Life in the Finger Lakes Spring 2014 by Fahy-Williams Publishing

SINCE 2001

Volume 14, Number 1 â&#x20AC;˘ Spring 2014

An old marketing photo shows a young couple with their dog in a 13-foot Grumman canoe, paddling on Cayuga Lake. To read more about the innovative company that produces these boats, turn to page 48. Photo courtesy Marathon Boat Group

F E A T U R E S A Blooming Bonanza Greenhouse and garden center Dickman Farms continues to innovate and succeed within the garden industry by Rich Finzer

A Fish Tale from the Wilderness Next-Door

32 42

Wildlife abounds at the Conesus Lake Inlet by Helen Isolde Thomas

Boats, Banjos and Bachelor Parties The aluminum and PVC-sided boats produced by 70-year-old Grumman, now Marathon Boat Group, are built to last by Olivia M. Hall

Strike While the Bronze is Hot The science and madness behind crafting bronze sculptures by Craig Hohm

48 54

Cover: Spectacular gardens bloom in early spring at MacKenzie-Childs in Aurora. Photo by Kristian S. Reynolds

SPRING 2014 ~

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MY OWN WORDS thoughts from the editor

LETTERS

reader feedback

FINGER LAKES MAP areas of interest in this issue

HAPPENINGS news and events

24 CULTURED

the better things in life The mural movement

30 FINGER LAKES FUNNY stories that make you laugh Adventures in winemaking

40 NATURAL HISTORY ALMANAC outdoor observations The notes of spring

60 HUMAN INTEREST stories about real people Still waiting

12 HOME SHOWCASE living the dream Beautiful timber frame homes

18 SPORTS

fun & games College athletics

20 FRUIT OF THE VINE wine, spirits and brews hammering out a vision

62 A PROUD COMMUNITY cities & villages Nunda

73 INDEX OF ADVERTISERS 80 OFF THE EASEL creating art Saving the world, one pysanky egg at a time

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

I Thoroughly Enjoy The U of R Courses

Brushes the cobwebs out of my brain! ~ Joan, Cobweb-free since 2010

Highlands residents can’t say enough about the year-round “U R Always Learning” lecture series. Music, literature, history, and art courses are taught by our brilliant colleagues at the U of R in the new auditorium right here on The Highlands campus. Seven Dimensions. One Goal.

Go to “LEARN” in ourVideo Café at www.highlandsatpittsford.org

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

Seven Dimensions of Wellness

My Own Words

thoughts from the editor

SO Ready For Spring

O 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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ne of the strange aspects of publishing a seasonal magazine is the fact that the weather during the production of the issue doesn’t necessarily reﬂect the season that the issue represents. For example, as I write this editorial for the Spring Issue, the morning temperature is 13 degrees Fahrenheit, with a wind chill of 0 degrees. I’m trying to imagine what warmer outside temperatures feel like right now, and believe me, I have to use my imagination. The winter of 2013-2014 has got to be one of the coldest winters in recent memory. The snow cover has been consistent over a long period of time. Usually we experience thawing periods, but this year they are short-lived and far apart. Don’t get me wrong, I actually do like winter and all the outdoor activities that go along with it. Downhill skiing is probably my favorite winter sport at the moment, and I love a day where the snow is fresh and clinging to tree branches. But now, even I am ready for spring. Bring on the warmer temperatures and the bright colors of green grass, vibrant ﬂowers and bursting tree buds. Let me hear the cheerful birdsong of early morning. Those of us who are water enthusiasts can’t wait for the ice to clear off the lakes, rivers and ponds. There was a lot of ice this year, even covering much of the surface area of many of the Finger Lakes. Now, all I want to do is get a canoe or kayak out into the warmer waters and explore the shoreline and see the wildlife. In this issue, you can read about the Conesus Lake Inlet, at the southern end of the lake (see page 42). This area is a good example of a pocket of wild country in the midst of developed land that contains a diverse and healthy population of plants and wildlife. Once you arrive at your favorite

paddling location, you can slip into your choice of flat water boat to quietly view the wildlife. The region is lucky to have the Marathon Boat Group in Cortland County (see page 48). They make Grumman boats and have been around for 70 years, and they continue to produce quality boats. When my wife and I first moved to this area, we explored the waterways in an 18-foot aluminum Grumman canoe. That boat is well-made and will survive just about anything. I think it’s at least 30 years old, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it lasted 100 more years. Many of us associate spring with flowers. I think the front cover of this issue reflects our desire to see beautiful, bright flowering plants. To feel the warmth of a greenhouse and the sweet fragrance from various blooms can put anyone in a good mood. Dickman Farms in Auburn is an example of a greenhouse and garden center that celebrates spring with a wellattended garden show (see page 32). Visiting a local garden show or greenhouse is a fun way to shake off the winter blues and purchase plants for your garden and flowerbeds. It seems that more people are planting gardens these days – it’s a great way to offset the cost of groceries a bit, and more importantly, it gets us outside and moving around. There’s nothing as therapeutic as digging into warm soil and tending to your plants. Like all the magazine issues we publish, we hope to expose you to different and eclectic aspects of the Finger Lakes Region. Trying new things is good for you. I hope one of the articles will inspire you to take advantage of warmer temperatures to do just that.

mark@lifeintheﬁngerlakes.com

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reader feedback

I spotted this snowy owl and crow on a barn roof in Romulus. This is the second time we’ve seen a snowy owl this winter. I’ve never seen one with a crow before. Mary Grasek Thank you so much for including my photo among your contest winners. I appreciate the encouragement and the work you do to promote amateur photography and our beautiful region of New York State. Its always a pleasure for me to travel to new places here in the Finger Lakes. I’ve spent many contented days with camera in hand observing, explor-

Choose

ing and hiking in all kinds of weather and seasons. Your magazine, and particularly the photo contests with its local subjects, have been an integral part of my growing healthy obsession with nature and photography. I’ve started to pass this on to my 4-year-old son Tristan, whom I sometimes bring along with me. I’m looking forward to seeing the photos and reading stories in your upcoming editions. I hope to submit more photos and support and contribute in the future. Keep up the good work! Sincerely, Alain L. Van Rhyn

We love hearing from our readers. Please send correspondence to mark@lifeintheﬁngerlakes.com.

Letters

Hello Laurel and Mark, Laurel, I wanted to thank you for the wonderful review you gave my book, Heroes in the Attic, in the Winter 2013 edition of Life in the Finger Lakes. It was concise, and it highlighted what I was trying to accomplish – an acknowledgment of the contribution of two young men who sacriﬁced much to preserve the Union. I can attribute four or ﬁve book sales to your review. Mark, what a lovely magazine! I am so impressed with the beauty and quality of your publication – I am now an avid fan! Thanks, and best wishes for continued success. Dennis P. Bielewicz

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SPR ING 2014 ~

Finger Lakes Regional Map Auburn (32) Canandaigua (60) Conesus (42)

4 5 6

Elmira (18) Geneva (30) Hector (20)

7 8 9

Ithaca (24) Keuka Lake (40, 54) Lyons (26)

10 Marathon (48) 11 Nunda (62) 12 Rochester (25) 104 04A 4A

260 60

1 19

Lake Ontario

259 5

Chimney Bluffs State Park

Hilton Sodus Point 255 250

188

386 8

Spencerport 36

286

Fairport 38 386

252

155

383 833

Macedon 311

Palmyra Newark

390

s ne Ge

Lima

Honeoye Lake

Conesus Lake

245

256 25 256

Keuka Ou

tl et

Lodi Point State Park

436

34B

5 54

ka L ake

Keu

5 54

Watkins Glen State Park

41 S C H U Y L E R 414

144

Marathon

366

1 13

221 22

41 266

221

From Binghamton

Buttermilk Falls State Park

96B 6B

TOMPKINS

38 38

eC Catharin

224 24 34 9966

133

144

Pinnacle State Park

2233 22

Elmira Heights 352

CHEMUNG

427 42 27 15

Van Etten

3 34

Elmira 4

Candor nk Cr.

225 22 25

Horseheads

River

3344

o tat Ca

Chemung

Addison

Spencer

Mark Twain State Park

k Cayuta Cree

4177

Robert H. Treman State Park

414

Painted Post

Corning

Ithaca

Cayuta Lake

Montour 228 Falls Odessa

1 86 4415

366

Rexville

Dryden

22 224

2488

215 15

. Cr

Riv

248 24 48

STEUBEN

Watkins Glen

226

n cto

Canisteo Rive

3666 366

Cayuga Heights

Burdett

Bath

Canisteo

Lansing

Allen H. Treman State Park

14A 4A A

l Fal

Coho

From Jamestown

Taughannock Falls State Park

222288

227

4 414

Lamoka Lake

Hornell

41 41

McGraw

22 227

230

Waneta Lake

Avoca

4 415

CORTLAND

Cortland

Groton

Trumansburg

Hammondsport

86 17

r ive aR

Homer

iog

41 90

Cohocton

133

41A 41 41A A

Interlaken

Dundee

390

211

Filmore Glen State Park

222 Keuka Lake State Park

133

Moravia

wa s

14A 4A

53 37 371 Stony Brook State Park

96A

54A A

Long Point State Park

g Tiou

Wayland 211

et Inl

Dansville

4 436

41 41A

388

414 1

Branchport

38A 8

Aurora

Ovid 96

144

YATES

Naples 15

Nunda

The Finger Lakes Region of New York State

Penn Yan

3366

9 90 Deans Cove Boat Launch

911

390

258

408 088

9 96

Sampson State Park

CAYUGA

3664 364

st We

34 34B

144

14A 4

9666A A

11A A

an ea t

411

89 2 7 247

Union Springs

SENECA

Letchworth State Park

63 63

41A 1A

Harriet Hollister Spencer State Recreation Area

344

36 364

644

326 26

Cayuga Lake State Park

9 91

ONONDAGA

o isc Ot

Honeoye Lake Boat Launch State Park

1 15A

4 41

17 173

Manlius

La es el

15 15

Honeoye

Geneva

Cayuga 414 14

Auburn

481

Clark Reservation State Park

17774

e ak o L

408 08

LIVINGSTON

20A

36 364

a and nec

Cayuga

e Lak Cayuga

ake Seneca L

e ock Lak Heml

2566

Canadice Lake

Conesus Lake State Marine Park

Waterloo Seneca Lake State Park

Canandaigua

Canandaigua Lake State Marine Park

Hemlock

488

41 414

sc Owa

20A

Mt. Morris

. Cr

Livonia

Fayetteville

173 173

175

Marcellus

Skaneateles 175

Seneca Falls

318

Phelps

ONTARIO

Bloomfield

Honeoye

39 63

Geneseo

Clifton Springs

Green Lakes State Park

Syracuse 321

332 Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Site

Avon

366

96 96

Ganondagan State Historic Site

Can an da igua L a ke

5 366

Victor

3188

344

From Utica

290 90

State Park at the Fair

Weedsport 38 38

ndaigua Outlet Cana

Honeoye Falls

Solvay

3 31

Caledonia

298

481

690

Jordan

655 251

North Syracuse

4488

Clyde

90 383 8

690 900

Lyons

3 36

4811 37 370

4114

WAYNE

350 550

31F 31F

490

6 64

Baldwinsville 38

E. Rochester

33 490 33A 3

337700

4441 41

Oneida Lake

144

Rochester 12

490

259 5

370 70

104

35 350

104

57 57

From Watertown 176 7

Wolcott

Seneca R.

Irondequoit Bay State Marine Park

Brockport

Sodus

104

Webster

26 260

From Buffalo

100044

TIOGA

ego C r.

MONROE

10044A A

Sodus Bay

Barg

104

261 6

Can

360

From Oswego

Fair Haven Beach State Park

Hamlin Beach State Park

272 27

Newark Valley

1 2 3

areas of interest in this issue

388 88 9966

Owego

17C 7C

Newtown Battlefield State Park Two Rivers State Recreation Area

Waverly

14 14

177CC

86 17

From Binghamton

427 277

Editorial & Production Editor .............................................................................. Mark Stash ................................................ mark@lifeintheﬁngerlakes.com

Contributors.................................................Bill Banaszewski .....................................................................................Jason Feulner ............................................................................................Rich Finzer ............................................................................................. Barb Frank

Senior Graphic Artist ..............................Jennifer Srmack

....................................................................................... Olivia M. Hall

Associate Editor...................................................Tina Manzer

......................................................................................... Craig Hohm

Assistant Editors ................................................ J. Kevin Fahy

Rhonda Trainor........rhonda@lifeintheﬁngerlakes.com

For Subscriptions

......................................................................... Nancy E. McCarthy

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

..................................................................................... Kyle Reynolds

...................................................................................... Carol C. Stash

.......................................................................................Mike Rusinko .................................................................... Helen Isolde Thomas ..............................................................................Timothy Youngs

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.

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Serving the 14 counties of the Finger Lakes Region Printed by Vanguard Printing LLC, Ithaca, New York

Happenings

news and events

MARCH 15…The Pat Rini Rohrer Gallery Proudly Presents “The 9th Annual Studio II Exhibit” The exhibit features work done by students who took art classes during 2013. It will also feature work done by the artists and instructors who teach at Studio II. The exhibit will open with a reception at the gallery on Saturday, March 15, from 6 to 8 p.m. Refreshments will be served during the opening night reception. The exhibit runs from March 15 through April 25. The Pat Rini Rohrer Art Gallery is located at 71 South Main Street, Canandaigua, NY 14424. 585-394-0030 prrgallery.com 15…Patrick’s Irish Weekend at Varick Winery Enjoy ﬁne wines paired with complimentary Irish fare such as Irish stew and scones. 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. 5102 State Route 89, Romulus, NY 14541. 315-549-8797 varickwinery.com

15-16…Antiques on Campus – Nazareth College Featuring over 50 Quality Antique Dealers. This long standing show was organized and continues to be managed by members of the Genesee Country Antique Dealers Association. The dealers and members accumulate and collect antiques of interest to bring to this show and to offer them for sale. There is always something of special interest to be found at the antique show whether it be to add to a collection or to stimulate interest in starting a collection. The dealers are knowledgeable and are happy to discuss antiques with you. Saturday, March 15, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. antiquesrochesterny.com 16…Feast & Fest “A Tribute to Elton John” Glenora Wine Cellar’s Retail Team and the talented chefs at Veraison’s Restaurant once again present the very popular wine and food pairing series Feast and Fest. Held one Sunday a month from January until April, these events provide a fun afternoon of delicious food, award winning wines and great entertainment. Event times are from 1 to 4 p.m. at Veraison’s Restaurant. Reservations are required. 800-243-5513 glenora.com

Flower Power: Botanical Art to Brighten Your Home

nticipate the joy of spring with an exhibition of world class botanical paintings from artists Dennis Burns, Alice Chen, Pamela Glasscock, Alan Singer, and Carol Woodin. These ﬁve gifted visual artists are presented by Ock Hee’s Gallery and they will delight nature enthusiasts and avid gardeners who are passionate about their ﬂowering plants. “Flower Power” features more than 20 works of art to dazzle the eyes with forms and colors painted from life. The styles

range from Asian brush painting – which is applied more freely – to art with magnificent details and luscious color that have more of a scientiﬁc approach. There will be an opening reception to meet and greet the artists on Saturday, April 12, from noon to 5 p.m. Ock Hee’s Gallery is located at 2 Lehigh Street, Honeoye Falls, NY 14472. Gallery hours are Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call the gallery for directions and information at 585 624-4730.

