Christmas House, located in nearby Elmira. Cost is $53 per person or $75 for a couple. senecalakewine.com 6…40th Annual Sparkle Go to Corning for the 40th annual culmination of the Crystal City Christmas Events Season, sponsored by Connors Mercantile. Featuring horse and carriage rides, shopping and dining promotions, outdoor entertainment and activities for the whole family. Enjoy craft and food vendors, holiday carolers, and photos with Santa in his crystal house. A favorite for generations that’s not to be missed! Corning’s Historic Market Street 607-937-6292 gafferdistrict.com 6…Gingerbread House Workshop Join us in this fun holiday event where you build your own gingerbread house, decorate cookies, make a Christmas craft and much more from 9 to 11 a.m. Watson Homestead Conference and Retreat Center in Horseheads watsonhomestead.com

12-13…CabarETC: The Burns’ Sisters Holiday Concert Folk, pop and rock are given a Celtic slant by Ithaca, New York-based vocalists The Burns Sisters. Accompanied by Bobby Sweet, Kevin Maul and their own mandolin, the two sisters – Annie & Marie – harmonize with heartfelt spirit. The show will begin at 8 p.m. on both days. Hangar Theatre 607-273-2787 13…Hammondsport’s Christmas in the Park Experience an old-fashioned Christmas from 4 to 8 p.m. with music, food, Santa, storytelling, wagon rides and vendors. Santa & Mrs. Claus, along with some of their reindeer, will arrive around 6 p.m. and there will be free horsedrawn wagon rides from 6 to 8 p.m. Village Square, Hammondsport, NY 14840 607-569-2989 13...It’s a Wonderful Run Enjoy a 5K run/walk through the beautiful, illuminated, historic Village of Seneca Falls at dusk. A unique start to this USATF-certified 5K course places the field atop the famous Bridge Street Bridge, which many believe was the inspiration for the bridge scenes in the holiday movie classic “It’s A Wonderful Life.” The run/walk will take you past the decorated Christmas tree display, the lighted storefronts and shops of downtown Seneca Falls, and past historic village homes decked out and lit-up for the holiday season. The IAWL 5K Run/Walk is held in conjunction with the “It’s A Wonderful Life” Festival held every year in Seneca Falls. Join hundreds of other holiday revelers this Christmas season. therealbedfordfalls.com itsawonderfulrun5k.com

~ LifeintheFingerL akes.com

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Happenings 14… Home For Christmas Concert at the Corning Museum of Glass Enjoy a special holiday show featuring Nashville recording artist John Berry. Receive special shopping incentives with your ticket purchase. 607-937-6292 johnberry.com 15…Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker Forty world-class Russian artists bring this charming classic to life. The New York Times raves “Knock Out!” Experience Tchaikovsky’s master score this Christmas with the magic of larger than-life-puppets, a growing Christmas tree and super-sized Matrushka dolls! To purchase tickets online, visit ticketmaster.com. The Auditorium Theater 885 East Main Street, Rochester, NY 14605 rbtl.org 17…Mannheim Steamroller Christmas This year marks the 30th Anniversary of the group’s annual tour. Grammy Award winner Chip Davis has created a show that features the beloved Christmas music of Mannheim Steamroller along with dazzling multimedia effects performed in an intimate setting. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. The Auditorium Theater 885 East Main Street, Rochester, NY 14605 rbtl.org 19…Pops II: Holiday Magic A spectacle for the eyes and ears, as Symphoria celebrates the holidays. Special guests Nick Ziobro and Julia Goodwin join the Syracuse Pops Chorus and local dancers for this holiday tradition. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. and ticket prices range from $35-79. Crouse-Hinds Concert Theater 421 Montgomery St., Syracuse, NY 13202 gotocnyarts.org 20…Reindeer Run Sprint over to The Strong in Rochester and get into the action at the third annual Reindeer Run, a unique, family-friendly foot race. Produced by YellowJacket Racing and sponsored by Fleet Feet Sports, the all-ages run is downtown Rochester’s only winter 5K event and includes a half-mile kids’ race. Fees apply. One Manhattan Square, Rochester, NY 14607 museumofplay.org 26…A Winter’s Ramble in Marcellus Join a Baltimore Woods Naturalist for a guided snowshoe hike and explore the winter wonderland of The Woods. There will be an introduction to snowshoeing, a great opportunity for beginners. The hike will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. Snowshoes will be provided. Cost is $5 for members; $8 for nonmembers. Call 315-6731350 to register. 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus, NY 13108 info@baltimorewoods.com

Need a porta-potty? Need septic cleaning? Best prices in the Finger Lakes Porta-potty rentals by weekend, week or month Septic systems cleaned and maintained

Hornell, NY • larryslatrines.com H o l i day/ Wi n t e r 2 014 ~

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Finger Lakes Scrapbook

Please send photos to: Finger Lakes Scrapbook reader snapshots P.O. Box 1080, Geneva, NY 14456 E-mail: mark@LifeintheFingerLakes.com Web: facebook.com/lifeinthefingerlakesmagazine View more Finger Lakes Scrapbook photos on our website: LifeintheFingerLakes.com

“We had an unusual sunset on October 16 after the rain. This picture was taken with my phone camera overlooking my pond near the south end of Canadice Lake. So lucky to live in the Finger Lakes!” – Sandy Vendeville Schmidt, Facebook submission

“Sodus Point in the fall.” – Becky Strohm, Facebook submission

“First snowfall in Lansing, New York ... snow on my crab apple tree, November 2013.” – Dwight Meyers, Facebook submission

“Seems everywhere you look these days there is a snowy owl, this one was spotted in Bloomfield, Ontario County on Christmas Day, 2013.” – Shelly Lannon, Facebook submission

~ LifeintheFingerL akes.com

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Enterprising

in business

Barreling Ahead story and photos by Lisa Maria Rickman

othing says wine country like wine barrels, except perhaps for handmade wine bars crafted from refurbished ones. That’s exactly what Kevin and Jill Bailey thought when their daughter came to them requesting something to be used as the bar for her rustic-chic themed wedding. “It started as a result of our daughter getting married last year at Sonnenberg Gardens,” said Jill Bailey. “She had the reception there and you have to bring everything in, so she asked Kevin if he could make a bar using wine barrels.” Kevin is Jill’s husband, and also a craftsman, refurbisher of barrels and retired Marcus Whitman schoolteacher. In a region like the Finger Lakes, a wedding and special event hot spot, the Baileys knew they were on to something, and in the right area to do it. Thus, Wine Country Bar Rentals was born – an up-and-coming

Jill and Kevin Bailey enjoy local wine and beer with friends at their unique hand-made wooden bar.

~ LifeintheFingerL akes.com

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Small family, small business “Our daughter and her husband’s wedding was the catalyst,” said Jill. “Our son is in college right now but we’re hoping he’ll join the family business to help set up.” It’s definitely a family-run show, from inception to execution. A quaint little drive through the scenic Finger Lakes back roads leads you to their Canandaigua home, which is where the business is based. You can even catch a peek of Canandaigua Lake from their side porch. The site has been home to the Bailey family for decades and was a farm until the 1940s. The family delivers within a 35-mile radius, which encompasses Conesus, Hemlock, Canadice, Honeoye, Canandaigua, Keuka, most of Seneca and Cayuga Lakes, and extends up to Lake Ontario.

TradiTion CommiTmenT SuCCeSS

For over 180 years, our community bank has supported and encouraged the economic growth and development of our region, helping individuals and businesses create jobs, wealth and opportunity. The impact of our role as a leading financial institution is farreaching. Working with businesses of all sizes, we promote economic stability and expansion, which create and maintain local employment. We also make a difference for individuals and households, assisting with automobile, home purchase, new construction and home improvement loans. At Chemung Canal, we’re here to make a difference. It’s our tradition of commitment to your success. 800·836·3711 chemungcanal.com

Member FDIC

~ LifeintheFingerL akes.com

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Enterprising family business, inspired by the Finger Lakes wine industry. “We had a large configuration of two bars put together,” said Jill, describing the bar they made for their daughter’s wedding. “It made a nice setting for 200 people and we thought ‘wow what a great idea, we should start renting them.’ So we acquired the barrels, which we try to do here and there when we can, and we thought we would just start, especially in this area, renting them for weddings, corporate events, grad parties, anything like that.” Kevin came up with the original design and they have grown from there, with three different options for renters to choose from: the Riesling, a standard straight bar with two barrels; the Chardonnay, a cozy three to four barrel corner bar; and the Brut, a six to eight barrel rectangular bar and spectacular centerpiece for large events. They also rent individual barrels without the bar tops, for use as podiums and such, but at least two must be rented at a time. When Jill’s husband picks up the barrels they are (Continued on page 72)

If interested in renting a bar from Wine Country Bar Rentals, please contact by phone, 585-396-5926, or by email at wcbarrentals@gmail.com for availability and pricing. You can also go online at wcbarrentals.com for easy access to information.

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Outdoors 2014 Gingerbread House Building workshop Saturday, December 6, 2014 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

in the open air

Snowbirds by K.C. Fahy-Harvick

*Check in at 9:30 a.m.

All Materials will be provided. Gingerbread • Icing • Candy Flat box to carry your house home All are included.

RSVP by December 1st, 2014 $35 per Gingerbread House (607) 962-0541 or email: whomestead@stny.rr.com

*Up to 4 people can successfully share the decoration process.

Looking for a venue to hold your office or work 2014 holiday party? Call Watson Homestead today.

ne of the things I love about winter (yes, I love winter) is feeding and enjoying my backyard birds. Some of the prettiest birds, that we become so accustomed to seeing at our bird feeders in the warmer months, will remain in the area throughout winter. My favorites are always woodpeckers – downy, hairy, red-bellied, pileated – as well as chickadees, nuthatches, junkos and, of course, cardinals. Birds are not totally dependent on our assistance in winter – they forage for seeds and food, obtain fat from carrion and can get moisture from seeds. But on those really cold, snowy days, birds will stay huddled in the shelter of an evergreen, knowing they can’t afford to expend the energy to search for food. Small birds, like chickadees, can die in two or three days because of the snow coverage and cold. Giving them a “fast-food, fly-up window,” like your feeder, can save them from this awful fate. Sometimes it’s an effort to shovel my way out to my feeder,

but I feel as though I’m really helping the birds to survive, and they pay me back by giving me hours and hours of viewing enjoyment. To make your home a winter haven for birds, a few things are essential. Water is hard to come by in the dead of winter, so I like to use a heated bird bath. There are several versions of these, but I prefer those with the heating element encased in the plastic bowl. You will love watching your feathered friends crowd around the bath in the winter. Another great item to put up is a roost. This is a winterized version of the birdhouse (which is simply a large, open space with only perches inside), where birds can go for shelter from the cold and wet weather. I can’t think of a better way to spend time in winter – whether it’s several minutes watching from a big easy chair, or a fleeting moment at the kitchen sink – than watching our feathered friends enjoy the bounty we’ve provided, and the sanctuary they’ve found in our own backyard.

~ LifeintheFingerL akes.com

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Outdoors

Photo by K.C. Fahy-Harvick

A Great Winter Spot for Birds Just beyond your backyard, Mendon Ponds Park and its Wild Wings sanctuary are winter favorites for local bird enthusiasts. For a truly enthralling experience, the park has set up a trail specifically for bird watching and feeding. You can bring your own black oil sunflower seed, but I always buy some at The Cottage Store, to help support this non profit organization. On the trail, chickadees and nuthatches will land and eat out of your hand. If you’ve never felt a bird on your finger, it’s stunning to notice how light one is – and how brave these birds are to land on such a big person walking through their woods! On a sunny day after a light snow, this place will take

map

your breath away. As an added bonus, visit the Wild Wings sanctuary – where raptors, unable to re-enter the wild because of injuries or circumstances, have been taken in and rehabilitated. You will see these gorgeous creatures close up and, whenever possible, handlers are available to allow for interaction with the birds. You may see the golden eagle, bald eagle, snowy owl, great horned owl, hawk, falcon and many more. Take the kids, it’s free – and is guaranteed to kick-start their interest in attracting and feeding birds in their own backyard sanctuary. For more information, visit wildwingsinc.org.

