Life in the Finger Lakes NovDec 2016 by Fahy-Williams Publishing

15th ANNUAL PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS • TRAIN DEPOTS • UNIQUE JEWELRY SPARKLES

The Magazine for People Who Love New York State’s Wine Region

Since

2001

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LIFE IN THE FINGER LAKES

Holiday Sparkle Jewelry, p. 12 • Rattlesnake Pete, p. 56

November/December 2016

15th Annual

Photo Contest Winners

page 28

Finger Lakes Festivities • Autumn to Winter Pictorial, p.44 • A Whistle Stop Tour of Train Depots, p.38 • Tasting Delicious Cider, p.48

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016 • VOL. 16, NO. 6

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The Good Life in the heart of the

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Cover: The holidays are celebrated with warm lights and bright colors on Keuka Lake.

ON’S PR GI

Photo by Bill Banaszewski

This page: Cold duck.

Photo by Peter Blackwood

Volume 16, Number 6 • November/December 2016

F E A T U R E S

15th Annual Photo Contest Winners The photos keep getting better and better! MORE CONTEST PHOTOS! LIFL

APP EXTRA!

Whistle Stop Tours: Railroad Depots

Autumn to Winter

Peter Blackwood’s Finger Lakes country is blessed photography lends itself nicely to the changing of with dozens of old railroad freight and passenger depots. the seasons. by Rich Finzer

The Cider House Rules Interlaken offers a new drinking and dining experience. by Bill Wingell MORE CIDERY PHOTOS!

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eAc bu r u ab r yr oJvaenmubae Jrruy/l/D yF/e eg mu se t To Subscribe, visit LifeintheFingerLakes.com or callN800-344-0559

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Since

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

Outdoors

thoughts from the editor

5 Letters reader feedback 6 Finger Lakes Map

areas of interest in this issue

8 Happenings

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LIFL EXTRA!

in the open air The origin of the fish species of Cayuga and Seneca Lakes

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news and events

12 Off the Easel

56 History

20 Nooks & Crannies

71 Index of Advertisers 72 Book Look

creating art Holiday sparkle with unique jewelry

a little bit of everything Station house in Seneca Castle

24 Fruit of the Vine

wine, spirits and brews Enhanced tasting at Dr. Konstantin Frank

narrative of the past The king of Rochester’s viper room

reading reviews The enduring memories of people and places

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My Own Words

thoughts from the editor

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part of their earlier life that is worthy of as it been a year already since a magazine article. the last photo contest? I always And, to stay up with current ways use this issue as a benchmark that people are getting their inforto see where we are as magazine mation, we continue to produce a publishers, and to look at what we’ve high-quality digital version of the magaccomplished. azine through a mobile app. The neat Life in the Finger Lakes has been thing about reading the magazine this published now for 16 years, and we are way is that now we can give you more proud of that accomplishment. In 2001, photos, videos and events that can’t fit when Tim Braden and I were talking to into the printed version. And we will be various businesses and other movers publishing bonus articles in the digital and shakers in the area, we were told version as well. by a significant number that the maga Last but not least, I try to have an zine would never survive. I”m happy to editor’s pick every year for the photo say that we’re still here! A good part of the reason for our longevity is you, the reader. Not only are you loyal and consistently interested in the articles we publish, you are also a contributor. This is YOUR magazine, because it speaks from your heart. I’ve always said that the strength of the articles is due to the varied interests and talents of the writers “Ithaca Camping” – color • Brian Maley • Ithaca and photographers that produce them. The eclectic contest, and this year it is Brian Maley’s mix is a mirror image of who loves the photo depicting camping in the Ithaca region. area. I love the subject matter since I have had people question me camping is near and dear to my heart. over the years if there is enough to Brian captured the image by setting his write about in the Finger Lakes Region. camera on a tripod with a self-timer Wouldn’t we start to repeat ourselves on the same subject? Are there enough set to 30 seconds. When the shutter released he walked into the frame interesting stories to tell? I can say, wearing a headlamp and then moved without a doubt, that we will never exto the fire where he stoked it until the haust our list of ideas that go into the exposure ended. magazine. Even if we cover a similar The busy holiday season is almost subject three or four times over a span upon us, and yet, take some quiet time of ten years, there are always different and enjoy your life in the Finger Lakes. ways to look at that subject. And the stories about the people, who have lived here and who currently live here, are never ending. It always amazes me how you may think you know someone, and then they tell you about a mark@lifeinthefingerlakes.com