18…Pizza! Pizza! Cooking Class Crust, sauce, and toppings, oh my! Learn the best way to toss a pizza crust, and which sauces and toppings pair best. Join our masterful culinary team for this hands-on cooking class. After you have prepared your pizzas, enjoy dinner in the company of your classmates and instructors in the cozy Aurora Inn Dining Room. Class begins at 6 p.m.; $75 per person. Located at the Aurora Inn Dining Room, Aurora. 315-364-8888 innsofaurora.com 21…Habitat For Humanity – He likes Wine, She likes Bourbon Bristol Harbour Resort is hosting its second annual Habitat for Humanity charity event, located at 5410 Seneca Point Road, Canandaigua, NY 14424. Visit the website for more details. bristolharbour.com 21…Barnstormer Winter Concert Series Live music featuring local artists, along with happy hour drink specials. No cover. Featuring The Notorious String Busters. Located at 4184 NY Route 14, Rock Stream, NY 14878. 607-243-4008 barnstormerwinery.com 22… Preferred Pairings – Seneca Lake Wine Trail Enjoy one or all of three intimate pairing events developed in conjunction with the Seneca Lake Wine Trail. The trail’s creameries partner with a select group of wineries to offer reserve wine and cheese pairings. The wineries will be bringing out their reserve wines to pair with new and reserved cheeses to create a great tasting experience. Tickets are $20 per person and are available through the Seneca Lake Wine Trail. Limited to 20 guests per winery per event. senecalakewine.com 22-23, 29-30...Maple Weekend Open House Celebration Pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Open house from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sweetest special for the day – maple cotton ﬂuff. Wohlschlegel’s Naples Maple Farm, 8064 Coates Rd., Naples, NY 14512. 585-775-7770 wohlschlegelsnaplesmaplefarm.com naplesvalleyny.com 28… HomeSpun featuring local bands “The Cabin Killers” and “Ghost Party” Event to be held at Finger Lakes Community College, 3325 Marvin Sands Drive, Canandaigua. The show starts at 8 p.m., Stage 14. $2 general entry, free with FLCC ID. facebook.com/honorshouse

Painting by Pamela Glasscock

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Author Julie Cummins’ book Flying Solo (featured in the Winter 2013 edition of Life in the Finger Lakes) has been chosen as one of the top 10 books on the Amelia Bloomer Project List. The annual booklist features the best feminist books for young readers, ages birth through 18. The group is part of the Feminist Task Force of the Social Responsibilities Round Table of the American Library Association. For more information visit ameliabloomer. wordpress.com.

28...Legends of Jazz Series: Cyrille Aimee Sextet Features Grammy award winning and nominated artists Dianne Reeves, Gregory Porter, Don Byron and Cyrilee Aimee. Hosted in Onondaga Community College’s Storer Auditorium. 7 p.m. 315-498-2772 gotocnyarts.org 29… Mural Mania, a Tour of Murals Gene Bavis will present the program on murals at 2 p.m. The program is free and open to the public. Located at 120 High Street, Newark, NY 14513. For more information about the series, contact Chris Davis at 315-331-6409 or arcadiahistory@ gmail.com. 315-573-2768 gbavis@rochester.rr.com

Need a porta-potty? Need septic cleaning? The best prices in the area Porta-potty rentals by weekend, week or month Septic systems cleaned and maintained.

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APRIL 3-May 11…Art Exhibit: Dirty Dozen – The Outlaw Printmakers The Outlaw Printmakers is a diverse group of accomplished working artists and artist/teachers. The artists’ styles differ, however all are dedicated to ﬁne printmaking using contemporary, social/ political, and sometimes edgy imagery. Located at Rochester Contemporary Art Center. 585-461-2222 rochestercontemporary.org SPR ING 2014 ~

Happenings 12…The Arc Grand Prix Run The Arc Grand Prix Run at Watkins Glen International is a 3.4-mile run on the internationally acclaimed motor racing track in Watkins Glen. The event includes a 1-mile walk for walkers. All proceeds beneﬁt The Arc of Schuyler, a not-forproﬁt organization providing support to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 607-535-6934 arcgrandprixrun.org 13…FunDay Sunday! Native American pottery is exquisite in design and functionality. Design your own pot with ancient symbols and geometric shapes. Families of all ages are welcome. 12 to 3 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. Located at the Rockwell Museum, 111 Cedar Street, Corning NY 14830. 607-974-4707 rockwellmuseum.org

24-27…Annual Student Art Show Discover the extraordinarily creative talents of more than 2,000 local students on display at this year’s Annual Student Art Show at The Corning Museum of Glass. The Student Art Show includes the works of students from elementary, middle and high schools in the Corning area. The artwork in the high school and middle school level is judged in 20 different media. No museum admission is required to see the show. 800-732-6845 info@cmog.org 25-27, May 2-4…22nd Annual Wine & Herb Festival Friday, 1 to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Receive a potted herb or veggie plant from each winery plus recipe cards as you savor herb or veggie prepared delicacies while sipping (Continued on page 71)

Natural Beauty Inspires Two Central New York Artists

rom March 8 through April 26, waMurray’s photographs provide a larger tercolor paintings by Christy Lemp picture of the world around us through his of Skaneateles and landscape photokeen eye and mastery of technical aspects. graphs by Chris Murray of Dewitt will be Chris Murray’s work has appeared in on display at the Art Gallery several magazines including at Baltimore Woods Nature Nature Photographer, ShutterCenter, 4007 Bishop Hill bug, Life in the Finger Lakes, Road, Marcellus. The exhibit and New York State Conservais open to the public with no tionist. You can ﬁnd him online admission or parking fees. All at chrismurray art work is for sale. photography.com. This exhibit is comprised Christy Lemp’s work can of work representing two be found at local art shows distinct yet compatible points and fairs. Occasional musings of view, in very different styles and artworks are posted on and media. Christy Lemp’s her blog, christyswater approach to nature in her color.blogspot.com and her Owlet, by Christy Lemp loose and lively watercolors Facebook page: Christy Lemp is often close up, while Chris Watercolor Designs. Letchworth, by Chris Murray

~ LIFEINTHEFINGERL AKES.COM

Home Showcase

living the dream

Timber! Woodhouse’s beautiful homes are a shock to the senses story by Timothy Youngs photos courtesy Roger Wade Studio photographer – Roger Wade stylist – Debra Grahl

raditional timber framing is a centuries-old method of construction. The structure of these buildings is made of heavy, squared-off and carefully ﬁtted timbers that are secured with mortise and tenon joinery. It is commonplace in wooden buildings from the 19th century and earlier. Woodhouse, The Timber Frame Company designs and manufactures timber frame homes that are then built across North America – and around the world. Headquartered an hour south of the Finger Lakes Region in Mansﬁeld, Pennsylvania, the company’s owner calls Trumansburg home. The company’s blend of tradition and technology is evident

~ LIFEINTHEFINGERLAKES.COM

in its homes, which are designed using state-of-the-art CAD technology. The timbers are cut on a CNC machine, which allows for sophisticated joinery, and the frame is enclosed with a shell made up of CNC-cut structural insulated panels (SIPs), creating arguably the most energy efficient building method available. Woodhouse’s ﬁrst home was constructed 35 years ago and, in 1983, it built its ﬁrst Finger Lakes home in Hammondsport. Over 800 timber frames later, Woodhouse is a leader in the modern timber framing industry and has multiple builds going on in the Finger Lakes Region at any given time.

Located next to Taughannock Falls in Trumansburg, this is the family home of Woodhouse owner Patrick Seaman. The exterior is multi-textured with stone, glass, lots of exterior timbers, cedar clapboard and cedar shake, and the interior features a large, arched cathedral space. This home, as well as many of the homes that Woodhouse has built in the Finger Lakes, is available for tours.

SPRING 2014 ~

Home Showcase

Designed and constructed in 2003, this little pine beach house has sheltered and warmed 10 years of lakeshore fun. The challenge was to transform a concrete block boat storage building into a warm, comfortable and artistic shelter for the ownerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s family to use year-round. This room and meditation loft is the result, ďŹ lled with light and the sculpture of local artist James Seaman.

~ LIFEINTHEFINGERL AKES.COM

Designed over the course of three years and constructed in 2008, this beautiful legacy home overlooks Cayuga Lake about 10 minutes north of Ithaca. It was designed and built as the owner’s ultimate summer retirement home and to house extended family dinners. It is crafted in Douglas fir, and the interior exhibits a definite marine influence.

SPR ING 2014 ~

Home Showcase

Top: Designed and constructed in 2004 for a Cornell University dean, this Finger Lakes home has a commanding presence atop an 80-foot shale cliff. The entry’s patterned ﬂoor treatment and curved stairs add to the combination of timber, stone and wrought iron railings that help achieve the Tuscan aesthetic the owner was looking for.

~ LIFEINTHEFINGERL AKES.COM

Above: This wonderfully functional and beautiful kitchen won the Timber Home Living Reader’s Choice Award for Best Kitchen in 2013. It features a vaulted ceiling with clerestory windows for lots of sunshine, custom cabinetry, a window seat nook and French doors leading to a Finger Lakes bluestone patio (complete with ﬁre pit) for al fresco dining. To the left of the range is a buffet pass-through space framed by timbers and incorporating a black walnut ﬁnial.

Sports

fun & games

The Elmira College softball team had a successful 2013 season.

College

Athletics

Good for the region

story and photos by Kyle Reynolds

f you watched Syracuse University’s men’s basketball this winter, you understand the powerful impact college athletics can have on a region. The team’s record captivated even non-fans, and everyone enjoyed the camaraderie of water cooler play-by-plays after each game. Luckily for us in the Finger Lakes, the cheers for local college sports – ranging from women’s softball to men’s lacrosse and more – don’t end with March Madness. Nor does a team have to be full of NCAA Division I superstars to earn a following. Elmira College, for instance, a 160-year-old private, coed liberal arts college in the Southern Tier, ﬁelds a variety of teams for men and women including NCAA Division III baseball, basketball, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, tennis, volleyball, cheerleading, cross-country, ﬁeld hockey and softball. Last year, the softball team

~ LIFEINTHEFINGERL AKES.COM

ﬁnished the season 25-14 overall; 14-1 at home and 8-4 in the Empire 8 Athletic Conference (that includes teams from other Finger Lakes colleges including Nazareth, St. John Fisher, RIT, Geneseo and Hobart & William Smith).

While it ties for the most wins by an Elmira College athletic team ever, it ranks ﬁrst in the college’s record books for games, wins, at bats, hits, RBIs, putouts and ﬁelding percentage There’s no better time in the Finger Lakes than spring to watch a game outside. You can feel the sense of community among the fans from nearby cities and towns who turn out to root for their home team. In fact, psychologists say that sports fans who see each other as having something in common may be more likely to work together on community projects and solve community problems. Studies also show that long-lasting personal and business relationships can grow from a shared passion for sports. So support your local college team. You’ll love watching the competitiveness, teamwork, physical activity and challenge; and enjoy being with others who share your enthusiasm for sports.

wine for 14 generations, having owned the vineyard property since 1570. Like many European winemakers, his craft is one steeped in tradition. Rick Rainey still describes Barruol’s deep interest in the Finger Lakes with the excitement that undoubtedly accompanied his initial discovery of the European master’s genuine curiosity. Engaged in conversation one day in 2008 during one of Rainey’s trips to France, Barruol asked Rainey to further describe the Finger Lakes and its winemaking potential. Intrigued, Barruol asked more and more questions, eventually prompting several trips to the Finger Lakes where Rainey took

Hector Wine Company Forge Cellars’ wine can be tasted at Hector Wine Company on the eastern shore of Seneca Lake. While you’re there, make sure to try winemaker Justin Boyette’s wines made under the Hector Wine Company label. He and his partner and grower Jason Hazlitt have pursued several varietals that are not made in abundance in the Finger Lakes. It’s an excellent lineup. Barruol on a tour of some of the best wineries and vineyard sites. Overall, Barruol was just as impressed as he was critical of the emerging region. As it became clear that Barruol was open to collaboration, Rainey brought in a third partner, Justin Boyette, co-owner and winemaker at Hector Wine Company. Rainey had known Boyette for years as he honed his winemaking skills in well-known Finger Lakes wineries like Atwater and Red Newt. Boyette founded the Hector Wine Company in 2010 and pursued a style that appealed to both Rainey and Barruol. It seemed a good match for their new project. The Forge Cellars partnership, merging the Old World and the New, was born. The team itself is a bit of an

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uncanny amalgamation by the standards of most wineries. Boyette is the official winemaker, but he is driven and informed by the vision of Louis Barruol. Rick Rainey is a co-founder and overall manager of the brand, but he is just as likely to get involved with harvest and production as he is in marketing and distribution. Barruol makes a point of coming to the Finger Lakes a few times a year to taste, blend and consult; and to push the limits of quality. “He’s very involved,” Rainey assures me. “We are on Skype talking to Louis all the time.” A unique approach to Riesling and Pinot Noir Riesling seemed a natural direction to go in considering the success of the grape in the Finger Lakes, but team Forge decided to alter the normal process a bit and ferment and age over half of the lots in neutral oak instead of exclusively stainless steel (French oak,

~ LIFEINTHEFINGERL AKES.COM

Winemaker Justin Boyette

that is, in hand-picked barrels sent over by Barruol himself). Their approach to Riesling is reminiscent of the Alsatian style, driven by minerality and acid, framed by steely fruit, with a nice soft feel provided by the oak. The Pinot Noir at Forge is earthy and restrained with layers upon layers of nuanced fruit. “To make a nice Pinot you really have to pay attention to detail,” Boyette explains. “At times, the less you do the better.” Boyette also points to the “native” or indigenous yeast the team uses for fermentation. Instead of adding laboratory cultured yeast to the grape must, Boyette allows fermentation to start on its own from yeasts already found in the environment. In addition, Barruol insisted from the start that the red wines be fermented in large oak tanks instead of bins, a method popular in Europe but used rarely in the United States. With only two vintages under its

Fruit of the Vine belt (2011 and 2012), team Forge is reluctant to say that they have a style, but the taste of the wine reveals some Old World sensibilities in approaching cool-climate winemaking. The 2011 Pinot Noir is an excellent wine from top to bottom, but the select barrel 2011 Pinot Noir (called Les Ailles in homage to the joint French-American effort) is a wine lover’s wine, with hidden ﬂavors that only hint at their current development. The 2012 Pinot Noir is approachable now, but it’s still developing its strength. Forge is consciously creating wines that can age well. Forge is not a typical Finger Lakes winery in that it is not really a place to visit casually. Bottles of Forge Cellars wine can be purchased in the tasting room of the Hector Wine Company on the eastern shore of Seneca Lake, but even at that location there is no dramatic signage drawing customers to the brand. The wines made by Forge

Outside Looking In The Louis Barruol project at Forge Cellars is only one of the latest examples of outside interest in the Finger Lakes wine industry. At the end of 2013, news broke that wine entrepreneur Paul Hobbs had begun to clear terraced vineyard land north of Watkins Glen on the east side of Seneca Lake. Called the “Steve Jobs of wine” by Forbes, Hobbs has built a small global empire in California, Argentina and in other parts of the globe. Often credited with getting ahead of future trends in wine, Hobbs has announced that he is building a Riesling operation in the Finger Lakes which will be run in partnership with a German winemaking team. While it will take several years for this project to come to fruition, observers are keenly interested in what Hobbs is planning and how this new investment will affect the perception of Finger Lakes wine the world over.