~ LifeintheFingerL akes.com

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Wags to Riches

Book Look

reading reviews

The books reviewed in this issue offer something for all seasons and all ages. The topics covered are favorites of Finger Lakes writers – from wine to honey, glacial rocks to short-lived mayflies, the Civil War to the 20th century, and the natural world and the history of the region. by Laurel C. Wemmett Frank in the Finger Lakes. The growth of the state’s wine industry is traced to the present day with New York wines garnering international recognition. Indexed and illustrated with blackand-white photographs, the book also has appendices with a time line and a list of surviving 19th-century winery structures.

All Proceeds Benefit Humane Society of Schuyler County 313 North Franklin Street Watkins Glen, New York 14891 (607) 210-4263 New and gently used designer and brand name clothing, jewelry, accessories, antiques, collectables, furniture, decorative items, pet boutique — and more!

Publisher: excelsioreditions Website: sunypress.edu Edition(s): soft cover

Monday-Saturday:10:00 am - 5:30 pm Sunday: 11:00 pm - 4:00 pm www.schuylerhumane.org

Circle of Vines: The Story of New York Wine Richard Figiel (2014)

SixMileCreek V I N E YA R D

26 Years of Award Winning Finger Lakes Wines and Spirits 1551 Slaterville Rd Ithaca, NY 13045 GPS: 420 25’ 04N” / -760 27’ 15” W

607-272-WINE www.SixMileCreek.com

Richard Figiel offers a concise and informative history of the wine industry in New York State. The author, a former winery owner on Seneca Lake, journalist and writer, examines the “geological curiosities” of New York, beginning with the impact of glaciers. The survey encompasses the Hudson Valley, the Finger Lakes, the Great Lakes (Erie and Ontario), Long Island, and the North Country showing how the climate and terrain of these regions influences grape growing. Many grape species, varieties, and wines are discussed to illustrate the story. “Wine was still flowing, but there was no doubt the industry as a whole was crippled,” writes Figiel, revealing the profound impact of Prohibition on winemakers. He also writes about how the industry rebounded. Other highlights include the parts played by immigrants, families and large corporations. A chapter titled Revolutionaries focuses on those who had an impact on winemaking in the 1950s and 1960s such as Konstantin

Benediction Raymond W. Copson (2013) Caleb Lawson is robbed in Baltimore after arriving there from rural Seneca Castle to sell his brother’s cabbages. The year is 1859 and the trusting youth, outsmarted by a pair of cunning slavery supporters, finds himself bound for Africa aboard a clipper ship engaged in the illegal slave trade. The author, who has lived and taught in Africa, delves into one the most tumultuous periods of American history. A plot replete with historic detail reveals the impact of slavery on individuals across

~ LifeintheFingerL akes.com

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two continents. A torturous voyage, the enslavement of Africans, the advancing Civil War, and the subsequent conflagration, all come to life in this well-paced first novel. On his return voyage Caleb unsuccessfully attempts to free Albeni, a beautiful young African girl with whom he has fallen in love. His welcome home to Penn Yan is tempered by the impending war, and following John Brown’s raid on Harper’s Ferry, Caleb joins the Keuka Rifles. Battlefield experiences and Caleb’s capture by the enemy ensue before he arrives in Savannah where Albeni is now owned by the young man’s former adversary. This fictional love story set during a highly charged period in American history is sure to hold the reader’s interest. Publisher: Infinity Publishing E-mail: Info@buybooksontheweb.com Edition(s): soft cover

The promise of

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Ephemeral Summer Sheila Meyers (2014) Romance combined with a good measure of the natural world is on tap in this coming-of-age novel set in the Finger Lakes. Emalee Rawlings, a young woman dealing with the misfortune of losing her parents by murder and suicide, is raised by an aunt who spends summers on Canandaigua Lake. The reader is introduced to 20-year-old

• Continental breakfast each day • Choice of restaurant-style lunch or dinner daily • Housekeeping • Fitness center and walking trails

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THOM23769_Rntl_LIFL_4625x10, 10"h, H 4.625"w o l i d a y /xW i n t e4C r 2 0 1 4 10/3/14 ~ 2310:09 AM

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Emalee at the lake spending time with longtime friends and a new love. The short life of a mayfly, the insect depicted on the book’s cover, is used as a metaphor in the book for the fleeting or ephemeral summer. Emalee displays a passion for the natural world. As a student at William Smith College in Geneva, she enrolls in a class in limnology, the study of freshwater lakes, and goes aboard a research vessel on Seneca Lake. She wades into streams in search of insects and later, as a graduate student at Buffalo State, tracks moose in the Canadian wilderness. The pressures of commercial development around Canandaigua Lake and the role of the Finger Lakes Land Trust are included. The author, a college professor who lives in Skaneateles, has crafted an engaging first novel with appealing multigenerational characters and provocative plot twists. Publisher: Createspace Website: createspace.com Edition(s): soft cover

Mr. Bee Man: The Story of Lorenzo Lorraine Langstroth Father of American Beekeeping Rosalie M. Gabbert; illustrations by Sheila Jarkins (2013) This colorful picture book provides a true account of the life of Lorenzo L. Langstroth (1810-1895), the “Father of American Beekeeping.” It features a curious little boy who grew up to revolutionize the beekeeping industry. Author Rosalie Gabbert, a former teacher and librarian, was married to a master beekeeper in Wayne County. Seeing the exact measurements of her husband’s beehives introduced her to Langstroth, the man who discovered that bees need precisely 5/16ths of an inch of “bee space” to move in orderly paths. Lorenzo’s moveable-frame beehive has a space of 5/16ths of an inch between each frame, and on both the top and bottom of the frames. He patented his invention in 1852 and wrote an influential manual on bees and their hive. Youngsters enjoyed learning about beekeeping from Lorenzo in his later years. Gabbert resolved to write the true story for children

~ LifeintheFingerL akes.com

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Book Look

FINGER LAKES REGION FROM SPACE POSTER

that shows how Lorenzo’s youthful fascination with insects and his exploration of nature led to this important revelation. “Langstroth’s discovery and invention has affected beekeeping all over the world,” explains Gabbert. Harvesting honey became far more efficient as a result. For young children, the watercolor paintings by illustrator Sheila Jarkins are a perfect complement to the narrative. Publisher: Outskirts Press, Inc. Website: outskirtspress.com Edition(s): hard or soft cover

activities. The reader will reflect anew on the natural world and man’s interaction with it, observing what remains and what has disappeared. Subjects of the new collection also include change, aging and death. Here is the poem “Ghost Orchard.” What once was in living memory eight acres of Black Cherry or Prunus avium orchard bearing heavily while tended by Old Man Woodward over the years has been parceled out and built up with modest houses in styles of the time, but at this time of year every year, the surviving black straggles of cherry limbs and bark though uncared for maimed and broken suddenly burst forth in sprays and fountains of white blossoms.

This highly detailed satellite image is overlaid with map information. There is no other poster of the Finger Lakes as beautiful and informative as this one. Poster size - 25˝ x 39˝ Paper Poster: $22.95 • Laminated Poster: $29.95

Visit our winery, our website or call 800-331-7323 to order

atwatervineyards.com

Publisher: Mayapple Press Website: mayapplepress.com Edition(s): soft cover

Under Foot Poems & Essays Stephen Lewandowski (2014) Canandaigua native Stephen Lewandowski is an environmental educator and consultant in the western Finger Lakes who has written 12 small books of poetry. His professional career in soil conservation fuels his understanding and appreciation for the environment, and permeates his writings. While serious and sometimes soulful, they often have amusing asides. This new collection of both prose and poetry frequently deals with rocks – fossil hunting, glacial till and bedrock – to mention a few titles. The ground is not merely a support for our buildings, roads and

Yates County Chronicles Richard S. MacAlpine (2014) Sometimes readers enjoy history in bite-size pieces. This collection of (Continued on page 73)

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See the Difference with Quality & Performance!

Finger Lakes Funny

stories that make you laugh

FIREPLACES • INSERTS • STOVES

In the

Spirit

by Mike Rusinko illustrations by Mary Ellen Gutknecht MENDOTA Full View Gas Fireplace

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his time of year, any discussion of holiday traditions should come with a warning label. After all, friends, relatives and especially neighbors might not take your favorites as seriously as you do. They may be more into roasted chestnuts than rum-soaked eggnog. Is there a line out there in the snow that shouldn’t be crossed? It’s really not for me to say. Who am I to decide how many (thousand) decorative lights are tacky or acceptable? What neighborhood doesn’t want to bask in a flashing, multicolored glow that’s visible from outer space? If anything, I’ve come to deeply believe that those holiday staples on the outer edge are probably the best ones and, if anything, deserve to be defended.

Regifting

So, you don’t collect salt and pepper shakers shaped like barnyard animals? Saving the box and passing them on to a more farm-friendly pal, or anyone you know for that matter, isn’t tacky at all. Come on, that’s just being thrifty.

Need an idea for a great Christmas gift? Why not share the beauty of the region with a gift subscription to Life in the Finger Lakes?

Artificial Trees

There’s nothing tacky about an artificial Christmas tree. Ours came prelit and had built-in ornaments already hanging. I can literally set it up during timeout of a football game. I plug it in and the memories come flooding back. I quietly savor that sentimental Christmas tree feeling – until the commercials are over and the game comes back on. Right now, it’s standing in the corner of the basement under a giant garbage bag, ready to go. That’s not tacky, that’s efficient.

Santa Neckties

A gift that keeps giving all year long!

1st Gift .................................. $16 2nd Gift................................. $14 3rd Gift ................................. $12 LifeintheFingerLakes.com • 800-344-0559 Call by Dec. 12 to guarantee notification by Christmas

Now

SIX issues 26

Who doesn’t love to see Santa fishing? Who doesn’t get a kick out of Santa golfing or Santa on the riding lawn mower? That is great stuff! Think of the laughs around the coffee machine. If you wear a Santa tie, that might be the funniest you are all year. That’s not tacky, that’s entertainment.

Ugly Christmas Sweaters See if you can spot what is really tacky here. The planning meeting went something like this: Me: Let’s have an Ugly Christmas Sweater Day!

~ LifeintheFingerL akes.com

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Co-worker: I don’t know if I have one. Me: You could wear that electric red one that has the tree with the little bells that jingle when you walk. Co-worker: That’s my favorite sweater. My grandmother gave it to me. Me: Hey, look at the time. I think I have a conference call.

Giant Inflatable Lawn Ornaments

I’m talking about the six-footers with lights and things blowing around in their stomachs like a snow globe. Nothing says holiday spirit like five or six of these on a front lawn – in July. That’s not tacky. That, my friend, is commitment.

Gift Receipts

Picture the Three Wise Men in the manger with Joseph, Mary and Baby Jesus. They’re opening gifts. They love the gold, of course, and the frankincense is always a nice touch, thank you. But as great as it is, the myrrh just doesn’t go with any of the myrrh they already have. So, Mary asks the Third Wise Man if he got a gift receipt with the myrrh, and of course, being wise, he has one and gives it to her. It could have happened. Would that have been tacky? How about

ncement

practical? After all, what are they going to do with extra, non-matching myrrh? They could always regift it, I guess.

Finger Lakes Museum Changes Course! Supporters and funding agencies endorse the Museum’s strategic change in moving the entire project, including a 150,000 gallon freshwater aquarium, to its Branchport Campus. Thanks to a generous gift of a 16-acre wetland, the Museum site has also doubled in size and will provide more than 29-acres of exciting experiences for residents and visitors. What’s Next? • Architects and exhibit designers have started work on new conceptual designs for the site. Renderings and a new site plan will be ready for reveal in early 2015. • A series of public meetings and design charettes will be held to solicit your ideas for exhibits and programs. • Look for a new image, brand, and name. • Continued outreach and onsite programming. •

3369 Guyanoga Road | Branchport, NY

For more information or to contribute toward making the Museum a reality, please visit

www.FingerLakesMuseum.org

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~ LifeintheFingerLakes.com

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Laughter and Good Humor in a Finger Lakes Village 21st Annual Dickens Event in Skaneateles

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by Tara Lynn photos courtesy Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce

tep back in time and enjoy the holidays the old-fashioned way with Dickens Christmas, an annual tradition in the Finger Lakes village of Skaneateles. The village comes – Charles Dickens, alive with holiday spirit, as Charles Dickens and his cast of 70 characters interact with residents and visitors in the streets, stores and restaurants. The setting is 1842, and Charles Dickens is gathering research for his soon-tobe-written classic, A Christmas Carol. On village streets, he encounters Scrooge, Tiny Tim, the Ghosts of Christmas Past and Present, the Honorary DeWitt Clinton (retired governor of New York who championed the Erie Canal), President William Henry Harrison and a bevy of other characters, ranging from school girls to pickpockets. The Victorian-era characters roam the village, sing carols and act out scenes from the novel. Magic, music and merriment prevail – guests ride in horsedrawn carriages, children meet with Mother Goose at the library and all enjoy the village

shops and wonderful food, including holiday favorites like roasted chestnuts and eggnog. The event attracts over 20,000 visitors annually – and it’s come a long way in 21 years. A Christmas Carol “The production wasn’t always the polished version it is today – in the beginning, we really struggled,” recalls Ted Davenport, the first Charles Dickens. “That first year, we thought we had an arrangement with an acting group in Syracuse, but no one showed up. So I grabbed some friends, put them in costume, and about 10 of us did the show ourselves.” He enjoyed playing Dickens in those early days. “Street theater is up-close and personal, and it provides a wonderful experience for the actors, as well as for visitors.” The entire village of Skaneateles joins together to create this classic winter wonderland. “Our village becomes a magical place during the holiday season,” says Tara Lynn, director of the Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation. “We invite Dickens fans from near and

“There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor.”