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Please direct your responses to mark@lifeinthefingerlakes.com reader feedback

recently received a spreadsheet from the Finger Lakes SPCA with up-to-date figures on the distribution and fund raising from Willy of the Crooked Lake (“Willy’s Legacy,” July/August 2016). I think I have come up with a reasonably good estimate of how the article impacted book sales. We seemed to have a burst of orders after the middle of June. Needless to say, this has been a big boost to the fundraising for the new shelter at River’s Edge Farm. Many thanks! We continue to be grateful for Laurel Wemett’s careful work and for the wonderful spread Mark gave us in the summer issue of the magazine. – Gary Pierce Brown, Hammondsport

Housekeeping Updates

ow could you possibly have omitted Syracuse University from the list of college rowing programs on page 42 of the September/October 2016 issue? With possible exception of Cornell, Syracuse University has to be the oldest program in the area – decades old! – Anonymous e-mail In spite of our best efforts to present complete and correct information in the magazine, on occasion omissions happen. We certainly regret this oversight. – Editor

We do highlight many areas of interest, although they don’t always fall under the “Day Trip” title. In the future, we’ll be more cognizant of including more places to visit. – Editor

Although both birds look very similar from that angle – and after much debate from bird experts – we concur that it is indeed a chickadee. – Editor

really enjoy your magazine, and I have for a long time. But, I’m noticing a shift away from articles on small towns/events in the area. The photography articles (hints and how-tos) are beautiful – but I miss the articles about places! They always made me want to visit them, and some I actually have. Thanks for the gorgeous magazine. – Pat Gardner, York, New York

Letters

he bird being banded on page 73 of the September/October 2016 issue is a chickadee – not a Blackpoll warbler as printed. – Lucian Parshall

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Finger Lakes Regional Map 1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8

Bloomfield (p. 14) Canandaigua (p. 12) Cayuga (p. 39) Caywood (p. 13)

areas of interest in this issue

9 Honeoye Falls (p. 15) 10 Industry (p. 42) 11 Interlaken (p. 48) 12 Jamesville (p. 38)

Clifton Springs (p. 41) Gates (p. 43) Geneva (p. 40) Hammondsport (p. 24)

13 Lyons (p. 40) 14 Marcellus (p. 17) 15 Martisco (p. 38) 16 Rochester (p. 56)

17 Seneca Castle (p. 20) 18 Seneca Falls (p. 39) 19 Shortsville (p. 40) 20 Victor (p. 43)

From Oswego

Lake Ontario

Hilton

104

Webster

Brockport

104

Sodus

Baldwinsville

E. Rochester Fairport

Macedon

Caledonia

Honeoye

Victor

19 Canandaigua

Avon

Geneseo

Bloomfield

Livonia Hemlock

20A

Mt. Morris

Lima

Weedsport

Newark

O N T A R I O17 20

Clifton Springs Phelps

Geneva

Waterloo

Seneca Falls

LIVINGSTON

Cayuga 3

Union Springs

SENECA

20A

Honeoye

Ovid

Penn Yan

YATES

Skaneateles

Auburn

Wayland

390

Groton

Canisteo

Burdett

Watkins Glen Bath

SCHUYLER

McGraw 81

Dryden

Cayuga Heights

Lamoka Lake

CORTLAND

Trumansburg

Waneta Lake

Hammondsport8

86 17

Hornell

Homer Cortland

Lansing

Avoca

CAYUGA

4 Dundee

Prattsburgh

Ithaca

Marathon

From Binghamton

Montour Cayuta Lake Falls TOMPKINS Odessa

STEUBEN Candor

Spencer 86

Rexville

Painted Post

Horseheads

Corning

Elmira C H E M U N G Heights

Elmira

Addison

TIOGA

Waverly

Editorial & Production

Contributors...........................................Peter Blackwood

Editor......................................................................Mark Stash ......................................... mark@lifeinthefingerlakes.com

......................................................................... Julie Cummins

Senior Graphic Artist...........................Jennifer Srmack Graphic Artist...........................................Danielle Valente Associate Editor..............................................Tina Manzer Assistant Editors........................................ Jenn Bergin .............................................................................. J. Kevin Fahy ............................................................................Carol C. Stash

............................................................................Jason Feulner ..................................................................................Rich Finzer ..................................................................... James P. Hughes .................................................................Nancy E. McCarthy .....................................................................Laurel C. Wemett ..................................................................................Bill Wingell

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© 2016 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.