Cellars (a little over 2,200 cases annually) are sold mostly in wine shops and restaurants across New York and several other states in all parts of the country. Rainey says the group has plans to open a Forge Cellars tasting room at some point in the next few years, but one that is appointment-only. Rainey says he is inspired by Barruol’s enthusiasm for project Forge. “In a place like the Finger Lakes, he has freedom,” he says, referring to the strictures that set rules on grape sourcing and winemaking in France’s heavily regulated wine regions. “Barruol cares about beauty. He is energized by the challenge of making good wine here, even when it’s difficult.” Reﬂecting on his own experience thus far, Rainey believes that the effort has been well worth it: “Forge is about the love of wine, but really this is all about the desire to do something great and everlasting. It’s just so interesting.”

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Cultured

the better things in life

The Mural

Movement Big Art in the Finger Lakes

by Nancy E. McCarthy

he origins of mural art go as It’s easy to spot murals in far back as cave paintings, the Finger Lakes Region but they remain relevant today as a mirror of society Ithaca with a diverse and soIn Ithaca, the Public Art Commisphisticated spectrum of images: from sion (PAC), an advisory group to the realistic to abstract, jarring to fanciful, Common Council, has established monochromatic to colorful and more. artist, building-owner and fundingThis art form leaves a positive ripagency partnerships through its Mural/ ple effect on communities by preservStreet Art program. Twenty-five differing local history, creating civic pride, ent outdoor sites have been identified encouraging partnerships and stimulatfor the creation of murals and other ing conversation. There is an Above: Artist Alice Muhlback at work obvious economic benefit, Photo by H. Moleski too: tourism. Below: Muhlback’s 1,500-foot wall mural in Ithaca Murals attract and Photo courtesy the artist fascinate people. From a random painted wall to a planned public art trail, murals can be created anywhere. They are transforming neglected urban neighborhoods, sprucing up business districts, adorning private residences and helping to shape the character of rural towns and villages.

~ LIFEINTHEFINGERL AKES.COM

street art. More than half are either completed or in the works. One of those murals was created by Ithaca artist Alice Muhlback, funded, in part, by Tompkins Connect, an organization of civic-minded young professional leaders. Tompkins Connect and the Ithaca Downtown Business Women joined forces to finalize funding with a matching grant from the We Live NY (WLNY) Livable Communities Capacity Grant Program that assists programs that have “a significant impact on the quality of life and the revitalization of the state’s downtown cores.” This project, a four-month process, was painted upon a 1,500-foot wall in a residential city neighborhood. Muhlback’s chosen images, inspired by the short poem “Risk” written by Anais Nin, form a cohesive theme that tells a story approached from either direction. The mural was a first for Muhlback,

who says it was “a dream come true. To paint that large is an opportunity for an artist.” Sally Grubb, who serves on PAC and also curates art exhibits at the Tompkins County Public Library, praised Muhlback’s unique wall design, saying: “I love Alice’s work and was delighted funding was made available. It is quite unlike all the others we have.” Rochester Rochester’s urban landscape has also been brightened considerably thanks to Wall/Therapy, an annual street art festival launched in 2011. Wall/Therapy is described as “a public community level intervention using mural art as a vehicle to address our collective need for inspiration.” It is the brainchild of Dr. Ian Wilson, who insists there are plenty of helpful “aunts and uncles,” such as co-conspirator Erich Lehman of 1975 Gallery, nurturing this baby along. Wilson, a Rochester

There are currently more than 60 resultant works of art on buildings, walls and bridges in several Rochester neighborhoods and business districts. radiologist and former graffiti artist, also launched a sister initiative IMPACT! (IMProving Access to Care by Teleradiology), bringing digital x-ray capabilities to under served communities around the world. Both entities are housed under the nonproﬁt organization Synthesis Collaborative. The thread weaving art and medical philanthropy together, in this case, is imagery. Every July the week-long Wall/ Therapy Festival engages local and international muralists that range from Canandaigua tattooist Lea Rizzo to German graffiti artist Andreas von Chrzanowski, a.k.a. “Case.” It attracts art lovers, city residents and tourists. The artful walls left behind stimulate an ongoing community dialog, and are forming an impressive, growing art trail. There are currently more than 60

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resultant works of art on buildings, walls and bridges in several Rochester neighborhoods and business districts. The lively 2013 roster of 30-plus artists led Wilson to limit the forthcoming 2014 festival to 15 participants. “It’s logistically easier to manage,” he says wryly, noting that this year, it will be more thematic, too, curated around portraits. But Wilson doesn’t micromanage the artists’ unique vision or style. “Aside from insisting that there’s no vulgarity or explicitly offensive images, I don’t prescribe much more,” Wilson explains. “Some artists paint historical ﬁgures. Others paint people they meet in the various neighborhoods. I’ll leave it up to them.”

Amy Colburn at the commemoration of her ﬁreﬁghter tribute mural for Williamson. Photo courtesy the artist

Lyons Mural Mania, a volunteer civic effort that originated in Lyons, is strictly historical. “Art has been a way of depicting history through the ages,” says Mark De Cracker, the Lyons resident who co-founded “Mural Mania: The Preservation of History through Community Art.” It has become, in some respects, a tender tribute to a father and son. The ﬁrst mural was a memorial to Winston Dobbins, a pharmacist and

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n authentic mural is applied directly to a surface used to deﬁne a space,” explains Bristol illustrator Amy Colburn, who began painting murals in 1993. “This automatically makes it interactive. You can touch it, sit by it and view it close up or Photos courtesy Amy Colburn far away.” While Colburn creates a full spectrum of art, her specialty is murals, evenly split between interior and exterior projects. One of her recent assignments was a private commission from the Lockwood family to design a playful dog-themed mural on an exterior wall of their boathouse on Canandaigua Lake. The images Colburn painted are of their family pets: a large black Newfoundland and two lively Golden Retrievers. The mural, visible from their dock on the east side of the lake, is often admired by passing boaters.

~ LIFEINTHEFINGERL AKES.COM

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local history buff who collected vintage postcards. “Winston’s Dream,” an image based on a 1910 postcard depicting a slice of life in Lyons along the Erie Canal, was painted by Sodus artist James Zeger. The mural was affixed to a former trolley bridge abutment located in what would become the G. Winston Dobbins Park. The park-andmural project was a successful community wide effort that transformed an unkempt, debris-ﬁlled area next to the historic Hotchkiss Peppermint Building alongside the old Erie Canal. In January 2007, before the official dedication in June, Winston Dobbins passed away. Soon after, De Cracker partnered with Dobbins’ grown son Noel to found the historical mural initiative. Their goal was to create a 50-mile mural trail along the Erie Canalway by 2010.

(Left to right) Artist James Zeger and Mural Mania’s co-founders Noel Dobbins and Mark De Cracker at the installation of “Winston’s Dream” in 2007. Submitted photo

After the “Winston’s Dream” paint dried, three more murals were created in the summer of 2007: another one by Zeger, and two by muralists Charles “Corky” Goss and Robert “Chip” Miller. Mural Mania was gaining some traction when Noel Dobbins, who

was battling scleroderma, a chronic connective tissue disease, died that fall at age 40. While murals had not yet begun to spring up along the Canalway, Dobbins’ passionate promotion of the project had generated a powerful momentum after his death.” The results

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Cultured Find out more about the artists and organizations featured in this story Amy Colburn: amycolburn.com Alice Muhlback: spiritandkitsch.com Public Art Commission: ci.ithaca.ny.us/boardscommittees/pac/index.cfm Wall/Therapy: wall-therapy.com/ Mural Mania: muralmania.org/murals.html Global Mural Arts & Cultural Tourism Association (click Conferences & Symposia for information on the Ninth Global Mural Conference, Sherbrooke, Quebec, August 13-16): globalartsandtourism.net surpassed his 50-mile dream, and left a growing legacy. “By 2010 we had 75 miles of murals from Syracuse to Macedon,” says De Cracker proudly, estimating that over 70 murals have now been created under the auspices of Mural Mania, with many more in the works. Today, with interest and inquiries from other towns, artists and volun-

teers, murals are inching toward Buffalo along the Western Erie Canalway. They have a major presence in Wayne County (29 murals and counting), and dot the Great Lakes Seaway Trail. Walworth Town Historian Gene Bavis became hooked on mural art after he and his wife toured the extraordinary murals of Colquitt, Georgia,

during a 2013 vacation. Colquitt has used street art to shape the town’s personality and attract visitors. The town even hosted the Seventh Global Mural Conference in 2010 (The Global Mural Arts & Cultural Tourism Association in Chemainus, B.C., Canada, with 200 members in six countries, produces the biennial conference). Bavis contacted Mark De Cracker after his trip, eager to get involved with Mural Mania and, of course, have a mural painted in Walworth. Bavis and De Cracker will be attending the 2014 Ninth Global Mural Conference, this time to be held in Sherbrooke, Quebec, in August. On behalf of Mural Mania, they will make a formal pitch to host the next conference right here, adding mural art as one of the many vibrant reasons for people to visit and play in the Finger Lakes.

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Finger Lakes Funny

stories that make you laugh

Adventures in

Winemaking The best laid plans ... story by Mike Rusinko illustrations by Mary Ellen Gutknecht

Prologue, 1973

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~ LIFEINTHEFINGERL AKES.COM

and small Picture this: a gawky presaplings that teen boy with a shovel defended standing over a 10- by the high 10-foot plot of ground. ground. Sod had been turned, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t clods raked smooth you just want to and seeds sewn. There go pick up a would be lettuce, pepbottle?â&#x20AC;? she said. pers and potatoes. I was Clearing began in a few proud. I had blisters. weeks. I did my best with an ax, a I watered and I saw and a borrowed pickup truck. weeded. Then, I celeIt was impossibly hard work, but I brated the shoots and loved it. It took the better part of seedlings when they three weekends to clear half pushed through. the hill. By the fourth, I was A family of really pushing myself to rabbits emptied ďŹ nish. The truck was piled out the lush little â&#x20AC;&#x153;Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t you just want to go pick high over the cab with an plot one night â&#x20AC;&#x201C; up a bottle?â&#x20AC;? said my wife. afternoon of hacking and ninjas determined hauling. I headed down to destroy and Route 14 to dump it all behind a neighthen vanish silently in the darkness. borâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s barn. Heartbroken, I brought my parents out In a mile or so, I heard a sudden to survey the devastation. They broke â&#x20AC;&#x153;whoosh,â&#x20AC;? and glanced back over the news that a swimming pool would my shoulder. The bed of the truck soon occupy the same spot in the was empty. Then, in the rearview, I backyard. caught the ďŹ nal split second of what I bounced back immediately. But I must have been spectacular. The never quite learned my lesson. entire tangled mound of branches, thorns and what-not had taken ďŹ&#x201A;ight. The Clearing, 1998 It crash-landed just past the Kashong My wife Carol and I sat on the Creek Bridge, blocking my southback deck of our home, looking out bound lane. over the small terraced hill that was Behind me brakes squealed, horns our backyard. I had been carrying an honked and I mumbled to myself, â&#x20AC;&#x153;You idea around for months, and this was are completely over your head.â&#x20AC;? The the perfect time to air it out. I asked next day a bulldozer cleared the other her if she would like a small vineyard half of the hill in the time it took me to in the backyard. We could grow our drink two beers. And yes, somebody own grapes and make our own wine. else was operating it. She looked up at the jungle of brush

Wags to Riches

Green Acres, 2000 to 2004

So I spoke with Jack and John, the proprietors of my barber shop. I We started out planting about 80 stopped in with an empty trash bag, vines, and added to the total yearly and asked if I could sweep up a few until the vineyard was full at just more piles of trimmings to-go. Barber Shop than 120 plants. There were four rows Code dictates that polite ridicule could across a terrace at the top of the hill. I begin immediately, loved having the vineyard up there. but the real thing Our view of Seneca Lake was would not ensue terriďŹ c â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a picture that until I left the made the daily premises. I could work easier to hear the laughter manage. all the way to There my car, lugging was always my sack of hair something like some freaky to do. Wires salon Santa. in the trellis The ďŹ rst year needed to was very hopeful. be tightened, We had lots of or the grass leafy green vines. between the Then, somewhere rows needed in the middle of to be mowed. the second year, Naps needed to I started seeing be taken in the the signs. A shade. It made â&#x20AC;&#x153;The night before we were supposed to friend and me wonder how pick our grapes that second year, deer veteran vinemuch more work wiped out the entire harvest.â&#x20AC;? yard manager went into a real stopped by commercial vineone afternoon, carrying a small paperyard. Probably a lot more naps. back binder. He handed it to me and I got an amazing education. said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is a ďŹ eld reference guide for Neighbor wineries and vineyard the insects and diseases that can infect operations got used to me stopping vineyards here in the Finger Lakes. You by and asking a thousand questions. should read it. You have every single Everybody always made time to help one of them.â&#x20AC;? me out, and never made me feel like The night before we were supan idiot for asking. I tried not to be a posed to pick our grapes that second pest, but Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sure I was. There was just year, deer wiped out the entire harso much to learn. vest. Or was it ninjas? I can still feel We planted Lemberger and Riesthe excitement of heading up the hill ling. Regular spraying and weeding was with harvest boxes, then walking up part of the deal, but I never minded the and down empty rows that had been routine. ďŹ lled with ripe grapes the night before. I minded the deer a lot. Every Neighboring vineyards were putting in spring they feasted on the vinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; new deer fencing. I was thinking laser-guidshoots. We lived within town limits, so ed missiles and night vision goggles. the Remington 870 solution was out Despite the challenges, we evenof the question. We tried every othtually got two fairly decent harvests, er deer repellent we could uncover: and made wine with our own grapes Coyote urine (smells even more awful in years three and four. Carol and I than it sounds), soap ďŹ&#x201A;akes (totally pressed each vintage by hand in the useless wivesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; tale) and my favorite, driveway. We made a mess, laughed all human hair. Note: New, dry hair has to the way through it, and created some be spread out after it rains â&#x20AC;&#x201C; gross but (Continued on page 69) effective.

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Greenhouse and garden center Dickman Farms continues to innovate and succeed and, well, GROW

1903

was a momentous year in American history. The Wright Brothers ﬂew successfully at Kittyhawk, the Boston Red Sox won the ﬁrst World Series, and two brothers named Carl and Herman Dickman bought 15 acres of land on Archie Street in Auburn. Bred of strongwilled German stock, each brother had a vision for a business. Herman wanted to start a dairy farm, while Carl had his eye on establishing a nightclub. So in the spirit of true brotherly compromise, they did both. After all, what’s more compatible with a dairy farm than a nightclub? That was 111 years ago. The dairy cows are long gone, and the nightclub closed back in the 1960s. Since then, Dickman Farms has evolved into a nationally recognized, leading edge retail garden center and wholesale plant grower/supplier. It has been named one of the “Top Revolutionary Garden Centers” by Today’s Garden Center – a magazine for the independent garden industry – since 2008.