(Story continues on page 32)

~ LifeintheFingerL akes.com

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Recurring Events Dickens Kick-Off is at noon on the porch of the Sherwood Inn at 26 W. Genesee Street. Father Christmas greets children from noon to 2 p.m. and 3 to 4 p.m. on the porch of the Masonic Temple at 13 E. Genesee Street. The Revels Live is a Christmas carol sing-along held at 2 p.m. at the gazebo in the village’s Clift Park. Twelve groups form, each representing one of the 12 days of Christmas. The groups vie for attention, and at the end Queen Victoria awards a silver teasel to the most spirited performer. Winners have been known to wear their coveted silver teasels throughout the season. Scenes from A Christmas Carol feature guests from the audience, and are performed at 12:30, 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. on the steps of the Masonic Temple. Horse-drawn wagon and carriage rides around the village depart all day from the Sherwood Inn. Wagon rides are free, carriage rides are $20 per family. The Wonderful Wizard of the North performs comedy magic shows at 1 and 3 p.m. on December 6, 7, 20 and 21. Performances will take place at the Skaneateles Library, 49 E. Genesee Street. Mother Goose reads holiday stories to children at the Skaneateles Library, and Father Christmas hands out treats from the porch of the Masonic Temple. Complimentary hot cocoa, cider and holiday cookies are available from noon to 4 p.m. at Mirbeau Inn & Spa, 851 W. Genesee Street. Complimentary professional photographs are taken from noon to 4 p.m. in front of the Mirbeau Christmas Tree. Dickens Ale from Empire Brewery is on tap at the Sherwood Inn, and available in a special decorated pint glass. Also, seasonal drink and dessert specials and gift card promotions are featured at the Sherwood Inn throughout the season.

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far to step back in time and join us for a slower-paced, more enjoyable atmosphere, where shopping can still be fun.”

he cast of 70, which includes young apprentice talent, is joined by a variety of guest musicians and caroling groups. The show comes together in just six rehearsals. “We pack a lot in and streamline the process of building a character,” says Jim Greene, production director. He has played Charles Dickens for more than a decade. “Every actor learns music and uses improvisational techniques to build his character and become part of the ensemble.” The celebration begins the day after Thanksgiving and runs every Saturday and Sunday through December 24. For more information on Dickens Christmas, go to skaneateles.com, call 315-6850552, or follow Dickens Christmas in Skaneateles on Facebook.

special Events Saturday, November 29 Live performance by the Finger Lakes Wind Quintet Performances are at 1 and 2:50 p.m. at the Skaneateles Library.

Friday, December 5 “Skaneateles Sings” Celebrate the dedication of the crèche and tree lighting with carols.

Friday, November 28 “World’s Smallest” Christmas Parade! The parade starts at noon beginning on Fennell Street, and ends at the Sherwood House, next door to the Sherwood Inn. Grand entrance of Charles Dickens and his entourage Meet Queen Victoria, Governor Dewitt Clinton, Father Christmas, and of course that mean, old Scrooge! Grand opening is at 12:10 p.m. on the steps of the Sherwood House.

Thursday, December 11 “A Dinner with Dickens and Friends” Charles Dickens and company will perform a live rendition of A Christmas Carol at 6 p.m. at Mirbeau Inn & Spa. Dinner is for all ages with music, mirth and many surprises! The Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce Dickens Christmas is produced by Scarlett Rat Entertainment and presented by Mirbeau Inn & Spa and the Skaneateles-area business community.

~ LifeintheFingerL akes.com

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76749_Kendal_GardenAD_sp_LIF | 8.125x10.875

B: 1/8” all sides

As the community garden grows, so does Andy’s circle of friends. Today he’s harvesting a fresh crop of perfectly ripe tomatoes, and tonight his friends will reap the benefits over a homemade pot of sauce. Living on the 105-acre campus of Kendal at Ithaca not only keeps Andy connected to the lifestyle and people he loves, but the care he may need someday. And, from here, the story just keeps getting better. Come for a visit and tell us your story. Call 877-915-7633 or go to kai.kendal.org/FL3 to learn more. 2230 N. Triphammer Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850

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“I

t’s been said that variety is the spice of life, and the winners this year reinforce that statement. There are photos of Chimney Bluffs on Lake Ontario, a city park, a beekeeper, downtown Rochester, train tracks, roads, the countryside and photos of the Finger Lakes themselves. The composition of some winning photos is simple. Others are almost overthe-top with rich details. It’s sometimes difficult to tell what is a really good photograph, but you know it when you see it. The simple reflection of trees in water can become a beautiful work of art. The pounding waves and light during the golden hour also create a memorable scene. I want to thank each and every person who entered the contest this year. Your photographs captured the diversity of the Finger Lakes Region. I only wish that every one could be published. I encourage all of you to keep sending your photos in, either through prints in the mail, or digital images through e-mail. The magazine’s Facebook page has become a popular spot to share images as well. Some of these photos can be published through the Finger Lakes Scrapbook department in the print edition, and online at lifeinthefingerlakes.com or at facebook.com/lifeinthefingerlakesmagazine.” – Mark Stash, editor

The 13th Annual

Life in the Finger Lakes Photography Contest

~ LifeintheFingerL akes.com

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Grand Prize “Hailstorm at the Bluffs” Chimney Bluffs State Park, located on the eastern shore of Sodus Bay in Wolcott, offers breathtaking landscapes and trails for nature lovers. Elaine Taft • Rochester

winners H o l i day/ Wi n t e r 2 014 ~

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color

First Place “Teasel Winter” The dried flower head of a prickly plant in East Bloomfield is the subject of this award-winning photo. Benjamin J. Slomovic Bloomfield

Second Place “The Beekeeper” Near Bristol Mountain, a novice beekeeper tends to her hives. Joseph R. Duba • Canandaigua

~ LifeintheFingerL akes.com

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Third Place “Rochester Twilight” This photo was taken from Gateway Park in the city. Larry Heins Caledonia H o l i day/ Wi n t e r 2 014 ~

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First Place “Cold and Crispy in Romulus” Matthew McDonald • Romulus

Third Place “Rush Hour” This photograph captured just a fraction of the thousands of snow geese in flight over Canandaigua Lake in March, 2014. Mike Sargent • Farmington

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black and

white

Second Place “Twin Reflection” “The calm of winter is pictured at a favorite spot of mine on Seneca Lake.” Julia DeFrank Riverton, New Jersey H o l i day/ Wi n t e r 2 014 ~

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Second Place “Early Morning Sun” “I drive by this field on Brewer Road in Waterloo every morning on my way to the office, but this morning was exceptional. The fog, sun and newly baled field worked out great. It is a high dynamic range (HDR) image made up of three exposures.” Kevin Colton • Seneca Falls

digitally altered 40

~ LifeintheFingerL akes.com

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First Place “Sunflower Field in Pittsford” Scott Hooker • Livonia

Third Place “Centerway Black and White” A high dynamic range view of Centerway Square in Corning. Brian Maloney • Corning

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honorable mention “Highway to Nowhere” On the bluff at Keuka Lake – color Howard LeVant • Rochester

“Seneca Lake Grape Vines” – color Elizabeth Becraft • Dallas, Georgia

“Rest” Taken at Robert H. Treman State Park in Ithaca. Selenium toning was added during this photo’s conversion to black and white. – digitally altered Chris Walters • Corning

“Ellis Hollow Birdhouse” The image was captured in the Town of Dryden using a yellow filter. – digitally altered Rachel Dickinson • Freeville

“Weathered Log in Taughannock Gorge” – black and white Jerry Bachman Endicott

“X Marks the Spot” At the train yard across the street from Seneca Lake State Park in Geneva – black and white Caitlyn Huebner • Media, Pennsylvania

~ LifeintheFingerL akes.com

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Natural History Almanac “No snowflake ever falls in the wrong place.” – Zen Proverb

Winter Naturalist and writer Bill Banaszewski shares notes and photos from his winter 2013 journal.

November 1

Last two days temps in the mid-60s and some nice color is hanging on. However, with 30 mph winds today, the sky is full of falling leaves.

November 4

Mid-20s overnight, all of my garden plants are killed.

November 30

November 5 At dusk, heard a buck grunting and crashing through the woods, probably in hot pursuit of a doe. A loon was calling from the lake. Off to the west, coyote were howling.

November 13

Two loons calling, mature bald eagle flying over the lake.

December 8

18 degrees this morning with a trace of snow.

Cold and windy. A large flock of redhe ads and a small flock of buffleheads arrived on the lake from the no rth country.

November 22

t box this morning as a Bluebirds inspecting the nes . potential spring site for nesting

~ LifeintheFingerL akes.com

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December 13 There is an ongoing irruption of snowy owls coming south from Canada into the northeast. Ornithologists are reporting that the owls are here in historic numbers even though the invasion is just beginning. Went up to the bluff hoping to see one and spotted a “snowie” in a field of cut corn. Owls have also been sighted at Braddocks Bay, along Routes 5 & 20, and in farm fields west of Seneca Lake.

December 21 First day of winter, 56 degrees and raining. All of the snow has melted. Two bald eagles were starting their winter courtship, constantly kak-kak-kaking above their nest at the south end of Canandaigua Lake. They have successfully nested there for quite a few years.

December 22 61 degrees, very windy.

December 25 Beautiful Christmas morning, clear, pleasant and 7 inches of fresh snow overnight. Got my lighted Christmas tree up on my dock just in time. The neighbors were disappointed with my tardiness.

December 16

8.5 inches of snow since Saturday. Ice is starting to form in the shall ows. Tundra swan s, common and hooded merg ansers, and bufflehe ad right off my dock. Song bir ds have flocked to th e fee der with the first signifi cant snowfall.

December 26 Wide variety of waterfowl on the lake. Thousands of redheads, 50+ tundra swans, 2 mute swans, 3 ruddy ducks, lesser scaup, common merganser, hooded merganser, coots, black ducks, mallards and one horned grebe. The first red-breasted nuthatch of the season at the feeder.

December 28 The ducks have all but disappeared because waterfowl hunting season is opened.

December 31 A common golden eye was hanging around my dock this morning. It had an injured wing and was unable to fly, probably a result of duck season.

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Sighting the

~ LifeintheFingerL akes.com

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Tundra

GHOST story and photos by Phillip Bonn

he solitary owl sat on a fence post, its white feathers ruffling in the strong wind, its head swiveling as it looked and listened for food. The owl was flecked with black spots and bars, and would

occasionally turn its head so its intense yellow eyes would stare directly at me. Luck was with me, this was my first sighting of a snowy owl (or SNOW, the code used by taggers and birders to refer to this breed of bird), and what a treat it was! To make the situation even more thrilling, I was in a good position, conditions were just right – and with a click of the shutter, I captured some first-rate images. H o l i day/ Wi n t e r 2 014 ~

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Description

The snowy owl is a large owl, active chiefly in the daytime, with lemon-yellow eyes and deep black pupils that contrast beautifully with their snow-white faces. They have a distinctive white body, with plumage that is variably barred or speckled with thin, black, horizontal bars or spots. Females and juveniles are more heavily marked than males on average – adult males may be almost pure white. Most adult females are distinctly barred throughout their plumage. Immature birds are very heavily barred throughout, and dark spotting may dominate the overall plumage. Intensity of dark spotting varies with the sex of immature birds, females being darker than males. However, biologists have noted exceptions to even the most common patterning of these owls.