Newark Valley

Van Etten

Owego

ONONDAGA

Interlaken 11

Branchport

Cohocton

The Finger Lakes Region of New York State

Fayetteville Manlius

Moravia

Naples

From Jamestown

690

Syracuse 481

Aurora

390

Dansville

Solvay

15 Marcellus14

From Utica

481 90

Jordan

Nunda

9Falls

390

Clyde

Lyons

Palmyra

North 11 Syracuse

WAYNE

490 90

Oneida Lake

Rochester

490

F From Buffalo

From Watertown

Wolcott

104

Spencerport

Finger Lakes 1 Conesus 2 Hemlock 3 Canadice 4 Honeoye 5 Canandaigua 6 Keuka 7 Seneca 8 Cayuga 9 Owasco 10 Skaneateles 11 Otisco

Sodus Bay

Sodus Point

MONROE

From Binghamton

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

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

Online Sales Rick Kauder...........................................rkauder@fwpi.com

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

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RIGHT IN THE FINGER LAKES

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Happenings November Nov 11-13…Christkindl Market Enjoy the charm of a quaint European village in the heart of historic Canandaigua. A one-of-a-kind shopping and holiday experience featuring over 130 artisans, German food, wine & beer specialties, music & family entertainment, a bake sale and much more! Admission is $6 per day or $10 for multi-days, under 12 free. 295 N. Main St., Canandaigua 585-394-1472 canandaiguachristkindlmarket.com Nov 12…Nouveau Celebration Join us in celebrating the first wine of the 2016 harvest. Enjoy a glass of our Nouveau wine, live entertainment, and hearty seasonal hors d’oeuvres by Chef Orlando of Veraisons, outdoors among the fall foliage! Admission $15 at the door, $12 in advance online. 1 to 4 p.m. 5435 State Route 14, Dundee, NY 14837 800-243-5513 glenora.com Nov 13...Pelotones at Grist Iron Brewing Company The Pelotones will be playing their danceable mix of swing jazz, blues, rhythm and blues and originals. Great food and drink will be available. 2 to 5 p.m. 4880 NY-414, Burdett, NY 14818 607-882-2739 pelotones.bandcamp.com Nov 17-19…Historic Palmyra’s Holiday Bazaar Vendors welcome for $25 per table. Luncheon, special gifts, antiques and crafts. No charge for admittance. Thursday and Friday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with luncheon at 11:30 a.m. until gone; Saturday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 122 William St., Palmyra, NY 14522 315-597-6981 historicpalmyrany.com

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Nov 19…Preparing for the Holidays — the 19th-Century Way Watch as the village townsfolk decorate for the Yuletide season and butcher a hog for the holiday feast. As part of Preparing for the Holidays the Christmas Crafts program will include traditional holiday crafts of

news and events the modern day. Admissions $10, 18 and under free. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 1410 Flint Hill Rd, Mumford, NY 14511 585-538-6822 gcv.org Nov 25...Opening Day of Dickens Christmas in Skaneateles The 23rd edition of Dickens Christmas opens at noon, with the World’s Smallest Christmas Parade. Charles Dickens and his entourage will meander down Fennell Street to Jordan Street to Genesee Street, ending on the porch of the Hannum House. Dickens Christmas continues every Saturday and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m., through December 18, with an abbreviated production (noon to 2:30 p.m.) December 24. skaneateles.com Nov 26…Breakfast with St.Nick at Genesee Country Village & Museum Kids are invited to crawl up on Santa’s lap and whisper their innermost wishes for this Christmas. In addition, the museum is serving a kid-delicious breakfast. Each child will also receive a 19th-century treat from Santa. Seatings are 9:30, 10:30 & 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. 1410 Flint Hill Rd, Mumford, NY 14511 585-538-6822 gcv.org