The heart of Dickman Farms Across from the retail center is the heart of Dickman Farms ms – a massive greenhouse complex enclosing approximately six acres. cres. One acre is 43,560 square feet, meaning the complex takes up p slightly over one-quarter million square feet – that’s four-and-a-half d-a-half football fields. In it, seeds are sown and plants are grown, and d once matured are repotted into the containers they will be shipped d in. Virtually every square inch of floor space is covered with plants in various stages of development. To the extent posossible, every operation has been automated or streamlined d with the goal of maximizing productivity, meaning more inventory and more sales. And the strategy seems to be working. “Most commercial growers average three inventory turns per year. We average nine,” owner Dave Dickman told me. So how do you automate a greenhouse? Plant watering is accomplished by automatic Top, right: Standing near racks of plants awaiting shipment, Bob Dickman fields a question. Right: From Dickman Farms annual Va Va Bloom show Left: The bright orange and yellow colors of marigolds brighten the greenhouse.

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misting units. Additionally, Dickman’s fulltime inhouse chemist can mix, adjust and disperse needed fertilizers or chemical nutrients through the same system. As most garden plants grow faster and healthier in slightly acidic soil (pH of 5.5 to 5.8), if necessary, the chemist will add sulphuric acid to the misting mix creating a solution known in-house as “gorilla water.” Instead of buying the paper pots used for planting seeds or seedlings from an outside vendor, Dickman Farms purchased a Belgian-manufactured paper pot machine allowing the company to cut costs and make paper pots whenever it wants/needs any. For safety reasons, the machine isn’t being operated during greenhouse tours, but it’s an impressive device nonetheless. Tax, tag and title, Dave says the machine cost $2 million. Also, to free itself from dealing with outside trucking ﬁrms, Dickman Farms owns its own ﬂeet of dry vans, refrigerated trailers and smaller straight trucks.

Thrips and aphids After wringing every cost-saving efficiency out of its business model, Dickman’s has reinforced its commitment to the

~ LIFEINTHEFINGERLAKES.COM

Above: During our tour, the paper pot machine stood idle. Left: Pink foxglove (Digitalis) Below: If Dickman Farms doesn’t have it, then you probably don’t need it.

E n j o y i n g safety of its customers, employees and the environment by becoming a pesticide-free greenhouse. The practice is known as bio-control, which in layman’s terms means getting good bugs to eat the bad ones. The two biggest problems faced by greenhouse growers are the thrips and aphids, which quite literally suck the life out of young plants, says Bob Dickman, a fifth-generation member of the Dickman family. Beginning in 2013, Dickman’s fought back by using a particular species of aphid midge whose larvae feed exclusively on thrips and aphids. The tiny adult bugs resemble fruit flies and are completely benign to humans. To monitor aphid populations inside the greenhouse, sticky plastic cards are deployed at regular intervals to trap aphids. Once the aphid population reaches “critical mass,” the predatory midges are turned loose to ravage them. Better still, customers purchasing hanging baskets or potted plants will find a sachet of midge eggs tucked alongside them. Once the eggs hatch, the larvae will begin eating any aphids that infest the plants at the

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Va Va Bloom

Greg Mulhern - General Manager / Golf Director - 396-2200x420 Kristen Reamer - Event Coordinator / Hotel Manager - 396-2200x414 Sara Goff - Wedding Coordinator - 396-2200x438

New York’s Largest & Finest Antique store with over 10,000 square feet of Signature room settings. Vintage Lighting Antique Furniture Oriental Rugs & Much More

Located 5 minutes east of Corning, at exit 49 off I 86 26 Palmer Road North, Big Flats NY www.antiquerevival.com | 800-780-7330

~ LIFEINTHEFINGERL AKES.COM

Once a year, as a way to strut its stuff, Dickman Farms throws open its doors to host the Va Va Bloom garden show. The event, originally envisioned as a biannual occurrence, proved so popular it’s now held yearly. Typically, Bob leads tours through the massive greenhouses, while Dave hosts guests across Archie Street at the retail center. Upon entering Dickman Farms the day of Va Va Bloom, colorful plants, like the stunning purple-pink foxglove, were everywhere. Coconut fiber wire flower baskets, garden accessories and displays of the two latest gardening crazes – fairy gardens and glass “bubble” terrariums – filled the space. The combined scents of the various blooms were intoxicating. Local vendors, such as Navarino Orchards,

Smokey Hollow Maple Syrup, Montezuma Winery and Muranda Cheese Company, displayed and sold their products as music from the Kambuyu Marimba Band ﬁlled the air. “At Dickman Farms, we continue to change and grow with the times to ensure we are offering our customers simply the best,” reads the company’s website. No one knows what Dickman’s will be in another 111 years, but one thing’s for sure – they’re much better green thumbs than nightclub owners.

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Skaneateles

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For more information, visit dickman farms.com. You’ll ﬁnd driving directions, gardening tips and the 2014 events schedule, including the dates and times for the 2014 Va Va Bloom. The retail garden center is shut down for winter, but will reopen on March 17. SPR ING 2014 ~

Real Estate

marketplace

Professionally Designed 9 Hole Golf Course

90 Acres

Rushville, NY

Beautiful Owasco Lake Home

Ontario Co.

Lake Winds Golf Course is less than a mile from the shores of Canandaigua Lake. This picturesque course has 60 acres encompassing the 9 hole course, and another 30 acres for future development.

Owasco Lake – East Side. 2,650 square foot Greek Revival (C 1830 - 1930 - 2014 ).

Opportunities abound with the possibilities of expanding the course for an additional 9 holes, or develop into an overnight RV campground, or reclaim the land for agriculture or a vineyard. Offered exclusively by NY Land Quest $448,900

Call for Private Showing

4 bedroom, 2 bath. Original wide plank floors, gingerbread front porch. 550 feet of lake frontage 50 acres of farm land, timber. In-ground tiled hot tub. 4,000 Sq.Ft. hobby shop.

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SELLING LAND IS OUR SPECIALTY

Selling All Types of Real Estate is Our Business

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Brian Jackson Licensed Real Estate Salesperson www.nylandquest.com

See more details at

www.fingerlakesgem.com Keuka Lake

Delightful custom designed 2001 lake home on 50’ lakefront and 1.7 acres of woods! 3 beds, 2 baths, cherry kitchen, light and bright throughout! R231095 $429,000

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Contact: Bonnie Curbeau 315-277-0236

Enjoy life. Subscribe to your favorite magazine.

It’s Easy to Subscribe Visit LifeintheFingerLakes.com

or call 800-344-0559 Edelweiss Properties Realtors, LLC www.CanandaiguaLake.com • (585) 394-0270

~ LIFEINTHEFINGERLAKES.COM

Charming 1900 Colonial lake home on 95’ natural lakefront! Spacious open kitchen and dining! 2 car garage and guest area! Excellent rental history – near Keuka College! Mls#R235623 $719,900

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DON’T BUY A WATERFRONT PROPERTY WITHOUT TALKING TO

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Search the Finger Lakes from our website

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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

Future Forest Properties, LLC www.FutureForestProperties.com 585-374-6690 info@futureforestproperties.com Town of Bristol, Ontario County $899,900 for 265 acres with home.

2,000 sqft. Ranch with Barn, 4 ponds, professionally managed woods, miles of trails, food plots, low taxes, views of Honeoye Lake. 20 minutes from Canandaigua, close to Rochester and ski areas.

Cayuga Lake 546 Fire Lane 14 Cayuga, NY. On the east side of Cayuga Lake sits this beautiful lakefront center hall colonial. This home features 3,000 sq. ft, 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and large master bedroom suite with sliding doors to the private lakeside deck, perfect for morning coffee or watching sunsets. Finished basement has plenty of space for sleeping/game room/media room. Public utilities.100 ft. of prime lakefront. A perfect lakefront home for entertaining and accommodating families. $475,000

Start making memories on the lake For more details and photos go to www.LakeCountryRealEstateNY.com View all waterfront listings on our website.

Contact Midge Fricano, Broker, GRI. CRS. cell: 315-729-0985 email: MidgeFricano@gmail.com

Keuka Lake - “The Perfect Cottage” ... 355’ of all natural lake frontage, drive to the door, and walk-out to the lake. This is a Craftsman Style Exterior, which was totally redone/ expanded in 2010. The 2,000 sq.ft. screened-in front porch, features dining, living, and sitting areas under post n’beam construction. Permanent docks, expansive and unique “point of view,” new barn, professional landscaping, many bedrooms possible. This is not only unique, but quite frankly phenomenal! Now priced at $1,695,000. Keuka Lake - ”Victorian on the Lake,” as seen on the nationally televised Today Show with Barb Corcoran. This property boasts 106’ of lake frontage, 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, totally renovated, municipal utilities, great rental history, and fully furnished. Truly gorgeous, and with character galore! Now Priced at $599,000.

marketplace

“HE’S GOT A CORNER ON THE MARKET”

Keuka Lake - 2003 constructed Cape on a level setting ... no steps anywhere. 3 bedrooms, 1 and 1/2 baths, great room, open front porch, municipal water, natural frontage with a grassy front lawn, and all of this, truly at water’s edge! Now priced at $429,000.

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

markmalcolm.com

Lake Country Real Estate, Inc. 121 North St., Auburn, NY • 315-258-9147 x201

55’ of Level Year round west side Owasco Lakefront 55’ of Level Year round west side Owasco Lakefront. 5 Bedroom 2-1/2 bath home. New carpet upstairs. Huge master bedroom with balcony overlooking the lake.Frist floor bedroom.New wood floor on first floor. Great eat in kitchen with granite countertops.Lakeside deck. Cement breakwall. 2 car detached garage. 2-year-old roof. $385,900

9094 Carpenter Rd. Wayne List Price: $239,900 • MLS# R238502 PC47320

Jeffery “Jeff” Trescot, Broker 96 S Main St Moravia, NY Cell 315-730-1446 www.jefftrescot.com • jefﬂcre@aol.com

113 Cayuga St Union Springs NY 315-497-3700 315-889-2000

No doubt one of the nicest homes on Waneta Lake on 100’ of frontage. Featuring 4 bedrooms, 1-1/2 baths & a 3 car garage plus a huge deck overlooking the waterfront. The electric rail system in the boat house makes going for a boat ride super easy. The additional parcel of land across the street is great for extra parking too.

Contact : Phil Warren (315) 521-1815 ½RKIVPEOIWTLMP$KQEMP GSQ

SPRING 2014 ~

Natural History Almanac

outdoor observations

The Notes story and photos by Bill Banaszewski

of Spring “The ﬁrst pleasant day of spring comes out like a woodchuck and then goes in again.”

March 20 The winter of 2013 was relatively mild, not much snow and very little ice on the larger Finger Lakes. Typical of spring, however, it arrived at our house on Keuka Lake with temperatures struggling to reach 32 degrees and a stiff wind blowing from the north.

– Adapted from Henry David Thoreau

April 1 A mild day greeted anglers ﬁshing the Finger Lakes’ tributaries on the opening day of trout season. Some nice rainbow trout were landed in Naples Creek.

April 5 Male bluebird singing from the lilacs this morning.

hibernation after warm spring rains, are both a little late this year because March was cold.

April 13 Turkey gobbling at the edge of the woods just after daybreak.

April 28 White trillium in full bloom.

April 9

March 31

of our hawk busted out A sharp-shinned inal that pursuit of a card wood lot in hot pture the er. Unable to ca was at the feed nearby wk perched in a cardinal, the ha ntial meal. for another pote tree, searching

~ LIFEINTHEFINGERL AKES.COM

71 degrees with April showers.

May 2

April 10

Goldﬁnch are molting, replacing their drab winter feathers with bright yellow breeding colors.

After yesterday’s rain I hiked up to the vernal pond in the back woods. I heard the duck-like quacking of male wood frogs calling females. At the edge of the pond I lifted some leaf litter from the surface of the water and uncovered spotted salamanders that had also migrated to the pond to breed. Wood frogs and spotted salamanders, usually the ﬁrst amphibians to emerge from underground

May 8 Photographed a rabbit out back that had several gashes in its right ear. I’m guessing it was the same rabbit that encountered a mink last winter; tracks in a fresh snow revealed the surprise attack. The blood trail showed the rabbit escaped, evidently with only an injured ear.

May 9 Warblers migrating through the Finger Lakes. Some will remain here to nest, but many species will rest only a few days before heading north to their breeding grounds.

May 13 Spring is progressing slowly this year, and as a result the colors of the season are long-lasting. Lilacs are in full bloom.

May 14

Too nice n ot to go fi shing! The lake is flat calm a nd crystal cle ar. Even th o u gh good perc h fishing re q u ires a little cho p on the w a te r, we casted ou r jigs baite d w it h fathead m innows. 2 0 – 3 0 perch swa m toward the bait, stared at it , and swam away. Eventually we chang ed our strategy a nd finally caught 20 nice pe rch for din ner.

May 16 Plenty of rain and 87 degrees. Rainfall has been above average this spring, and nd everywhere I travel in the Finger Lakess the th he landscape is vivid green.

May 23 For the fourth consecutive year, loons have successfully bred on the east branch of Keuka Lake. My neighbor re-ported an adult loon near the shore with ith h ﬁve chicks on her back. Loon babies are re called chicks until they can swim on their own.

SPRING 2014 ~

Northern Pike

A Fish Tale from the

Wilderness Next-Door

story by Helen Isolde Thomas photos by Bob Oswald

~ LIFEINTHEFINGERL AKES.COM

Canada goose with goslings

n a clear, cold, spring morning, I drive south along the curvy shore of Conesus Lake. A thin moon casts a ghostly, pre-dawn light on the closed-up homes. Boats sit on trailers like beached whales shrouded in blue tarps. The lake’s surface is perfectly smooth, a dark mirror of the ink-blue sky. The eerie silence hardly recalls echoes of the rowdy sounds of summer fun. I turn west at the south end of the lake and then onto a graveled access road to a small parking lot – my destination: the Conesus Lake Inlet. As a 30-year lake resident, I had often heard tales of a ﬁsh spawning run there. “You won’t believe it,” I was told. “Just like the salmon in Alaska,” they said. I was determined to see for myself. Within easy commuting distance of Rochester and its suburbs, Conesus Lake is a popular ﬁshing, boating and recreation site for local, seasonal and

area residents. Its roughly 18-mile shoreline is tightly ringed with private homes and cottages, which might suggest limited access for outsiders, but Conesus provides a whole host of year-round activities available to the public. The New York State Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation boat launch provides a day-use entry point for boating, tubing, water skiing and fishing. The DEC has three public access sites for fishing or launching car-top boats. There are two public parks, a campground and several area restaurants. For longer stays, numerous rental properties and a few bed and breakfasts have lake views or access, best on July 3 during the annual ring of fire. The lake is popular with anglers, and many have fish tales to tell. The one that brought me out on that frigid morning, far less well known, was that annual fish run at the inlet, a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Water Management Area. According to Webster Pearsall, DEC

Regional Fisheries Manager (Region 8), what I had been told about the fish was true. “It’s usually around Easter,” he said. “The Northern Pike come in first and then about a week later the Walleye follow.” Pearsall explained that the DEC puts up boards to block drainage from the wetlands, allowing the water level in the marsh to rise to create the spawning ponds where the adult fish breed and leave their eggs. To get there, the fish have to swim upstream from the lake through the inlet and then scale the small waterfall created by the boards that have been installed.

hen I arrived at the site, there were already a number of spectators on the creek walk, and the creek itself was teeming with ﬁsh the size of my arm. The clear water revealed the dark, spear-like Northern Pike with their toothy underbite. The brown, torpedo-shaped Walleyes had shown up as well, breaking the

The Conesus Lake Inlet

SPR ING 2014 ~

Wilderness

Bald eagle

Muskrat

surface with their prehistoric-looking spiky dorsal fins. The fish were packed together (dare I say, like sardines?) jostling and shoving each other right up to the edge of the banks, much to the delight of the spectators. In amazed silence, nature lovers, curiosity seekers like myself, and eager fishermen and women watched this seasonal show of nature’s rhythms, a sure sign of spring. But that day, those determined fish, swimming hard against water spewing in through a spillway, got nowhere. They were actually cut off from the creek that led to the falls. The DEC staff had been doing some work on the creek bed, so a section leading to the dam had been blocked off. The fish were simply queuing up, like rush-hour commuters racing to catch a train. So, was it a fish story, I wondered, these tales I had been told even by the DEC – stories of fish flying up a waterfall? There was no way to know until the creek flowed again. I vowed to come back in a few days, hoping that by then the work would be done and the creek flowing.