~ LifeintheFingerL akes.com

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Sighting a snowy owl (Bubo Scandiacus) in the Finger Lakes Region is a rare delight. It really is a matter of being in the right place at the right time. Birders on the Northeast Coast might see one snowy owl every other year, and birders further south could wait decades. It is always a thrill to see one. They are regal looking, with beautiful yellow eyes and feathered feet.

Out of Nowhere No one saw it coming. During the winter of 2013-2014, a large number of snowy owls migrated to the United States. It was considered the greatest influx in 50 years. Almost overnight, snowy owls appeared like magic, in numbers that were hard to believe.

The scientific community took notice of the sudden irruption of snowy owls. A dramatic increase in the population of a certain breed of bird, in areas where that breed is not usually recorded, is known as an irruption. The 2013-2014 irruption of snowy owls was concentrated along the Atlantic Coast and the eastern Great Lakes. Since snowy owls often travel south during the Arctic winter in search of food, this distribution of owls was probably the result of an abundance of prey in Northern Quebec during the breeding season. Biologists reported a boom in the lemming population (lemmings are the preferred food of snowy owls), which resulted in a higher than average number of eggs laid and owls fledged. No matter where they came from, the Eastern United States and Atlantic Canada enjoyed the spectacle.

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Diet

Snowy owls breed on the tundra in the summer months, where they prey on small rodents, mainly lemmings, and the occasional hare or ptarmigan. When these nomads head south, they hunt in wideopen fields, airports or beaches – searching for anything with fur or feathers. Snowy owls are patient hunters with keen eyesight and great hearing, which can help them find prey that is hidden under thick snow cover. The owls deftly snatch their quarry with their sharp talons and, if small enough, will eat it whole. They are fast fliers, and have been known to catch ducks and geese.

Nesting The female will scrape out a shallow hole on a slight rise or pingaluk (a mound created on the ground by frost heaves) with her body, and line it with lichens, moss and feathers. Females lay a clutch of three to 14 eggs at a time, depending upon the availability of food. In particularly lean times, a pair of owls may not breed at all. Only females incubate the eggs. The male provides the female and young with food. The young are blind and featherless when first hatched, but within hours they are covered in fluffy down. Young owls begin to leave the nest approximately 25-26 days after hatching. They do not learn to fly well until at least 50 days of age. Their parents continue to feed them for another four to five weeks after they leave the nest.

Contents of an owl pellet

Feeding Time The owl’s preferred meal is lemmings. An adult may eat more than 1,600 lemmings a year, or three to five every day. Owls swallow small prey whole, and their strong stomach juices dissolve the soft tissue. Indigestible bones, fur and teeth are compressed, and then regurgitated as pellets.

~ LifeintheFingerLakes.com

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Finger Lakes Tram Newfoundland alone reported record numbers, with one observer counting 297 owls in a single weekend. These nomads from the north were reported as far south as Florida and Bermuda.

Enjoying God’s Creation

Sighting the snowy owl Accounts of snowy owl sightings can be found on Cornell’s ebird.org web page. The site was created in 2002 by Cornell’s Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society, to provide birding communities with a forum to report and access information about birds. This data is then shared with the local birding community, as well as researchers around the world. Maps on eBird of owl sightings

Snowy owls are birds of the arctic tundra – a treeless plain with simple vegetation and an extremely cold climate. from January to March clearly show the high density of snowy owls along the Great Lakes, Central New York and the Eastern Seaboard. When you compare these maps to the map for May 2014, the difference is striking. The majority of owls have headed back to the Arctic, and there are almost no snowy owl sightings listed on the map for May.

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Keeping Track

The scientific community took notice of the sudden irruption of snowy owls. Biologist David F. Brinker of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Scott Weidensaul, research director for the Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art in Millersburg, Pennsylvania, and Steve Huy of Frederick,

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Reproduction Nest: hollow in a pingaluk (rise in the tundra) Female: stays on nest Male: hunts for food Clutch Size: 3-14 eggs Incubation Period: 32 days Nestling Period: 18-25 days

Measurements Height: Up to 27 inches Length: 20-27 inches Wingspan: 4.5-5.5 feet Weight: 2.5-5 lbs (Males are typically smaller than females.)

Habitat Snowy owls are birds of the arctic tundra – a treeless plain with simple vegetation and an extremely cold climate. There is limited vegetation on the tundra, mostly low shrubs, sedges, mosses, lichens and grasses.

~ LifeintheFingerLakes.com

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Maryland, banded together and created Project SNOWstorm. Together, and with the support of other owl fanatics, they managed to raise enough money to start outfitting captured snowy owls with GSM transmitters. Eventually, the nationwide team was able to raise more than $36,000, allowing them to outfit 22 owls. These solar-powered transmitters record latitude, longitude and altitude at intervals, providing unparalleled detail on the movements of these birds, 24 hours a day. GSM transmitters use cellular phone towers to transmit data. When the owl is out of range of a cell tower, the transmitters can store up to 100,000 locations, and then transmit that information when the bird flies back within range of a tower. The transmitters weigh approximately 40 grams, and they are attached with a backpack harness made of Teflon ribbon. The project’s website allows readers to view information on each captured owl and see its tracked locations. It is not clear how long the owls stayed in Central New York. However, the birds equipped with transmitters were still heading back to the Arctic as late as mid-May. One in particular, named Oswegatchie, was still in Fitzroy Harbor, Ontario, on May 14, 2014. New York State birders were also reporting snowy owls in the area around this time, with one sighting near Montezuma Wildlife Refuge and another on an island in Oneida Lake, near Syracuse. This coming winter will be a non-irruption year in our region, so project SNOWstorm expects to see far fewer owls. They will, however, be continuing their goal of tagging and tracking those owls that do spend the winter in the Finger Lakes Region. They hope to tag 20-25 new birds this year. These new owls, as well as owls from this past winter, like Oswegatchie, will continue to be viewable on the SNOWstorm website, so be sure to check in and learn more about these majestic winged creatures at projectsnowstorm.org.

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Behold...

BREAKFAST! story and photos by Cindy Ruggieri

henever we take a road trip, the one question that always comes up is, “where are we going to eat?” For me, it’s all about breakfast. There’s nothing better than starting my day with a good cup of bottomless coffee and some hearty breakfast fare. I want to find the place where the locals go, the “mom and pop” diner that has become a neighborhood gathering spot. I’m interested in the place where someone took a leap of faith, whether it was four or 40 years ago, and opened an eatery, then worked like crazy

to make it a local favorite. It’s all about mixing people and food with atmosphere and conversation, to create feel good results that get customers coming back time and time again. The layout may be familiar – with counter stools for solo guests or booths along the wall – but each restaurant has a charm all its own. I’ve found so many great places in my travels through our beautiful Finger Lakes Region. Here are some of the breakfast gems I’ve discovered along the way.

~ LifeintheFingerL akes.com

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t Connie’s Diner, Waterloo 205 E Main St 315-539-9556 connieswaterloo.com

Driving along Routes 5 and 20 on a trip to Waterloo, I spotted a vintage truck in front of Connie’s Diner, which was a good enough reason for me to pull into the full parking lot. With round stools at the counter, a waitstaff wearing blue bowling shirts, and wall jukeboxes at every teal and orange booth, this classic diner has a retro flair. I couldn’t resist spending a quarter on the jukebox

and listening to The Beach Boys belt out “Surfin’ U.S.A.” throughout the diner. And I’ll fess up here – I did it again and punched in a classic Patsy Cline tune. Listening to the oldies was well worth my 50 cents. I ordered the seasonal special of pumpkin pancakes, drank my bottomless cup of coffee and added Connie’s Diner to my list of “must stop” eateries in the Finger Lakes.

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5 Main St. 315-536-4026

Angel’s Family Restaurant, Penn Yan

On a visit to Penn Yan, I stopped for my breakfast fix at Angel’s Family Restaurant. It’s a downtown location with a diner atmosphere, complete with the requisite swivel seats at the counter, wooden booths with Formica tabletops and military décor. Patriotic colors of red, white and blue are all around, military photos line the shelves and there’s a flag at every table. It was quiet when I sat down, but that didn’t last for long. Each person that came in was greeted by name in this “Cheers”-like atmosphere. I sipped a great cup of coffee and enjoyed pancakes loaded with sweet blueberries. The food and atmosphere was just the way I like it, and I left with another great restaurant on my list.

Family Restaurant, t Curly’s Watkins Glen 2780 State Rt. 14 607-535-4383 curlysfamilyresaurant.com

I never pass through Watkins Glen without stopping at Curly’s Family Restaurant to indulge in my guilty pleasure – their glazed cinnamon bread. I’m not sure my waistline benefits, but it’s oh-so-good for the taste buds. Homemade bread and a glaze that’s all their own – scrumptious! The wooden booths are comfortable, the decor has a country flair and the waitstaff takes time to chat with locals and visitors alike. I ordered the eggs and home fries – and my cinnamon bread, of course – and I left full for the day.

~ LifeintheFingerL akes.com

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The Classic Café & Filling Station, Elmira 805 Pennsylvania Ave 607-271-9111 visitclassiccafe.com

Tucked away on a side street, the Classic Café and Filling Station has the perfect name for what’s inside – great food with a side dish of nostalgia. Red stools line the counter and Betty Boop greets folks as they walk through the door, while ’50s music plays in the background. Neon lights and vinyl records line the walls, old church benches are used as booths and “Bev” the car hop stands in the corner to oversee all the action. It’s a sensory overload of sight, sound and the smell of good food. We had a great breakfast of “build your own” omelets. My only disappointment was that I had no room left to sample the fabulous looking desserts behind the glass display case.

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STILL hungry?

Check out some of these other local diners across the region. Visit your local “mom and pop” diner today.

Stella’s Diner 110 Wolf Street, Syracuse, NY 13208 315-425-0353 stellasdinersyracuse.com

Auburn Diner 64 Columbus Street, Auburn, NY 13021 315-253-7375

“The Kitchen” at Mills Fruit Farm 10979 Ridge Road, Wolcott, NY 14590 315-594-2200 millsfruitfarm.com

The Frog Pond 652 Park Avenue, Rochester, NY 14607 315-271-1970 eatatthefrogpond.com

Highland Park Diner Elm Street Café 1 Elm Street, Tully, NY 13159 315-696-5250 elmstreetcafeny.com

960 Clinton Ave S., Rochester, NY 14620 315-461-5040 highland-park-diner.com

Sallie’s Country Kitchen 23 N. Main Street, Nichols, NY 13812 315-699-3730

~ LifeintheFingerLakes.com

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t Becky’s Diner, Waverly 310 Broad St. 607-565-7668

If you happen to stop at Becky’s Diner in Waverly any weekday around 9 a.m., you will see the round table in the middle of the diner full of ROMEOs (Retired Old Men Eating Out). This is their go-to place – the men have their own special ROMEO mugs and a wall full of pictures of their celebrations. My friend Traci and I stopped in on a Thursday morning and the place was packed. With tablecloths patterned like old newsprint, nostalgic posters on the walls and a great menu with my favorite words “breakfast served all day,” it had just the right mix of charm and food. We each ordered an omelet loaded with the fixings, ate our fill and waved to the ROMEOs on our way out.

t Patty’s Place, Canandaigua 33 S. Main St 585-396-9470

It was a chilly winter day when I stepped into Patty’s Place in Canandaigua, but the warm greeting from the waitress and a hot cup of coffee took care of the chill. Photo collages and military portraits lined the walls, and Christmas lights were twinkling from the inside railing. Waitresses chatted at each booth with regular customers, asking about family and local events. I ordered two pancakes and the hand-patted sausage, but I didn’t understand the grin from the waitress – until the two, platesized pancakes were placed in front of me. There was no way I could finish it all. The gentleman in the next booth understood my dilemma and said to me, “pretty big pancakes, aren’t they!” The sausage was wonderful, as were the pancakes, but I learned my lesson on ordering pancakes for my next visit to Patty’s Place!

his winter, take some time to warm-up in the morning with a hot breakfast at your favorite local diner. You’ll probably see some neighbors sitting in the next booth, chatting with the waitstaff. Catch up on the local news and give an extra tip to the hard-working diner staff, who make their place the local gathering place. Get up, get out and behold breakfast! H o l i day/ Wi n t e r 2 014 ~

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Day in the Life

moment in time

The Unique,

Antique Boutique story and photos by Rich Finzer

utside, it was a mid-spring day, sunny but crisp – with temperatures in the 40s. Outside, the breeze had a cool edge on it, but inside, the coffee was hot and an old friend was smiling at me from behind the counter. It was Dick Nurse, the resident male “spud” at One Potato Two – one of the most unique, antique boutiques I’ve ever visited. One Potato Two is a 7,000-squarefoot, 70 dealer antique emporium located on Routes 5 & 20 in East Bloomfield. I’ve known Dick Nurse (dba S & D Antiques & Collectables) since our childhood days in Chestnut Heights, Chili. So even if I hadn’t gone there on a writing assignment, it was still grand to see him again. While we awaited the arrival of owner Carolyn Redmond, a cooperative customer was kind enough to snap a photo of us two old Chili Boys (see page 61). Given the venue, I suppose you could refer to us as living antiques. Dick went on to explain, “The dealers, which at any one time average about 70, pay rent either by the square foot, or rent a display case, or cases. Dealers are not required to work at the co-op, but are encouraged to stop in often. There are six of us working for Carolyn – five dealers and her middle daughter, who’s caught the antique bug as well. Since

Light and lamp fixtures are created from incomplete sets of vintage silverplate by the dealer team of Lynn and Chuck Birch.

the store’s name is One Potato Two, we six collectively refer to ourselves as ‘spuds,’ and we kiddingly call Carolyn the Queen Tater, or just Tater. I’m a spud, just like the others, but I’m also the only male spud, so I get to do all the heavy lifting.” He went on to add, “The shop has three main display areas known as the Canadaigua, Centerfield and Bloomfield Rooms, with two smaller showrooms sandwiched in between. As a dealer, I’ve been here for slightly more than 10 years. S & D Antiques has three spaces within the shop, and I signed on as a spud a little over one year ago.”