December Nov 5-Dec 17...O’Tannenbaum at Tioga County Historical Museum A special celebration that is free to the community, O’Tannenbaum displays more than 100 Christmas trees, wreaths, and other items, all of which are up for auction. Visitors can enjoy children’s activities, musical performances, and visits with Santa. All proceeds benefit the Tioga County Historical Society. Tuesdays-Saturdays: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 110 Front St, Owego, NY 13827 607-687-2460 Dec 3…Sparkle Join Corning’s Gaffer District for the 42nd annual culmination of the Crystal City Christmas Events Season from (Continued on page 10)

~ LifeintheFingerL akes.com

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Happenings

CHECK OUT WHAT’S HAPPENING AT THE HANGAR!

Visit HangarTheatre.org

Join us for a series of concerts and performances through out the year. Hangar Theatre 801 Taughannock Blvd, Ithaca 607.273.ARTS

Hangar Theatre gift certificates, subscriptions, and giftiks are the perfect gift for any occasion.

5 p.m to 9 p.m. Enjoy horse and wagon rides, shopping and dining promotions, outdoor entertainment and activities for the family, craft and food vendors, holiday carolers, and photos with Santa in his Crystal House. This year’s event includes the Selfless Elf 5K and ends with fireworks! 114 Pine St., Corning NY 14830 607-937-6292 gafferdistrict.com

Dec 3-4…Cayuga Lake Wine Trail’s 23rd Annual Holiday Shopping Spree Sample fine wines paired with holiday treats. Take home a souvenir wine glass, a grapevine wreath, a collectible Cayuga Lake Wine Trail ornament from each winery, plus holiday recipes. You won’t want to miss this! 5102 State Route 89, Romulus, NY 14541 315-549-8797 varickwinery.com

Dec 3-4…Holiday Barrel Tasting Enjoy an exclusive barrel sample tasting with the winemaking team, followed by a festive hors d’oeuvres reception and the opportunity to purchase pre-released wines and special discounts on your favorite Keuka Spring wines. Saturday’s tastings are at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. and Sunday’s tastings at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. $25 pp. Reservations must be made. 243 Route 54, East Lake Rd., Penn Yan, NY 14527 315-536-3147 keukaspringwinery.com

Dec 10…Homestead Holiday Candlelight House Tour Tour of the historic homes in the Village of Palmyra and two museums. Begin at the Phelps Museum (140 Market Street) and end at the Alling Coverlet Museum (122 William Street) with several homes in between. Many new homes dating throughout the 1800s. 4 to 8 p.m., $20 presale tickets and $25 at the door. 132 Market Street, Palmyra, NY 14522 315-597-6981 historicpalmyrany.com

Detroit

ELM Philadelphia

Atlanta St. Petersburg/ Clearwater

Orlando/ Sanford

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Off the Easel

creating art

Holiday Sparkle by Nancy E. McCarthy

Above: Brass gingko sculptural neckwire, Erica Bapst Below: Brass gingko earrings with 14k gold-filled ear wires, Erica Bapst

riginal handcraft-

Erica Bapst Adorn Jewelry and Accessories, Canandaigua This Canandaigua native, who also paints and draws, has been designing and making jewelry for 17 years, the last dozen from her own shop, Adorn Jewelry and Accessories. The stylish boutique sells Erica Bapst’s jewelry, created on premises, plus trending commercial jewelry, handbags, scarves, hair accessories and loose beads for jewelry-making. Bapst also sells her handmade original jewelry from her website and occasionally participates in art shows. The artisan designs a wide range: from simple beaded pieces of semi-precious stones, freshwater pearls, Czech

ed jewelry is a great way to add

some sparkle to your holiday season. Meet five talented jewelry artisans who live and create in the Finger Lakes Region, drawing their design inspirations from the people, resources and natural scenery here. Treat yourself, or others on your gift list, to striking, locallyproduced wearable art. That’s beautiful from any angle.