Rose breasted grosbeak

he trip might have been a disappointment, but it wasn’t, because I had discovered the wilderness next door, this all-season, 1,120-acre wildlife management area. Looking for other signs of spring, I walked the nature trail through the woods and explored the scenic vistas from each viewing platform. A great blue heron ﬂapped its enormous wings and glided by at eye level, green shoots pierced the frozen ground under my feet, and a morning chorus of birdsong ﬁlled the air. A graceful pair of geese slid through the water. I walked until a sign marked the end of the trail prohibiting further progress: “Eagle Nesting Area.” Back in my car, I drove the perimeter south on West Swamp Road (Route 256) stopping at the overlooks, then turning east on Guiltner Road, and slowing down while heading north on the less-traveled and only partially paved East Swamp Road to avoid passing squirrels, a sprightly fox, and some skittish young deer. The next day, the heavy rains (Continued on page 47)

~ LIFEINTHEFINGERL AKES.COM

Next-Door

Home away from Home in the Finger Lakes

Nearby Interests Vitale Park at the north end of the lake has paved walks, gardens, Sunday night summer concerts, an annual ﬁshing derby and an annual ice-ﬁshing derby. Long Point Park on West Lake Road has picnicking, swimming and hosts an annual art show the third week in July.

Cobtree Vacation R ental Homes

Stay lakeside at one of many rental properties. You can search conesuslakevacations.com/ rentals-categories.html, or at the Conesus Lake Campground, conesuslakecampground.com. Visit Shoreless Acres for an old-time general store experience. Pick up supplies you may have forgotten, or some of Smitty’s guaranteed ﬁshing worms at 5006 East Lake Rd. Visit facebook.com/pages/Shoreless-AcresGeneral-Store/122391201177259, or call 585-346-3800.

Rent a cottage or log cabin Hold a reunion or family gathering PȣȐ ȨȽȝȐɑ 0ǸȰȐɕ ɰɉȐɑȨȐȽȃȐ

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Deer Run Winery on West Lake Road near the north end of the lake welcomes visitors year-round except for major holidays. Check for seasonal hours. Visit deerrunwinery.com or call 585-346-0850. Boats For Rent Mark’s Leisure Time Marine marksleisuretimemarine.com 585-346-2260 Smith Boys smithboys.com Jansen Marine of Conesus 585-346-2060 Conesus Lake Boat Rentals conesuslakeboatrentals.com 585-346-3429 Dining out at the lake is offered at the North Shore Grill in Lakeville – northshoregrillny.com, 585-346-2200, or at the Beachcomber on West Lake Road – beachcomberny.com, 585-243-3640.

SPR ING 2014 ~

Wilderness

The Loomis Barn - Fine home furnishings and accessories Corn House Cafe - Open for lunch specialty sandwiches, homemade soups Susan’s Shop - 20th century collectibles. Fun and functional

1551 Slaterville Rd Ithaca, NY 13045 GPS: 420 25’ 04N” / -760 27’ 15” W

Store Hours Tues-Sat 10-5, Sun 12 -4, Café open: Wed-Sat 11:30-2:30, Sun 12-2:30 Jan & Feb café open Fri, Sat and Sun Just a 10-15 minute drive from Canandaigua, Penn Yan or Geneva. Call for directions. 4942 Loomis Road • Rushville

www.loomisbarn.com 800-716-2276 • 585-554-3154

607-272-WINE www.SixMileCreek.com

256

Hemlock

NConesus G S Inlet T OFishNand Wildlife Management Area

155

Honeoye Lake Boat Launch State Park

15A

To reach the Conesus Inlet Fish and Wildlife Management Area, accessible in all seasons, drive south on either East or West Lake Road (Route 256) to Sliker Hill Road at the south end of the lake. The entrance to the parking lot is about 100 yards from Route 256. You can access Conesus Lake at these points. • The New York State Department of Parks Public Boat Launch on East Lake Road, four miles south of Rt. 20A, where there is a hardsurface launch ramp and parking for 45 cars with trailers. Fee is $6. • The DEC Conesus Inlet Wildlife Management Area located off West Lake Road (Rt. 256) allows car-top launch only. There’s parking for 40 cars. • The DEC Pebble Beach Site, located off Pebble Beach Road at the northwest corner of the lake, has car-top access and parking for 120 cars. • Sand Point, located off Rt. 20A and operated by the Town of Livonia and the DEC, at the north end of the lake. Car-top boats and parking for 45 cars.

~ LIFEINTHEFINGERL AKES.COM

Honeoye Lake

Conesus Lake State Marine Park

Conesus Lake

20A

Canadice Lake

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Honeoye

Next-Door began and continued for days, until even the jokes about building an ark grew tiresome. A week later I gave up waiting for them to stop, donned a slicker and set out once more to prove or disprove this ﬁsh story.

his time, turbulent, latte-colored water roared through the creek, and slippery mud coated the walkway. A handful of eager fans stood in the chilly gray drizzle staring at the falls. I joined them. Then a Pike broke the surface, raced toward the falls flapping its tailfin furiously, and the onlookers cheered their encouragement. The fish hurled itself upward against the rushing water, but fell back and disappeared. It reemerged, trying once, then twice, finally almost appearing to fly, clearing the brink of the falls and slithering across the boards into the dark ponds of the wetlands that would be its breeding grounds. This scenario was repeated over and over, sometimes one fish at a time, sometimes several. I watched quietly like the other bystanders, reverent witness to one of nature’s great struggles, and cheered loudly like the others at each successful, life-affirming effort. This was a real, live vision of fish out of water, ensuring their survival by overcoming what seemed like an unconquerable obstacle. It was an unusual year. Pearsall assured me that next year, the creek would not be blocked and “everything would be back to normal.” I was hooked. I would be back. I have to tell you, you won’t believe it. It’s just like the salmon in Alaska. You can learn more about the Conesus Inlet at the Department of Environmental Conservation’s site – dec.ny.gov/outdoor.

Marsh marigold

SPR ING 2014 ~

othing sells canoes better than tossing them down a waterfall. That’s what boat manufacturer Grumman (today called the Marathon Boat Group) discovered in 1972, when several of its canoes were featured in the movie “Deliverance.” “They were going for this massively dangerous whitewater shot,” recounts Doug Potter, general manager. “The film shows the canoe heading for the precipice. The guys would jump out just before they got there, and the canoe would get mangled. After the third one, they finally managed to keep one floating.” The thriller was successful – as were the canoes. “The following year we sold some 40,000 of them,” Potter says. “We had to run five assembly lines, day and night, to meet the demand.” To this day, they are the core products of a company that, over the course of its more than 60-year history, has seen its ups and downs, but continues to steadily turn out high-quality canoes, boats and pontoons.

From the skies to the waters

The aluminum and PVC-sided boats produced by 70-year-old Grumman are built to last story and photos by Olivia M. Hall

General Manager Doug Potter shows the Grumman canoe decal, based on the logo previously displayed on all Grumman aircraft.

It all began in the summer of 1944 on, or rather between, the lakes of the Adirondacks. William Hoffman, vice president of Grumman Aircraft Engineering, was trudging from one lake to the next, weighed down by a heavy wooden canoe. Having built innumerable planes during World War II, he knew the strength of lightweight, stretch-formed aluminum, and decided that the watercrafts – and his back – might benefit from it. The first 13-foot aluminum canoe was built at the aircraft plant in Bethpage, Long Island, the next year. In 1952, the budding canoe division relocated to Marathon, in Cortland County, which offered a lower cost of living and electricity, as well as good transportation access via rail. (In the meantime, trains have been replaced by trucks driving on Route 81.) As the “Deliverance” spike in canoe sales died down, Grumman added fishing boats to its lineup, and later, in

SPR ING 2014 ~

Grumman prides itself on the aircraft quality of its craftsmanship. In the two smaller photos to the right, note the professional weld, which looks like a row of dimes tipped over.

the 1980s, pontoons – which attracted the attention of Midwestern boat-motor company OMC. boat From 1990 until the former Fort Fortune 500 company ﬁled for bankruptcy in 2000, Grumman’s ban boat and canoe division became boa part of OMC. The 85-person workpar for force in Marathon began to also bu build DuraNautic boats, another br brand that its parent company had acquired. But as OMC’s downward ac spiral became apparent, a group sp

of former Grumman managers and investors formed the Marathon Boat Group (MBG) in 1996 to purchase back the canoe and boat lines. The hitch: OMC refused to let MBG use the Grumman name, which it still had under license from Northrop-Grumman, to whom Grumman had been sold. “So we changed our address to One Grumman Way,” Potter grins. “They couldn’t stop us from putting that on our catalogs.” With OMC’s demise just a few

Grumman product photos showcased its boats being used in a variety of ways. Photos Courtesy Marathon Boat Group

~ LIFEINTHEFINGERL AKES.COM

Grumman Finger Lakes Boats “Because we’re in the Finger Lakes, we thought, what better way to name our conﬁgurations,” Doug Potter told me. “Plus, the names we chose are six letters long, so they ﬁt nicely. Sorry, Skaneateles.” Here are the MBG boats with Finger Lakes names.

Cayuga: deep-hull ﬁshing boat suitable for bigger water Otisco: ﬂat-bottom jon boat for quieter waters and duck hunting

Seneca: deep, V- hulled, utility fishing boat for a big lake Oneida: 16-foot, deep-hull boat for fishing or cruising Owasco: 16-foot “family fun boat” for fishing, cruising and skiing; includes a lay-down sleeper seat. Like its sister boat Oneida, it can take choppy waters.

Post and Beam Homes Locally crafted in our South Bristol New York shop years later, MBG took over the license. The Grumman name and decals have been back on the company’s boats ever since.

5557 Rt. 64, Canandaigua, NY 14424 585-374-6405 • www.timberframesinc.com Building the Finger Lakes since 1977

Eight to 80 hours later Today, 17 welders, painters, assembly workers and administrators build several thousand watercrafts a year. Double-end and square-stern canoes range from 13 to 19 feet in length and weigh in at as little as 50 pounds for the solo version. In the boat division, MBG offers five versions of Grummans, each named after a Finger Lake, and continues to produce four models of DuraNautics, recognizable by their sea-foam green color. Pontoons – large platforms on aluminum logs that Doug Potter calls “living rooms on the water” and that others sometimes refer to as “party barges” – round out the offerings. All of these emerge from MBG’s 43,000-square-foot facility. The floors of the expansive, noisy halls glisten with metal flakes. “It’s aluminum-reinforced concrete,” Potter jokes. Partially finished boats are stacked in every corner, waiting for the next step in the assembly process. First, aluminum – in 4,000-pound coils for canoes and pre-measured sheets for boats and pontoons – arrives in the fabrication area at the south end of the building, where it is sheared to size and cut into shape. Next step in the canoe recipe: Bake the “skins,” which have been stretch-formed into the shape of a hull, 50 to 100 at a time in an oversized oven for eight hours at 375 degrees to harden the aluminum. (Boats and pontoons are made from a harder aluminum alloy that requires no further processing.) In the assembly area, the canoes run through 10 different operations, starting with riveting two halves

CareyLake Restaurant & Party House

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Restaurant Open Tuesday - Sunday Featuring NEW All-You-Can-Eat Prime Rib Buffet on Saturdays

959 Penfield Rd, Macedon NY (315) 986-1936 SPR ING 2014 ~

Workers load a pontoon onto a delivery truck.

together with aircraft techniques. Then, like every MBG product, they spend at least 10 minutes in a hydraulic pressure tank to test for leaks before progressing to the spray chamber to be painted. Seats put in and graphics applied, the canoes get one more clear coat and are ready to ship out on a truck. Boats receive similar treatment, except that the skins are welded together and reinforced with external keels along the length of the bottom, and transoms in the back. “When you put horsepower on them, you’ve got to make sure you’ve got a really strong hull to take the stress,” explains Potter. For the pontoons, ﬁnally, large sheets of aluminum run through a roller to make up to 10-foot-long cylinders. Two of these and a nose section are welded together into long logs or ﬂoats. Framed and assembled with a wooden deck, carpeting or vinyl, fences and ladders, a console, furniture and wiring, the pontoons come together slowly in about 80 man hours, compared to eight hours for canoes. “We hand-make everything except the furniture,” says Scott Morris, MBG’s sales and purchasing manager. “And in 2013, we added state-of-the art PVC siding. Aluminum gets dented, but this stuff will either break or bounce and is easy to replace. So far, we’re the only ones using that.”

A 16-foot Owasco boat awaits furniture installation in the ﬁnishing department.

Strong enough for combat This innovation is especially popular with rental companies, whose boats suffer much abuse. They are among MBG’s good customers, along with camps, boy scout groups and of course, individual canoeing and boating enthusiasts, mostly in the eastern United States but also in the West, Canada (10 percent) and Europe (5 percent). One of them is Phil Crimmins of Ithaca. For many years he used a 17-foot Grumman canoe, which he had rigged out with a class C sail and rudder, and occasionally outﬁtted with a 3-horsepower motor. In his boat rental business Puddledockers, he has been very happy with his Grummans, which make up most of his canoe ﬂeet. “They just don’t die,” Crimmins says. “Once I rented out six canoes to a bachelor party. Of course they

Painter Justin Shuba prepares a 16-foot ﬁshing boat for its paint job.

~ LIFEINTHEFINGERL AKES.COM

www.iwoodc.com Completed 13-foot Grumman canoes will soon be shipped out to dealers.

tipped them over, but I just took a soft, rubber-coated hammer, pounded the dents out, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like it never happened.â&#x20AC;? Potter would be pleased to hear that MBGâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s products are living up to its slogan: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Built to last.â&#x20AC;? Craftsmanship is at the center of this promise, he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our welders are really good, and you can tell that the riveting we use on canoes is Grumman engineering.â&#x20AC;&#x153; As for the pontoons, â&#x20AC;&#x153;They are probably overengineered,â&#x20AC;? he declares. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The sales manager was once at a production meeting, and he couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t believe what the materials cost per unit. He said something like, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Gee whiz, guys, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not ďŹ&#x201A;ying them into combat.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? And so the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s parts business runs very well. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We get calls from people wanting to replace parts on their grandfatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s boat built in the 1960s,â&#x20AC;? says Potter. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s good and bad, because you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get a chance to replace the boats as quickly as you might want.â&#x20AC;?