Something for Everyone Taking my leave from Dick (who was busy cashing out a group of customers), I set about exploring on my own. With so many dealers in residence, the sheer scope and variety of items on display boggles the mind. Whether your interest lies with colored glass, cut leaded crystal, tin advertising signs, antique furniture or Hollywood memorabilia, you’re bound to find something to beautify your surroundings. Better still, as you enter the store you’re presented with an array of delicious gourmet treats, including all manner of jellies and jams, flasks of

~ LifeintheFingerL akes.com

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Left: Owner Carolyn Redmond Right: The auther Rich Finzer (left) and Dick Nurse

maple syrup, jars of champagne mustard, seasoned sea salts, Sansaba’s “Pecan Pie In-A-Jar” pie filling, custom baked cookies and chocolates in the shape of potato flowers. There’s one other item too. According to Dick, “It’s our biggest seller. In fact we have trouble just keeping it in stock!” What is it? Well, the photos of potato chip bags on these two pages should clear up that mystery. I queried, “So customers buy the chips as a memento of their visit?” And Dick countered, “Some do, but if they open the bag and eat one, they usually buy more. The things taste terrific!” About that time, Carolyn arrived and, after grabbing cups of coffee, I peppered her with questions, especially about the name of the business. “Growing up, my mom had a houseful of antiques, so I guess I was genetically drawn to the business myself. “In the early ‘90s, I owned and operated a small gift shop called One Potato Two within a barn on my property. At one time the place had been a potato farm and I set up the shop in the potato sorting room – hence the name I chose. I loved it! I closed the doors to raise my family, but kept the DBA hoping to have another shop when my youngest stepped aboard the school bus. “When that time arrived, I began looking for property to build on. In 2004, a terrific antique business with a 15-year history came on the market here on Routes 5 & 20. When I purchased the place, it was a 30-dealer cooperative. I’ve built that number up to 70-plus dealers, and I’m proud to say I have a small waiting list, too!” While shaking my head I noted, “Carolyn, this place is crammed with more stuff than any antique shop I’ve ever visited!” Smiling, she replied, “I think that’s what sets us apart – the sheer variety of treasures we offer. We’re not just your grandmother’s antique shop. We offer an array of collectibles from the ’40s, ’50s – on up to present-day gifts. We have a growing clientele of young adults who shop here plus travelers, vacationers, couples, social groups, local businesses, even dealers from other H o l i day/ Wi n t e r 2 014 ~

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Want more information? Visit onepotatotwo.com or call 585-657-7446.

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antique stores. Just about everyone finds something they like at One Potato Two. Our younger customers, couples mostly, shop for individual accent pieces as opposed to being true collectors.”

The “Elevator Bar” Carolyn and Dick were briefly called away to address some housekeeping chores, so I wandered about and snapped a few more photos. When I returned to the sales counter Dick remarked, “Rich, I’ve got another very interesting piece I think you’d like to see.” He was right. He showed me what appeared to be a simple split-top table, but it wasn’t. As he opened the hinged lids, a full bar, replete with spaces to hold 16 glasses and room for six bottles of liquor rose up from inside. Winking, he remarked, “It’s called an ‘elevator bar’ and was built sometime during Prohibition. Prominent citizens with reputations to protect could keep their liquor supply handy, but hidden, while serving ginger ale to any teetotalling visitors. It’s a unique find; I’ve never encountered another one.” Equipped with faux drawer fronts, the piece would look like a classic low boy to the casual observer. All I know is a gizmo like that would have come in handy when I was in college and forbidden to have liquor in my dorm room.

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Aside from my fascination with the elevator bar, the other items which garnered most of my attention were the stunning custom-made table lamps and a unique variety of glassware I’d never seen before. A husband and wife dealer team – Lynn and Chuck Birch – combine china from incomplete sets or orphaned pieces of vintage silverplate to fashion the fixtures. Carolyn commented, “Lynn loves beautiful antique china, and her husband Chuck is a jack-of-all-trades. After Lynn selects the pieces she thinks will go well together, Chuck bores a hole through the center of the components before stacking them onto a section of lamp rod. Once the socket, cord, harp and shade are in place, each lamp embodies the true

~ LifeintheFingerL akes.com

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Day in the Life

The shop’s collection of Vasoline glass is eye-catching.

spirit of creative repurposing, and the finished product is an elegant one-of-akind room accent. Like the potato chips, their lamps are some of our most popular items.” I posed yet another question, “Carolyn, the lamps are beautiful, and the other thing that fascinates me is that cabinet of glowing green glassware. What’s that stuff called?” Almost before I finished asking Carolyn replied, “It’s called ‘Vasoline glass.’ My obviously quizzical expression prompted her to add, “Uranium is added during the glass making process and, if exposed to ultraviolet (black) light, the glass glows. The term ‘Vasoline glass’ dates from sometime in the ‘50s. And classic pieces – those manufactured prior to World War II – are highly sought after by collectors.” After finishing my coffee, I bid Dick and Carolyn goodbye. I wanted to stick around, but the shop was about to close for the day. If you check out a map of Finger Lakes country, East Bloomfield and One Potato Two are located smack dab in the center of the region, within easy driving distance from almost anywhere. It’s not far away, but after you step inside – it is long ago. And if you do plan to visit, don’t expect to spend five minutes. Simply to cast your eyes across everything the store has to offer will take an hour – at minimum. So buy a bag of those yummy potato chips and prepare to be dazzled.

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A Proud Community Geneseo

Canisteo –

Potter

Picturesque Village in the Valley A

Dansville Belfast

Canisteo

cities & villages

ith its village green, cluster of local businesses, and quiet streets, Canisteo is small and comfortable – a pleasant Finger Lakes community. Perched midway between the southern tip of Keuka Lake and the Pennsylvania state line, it’s a village surrounded by lofty ridges and deep valleys, most with a creek or brook winding into the Canisteo River. The creeks and their often hidden waterfalls provide ever-changing

story and photos by James P. Hughes

scenery throughout the seasons, and a peaceful place to cool off on a sultry summer day. They’ve been explored and re-explored by local youth for generations, but there have been a number of times when the valleys of Bennett’s Creek, Colonel Bill’s Creek, and others were anything but serene. Five critical times from 1889 to 1972, fierce rainstorms sent water gushing through the glens, swelling the Canisteo River, each time devastating the village with floods. “The 1889

deluge was part of the same system that caused the famous Johnstown flood in Pennsylvania,” says local historian George Dickey. “And even extensive levee work completed after the ‘35 flood couldn’t fully hold back the waters that came in ‘72.” Each flood took its toll, but Canisteo has survived the decades.

A Touch of History The first permanent settlers, among the earliest in Steuben County,

Behind the elementary school is Canisteo’s famous “living sign.” In 2004 it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

~ LifeintheFingerL akes.com

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y A pavilion stands in Sister City Park, named in honor of the relationship between Canisteo and its sister city, Wauchope, in Australia.

Pictured from top to bottom An entire city block beyond the brick Steuben Trust Company building on the far left was destroyed by fire in 1884. Canisteo’s only B & B is an elegant Italianate-style Victorian home with a wraparound porch, stone terrace and perennial gardens. Greenwood Street is also NY 248, which connects many small towns in Allegany and Steuben counties. This Tudor Revival home was built during Canisteo’s boom in the second half of the 19th century.

arrived in 1789 in the vicinity of “Kah-ni-sti-oh,” a Native American village of Delawares allowed to live in Seneca Nation controlled territory. Homes were established, the broad fertile lands were farmed and lumbering became a main subsistence industry. Timber was sent down the Canisteo River to the Susquehanna and eventually to Harrisburg and Baltimore. With the arrival of the railroads in the mid-19th century, Canisteo became a boom town. Area industry flourished – foundries, milling of decorative woodwork, production of advertising items and signage, three shoe factories, and more. A period document reflects an involved community: “Ever mindful of the spiritual and educational welfare

of their families and children, inhabitants have made generous provision for erection of churches and schools.” By 1890, the town’s population had topped 3,000, commerce was humming along, and the imposing Canisteo House hotel stood at the village center. The three-story structure, Steuben County’s first brick building, with its wide porches and porticos, survived as the county’s oldest until it was razed in the 1990s. The Kanestio Historical Society, after surviving a severe fire, is back in business on Main Street preserving and displaying Canisteo’s long and rich history.

Random Sketches Past to present, every village has an assortment of interesting H o l i day/ Wi n t e r 2 014 ~

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View of Canisteo’s two adjoining banks, Stueben Trust and Citizens & Northern. The two have interesting, but quite different, architectural styles.

nuggets blended into its history. Canisteo is no exception. During his 1911 transcontinental airplane flight, aviator Calbraith Perry Rogers touched down in a field just outside Canisteo, drawing the adulation of a large crowd. Rogers visited, tinkered with his plane, and

then flew on to become the first person to complete a coast-tocoast flight. Among a number of interesting homes in Canisteo is an imposing 19th century Victorian structure known as “The Castle.” Perched on a rise behind a substantial stone wall and steps, the residence, with its striking winding staircase and white Italian marble fireplace, has been owned over the years by a number of people, all mindful of the home’s grace. The long twisting staircase rises into the building’s tower, and is often colorfully lighted by the owners, in keeping with

the season. Canisteo has two banking institutions, not that odd for a small town, but this pair is pretty unusual. Separated only by a firewall, The Steuben Trust Company and Citizens & Northern Bank coexist with their front doors just steps apart. Differing architecture catches a visitor’s eye; vintage red brick Steuben Trust with its narrow windows and ornate trim, Citizens & Northern with its classic pillars and Greek façade. The Trust building is all that remains of a once impressive business block razed by fire in 1884. The imposing Greek pillars of C&N were added to a standard storefront around 1920. “Any bad blood between bordering banks?” I asked some employees.

~ LifeintheFingerL akes.com

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Proud Community “Not a bit,” was the answer. “We’re all friends … the worst that happens is a confused check casher that has to be sent next door on occasion.”

Fun and Fundraising Along with traditional activities revolving around a town’s schools and churches, there’s usually one or more special times that help pull a community together. Two of these, “Canisteo Crazee Daze” and “Christmas in the Village” are sponsored by the Canisteo Community Support Group. “CCSG is a charitable organization,” says its president Valerie Nixon. “Our goal is fundraising through various activities to identify and financially support needs within the community.” Since 1974, Crazee Daze has been a wide-ranging event in early June – parade, food galore, talent contest, dance, yard sales, and multiple vendors. Former business-

man Tom Booth, a founder, believes Crazee Daze has been a great thing for Canisteo. “Over the years it’s drawn thousands ... an enjoyable tradition, a plus for the village.” Christmas in the Village kicks off the holiday season the first Saturday after Thanksgiving. A child-and-family centered event, Santa arrives on a horse-drawn carriage for ornament and cookie decorating contests, hay rides, and refreshments. Bright Christmas lighting adorns the downtown commons, aptly named “The Park.”