A place to hang your hat Within the company, relationships last just as long. The average tenure of MBG employees is about 20 years. Scott Morris is a typical example, having worked his way up from the assembly line through painting to supervisory positions. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When I came to work for Grumman, I was just looking for a place to hang my hat until I found out what I wanted to do,â&#x20AC;? he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thirty-ďŹ ve years later, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m still doing it, so I guess I found my place. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a great family atmosphere. Even when we had 100 people, when one person was down, the rest of them would rally around. This really made me feel good working for this company.â&#x20AC;?

A second shot at fame And so, looking back on over 60 years of successfully building boats as a family, Potter has no plans to, well, rock the boat. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If it ainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t broke, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ďŹ x it,â&#x20AC;? he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re just trying to expand our markets, keep things going.â&#x20AC;? Maybe a tried and true strategy will come in handy: Morris recently signed off on a deal with the Discovery Channel to have a DuraNautic boat appear on the TV show â&#x20AC;&#x153;Behring Sea Gold.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m hoping that that show will do for us what â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Deliveranceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; did for the canoe business,â&#x20AC;? says Morris. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just unvelievable what that movie did for us.â&#x20AC;?

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&Ăľ{Ă&#x2019; Ĺ&#x2014;{CÄ&#x201C;ÂˇÄ&#x201C;Ă?Ĺ&#x2021;Ă&#x2019;n Â?Ă?Ä&#x201C; ĂľÄ&#x201C;ÂşĹ&#x201D;CÄŻ{ CĂ&#x2019;n ^Ă?Ä&#x201C;ĂľĂ?Ä&#x201C;CÄŻ{ Â?Ĺ&#x2021;Ă&#x2019;^ÄŻÂşĂ?Ă&#x2019;Ä&#x2122;Ăż 1{CÄ&#x2122;Ă?Ă&#x2019;CSĂ&#x201E;{ Ä&#x201C;CÄŻ{Ä&#x2122;Ăż (SBOHFS )PNFTUFBE BOE $BSSJBHF .VTFVN Ć?Ä¤ĂŞ N KÂ&#x17D;Ä&#x160;Ä˘ kĆ ĹĽĂ&#x2020;Ă&#x2020;Ć Â´ Â&#x17D;Ä˘Â&#x17D;Ä˘ÂšÂ&#x17D;Ä&#x160;ĂťĆ&#x2122;Â&#x17D;Â´ NÂ&#x201E; ÄľĂ´Ă´Ć?Ă´ ĂŞĂ&#x152;ĂŞÄ&#x2021;Ć&#x201E;Ä¤Ă´Ä&#x2021;ÄľĂ´Ĺ°Ć? ÂŠ Ć§Ć§Ć§Ĺ?ĂťĹĽÂ&#x17D;Ä˘ĂťĂ&#x2020;ĹĽÄ&#x2026;ÄÄ&#x153;Ă&#x2020;ĹŤĆ Ă&#x2020;Â&#x17D;ÂšĹ?ÄĹĽĂť SPR ING 2014 ~

LIke a live otter, the ďŹ nished bronze scans the horizon atop a log on the shore of Keuka Lake.

~ LIFEINTHEFINGERLAKES.COM

1 - Beginning stage of clay sculpture

2 - Week two of clay sculpture

3 - Adding details to the face

7 - Plaster molds after removal

8 - The wax model emerges from

Pouring the bronze into the molds can be a taxing, physical experience

6 - Entire clay sculpture is covered in plaster 56

~ LIFEINTHEFINGERL AKES.COM

from clay sculpture

the plaster molds

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4 - Clay model is looking good

5 - Division into quadrants for plaster

Strike While the Bronze is Hot eyes too beady? Did that tail make her look fat? I felt I was close more than once, but viewed from another angle, or at another time of day, or even at a different location in my shop, she did not look right. Dexter said that I had to be willing to take it apart if it wasn’t right, and I regret to say radical surgery was performed several times. Altogether, the clay model took 10 weeks. Sometimes, I’d lie awake at night squinting into my mind’s eye to see her form. My facial muscles moved with otter emotions, my tail swished under the covers. In the ﬁnal week, I thought I was pretty well set. But the night before I was to deliver her to the foundry, I felt something was still not quite right, and then I realized, there was no sound. So I opened her mouth. The next day we drove to Dexter’s.

Wax on, wax off Dexter casts using the lost-wax process. Once the clay model was complete, he sized it up for piecing into castable segments. In the case of the otter, the feet and tail were removed and the torso was cut just below the forepaws. These clay segments were divided into zones by sheets of thin aluminum used to form a retaining wall for plaster. The aluminum needs to be placed in such a manner that the plaster will release from the clay unimpeded by corners, holes, etc. Thus, the otter’s head was divided into four quadrants: a sagittal plane bisecting left and right, and diagonal planes through the ears. Plaster was layered onto the clay between the shims of aluminum to a thickness of two inches. When the plaster was dry, it was split away

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9 - Molten bronze is poured into the luto cylinders

10 - A bronze casting of part of the otter, before any ﬁnishing is done

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Dexter Benedict Dexter Benedict is a Yates County sculptor, and the owner/operator of the Fire Works Foundry and Sculpture Studio near Penn Yan. His work can be seen throughout the Finger Lakes Region. Here are some of the cities you can view his artwork in. • Canandaigua – the 12-foot “Lady Justice” on top of the courthouse, and the Thompson family on the sidewalk across the street • Rochester – seven life-size ﬁgures at Corporate Woods, and the “Woman with the Falcon” at Meridian Center

along the shim line, and the clay went back into the bin to which we all must someday return. The plaster sections were then reassembled and held together with rubber strips. The molds were ﬁlled with hot wax, pouring in and rinsing out, until an overall wax thickness of 1/4-inch was reached. When the molds were opened, by the grace of the gods, there was a lightweight, hollow replica of the original clay sculpture. Now the wax replica is taken home and ﬁne-tuned. Each change of state – from clay to wax and from wax to bronze – imposes its own conditions on the process. The wax was much harder to add and subtract, but I found that I could introduce more animation and detail; the brow furrowed with concentration, the shape of the

~ LIFEINTHEFINGERL AKES.COM

• Syracuse – The Irish family “Stone Thrower’s Monument” on Tipperary Hill, and Jerry Wilson on the park bench outside Coleman’s • He sent a bust of Robert Jackson to the Supreme Court this year, and a bust of Hillary Clinton to Seneca Falls. • He also casts work for other sculptors, including Wayne Williams’ Native American family that was unveiled in Canandaigua in November 2013.

paws became more sharply deﬁned. Fur texture was added with a toothed spatula. It reminded me of a giant chocolate Easter bunny.

Makes your hair curl, literally When the wax ﬁnishing was complete, additional wax components were added to provide passageways and vents for the liquid bronze. A pouring cup at the top of each piece served as

a funnel and reservoir. This augmented wax structure was encased in a cylinder of plaster and sand called luto, and each cylinder was baked in a kiln at 800 degrees for several hours to burn off the wax and dry the mold. When the burn was finished, the luto cylinders contained the empty space that was once the wax otter. Then came the bronze. Dexter has a homemade furnace that generates the 2,000-plus degrees necessary to melt the bronze. It is a 3-foot hole in the ground lined with firebrick, and, when the furnace is running, it roars like a jet engine. The bronze ingots were placed in a ceramic crucible, and the juice was turned on. The crucible and bronze weigh 300 pounds when full, and that first lift out of the hole is the moment of truth. I remembered Dexter saying to me “Some people have the strength and some people have the nerve, but not many have both.” The first time I did it, I gave it my all and … nothing happened. “I’m going to need something more,” I thought, and to my relief the crucible came out to a welcome rest on the ground. Dexter cleared the dross off the top, and we fit it into a two handled pouring bar to maneuver among the molds. Whenever I wore the wrong pants I could feel the hair curling on my legs from the radiating heat. As the molten bronze poured from the crucible, one has the impression of flowing lava. When the pour was finished, you could say “Miller Time!” but the atmosphere at Dexter’s studio was more like a cafe in fin de siécle Paris. There is a regular crowd of neighbors, artists, students, avant-garde bohemians and hired muscle who discuss the issues of the day. All that’s missing is the absinthe.

Bronze sculpture before blemishes are removed

Strike While the Bronze is Hot Sink or swim The next day the luto molds were broken up, the pouring cups and passageways (now solid bronze) cut off, and the castings inspected. All the otter parts were acceptable. There were inevitable casting flaws, from fine fins of bronze that crept into cracks in the mold, to innumerable pearls of metal that filled tiny air bubbles. These had to be removed with cold chisels, grinders and dremel bits. Then she was made whole again with a designated MIG welder. Finally, the welds were ground down, the otter groomed with wire brush and sandpaper, and some final fur texture added with a file. As in the clay/wax transition, the bronze imposes

The ﬁnal bronze after an oxidizing agent was applied. The sculpture turned from a bright gold to a golden brown.

its own conditions. She looked both more reﬁned and rugged. There were “blemishes” that I might be tempted to remove if I was making a glossy hood ornament. To me, these features showed the face of an animal that has a history. At the last, we applied an oxidizing agent and watched her turn from bright gold to golden brown. “Where is she going to go in your home?” asked Dexter. “I suspect Sue is going to be setting a place at the table for her.” That night, Sue and Otter sat sideby-side on the couch and watched a nature show on PBS.

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SPR ING 2014 ~

Human Interest

Still

Waiting story and photo by Chuck Little

ccasionally I will take a random photo and by chance there will be an unknown individual in it. Someone that adds to the photo in such a way that I feel I owe them a copy and a thank you. Their ﬁrst reaction is, “Who is this crazy guy that is taking my picture” and after I show them the photo their apprehension is always replaced by gratitude. Yesterday I captured a photo of an old man on a bench, staring off into the blowing snow and frozen lake. His back

stories about real people

was to me and completely oblivious to my presence. I approached him and started a conversation. My intent was to show him the photo and ask him if he would like a copy, but instead, he gave me something in return. It was probably the best couple hours of heavy snowfall we had all season. I didn’t measure, but it was ankle- to knee-deep depending on the wind and how much drifting occurred. But the man sat there as if it was the middle of July and a warm breeze was blowing off the lake. There was nothing special about him – he was of average size and build, dressed appropriate for the winter conditions except for no hat. At the time, I thought about offering my “AC/DC” knit hat to him, but I remember the thought of that and thinking it wouldn’t look good with his plaid wool jacket. I should have anyway. He glanced up as I approached, face and hair covered in fresh snow, and slid over to the edge of the bench

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without saying a word. I sat next to him. “Good morning,” I said. He stuck out his hand; I shook it and introduced myself. Walter said he came here every day. Until recently, his trips to the pier were accompanied by his wife, but she had recently moved on and “was in a better place,” as he put it. Sometimes they came for the sunrises, sometimes for the sunsets. Most of the time is was for picnic lunch; they always brought extra bread for the ducks, even though the sign clearly says, “No feeding the birds.” He said he was feeding the ducks long before someone decided they didn’t need food and he had no intention of stopping. That was when I glanced down and saw the bag of bread crumbs at his feet, but today there were no ducks to be found, just Walter sitting on his bench, snow melting down his face. I showed him the image on the

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back of the camera and he smiled. I offered to e-mail him a copy and. He chuckled, he said he attempted the “whole Internet thing” once but left technology up to his wife. She would show him photos of their grandkids on the computer, and they were always standing next to a cactus. He laughed like there was a joke somewhere that I should have known. I offered him a physical print, and he declined. In my head, I pictured a cozy little house somewhere in the country, with walls covered in photos of their grandkids and all of them standing there in shorts and sneakers with cacti in the background. Walter and I sat there together for a few more minutes, talking mostly about ducks and the weather. He mentioned his wife a few more times and every time he did his face lit up, and the snow on his cheeks seemed to melt just a little quicker. Our conversation slowed, and we

both sat there staring off at the frozen lake. I realized at some point I had taken my hat off, and now my mostly bald head was completely wet from melting snow, but I wasn’t cold. It ran down my cheeks, but I was as warm as if it was the middle of July.

“Still Waiting” Pier at Canandaigua 2/14

I stood to take my leave and offered Walter a ride somewhere; he declined and said that he was waiting. I assumed at the time he was waiting for a ride, or maybe for the ducks to show up for their daily bread offerings. I thanked him for our time, we shook hands again, and I left. I continued down the pier, taking photos of the blowing snow, the boathouses, and the trees, and as I looked back in my mirror and saw Walter walking slowly away, I thought of the photo of him on the bench I had taken earlier. I pulled the truck over and deleted the image from my camera. Then, I took this photo of the empty bench. I don’t know why I deleted it, but I felt as if I didn’t deserve to have it. I can’t stop thinking about Walter and what he might have been waiting for. I hope to see him again, but something tells me I won’t. In case I do, I am bringing bread crumbs, regardless of what the sign says.

SPR ING 2014 ~

A Proud Community

cities & villages

Nunda “A Nice Place to Live” story and photos by James P. Hughes

rrive from any direction and colorful signs remind visitors that Nunda (pronounced “none-day”) in Livingston County is “A Nice Place to Live.” Residents are comfortable in Nunda’s pastoral setting tucked in a western nook of the Finger Lakes Region. It’s just a few miles from one of the state’s most picturesque spots, Letchworth Park, with its 14,000 acres of stunning scenery and waterfalls. Stately homes line its streets. One of them, the former residence of a prosperous banker, became a local hospital from 1935 through 1960. It’s where Jackie Morgan, the wife of the current mayor, was born. Her husband Jack has an office in that same building today, which ably serves as the Nunda

Bottom, left: Once Again Nut Butter, a 100 percent employee-owned company, supports many charities, both local and national. Bottom, right: In 1906, the Memorial Hall for the G.A.R. was built by Colonel John J. Carter, a Civil War Medal of Honor winner and former Nunda resident. It is still in use today. Right: Flowers provided by the Nunda Garden Club brighten the storefronts of Merchants Row.

~ LIFEINTHEFINGERL AKES.COM

Government Center. It’s just one example of how lives and locations are entwined in Nunda. Bob Gelser was always drawn to his quiet hometown and returned after his college years. But to reside in Nunda meant more than two decades of long daily commutes to work in Rochester and other locales. In 2002, the situation changed for the better when Bob joined the Board of Directors of Once Again Nut Butter. Established in 1976, the entirely employee-owned local company produces “quality natural products for health-conscious consumers.” When the firm’s founder retired in 2007, Bob became president of the continually growing, charity conscious company. Once Again’s staple is great peanut butter, but that’s only the beginning – there’s cashew butter, almond butter, sunflower butter, clover honey, wildflower honey and more. Three-quarters of Once Again’s employees live within 10 miles of the plant’s

SPRING 2014 ~

location in the heart of town. “Working at a job you love and living in your hometown among old friends – it doesn’t get much better than that,” says Bob.

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In the late Hammondsport 1700s, the large Seneca village of Onondao and several smaller settlements were clustered in and around Nunda and its winding Keshequa Creek. The ﬁrst pioneer families arrived by the early 1800s. Nunda was popularly translated from the Seneca language as “where the valley meets the hills.” By the time the Genesee Valley Canal opened in 1851, the village had become a lively commercial center with a population of nearly 4,000. Connecting to the Erie, the waterway brought further prosperity. Lumber and grain from the fertile valley were transported to distant markets while affordable merchandise and freight returned from Rochester, Syracuse and points as far away as New York City. The 1830s-era business blocks (known as “Merchants Row” and the “Farmers’ Exchange”) are still in use today, along with the elegant “Union Block” from the 1880s. They are all an active part of Nunda’s heritage. Railroads later replaced the canal. For geographic reasons, the area’s ﬁrst train depot was established at Nunda Station three miles south of the village. Nunda Station (now known as Dalton) quickly became a busy community, and a bustling commercial connection was forged between the two spots. Spring blossoms enhance one of the many attractive homes in Nunda.

~ LIFEINTHEFINGERL AKES.COM

A Proud Community The famous Foote pavers Warehousing, mills and several small factories led the way to Nunda’s most famous industry, the Foote Manufacturing Company established in 1903. The ingenious Foote brothers created power mixer-paver machines that answered the nation’s needs as concrete sidewalks and roads began replacing old-fashioned boardwalks and muddy byways. Foote equipment became recognized internationally during World War II when Foote pavers followed allied forces around the world, creating the enormous number of critical airfield runways for bombers and fighter planes. The company and its employees were later honored by the War Department with several “E” awards for “exceptional performance in the production of materials for the war effort.” The famed Foote Company is just one notable part of days gone by in the village. “Working to collect, preserve, present and promote area history,” the Nunda Historical Society operates a fine museum and a comprehensive website packed with stories, descriptions and photographs. “We’re proud of the events and people that have contributed to Nunda’s rich past,” says historian Tom Cook. “The society undertakes a series of programs and projects to keep those times alive for the community.” One recent community project was the restoration of a handmade American flag presented in 1861 to Nunda volunteers (Company F of the 33rd New York) as they marched off to the Civil War. “The flag made it back to Nunda after the conflict … many of the local men did not,” explains Joan Schumaker, a lifetime resident. “The damaged banner disappeared for decades until it was eventually recovered in a time capsule.” The effort and much of the funding needed for its conservation were provided by the Nunda Trinity Church, and it now hangs reverently in the museum – a true community treasure.

Cindy Welch, owner of The Journey Quilt Company, displays a quilt of Celtic symbols and early Druid designs. The project was one of many commissioned by her customers.

SPR ING 2014 ~

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“Nunda Notables”

More Information Photographer Andrew J. Russell spent his nundany.org boyhood years in Nunda. nundachamber.org Russell is best known for nundahistory.org his iconic image of the nundaoakwoodcemetery.org 1869 driving of the “Golden Spike” at the completion of onceagainnutbutter.com the ﬁrst transcontinental welchs-wicks.com railroad. Nunda resident Reverend Richard Gay, an escaped slave, served as head cook for General Grant during the Civil War. Award-winning painter Rose Shave (1849 to 1925) studied in Upstate New York and Paris. She taught and exhibited widely, eventually returning to teach in hometown Nunda where her art studio drew students from far and near. The Rose M. Shave Collection is exhibited in a room at the Nunda Historical Society. During the Civil War, two former residents of Nunda were recipients of the Medal of Honor, America’s highest military accolade. Chester B. Bowen was honored for heroism during the Battle of Winchester in 1864, while John J. Carter was praised for his actions during the 1862 Battle of Antietam. Carter later realized a fortune in the oil business, and in 1906, constructed the stately Carter Memorial Building along State Street to honor his former comrades. It is used today as the American Legion Hall with a bronzed statue of a Union soldier perched at its peak, perhaps a replica of “Johnny” Carter himself. Everyday celebrations and a milestone anniversary The Chamber of Commerce combines with other local organizations to keep downtown Nunda lively with seasonal events and celebrations. Festivals celebrate the best of Christmas, spring and fall with food and fun, parades and

The gazebo in the Nunda Village Park is home to outdoor concerts and other local activities.

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~ LIFEINTHEFINGERL AKES.COM

A Proud Community vendors. In the summer it’s time for the farmers’ market, a vintage car show, and weekly outdoor concerts – a longtime Nunda tradition, A downtown facelift is underway with the help of New York’s Main Street Grant Program and eye-catching displays provided by the Nunda Garden Club. “Villagers appreciate the club’s efforts,” says member Gary Payne. “While working on a project, I’ve actually had people walk up and donate money to the cause.” Among downtown businesses is Cindy Welch’s Journey Quilt Company. With its 1832 façade, it is perhaps one of the more eclectic shops in the Finger Lakes. Wade through the more than 3,000 bolts of cloth and unique gifts lining its narrow aisles and you’ll see why. Amid the colorful chaos, Cindy designs and creates special-order quilts and historical clothing. “We’re celebrating the village’s 175th anniversary in 2014,” says Mayor Morgan. “It’s a perfect time to attend a special event, delve into our history, play one of our two nearby golf courses, or just enjoy Nunda’s shops and architecture.” Take a simple drive through Nunda’s quiet streets and you’ll see why local residents insist their village is just “A Nice Place to Live.”

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Missing for many decades, the handmade Civil War ﬂag of Company F, 33rd New York was recovered and restored. It now proudly hangs in the Nunda Historical Society museum.

SPR ING 2014 ~

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(â&#x20AC;&#x153;Finger Lakes Funnyâ&#x20AC;? continued from page 31)

â&#x20AC;&#x153;You should read the ďŹ eld reference guide for insects and diseases that can infect vineyards. You have every single one of them.â&#x20AC;?

Join us for a tasting of our premium wines and enjoy lunch at our deli, Ameliaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s.

of our favorite memories. It tasted like wine, in a way, but you had to use your imagination. Actually, drinking it was out of the question. Carol liked to use it to marinate steaks, and we eat steak about twice a year â&#x20AC;Ś so do the math. Business Hours: Winery â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4VO 5IVS: 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. 'SJ 4BU: B N - p.m. Deli â&#x20AC;&#x201C; weekends only: 11 a.m.- p.m. Order Online: www.longpointwinery.com -BLF 3PBE t "VSPSB /: t NBJM!MPOHQPJOUXJOFSZ DPN

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

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Epilogue, 2014 This was not a lonely venture. I called on the wisdom of quite a few friends in the winery business and made new ones. They shared their ideas, and pitched in and helped a lot, too. I was serious about all of it. I put in the time and tried hard. But whether it was a bad site or just loads of operator error, somebody else will have to decide. We invested in drain tile, but it was still pretty wet from a spring further back up the hill. In the end, it was just our backyard, and there was only so much I could do. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m left with a huge appreciation for what is life itself here in the wineries along the lakes: nature, effort, the art form coming to fruition each fall at harvest. Above all, the friendships remain. I am grateful that at least those still continue to grow. I had surrendered as a grower, and nature had begun to reclaim hill and vineyard by 2006. We shared the wire and posts with a friend down the road who was starting a vineyard with his son. Their success has been amazing. We sold the house and moved a little down the road four years ago. I drive by the old place every morning on the way to work and on the way home at night. I usually give a quick glance up the hill to where the tall grass has taken over again, where a few vines probably still hang on. Then I remind myself to stop and buy us a bottle of wine for dinner.

SATURDAY APRIL 12, 2014 Ę

3.4 MILE RUN OR 1 MILE WALK

www.ArcGrandPrixRun.org Benefitting The Arc and people with intellectual & developmental disabilities, including autism.

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Accommodations

Tudor Hall Bed & Breakfast on Keuka Lake

Accommodations • Graduations • Weddings & Banquets • Memorable Dining

Experience romantic elegance and personal pampering; panoramic lake views, swimming, boating and hot tubbing; and then fall asleep to the soothing sounds of the lake lapping just outside your window.

Rt. 89, Taughannock Falls State Park, Trumansburg

315-536-9962 tudorhall@hotmail.com • www.tudorhallbb.com

(607) 387-7711 • www.t-farms.com

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

Motel and Restaurant

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

Please visit www.ﬂbba.com

Breathtaking View From Every Room Exceptional Service and Outstanding Food Casual Comfort • Centrally Located Franzese Family Owned and Operated since 1937 1 mile north of Watkins Glen on State Route 14 607-535-2706 www.glenmotorinn.com “The only thing we overlook is Seneca Lake!”

Luxury Vacation Rental Homes for the Discerning Traveler 5 and 6 bedroom homes on private settings

GOOD VIBRATIONS

CLARKE’S COTTAGE

~ LIFEINTHEFINGERL AKES.COM

WILLOW CREEK

Ithaca, NY • 607-272-2745 www.classiccountryvacationhomes.com

Blushing Rose Bed & Breakfast

Providing the gift of hospitality 11 William Street PO Box 153, Hammondsport, NY 14840 607-569-2687 www.blushingroseinn.com

Bristol Views Bed & Breakfast

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

6932 County Rd. 12 Naples, NY 14512

607-582-7673

585-374-8875

www.bristolviews.com Henry and Barb Owens

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

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!

(“Happenings” continued from page 10)

ﬁne wines from your Wine & Herb souvenir wine glass. Visit these 4 wineries on Friday: Six Mile Creek, Long Point, King Ferry or Montezuma, to start your weekend plans early. On Saturday, visit King Ferry and Long Point wineries at a special time of 9 a.m. All 17 wineries will participate in the event the rest of the weekend. cayugawinetrail.com 25-27…Springtime in Canandaigua The juried arts and crafts show is held indoors at the Canandaigua Civic Center and will host more than 90 artisans. Food, wine tasting and entertainment are also featured. Opens on Friday and runs from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 585-396-9473 springtimeincanandaigua.com 26-27...Arts in Bloom – Steuben County Arts Trail A countywide open studio and gallery trail, where you get to meet the artist, watch them create and learn what inspires their amazing work. The collective of artists is a diverse and eclectic group of new, and well established, artists. 607-569-3767 artsinbloom.net

www.fingerlakescabins.com

27…GVBCA’s 45th Annual Bottle, Table Top Antique, Paper & Postcard Show & Sale The Genesee Valley Bottle Collectors Association’s 45th Annual Bottle, Table Top Antiques, Paper & Postcards Show & Sale will feature about 100 dealers with approximately 200 tables of a wide variety of table top antiques, paper items, postcards, and of course bottles. Located at Roberts Wesleyan College – Voller Athletic Center, in Rochester. 585-226-6345 gvbca@frontiernet.net or www.gvbca.org.

MAY 2…A Sense of Place: Finger Lakes Wines and the World Event Dates: May 2, June 6, July 4, Aug 1, Sept 5, Oct 10 , Nov 7, Dec 5. Join us for a special monthly wine tasting series where you will discover the sense of place associated with a sampling of Finger Lakes wine compared with similar varietals and styles from all around the world. Those who do will walk away with a greater appreciation of the wines of our special region, as well as other classic winemaking regions around the globe. The event is hosted by by Laura Winter Falk owner of Experience! The Finger Lakes, and is held at La

Tourelle Resort and Spa in Ithaca the ﬁrst Friday of the month from 5 to 6 p.m. 607-233-4818 experienceﬁngerlakes.com 3…The Arts Center of Yates County’s Third Annual Bed and Breakfast Tour This year’s tour will feature six B&Bs, all in the town of Hammondsport, including the Black Sheep Inn, the Blushing Rose Bed and Breakfast, Lake and Vine Bed and Breakfast, 18 Vine Inn and Carriage House, Day Dreams Bed and Breakfast and the McCorn Winery Lodging. Tickets will go on sale April 1, 2014 at the Arts Center, 127 Main Street in Penn Yan, as well as in Hammondsport at a location to be determined. 315-536-8226 artscenteryatescounty.org. 9-18…Master Gardeners of Monroe County Plant Sale Sale is daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Look for our tent at the Lilac Festival. Locally grown quality plants at reasonable prices. All proceeds support the work of the Master Gardener programs. Located at Cornell Cooperative Extension 249 Highland Ave., Rochester, NY 14620. 585-223-3897 grammy9x@yahoo.com SPR ING 2014 ~

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Culture & Attractions &RUWODQG &RXQW\ +LVWRULFDO 6RFLHW\ 5HVHDUFK WKH KLVWRU\ RI ILUHILJKWLQJ LQ &RUWODQG &RXQW\ DW .HOORJJ 0HPRULDO 5HVHDUFK &HQWHU RU VHH WKLV SRVWHU DQG PDQ\ JUHDW DUWLIDFWV DW 6XJJHWW +RXVH 0XVHXP 2SHQ 7XHVGD\Â²6DWXUGD\ DQG RWKHU WLPHV E\ DSSRLQWPHQW *LIW 6KRSÂ² Â² 0XVHXPÂ² Â² 5HVHDUFK &HQWHUÂ² Â² +RPHU $YHQXH &RUWODQG 1< a LQIR#ZZZ FRUWODQGKLVWRU\ FRP

TH Annual An tique 9 3 e s Th on Campus at

Nazareth College Shults Center

Sat., March 15, 10AM-5PM Sun., March 16, 10AM-4PM Admission is $6 (good for both days)

The Genesee Country Antique Dealers Association Call Roberta Paul at 585-243-4777

antiquesrochesterny.com Glenn H.

Museum The NewarkÂ² Arcadia Museum Features five exhibit rooms, displays, Artifacts & memorabilia from Newark and the Township of Arcadia. Reference library for local history Â´March Winter Lecture SeriesÂµ Genealogical Research Gift Shop Open Saturdays from 1-3 P.M Lecture Series 3/15, 22, 29 Â² 2:00 PM Additional Hours by appointment. 315-331-6409 120 High Street Newark, NY 14513 Across from the Hoffman Clock Museum

www.newarkarcadiamuseum.org Operated by the Newark Â² Arcadia Historical Society

~ LIFEINTHEFINGERL AKES.COM

8419 State Rte 54 Hammondsport, NY 14840 Ph: (607) 569-2160 www.glennhcurtissmuseum.org

Index of Advertisers SPRING 2014 COMPANY ...................... PAGE ... PHONE .............WEBSITE / E-MAIL

COMPANY ......................... PAGE ... PHONE .............WEBSITE / E-MAIL

AmeriCU Capital Management LLC ........................C3 ... 800-352-9699 ....americu.org

I-Wood-Care ................................ 53 ... 800-721-7715 ....iwoodc.com

Antique Revival ........................... 36 ... 800-780-7330 ....antiquerevival.com

Jim’s Equipment Repair ............... 64 ... 607-527-8872 ....jimsequipment.com

Arc of Schuyler............................ 69 ... 607-535-6934 ....arcofschuyler.org

Keuka Arts Festival ...................... 64 ... 315-288-6075 ....keukaartsfestival.com

ARTS Council of the Southern FingerLakes .................. 62 ... 607-962-5871 ....www.earts.org

Keuka Brewing Company............. 46 ... 607-868-4648 ....keukabrewingcompany.com

Arts in Bloom .............................. 47 ... 607-569-3767 ....artsinbloom.net

Keystone Custom Decks.............. 25 ... 717-355-0592 ....keystonecustomdecks.com

Belhurst ....................................... 11 ... 315-781-0201 ....belhurst.com

Larry’s Latrines .............................. 9 ... 607-324-5015 ....larryslatrines.com

Brawdy Marine Construction ....... 21 ... 716-741-8714 ....brawdyconstruction.com

The Loomis Barn.......................... 46 ... 800-716-2276 ....loomisbarn.com

Bristol Harbour ............................ 36 ... 800-288-8248 ....bristolharbour.com

Naples Valley Visitors Assn/ Wohlschlegels ............................ 66 ... 585-534-5696 ....naplesvalleyny.com