An Enduring Sign and Indelible Memories Flying over these picturesque hills and valleys and glancing down, one will never wonder the name of the village whose streets spread out below. A “living sign” of several hundred carefully placed Scotch pine trees spells out “CANISTEO” in large

green letters across a wooded hillside. The sign, conceived and created in 1934, is 400 feet wide and 60 feet high. It once appeared in Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, the iconic newspaper feature that for decades traded on the bizarre, the unusual and the unexplained. Cartoonist Robert Ripley labeled Canisteo’s creation “the world’s largest living sign.” World’s largest? That claim may be a stretch, but eighty years later there’s nothing quite like it anywhere else in New York state. Radio talk show host and writer Bob Lonsberry vividly remembers climbing that hill to the living sign, and speaks fondly of his hometown Canisteo. “It’s a place of green hills and open hearts, a place where folks tend to be lean, weathered, and don’t sweat the small stuff,” says Lonsberry. “I have many memories of Canisteo, and every one of them is a joy.”

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Fruit of the Vine

wine, spirits and brews

An Intimate Approach

Kemmeter Wines

The tasting room

story and photos by Jason Feulner

had driven by the Kemmeter property many times with a vague idea as to its location, but without a real sense of what it might offer. Newly opened in the summer of 2013, Kemmeter Wines is the expression of winemaking veteran Johannes Reinhardt, who decided to create a

subdued winery somewhat in contrast to the overt, well-advertised tasting rooms that line the roads along the Finger Lakes. Located almost directly across from Anthony Road on Route 14 on Seneca Lake, where Johannes spent 14 years as head winemaker, Kemmeter provides a sign facing the road,

Johannes Reinhardt has a passion for wines and winemaking.

~ LifeintheFingerL akes.com

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not straddling it, so that only those who are looking for the tasting room will find it. Although the vineyard is alongside the main route and could allow for a direct turnoff, the driveway is tucked away a few hundred yards up a side road. The entire property, all 20 acres, is fenced to ward off deer, and perhaps also to separate itself a bit from the fold. It’s as if Kemmeter wants to stay just a little bit hidden, to reveal itself only to those who will appreciate its treasures. To be sure, Kemmeter is not a typical Finger Lakes winery, nor does it look to be a typical vineyard. One notices almost immediately that the newly-planted 3 acres of vines do not face a linear north-south or east-west which is commonly seen along the lakes. Instead, Johannes has staked the rows running south-east to northwest, an orientation that Johannes hopes will enhance both morning and afternoon sun exposure. We talk about row spacing, trellis design and other factors. Johannes seems determined to experiment, implementing different techniques on different parcels of the eventual 12 acres of grapes that are planned in the next few years. The one thing he is certain about is drainage – before he did anything else with the property, Johannes installed over 13,000 feet of drain tile. If there is a theme at Kemmeter it is understatement, and the tasting room embodies the subtle touch that Johannes strives for. The tasting room is small, very small, allowing for only a few people at a time. All tastings are conducted by either Johannes or his wife Imelda, a Ph.D. candidate in food science at Cornell. Tastings are by appointment only. “We wanted to create a respectful and comfortable atmosphere in which to taste the wine,” Johannes explains. He emphasizes that the tasting room is what it is, that it will not get any bigger. Kemmeter is an intimate wine experience by design.

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Johannes hails from a winemaking family in Germany, which had its own label for generations. After coming to the United States and spending time learning about the Finger Lakes as a winemaker at Dr. Konstantin Frank, Johannes became the head winemaker at Anthony Road, winning praise and accolades over the years for his wine, especially his Rieslings. And while he should have a lot to say about his experience and credentials, Johannes purposely has few words these days. “The wine should have the last word – not myself,” Johannes stressed more than once during our tasting. Throughout our time together, Johannes felt more comfortable speaking to the background of each wine than talking about his accomplishments. He seemed more eager to hear my thoughts about the wine than to share his own, a deferential disposition that encouraged conversation. At this point Kemmeter makes only Riesling, but the winery makes several very different Rieslings. The winery offers three labels: Sonero, dedicated to making approachable wine; Kemmeter, an annual commitment to consistent high-quality wine; and SanSan, a reserve label for special vintages. As I tasted through the lineup, I found that the Sonero, in many respects, has

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~ LifeintheFingerL akes.com

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For Your

Information

Kemmeter Wines is located on the western side of Seneca Lake off of Route 14, 10 miles south of Geneva. Kemmeter is dedicated to a comprehensive tasting experience, and asks that patrons please make an appointment. The winery can be reached at kemmeterwine@gmail.com or 315-521-3897. The website is kemmeterwines.com.

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attributes that typify a good quality Finger Lakes Riesling. The Kemmeter line boasted several single-vineyard bottlings that each revealed subtle variations in acidity and minerality, but Johannes was sure to point out that he is not trying to jump on the single-vineyard bandwagon – he simply wanted to pay homage to the growers, as his own vineyard is still years away from its first harvest. The San-San, a late-harvest Riesling, was incredibly balanced, keeping its high residual sugar in check with good round fruit and sufficient acidity. There is little doubt as one is subjected to the Kemmeter experience that Johannes is trying to make a statement, and it’s a great learning experience. Johannes will happily talk about his experimentation with spontaneous fermentation, his decision to press grapes at various levels of pressure, or his developing theory that crop thinning might be more important than shoot thinning in the Finger Lakes. As Kemmeter adds more wines in the next few years (the long-term plans call for Pinot Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Noir and Zweigelt), Johannes will have more to share, but he intends to keep the growth in check. “We will stay small, no more than 2,000 cases,” Johannes says. “I hope to be successful but I know there is more in life.”

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Enterprising (Continued from page 17)

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“People have asked to purchase the barrels but we don’t want to be in the business of selling,” said Jill. And it’s no wonder because it can be difficult to acquire the special barrels. Wineries are obviously in need of them but many local artisans seek them out as well. “There are a number of craftsmen who buy barrels and take them apart to make various decorative items like tea-light holders or picture frames,” said Jill. Some of the barrels they find through word of mouth from private owners in the area. “We don’t supply the bartenders unfortunately,” said Jill with a laugh. “We’ve had some questions about that.”

in no state for display, but he cleans them up to look almost like new. Once he’s done, every barrel and bar surface is finished with boat-top polyurethane to make them shiny, more durable and resistant to spills or outdoor weather. “Many rental companies have a barrel-type bar, but it’s really just two barrels with a plank,” said Jill. “This dresses it up, and we can have different configurations so it works with any of the customer’s spaces.” Canandaigua chocolatier Sweet Expressions allowed them to set up one of their Riesling bars in front of their Main Street store for the Wine Walk in downtown Canandaigua, where of-age patrons can sample local wines at local shops. “We were also at the Riesling Festival this past August,” said Jill. “We offered to supply bars for some of the wineries and that allowed us some exposure as well. We rented one to a wedding in Webster and Hobart College used one for a reunion held on its campus.” So far, the brand-new business has already started renting out to events this year and is extending a 15 percent discount to anyone who books their services through the month of January 2015.

~ LifeintheFingerL akes.com

PROOF O.K. BY: __________________________________________________

O.K. WITH CORRECTIONS BY:_________________________________________

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY • SUBMIT CORRECTIONS ONLINE

60-88.LIFL.HolidayWinter2014.indd 72 ADVERTISER: GRANGER HOMESTEAD AND CA PROOF CREATED AT: 8/2/2013 0:45 AM SALES PERSON: OPEN

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10/22/14 3:13 PM

Book Look (Continued from page 25)

short essays is drawn from the storied history of Yates County which is bordered by three of the Finger Lakes – Seneca, Keuka and Canandaigua. Retired history teacher and author Rich MacAlpine has selected columns reprinted from the Yates County History Center’s Yates Post, a bimonthly publication which he has edited since 2008. The collection draws heavily on archival newspaper accounts, and ranges from amazing tales like seven-year-old Harry Morse’s fish catch in 1873 to the uncertain outcome for those Yates County residents who boarded the ill-fated “Titanic” in 1912. Civil War cannons and cannonballs once in the Yates County Courthouse Park are the focus of one essay. The author details why they disappeared and what replaced them. Another chapter explores why Franklin Roosevelt never came close to carrying Yates County in six elections. Readers may be surprised to learn of a school mascot designed by Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Duane Eddy, a guitarist who once lived in Yates County. From the Women’s Rights Convention (1855) to the destruction of the Benham Hotel (1959), the themed chapters are arranged chronologically. Numerous black and white illustrations bring these fascinating stories back to life. Publisher: History Press Website: historypress.net Edition(s): soft cover

Dawn the Deer Book Series Dawn the Deer; Dawn the Deer Enjoys the Spring; Dawn the Deer Enjoys the Fall; Dawn the Deer Enjoys the Snow by Troy M. Cusson; illustrations by Crystal Cochell (2013) The daily experiences of a doe during the four seasons in the Finger Lakes region are the theme of this series for young readers. The “Dawn the Deer” books are based on the doe observed by Troy Cusson and his wife from their porch. Cusson is the instructional design manager at Keuka College’s Center for Professional Studies.

Life in the Finger Lakes magazine’s

First Annual Children’s Photo Contest! Deadline: January 9, 2015 Age Groups

Prizes

• Up to 9 years old • 10 to 13 years old • 14 to 16 years old

• 1st, 2nd and 3rd place for best photo in each age group. • Prize plaques will be awarded, along with publication in the March/April 2015 issue.

Photo Entries Photos can be color or black and white. Photos can be taken using a standard camera, and mobile devices such as smart phones, pads, notebooks and mp3 players. Subject matter is to consist of landscape and nature shots, architectural, animals and any other appropriate subject that features the Finger Lakes Region in a positive light. Photos such as “selfies” will not be considered. The photos are to be taken within the 14-county Finger Lakes Region. Entries are limited to a total of 5 per person.

• Submit photos as prints or digital images. Please do not send color negatives. When sending digital images, the minimal size of the image should be approximately 5 x 7 inches, 300 dpi. Keep in mind to send the best quality digital image you have, with the highest resolution. Please do not send original prints or CD/DVDs – materials will not be returned.

• Identify each photo and/or digital image. On a separate sheet that is typed, not hand written. Digitally altered images are not accepted. These are images that have used digital manipulation using excessive software filters. • Only winners will be notified before the March/April 2015 issue is published.

Send submissions postmarked no later than January 9, 2015 to: Life in the Finger Lakes Photo Contest P.O. Box 1080, Geneva, NY 14456

Visit LifeintheFingerLakes.com for more information

(Continued on page 76)

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marketplace

Real Estate

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Snowbirds... Please make sure you notify us when you have your winter address. Contact us at subscribe@lifeinthefingerlakes.com or call 800-344-0559.

Douglas Drive, Rushville NY Prime building lots with a great view • Only 10 remaining. In the village of Rushville, town of Gorham • Low taxes • Water, sewer, natural gas on site. $30k to $45k.

Jon Bagley • Real Estate Sales nys lic. Salesperson

16 Lakeshore Drive Canandaigua, NY office (585) 394-8000 Properties cell (585) 943-2022 jbagleyrealestate@gmail.com

7744 ~~LLi fi fe ei ni nt th he Fe Fi ni ng eg re Lr aL kaekse. sc.oc mo m

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MARK MALCOLM II

“HE’S GOT A CORNER ON THE MARKET”

Conesus Lake $775,000. A truly magnificent home from design to lakefront. Incredible 300 feet of lake frontage with timber retaining wall and steps down to water. Dock with space for outdoor seating. All rooms maximize lake views with upper balconies off the bedrooms. First floor bdrm also has French door out to porch. Expansive quality cherry kitchen with large island. Formal dining room with panoramic lake views. 4 gas fireplaces. 4 bdrms, 5 full baths. Spectacular master bedroom suite with step down sitting area. Master bath with jetted tub and fireplace. 2nd floor laundry. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Keuka Lake – You say that a level setting is required, and that you need some lawn for children to play on ... it’s all here plus a 1992 contemporary with lots of room to play catch/ horseshoes/run/or whatever lawn means to you, and a full, finished attic with vaulted ceilings for you to grow into. And the beach is to die for ... Now priced at $829,000. Keuka Lake – Gorgeous contemporary, which has been totally transformed. 147’ of lake frontage, and all improvements are right-on the-water. 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, municipal utilities, permanent dock, 3 car garage, decks, fireplace, central air, open and enclosed porches. This will AMAZE you! Now priced at $769,000.

Lisa Chantra

Office: 585.389.4012 Cell: 585.233.1425

Real Estate

DON’T BUY A WATERFRONT PROPERTY WITHOUT TALKING TO

marketplace

5305 E LAKE RD, CONESUS, NY

Keuka Lake – 3 bedroom, 2 bath, year-round home, right on the water! Totally updated/renovated ... gas fireplace, 2 car garage, municipal water & sewer, vaulted ceilings, wrap-a-round deck, 1-acre, and 94’ of lake frontage. Almost forgot ... it’s completely furnished! Now priced at $619,000.

Mark Malcolm II “Keuka Lake’s Top Agent” 315-536-6163 Direct

email: mmalcolmii@aol.com

Website: MARKMALCOLM.COM (w/mobile app)

H oo ll ii dd aayy//W Wi inntteerr 22001144 ~~ 7755

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Real Estate

Book Look

marketplace

(Continued from page 73)

367 Waters Edge, Owasco This fabulous home features a livingroom, dining room and kitchen all overlooking a 3 tiered brick patio that leads to a stony beach and aluminum dock. Wet bar and fireplace in the livingroom. There is a bdrm and full bath on the main level w/ a private entrance. Upstairs you will find 2 back bedrooms w/ a Jack & Jill bathroom between them. The master bdrm goes all the way across the front of the house. Featuring a gas fireplace, walk in closet, jacuzzi tub, shower and sliding doors lead to a private balcony overlooking the lake! This is must see for someone looking for an upscale lake home. $649,900

Jeffery “Jeff” Trescot, Broker Cell 315-730-1446

96 S Main St 113 Cayuga St Moravia, NY Union Springs NY 315-497-3700 315-889-2000

www.jefftrescot.com • jefflcre@aol.com

KEUKA LAKE $629,000 MLS# R258338 A beautiful contemporary home on the water with 117 feet of lake frontage. Open floor plan with 4 bedrooms and 3 full bathrooms. Two levels of expansive decks for entertaining or just sit and enjoy the lake views. There’s plenty of room for storage in the 2.5 to 3 car two-story garage with a workshop and potential studio. Private and peaceful setting with all public utilities! This year-round home features cathedral ceilings, air conditioning, blacktop driveway, dock, and more! Contact: Dick Murphy, Lic. R E Broker (315) 270-2002

YOUR LAKE & COUNTRY SPECIALISTS on and around Seneca & Cayuga Lakes

Search the Finger Lakes from our website

www.senecayuga.com

Call or Buy or Sell with us! 315-568-9404 Carmelo “Mel” Russo Licensed Real Estate Broker/Owner 315-246-3997 • 97 Fall St., PO Box 386, Seneca Falls, NY 13148

The books highlight the changes in the natural world. Dawn the Deer is surrounded by different colors, creatures, sights, sounds and smells. The deer sees a rainbow form, sniffs a daffodil, walks by a lake, and licks an icicle. The author puts to rhyme Dawn’s seasonal surroundings: “Flocks of geese begin to sprawl. Dawn the deer enjoys the fall.” The simple message for children is to do as Dawn does: stop and enjoy your day. Each book is divided between pages of bright watercolor illustrations by Crystal Cochell and identical pages illustrated only in black and white. Children are invited to color them. “Your colors. Your story. Your ideas. Your creativity,” writes Cusson. The series of sturdy paperback books is also available in Spanish, Vietnamese, Indonesian and Chinese, making it potentially useful in literacy programs or instruction geared to English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). Publisher: A Winterlover Production Website: lulu.com Edition(s): soft cover (Continued on page 79)

~ LifeintheFingerLakes.com

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marketplace

Accommodations

Showcases over 50 B & B’s, each dedicated to exceeding expectations of the discriminating traveler.

Accommodations • Graduations • Weddings & Banquets • Memorable Dining

GIFT CERTIFICATES are available on our website for use at participating Member Inns.

Rt. 89, Taughannock Falls State Park, Trumansburg

(607) 387-7711 • www.t-farms.com

Please visit www.flbba.com Bristol Views Bed & Breakfast 6

6932 County Rd. 12 Naples, NY 14512

585-374-8875

www.bristolviews.com Henry and Barb Owens

Your home away from home, located high above Canandaigua Lake with awesome views. Hiking, biking, wineries & more await you. We also offer a beautiful wedding site that will fulfill your dreams. Let us help you discover the Finger Lakes!

Finger Lakes Mill Creek Cabins 2382 Parmenter Road Lodi, NY 14860

Bed • Breakfast • Events Apple Country Retreat

2215 Lord’s Hill Rd • Tully, NY 13159 315-748-3977 • www.applecountryretreat.com

607-582-7673 Two, fully furnished, pet friendly cabins nestled on 42 secluded acres near the national forest and wine trails. Available year round.

www.fingerlakescabins.com

Enjoy life. Subscribe to your favorite magazine.

It’s Easy to Subscribe LifeintheFingerLakes.com

800-344-0559 1 Year, 6 Issues – $16 (Save 30% off newsstand) H o l i day/ Wi n t e r 2 014 ~

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Wine, Spirits & Brews

Join us for a tasting of our premium wines and enjoy lunch at our deli, Amelia’s.

Winter Business Hours: Winery Dec. and Feb.-March: Mon-Thurs: Noon-5 p.m, Fri, Sat and Sun: 10 am- 5 pm Jan: Sat and Sun: Noon-5 pm Deli Fri, Sat and Sun: 11 am- 4 pm Order Online: www.longpointwinery.com 1485 Lake Road • Aurora, NY 13026 (315) 364-6990 • mail@longpointwinery.com

Need an idea for a great Christmas gift? Why not share the beauty of the region with a gift subscription to Life in the Finger Lakes?

Vineyard View Winery A gift that keeps giving all year long!

1st Gift .................................. $16 2nd Gift................................. $14 3rd Gift ................................. $12

2971 Williams Hill Rd • Keuka Park, NY 14478 • 315-694-7262 • www.vineyardviewwinery.com

~ LifeintheFingerL akes.com

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LifeintheFingerLakes.com • 800-344-0559 Call by Dec. 12 to guarantee notification by Christmas

Now

SIX issues 10/22/14 12:35 PM

Book Look (Continued from page 76)

Give the gift of Finger Lakes wine this holiday season! The Finger Lakes Most Recommended Wine & Brew Tour Service

Let us take you to the best wineries and breweries in the Finger Lakes Wine Country

The Farmington Railroad Tragedy of 1900 Reginald W. Neale and John M. Robrtella; George M. Tomczyk, editor (2014) A train crash more than 100 years ago in Farmington is chronicled in this new title. Personal interviews, newspaper coverage and archival material form the basis of this account. Late on a snowy night in February 1900, Porter Smith, his wife Amy Mason Smith, and five of their six children were riding home in a horse-drawn carriage from a friend’s house. They stopped at a railroad crossing and proceeded onto the track without hearing a train approaching at a high speed. Only two family members survived the impact. The Smith and Mason families were two of the founding families of Farmington. At issue was whether the driver of the vehicle, the Smiths’ 21-year-old son Gardner, caused the accident. Or was it the negligence of the railroad and the train’s engineer for not sounding the whistle and ringing the bell? Six trials in two county courts plus subsequent appeals lasted seven years. An introduction is written by Ontario County Historian Preston E. Pierce, a Smith family descendant. The book’s attractive layout is enhanced by numerous color and black-and-white illustrations, including a diagram of the accident scene. Two appendices offer biographical sketches of lawyers and justices involved with litigation and the trials, plus documents and transcripts related to the proceedings.

Luxury Sedan for two SUV for 4-6 passengers Luxury Van up to 8 passengers

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KeukaSpringWinery.com (315) 536-3147 243 State Route 54, East Lake Rd | Penn Yan, NY 14527

Publisher: Finger Lakes Historical press E-mail: fingerlakeshitoricalpress@ rochester.rr.com Edition(s): soft cover H o l i day/ Wi n t e r 2 014 ~

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Culture & Attractions Patterson Inn Museum 59 W. Pulteney St., Corning, NY 607-937-5281 Open Mon-Fri 10am-4pm Museum complex features a tavern c1796, log house c1850, school house c1878, agricultural barn and 1870s blacksmith shop.

www.PattersonInnMuseum.org

Three museums

Education Family Research Exhibits 107 Chapel St, Penn Yan Open Tues-Fri. 9-4 www.yatespast.org (315)536-7318

Auburn, New York

Candlelight Tours

Dec. 5-6, 11-13, 18-20 at 6pm & 7pm For more info on tours and events: (315)252-1283 sewardhouse.org

Clute Memorial Park & Campground • Full Hook Ups Including Cable & Wi/Fi

• Across From Beautiful Seneca Lake

• Walking Distance to Downtown

• Community Center & Pavilion Rentals

• Boat Launch

155 S. Clute Park Drive (Boat Launch Road) Watkins Glen, NY 14891 607-535-4438 www.watkinsglen.us

Discover...

Distinctive Gifts Normal Business Hours Mon-Sat Open Sundays in December 2 West Main Street, Clifton Springs 315-548-4438

~ LifeintheFingerL akes.com

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Index of Advertisers

Holiday/Winter 2014

COMPANY....................... PAGE.... PHONE..............WEBSITE / E-MAIL Adirondack Firestone Company...................................... 49.... 315-295-1068.....adkfirestone.com

COMPANY.......................... PAGE.... PHONE..............WEBSITE / E-MAIL Hilton Garden Inn Ithaca................. 4.... 877-STAY-HGI......ithaca.hgi.com Hotel Ithaca.................................. 11.... 607-272-1000.....thehotelithaca.com

AmeriCU Capital Management LLC......................... 19.... 800-352-9699.....americu.org Antique Revival............................ 20.... 800-780-7330.....antiquerevival.com Belhurst ....................................... 15.... 315-781-0201.....belhurst.com Birkett Landing............................. 51.... 315-514-0130.....birkettlanding.com Brawdy Marine Construction........ 31.... 716-741-8714.....brawdyconstruction.com Bristol Harbour............................. 20.... 800-288-8248.....bristolharbour.com Cayuga Lake Wine Trail................ 18.... 800-684-5217.....cayugawinetrail.com Chemung Canal Trust................... 16.... 800-836-3711.....chemungcanal.com

Humane Society of Schuyler County........................... 22.... 607-210-4263.....schuylerhumane.org Hunt Hollow Ski Club.................... 61.... 585-374-5428.....hunthollow.com I Know New York.......................... 53.... 518-213-606.......iknownewyork.com I-Wood-Care................................. 72.... 800-721-7715.....iwoodc.com The Inn on the Lake........................ 7.... 800-228-2801.....theinnonthelake.com Ithaca Farmers Market................. 24.... 607-273-7109.....ithacamarket.com The Jewelbox............................... 69.... 800-711-7279.....ithacajewelbox.com Kendal at Ithaca........................... 33.... 877-915-7633.....kai.kendal.org/FL

Clifton Springs Chamber of Commerce............................... 10.... 315-462-8200.....cliftonspringschamber.com

Kitchen Theatre Company............ 71.... 607-272-0570.....kitchentheatre.org

CNY Arts...................................... 63.... 315-435-2155.....cnyarts.org

Larry’s Latrines............................. 11.... 607-324-5015.....larryslatrines.com

Cobtree Vacation Rentals............. 70.... 315-789-1144.....cobtree.com

Naples Valley Visitors Assn.......... 24................................naplesvalleyny.com

Coltivare Center........................... 21.... 607-844-8222.....coltivareithaca.com

New Energy Works......................C4.... 585-924-3860.....newenergyworks.com

Cottone Auctions......................... 69.... 585-243-1000.....cottoneauctions.com

Santelli Lumber Co Inc.................. 61.... 315-597-4884.....santellilumber.com

Cricket on the Hearth................... 26.... 585-385-2420.....cricketonthehearth.com

Seneca County Chamber.............. 66.... 800-732-1848.....fingerlakescentral.com

Downtown Ithaca Alliance........... 63.... 607-277-8679.....downtownithaca.com

SignLanguage Inc......................... 69.... 585-237-2620.....signlanguageinc.com

Eastview Mall............................... 17.... 585-223-4420.....eastviewmall.com