Carey Lake................................... 51 ... 315-986-1936 ....careylake.com

The Jewelbox .............................. 46 ... 800-711-7279 ....ithacajewelbox.com

Keuka Family Dentistry ................ 31 ... 607-776-7656 ....gls@keukafamilydentistry.com

Caves Kitchens............................ 47 ... 585-478-4636 ....cavesmillwork.com

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

Cayuga Lake Wine Trail................ 26... 800-684-5217 ....cayugawinetrail.com

NYSERDA .................................... 27 ... nyserda.ny.gov/energy-stars

Chemung Canal Trust .................. 60... 800-836-3711 ....chemungcanal.com

Roseland Waterpark .................... 25 ... 585-396-2000 ....roselandwaterpark.com

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

Santelli Lumber Co Inc................. 65 ... 315-597-4884 ....santellilumber.com

CNY Arts ..................................... 45... 315-435-2155 ....cnyarts.org

Seaweed Mat Systems ............... 67 ... 585-226-6489 ....seaweedmatsystems.com

Cobtree Vacation Rentals ............ 45... 315-789-1144 ....cobtree.com

Seneca County Chamber ............. 22 ... 800-732-1848 ....ﬁngerlakescentral.com

The Deane Center for the Performing Arts ................ 62... 570-724-6220 ....deanecenter.com

SignLanguage Inc ........................ 35 ... 585-237-2620 ....signlanguageinc.com

DockCraft Industries ...................... 9... 585-734-7374 ....dockcraft.com

Smith Boys Marina ...................... 20 ... ...........................smithboys.com

Schooner Excursions ..................... 9 ... 607-535-5253 ....schoonerexcursions.com

Six Mile Creek Vineyard............... 46 ... 607-272-9463 ....sixmilecreek.com

Eastview Mall.............................. 61... 585-223-4420 ....eastviewmall.com

Spa Apartments .......................... 67 ... 315-462-3080 ....spaapartments.com

FiberArts in the Glen .................... 37... 607-535-9710 ....ﬁberartsintheglen.com

Starkey’s Lookout ........................ 65 ... 607-678-4043 ....starkeyslookout.com

Finger Lakes Deck Master ........... 30... 855-208-DECK ....ﬁngerlakesdeckmaster.com

Timber Frames ............................ 51 ... 585-374-6405 ....timberframesinc.com

Finger Lakes from Space Poster .. 30... 800-331-7323 ....atwatervineyards.com

Water Works Center.................... 66 ... 607-748-8200 ....waterworkscondos.com

Finger Lakes Tram........................ 35... 315-986-8090 ....ﬁngerlakestram.com

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

Gardner Construction & Development ............................ 26... 315-573-1474

Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce ............... 59 ... 800-607-4552 ....watkinsglenchamber.com

Genesee Valley Timber & Stone ... 23... 585-889-7950 ............................................................ geneseevalleytimberandstone.com

Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel ............ 7 ... 607-535-6116 ....watkinsglenharborhotel.com

German Brothers Marina Inc ......... 2... 585-394-4000 ....germanbrothers.com

Woodhouse ................................. 17 ... 800-227-4311 ....timberframe1.com

Wine Trail Properties ................... 29 ... 866-456-8004 ....winetrailproperties.com

Granger Homestead .................... 53... 585-394-1472 ....grangerhomestead.org MARKETPLACE ADVERTISING Greater Rochester International Airport ...................... 5... 585-753-7020 ....monroecounty.gov

Accommodations ........... Pgs. 70-71

Real Estate for Sale ........ Pgs. 38-39

Camping ................................ Pg. 75

Seneca Lake Wine Trail .. Pgs. 76-77

Canandaigua .................... Pg. 74-75

Shopping & Services....... Pgs. 78-79

Hampton Inn Geneseo ................. 28... 585-447-9040 ....geneseo.hamptoninn.com

Culture & Attractions ............Pgs. 72

Wine, Spirits & Brews .... Pgs. 68-69

Highlands at Pittsford .................... 3... 585-586-7600 ....highlandsatpittsford.org

Naples ................................... Pg. 77

Halco ........................................... 19... 315-946-6200 ....halcoheating.com Halsey’s Restaurant .................... 47... 315-789-4070 ....halseysgeneva.com

Hilton Garden Inn Auburn ............ 57... 315-252-5511 ....auburn.hgi.com Hilton Garden Inn Ithaca ................ 4... 877-STAY-HGI .....ithaca.hgi.com Hotel Ithaca ................................. 37... 607-272-1000 ....thehotelithaca.com Humane Society of Schuyler County .......................... 31... 607-210-4263 ....schuylerhumane.org

SUPPORT THESE BUSINESSES! Let them know you saw their advertisement in Life in the Finger Lakes magazine. SPR ING 2014 ~

marketplace

Canandaigua – The Chosen Spot Entertain your guests in style at the Granger Homestead. DINNERS WEDDINGS RECEPTIONS SHOWERS BIRTHDAYS REUNIONS TEA PARTIES Open year-round for private and corporate functions. Reasonable rates. Granger Homestead and Carriage House 295 N Main Street, Canandaigua, NY 14424 585-394-1472 • www.grangerhomestead.org

ARA bracelet in 24K gold and oxidized silver hand set with multi-colored sapphires

Rustic enough for him ... elegant enough for her!

142 South Main St., Canandaigua, NY

Family Owned for over 65 years FINE JEWELRY, WATCHES, ENGRAVING AND REPAIRS

585-394-3115 • mycrowndowntown.com

At the Gallery ...Inspiration Across the Finger Lakes Original artwork by 40 established & emerging artists Paintings, mixed media, drawings, hand crafted jewelry, glass, sculptures, ceramics, pastel

• Workshops & Classes • for all abilities

71 S. Main Street, Canandaigua NY 14424 585-394-0030

www.prrgallery.com

~ LIFEINTHEFINGERL AKES.COM

3770 State Route 21 Canandaigua, NY 14424 585-394-9080 www.chaletbandb.com

Rated #1 in the Finger Lakes Rated #6 in USA

marketplace

Camping

Clute Memorial Park & Campground A Finger Lakes landmark for classic gifts, extraordinary accessories for home and garden, handcrafted jewelry, apparel, fine stationery and whims w h i m ses! ie s!

56 South Main St. • Downtown Canandaigua Open Daily • 585-394-6528

• 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/?Parks

on Seneca Lake Himrod, NY - off Rt. 14 607-243-7926 4 cottages for rent plus campsites info@backacherscampsites.com www.backacherscampsites.com

Hejamada Campground & RV Park

Cheerful Valley Campground

Family Camping at its best!

Family Camping at its Best

Located in the Finger Lakes Region Come see why we’re the ideal campground for caravans, jamborees, group functions, families and individual campers.

(315)776-5887 • 877-678-0647 www.hejamadacampground.com

Subscribe and Save up to

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Free Vintage Fire Truck Rides • Real Log Cabins Planned Activities • Themed Weekend • All Type Sites Large Swimming Pool • Ceramic Tile Rest Rooms Rec. Hall • Playground • Great Fishing • Large Fields Peaceful River Valley • Large Grassy Sites 1412 Rt. 14 Phelps, NY 14532 Ph: 315-781-1222 • info@cheerfulvalleycampground.com www.cheerfulvalleycampground.com

Near Bristol Mountain Aerial Adventure Park

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• 100 Acres • 60´x80´ sites w/ Full Hook-ups • Modern Facilities • Playground

• Pavilion • Fishing Pond • Large Pool • Store • Ice • Propane

• Cabin Rentals • Cabin with Full Amenities • Hiking Trails • Wi-Fi • New Solar Canopy

Call 800-344-0559 Today

585-229-2290 • e-mail: brwoodland@aol.com • www.bristolwoodlands.com

or visit LifeintheFingerLakes.com

4835 South Hill Road • Canandaigua, NY 14424

SPR ING 2014 ~

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Seneca Lake Wine Trail

A Taste of Tuscany in the Finger Lakes!

â&#x20AC;¢ Sip Premium Award-Winning Wine â&#x20AC;¢ Enjoy lunch from our CafÃ© Toscana daily â&#x20AC;¢ Take in the magnificent view of our vineyards overlooking Seneca Lake from our breath-taking terrace â&#x20AC;¢ Create memories for your wedding reception, or private event in our La Vista Ã© Bella ballroom Present this ad in our tasting room for a complimentary wine tasting

A Wine for Every Taste!

Please check our website for upcoming events. 3440 Rt. 96A, Geneva, NY 14456 315-719-0000

www.ventosavineyards.com

Best in Class â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Cabernets

NOW OPEN AT WSW!

/RFDOO\ FUDIWHG EHHU URRW EHHU 7ZR FRPSOLPHQWDU\ EHHU RU ZLQH WDVWLQJV ZLWK WKLV DG 2SHQ GDLO\ \HDU Â¶URXQG /RFDWHG RQ WKH QRUWKZHVW HQG RI 6HQHFD /DNH MXVW VRXWK RI *HQHYD 5RXWH *HQHYD 1< ZZZ ZKLWHVSULQJVZLQHU\ FRP

)RXQGHG RZQHG E\ &DUO )ULEROLQ

~ LIFEINTHEFINGERL AKES.COM

marketplace

Naples – Wineries, Artists and more

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

Experience the history,

Explore the vast beauty, and

Discover the

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.

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

585-374-2139 www.monicaspies.com

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.

March 22, 2014:

march preferred pairings March 28-30, 2014:

CRUISIN’ THE TROPICS WEEKEND April 25-27, 2014:

SPRING WINE & CHEESE WEEKEND

A Tasteful Experience!

877-536-2717

senecalakewine.com SPR ING 2014 ~

marketplace

Shopping & Services MAKE YOUR OWN WINE

Bowes Roof & Exterior Cleaning

www.101winemaking.com

Get rid of those black stains and moss!

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

Simple and guaranteed 607-873-4911• bowesroofcleaning.com

+LVWRULF ,WKDFD¶V

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

6LJQLILFDQW (OHPHQWV

Architectural Salvage Warehouse 212 Center St. Ithaca, NY

VLJQLILFDQWHOHPHQWV RUJ

Discover...

Two Floors of Distinctive Gifts, Including Our Year ’Round Seasonal Shops Normal Business Hours Mon-Sat Open Sundays in December 2 West Main Street, Clifton Springs 315-548-4438

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

~ LIFEINTHEFINGERL AKES.COM

Fiber & Art Emporium in the Finger Lakes

Yates County Afghan $49.95 Available only at

<DWHV &RXQW\ Downtown Hammondsport Local Artisans, Fiber Arts, Rug Hooking and Supplies, Sheepskins, Yarn and more. Local Artist Work. Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 11am-4pm Closed on Wednesday

67 Shethar St. • Hammondsport, NY 14840

Carol Oswald • Carolyn Spiller

607-569-3530

+LVWRU\ &HQWHU

Phone orders (315)536-7318 107 Chapel St. Penn Yan *Visa and MC accepted * We Ship

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

Recollections

Canandaigua • 585-394-7493

Antiques

Victorian Antiques Bought & Sold

Heron’s Roost Gift Shop Unique gift items including candles, bath soaps, walking sticks, bird baths and feeders, wind chimes, lavender scented items, tee shirts, wine accessories, books, cards, teas and tea pots, CD's, custom gift baskets

Chair Caning • All types of chair re-weaving • 30 years experience

Hand-made alpaca items from the fiber of our own resident alpacas "Eli, Eugene, Bo and Nyaki"

WE BUY ANTIQUE JEWELRY

After Before

Fibrenew specializes in the restoration of leather, vinyl and plastics. Servicing five major markets: Automotive,Aviation, Marine, Residential and Commercial Furniture. Mobile Service - We come to you.

www.fibrenew.com/fingerlakes

7661 Tuttle Road Prattsburgh, NY 14873 (607) 522-4113 SPR ING 2014 ~

Off the Easel

creating art

Saving the World,

One Egg at a Time

by Barb Frank

eople on Earth must make enough pysanky eggs each year to keep the chains that hold the evil monster strong, says Ukranian legend. If not enough are made, the chains will break and the monster will be let loose on the world. “I like to say I’m saving the world,” says artist Mia Sohn. The elaborately decorated eggs are created using a wax relief process. Artists alternate dyeing the egg, drawing on it with beeswax where they want to preserve the color, then dyeing it a different color. The total process can take one-and-a-half hours for a simple egg dyed red with a white snowﬂake, to nearly a month for an elaborately dyed ostrich egg. The artist must apply the dye from light to dark and know what to draw when. “It takes a lot of planning,” reveals Sohn. After she applies all the colors, the wax is melted off to reveal the fully decorated egg. Sohn jokes that it is a slow and tedious process that perhaps no sane person does. She didn’t expect to be an egg artist (though she always wanted to create art). The eggs drew her in from the start. She grew up in Venice Center, a small town between Auburn and Ithaca. When she was two, her dad brought home two pysanky

~ LIFEINTHEFINGERL AKES.COM

eggs. “I decorated the eggs, but got frustrated because I couldn’t make them look the way I wanted,” she says. Years later, in 1977, as a young mother looking for a little time to herself, she signed up for a pysanky egg decorating class at the local Huntington Island Library. That ﬁrst class gave Sohn the introduction to making the eggs she envisioned.

The Ukranian art of pysanky dates back to 3,000 B.C., explains Sohn. Colors, shapes and figures all have their own symbolism. “I’m not Ukranian,” she says, “so I have studied the traditions.” Red represents passion, yellow is happiness and purple is faith. A fish means prosperity, while a butterfly suggests a fresh start. Borders suggest eternity and prayers. To create the eggs, Sohn “doodles.” “I play with the color to make them fun. More and more I blend traditional elements and nontraditional color combinations. I see patterns and colors. I try to bring the art into the 21st century.” After conceiving a design, which may also involve new techniques such as etching the shells with an acid wash, she tries it on an egg. “They aren’t always a success,” she admits. Sohn tries to create a story on each egg, which often results in asymmetric designs. Special orders have relayed stories of love, hope and remembrance. “I try to put a bit of whimsy into my traditional designs. For example, ram horns traditionally represent strength, so I made a Christmas egg that showed the horns as interlocking candy canes – to add a little sweetness,” she laughs. Being an egg artist hasn’t allowed her to quit her day job as a customer service representative

Photos courtesy the artist

in Rochester – where she’s been a resident since 1999 (she spent 24 years in Long Island previously) – but Sohn says she feels quite successful with her art. Her ﬁrst eggs sold 37 years ago in her father-in-law’s liquor store for $2 each. Now she attends juried art shows in Upstate New York, including the Cornhill Art Festival, where her eggs sell from $10 to $500. She usually attends eight shows a year, where she demonstrates her art and talks with people about the craft and the eggs she has created. She also sells the eggs on her website. As much as this art form is her personal passion, Sohn also sees it as her contribution to the world. “The nicest thing I have ever been told was after I related the Ukranian legend surrounding the eggs to a family friend. That friend responded, ‘Well of course you are [saving the world]. Beauty always ﬁghts evil.’” To see more of Mia Sohn’s work, visit her website pysankyegg.homestead.com.

“New Energy Works was great all around. Extremely professional and highly creative. We couldn’t be happier with our new lake home.” — Vanessa & Paul

Serving great clients in the Finger Lakes for 25+ years | newenergyworks.com | 585.924.3860