Six Mile Creek Vineyard................ 22.... 607-272-9463.....sixmilecreek.com

Ferris Hills..................................... 23.... 585-393-0410.....ferrishills.com

Spa Apartments........................... 70.... 315-462-3080.....spaapartments.com

FiberArts in the Glen..................... 70.... 607-535-9710.....fiberartsintheglen.com

Starkey’s Lookout......................... 62.... 607-678-4043.....starkeyslookout.com

Finger Lakes Community College..... 69.... 585-394-3522.....flcc.edu

Timber Frames............................. 71.... 585-374-6405.....timberframesinc.com

Finger Lakes Dental Care..............C3.... 585-394-1930.....fingerlakesdental.com

Waterloo Premium Outlets...........C2.... 315-539-1100.....premiumoutlets.com

Finger Lakes from Space Poster................................ 25.... 800-331-7323.....atwatervineyards.com

Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel........... 13.... 607-535-6116.....watkinsglenharborhotel.com

Finger Lakes Museum.................. 27.... 315-595-2200.....fingerlakesmuseum.org Finger Lakes Tram......................... 51.... 315-986-8090.....fingerlakestram.com

Watson Homestead..................... 18.... 607-962-0541.....watsonhomestead.org Wild Birds Unlimited..................... 49.... 877-266-4928.....sapsuckerwoods.com

Genesee Valley Timber & Stone.... 67.... 585-889-7950.....geneseevalleytimberandstone.com German Brothers Marina Inc.......... 8.... 585-394-4000.....germanbrothers.com

MARKETPLACE ADVERTISING

Real Estate for Sale............ Pgs. 74-76

Granger Homestead..................... 72.... 585-394-1472.....grangerhomestead.org

Accommodations...................... Pg. 77

Seneca Lake Wine Trail........Pgs. 82-83

Greater Rochester International Airport....................... 5.... 585-753-7020.....monroecounty.gov

Canandaigua............................. Pg. 86

Shopping & Services........... Pgs. 84-85

Culture & Attractions....................Pg. 80

Wine, Spirits & Brews........ Pgs. 78-79

Halco............................................ 43.... 315-946-6200.....halcoheating.com

Naples....................................... Pg. 83

Halsey’s Restaurant..................... 25.... 315-789-4070.....halseysgeneva.com Handwork....................................... 2.... 607-273-9400.....handwork.coop Hangar Theatre............................ 62.... 607-273-8588.....hangartheatre.org Hearth and Stone......................... 53.... 315-531-9511.....hearthandstone.net The Highlands at Pittsford.............. 3.... 585-586-7600.....highlandsatpittsford.org

SUPPORT THESE BUSINESSES! Let them know you saw their advertisement in Life in the Finger Lakes magazine.

H o l i day/ Wi n t e r 2 014 ~

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Seneca Lake Wine Trail

A Taste of Tuscany in the Finger Lakes! A Wine for Every Taste! • Sip Premium Award-Winning Wine • Enjoy lunch from our Café Toscana daily • Take in the magnificent view of our vineyards overlooking Seneca Lake from our breath-taking terrace • Create memories for your wedding reception, or private event in our La Vista é Bella ballroom

NOW OPEN AT WSW! Locally crafted beer & root beer

Present this ad in our tasting room for a complimentary wine tasting

Two complimentary beer or wine tastings with this ad.

Please check our website for upcoming events.

3440 Rt. 96A, Geneva, NY 14456 315-719-0000

www.ventosavineyards.com

Best in Class – Cabernets

LFL

Open daily, year ‘round Located on the northwest end of Seneca Lake, just south of Geneva 4200 Route 14, Geneva NY 315-781-9463 www.whitespringswinery.com

Founded & owned by Carl Fribolin

Anthony Road Wine Company

Tastings, Tours & Gardens

Mon-Sat 10 to 5pm* & Sun 12 to 5 pm *Open until 6pm, Th-Sat, June thru August

www.anthonyroadwine.com 800-559-2182

~ LifeintheFingerL akes.com

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marketplace est. 19 8 6

Naples – Wineries, Artists and more

MONICA’S PIES Famous for our Grape Pies Available Year Round

Local fruits to luscious creams we have your favorite! Call to order yours! A variety of pies available daily also chicken pot pies, quiche, jams, jellies & gifts.

Experience the history,

Explore

Open 7 days a week, 9AM-5PM 7599 Rte, 21, Naples

585-374-2139

www.monicaspies.com

the vast beauty, and

Discover the

world-class wines of the Finger Lakes Region on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail. Our 34 wineries, situated around Seneca Lake’s deep waters, reside in an excellent cool-climate growing region allowing for growth of delicate vinifera grapes like Riesling, as well as red varieties such as Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir.

BREW & BRATS Features Locally Made

November 21-23, 2014:

november deck the halls weekend December 5-7, 2014:

december deck the halls weekend

BREW - Crafted Beers, Wine and Root Beer BRATS- Specialty Sausages Fri., Sat., & Sun. Noon-9 May- October May Free Live Music on Friday & Saturday 6-9

Wine, Cheese & Gourmet Food Tastings Daily

Winter Hours: Sat. 12-9 & Sun. 12-7

Open Mon. - Sat. 10-5, Sun. 11-5

Go online for a liﬆ of local musicians playing

www.BREWAndBRATS.com

Digimag Get FREE online access to the latest digital issue with a paid subscription! A Tasteful Experience!

877-536-2717

senecalakewine.com

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Password is located next to barcode on the front cover

It’s interactive! LifeintheFingerLakes.com

H o l i day/ Wi n t e r 2 014 ~

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Shopping & Services Buying Coins Old Time Collections & Estates Safe Deposit Box Visits Made References at: www.coinsbought.com E-mail at: gene@coinsbought.com

Gene Lane PO Box 221 Burdett, NY 14818 607-342-3606 I have collected coins for 57 years.

MAKE YOUR OWN WINE www.101winemaking.com

www.fallbright.com

Over 700 REAL LOG HOMES Built in the Finger Lakes Area Since 1971.

Call for Monthly OPEN HOUSES www.loghomeguy.com www.realloghomes.com

Call Ed Schoen • 315-946-4360

Secure online shopping Winemaking Information Fall Bright, The Winemakers Shoppe Keuka Lake 10110 Hyatt Hill, Dundee, NY 607-292-3995

www.fingerlakescoffee.com 800-420-6154

Visit our locations. Farmington Corner of Routes 96 & 332 (CVS Plaza) 585-742-6218

Pittsford Plaza Monroe Ave. (Next to Shear Ego) 585-385-0750

Strong Memorial Hospital Thompson Hospital

~ LifeintheFingerL akes.com

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LW EMPORIUM CO-OP

Gifts, Antiques & Home Décor and WHISTLE STOP ANTIQUE CENTER 10am-5pm Tues thru Sun • Closed Mon 6355 Knickerbocker Road • off 104 in Ontario

315-524-8841 • www.lwemporium.com

Great Holiday Gift Yates County Afghan - $49.95 Available only at Yates County History Center Phone Orders (315)536-7318 107 Chapel St. PennYan

Need an idea for a great Christmas gift? Why not share the beauty of the region with a gift subscription to Life in the Finger Lakes? A gift that keeps giving all year long! 1st Gift ................................................ $16 2nd Gift............................................... $14 3rd Gift ............................................... $12

*Visa & MC accepted *We Ship

Need more than 3 gifts? Visit LifeintheFingerLakes.com Or Call 800-344-0559 Call by December 12 to guarantee notification by Christmas

Now

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Canandaigua – The Chosen Spot

Holidays at the Gallery Original artwork from over 40 established & aspiring artists

726 South Main Street Canandaigua

585 . 905 . 0201 www.nolansonthelake.com

Paintings, mixed media, drawings, glass, hand crafted jewelry, sculptures, ceramics, pastel

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For more tips,

BE A BETTER PHOTOGRAPHER

like finding natural details unique to winter, or how to prep yourself and your camera for cold-weather photography, go to lifeinthefingerlakes.com and click on

winterphototips

(Continued from page 88)

into short streaks. Faster speeds – like 1/250 to 1/500-second – may freeze the falling snow to create a mass of sharply revealed flakes. For best results, find a dark background (such as a line of trees or a barn) that shows off the white flakes. Increase exposure Is snow goopy gray or sparkling white? You and I know the answer, but somebody we hold near to us doesn’t: your camera. Cameras strive to be average – at least when trying to replicate the brightness of a scene. They see brilliant white snow more like a summer golf course or a treecovered hill. Why? Because most scenes are filled with a mix of browns, grays, greens and blues (sky), and none of those are as dazzling as snow. In trying to reproduce most scenes accurately, the camera needs help with scenes much brighter or darker than the “average” scene. So, unless you tell it what to do, it makes snow gray, along with white barns and puffy clouds that fill the viewing area. Similarly, your camera would make a newly paved asphalt road or a black cat lighter because it likes things to be of average brightness, like a medium gray. Fortunately, there’s a simple adjustment you can make so snow appears sparkling white. Nearly all snapshot and advanced cameras have an exposure compensation dial or menu setting. When you photograph a scene filled with snow, set the exposure compensation dial or menu setting to +1/2 or even +1 stop to restore the glory to your snow pictures (and to -1/2 stop when you photograph a black cat or other very dark scene). When you’re done photographing snow, return the exposure compensation setting to normal (0).

A swan on snow makes a nice study in white. In the top photo, the swan is too dark because the camera, left to its own designs, exposed the snow as if it were an everyday scene. For the next photo, I increased exposure by 1 stop. That lets in more light to brighten the snow and swan. H o l i day/ Wi n t e r 2 014 ~

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How-to

BE A BETTER PHOTOGRAPHER

Tips for

Fabulous

Winter Photos story and photos by Derek Doeffinger

A 1/60-second shutter speed nicely blurs the snow around the skeletal head of this sunflower.

hen you tell out-of-state people about the beauty of the Finger Lakes, do they give you that “Yeah, right,” look? Me, too. But then I take out the pictures I brought to back up my descriptions. Each time you head down Rt. 89 along Cayuga Lake, or take Marrowback Road up the west side of Hemlock Lake, or thread your way between Keuka and Seneca Lakes on 14A, or explore the country-road grid between Cayuga and Skaneateles Lakes, you’ll spot many stunning scenes that make good pictures. Life in the Finger Lakes wants to help you get those pictures, so it is providing tips in a regular photography column in each issue. This is the first one. You’ll find good advice backed up by good photography. Our suggestions will be customized to the subjects and conditions you find in the Finger Lakes, like how to capture the thready wisps of milkweed seeds erupting from their pods, storm-swollen waterfalls leaping over cliffs, and breathtaking panoramas. Our tips will work for most cameras: smart phone cameras, tablet cameras and advanced digital cameras. Users of adjustable digital cameras (from snapshot to advanced

models) can truly up their photo game. When you get a good photo, don’t forget to enter it in our photo contest (see this year’s winners on page 31). And for those who want even more photo tips, just sign up for the Life in the Finger Lakes’ e-newsletter at lifeinthefingerlakes.com. Each monthly issue will include another tip or two. Let’s get started with some ideas on taking better pictures in the winter – a photography season that seems to end after the holidays, when many of us put our cameras away until spring. Catch a falling flake Big fluffy flakes sashaying to earth fill me with joy. They can also instill a compelling new element to your photos, but how do you capture them? You can show falling snow as streaks or a blizzard of snow-globe confetti by adjusting your camera’s shutter speed. Play around with it, because actual results vary based on the speed of the falling flakes. Generally, slower shutter speeds – like 1/15- and 1/30-second – turn falling flakes (Continued on page 87)

~ LifeintheFingerL akes.com

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organizations. Collaborating with talented people enabled us to construct a quality home that has truly exceeded our expectations.

”

–Ross & Anna Marie

LIFE IN THE FINGER LAKES

with the staff of New Energy Works and their sister company NEWwoodworks has “ Working been delightful. It amazes me that there are so many competent people at every level of these

13TH ANNUAL PHOTO CONTEST • TIPS FOR WINTER PHOTOS • SNOWY OWLS • DICKENS CHRISTMAS

Family Home, Keuka Lake

Serving great clients in the Finger Lakes | newenergyworks.com | 585.924.3860 25 Years Of Environmentally Sensitive And Highly Crafted Homes.

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HOLIDAY/WINTER 2014 • VOL. 14, NO. 5

Photo: Rob Stanton