glass or Swarovski crystal to more intricate sterling silver or brass creations. She gravitates toward everyday wear, though also designs for weddings and proms. “I would like to say that I have a specific style like most artists do,” says Bapst, “but the reality is, I am so interested in meeting the needs of my customers that my designs are often reflective of them just as much as my own design sensibilities.” There are exceptions though, and the Gingko collection, is one. Bapst was commissioned to design a pin to commemorate 30 years of Canandaigua

~ LifeintheFingerL akes.com

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Cayuga Lake Stone Necklace with Roman Glass Spacers on Coated Stainless Steel Wire, Bill Coppard

Seneca Lake Stacked Stone Earrings on Sterling Silver Findings, Bill Coppard

Athena Award recipients (she won one herself in 2013). This award honors professional excellence, community service and cultivating other women leaders. The inspiration to symbolize women of unwavering beauty and strength using the legendary Gingko tree leaf as a template (an exceptionally hardy species with striking fan-shaped leaves) sprang purely from Bapst’s own heart and imagination. For the holidays, Bapst is expanding the Ginkgo collection, a variety of pendant and earring sets, rings, cuff bracelets, sculptural neck wires and hair picks of sterling silver, brass and 14k gold. Every piece is hand built, not cast, so each leaf is as unique as the individual wearing it. Adorn Jewelry and Accessories 36 South Main Street, Canandaigua adornjewelryandaccessories.com

Bill Coppard Caywood Stone Jewelry, Caywood For the past nine years, Bill Coppard has been living his long-held ambition to design and fabricate jewelry. Prior to that, the Rochester native founded and ran an art film theatre. Now Coppard lives and creates in Caywood, a scenic hamlet in Lodi on the

LIFL

east shore of Seneca Lake. Inspired by the Finger Lakes Region, which Coppard characterizes as “one of the most beautiful places on Earth,” the artisan collects natural stones from Seneca and Cayuga Lakes for his jewelry. When the weather is favorable, Coppard works outside with an incredible lake view. He spreads his stones out on a table and matches them to the designs he envisions. The spacers between the stones come from a variety of sources and materials. “My work can be described as minimalist because I use very little in my work in addition to stones,” Coppard says. Currently, he makes necklaces and earrings, but is experimenting with bracelets. Coppard sells his jewelry online from his website and locally at the Ithaca Farmers Market and Ithacamade, a gift shop. He participates in art shows as well. On December 10th, Coppard will be an exhibitor at the Little Red Wagon Artisan Market holiday event at The Space@GreenStar in Ithaca. While he doesn’t design specifically for the holidays, Coppard’s stacked stone earrings are popular gift items, and a pleasant reminder of warm shimmering lakes during those long winter months. caywoodstonejewelry.com

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Off the Easel Leather cuff bracelets, Pamela Nakoski

Pamela Nakoski Vintage Soul, Bloomfield For the past seven years, Pamela Nakoski has been handcrafting one-ofa-kind statement jewelry fulltime in her Bloomfield home studio using antique and vintage finds. Growing up in the Finger Lakes (in Ithaca and Interlaken) and raising her own family here has led her to appreciate the beauty of the region and its resources. “Recycling is very important to me and I try to do my part by not crowding our landfills with items that can be upcycled into useful and beautiful items,” says Nakoski who also repurposes “junk” into new home décor as a hobby. She is a strong advocate for

shopping locally and sources the vast majority of her materials at local shops, auctions and estate sales. Nakoski creates earrings, rings, necklaces and pendants, bracelets, hair accessories and purses. She breathes new life into old jewelry to create fresh, exciting and contemporary designs utilizing old leather belts, collars, pen nibs, hinges, keys

Stay warm this winter & bank from home!

and vintage watches. “I find interest in almost every treasure I run across and always find a way to incorporate unusual items into my work,” Nakoski explains. Several shops carry her jewelry: One Jane in Pittsford; Talulah’s Fancy and Friends, Honeoye Falls; Hopper’s Hills Floral & Gifts, Victor; and Serendipity Boutique in Geneva. In addition to selling her creations from her website, Nakoski also participates in art shows including this year’s Canandaigua Christkindl Market (November 11-13) and the Holiday Bazaar at the Rochester Museum and Science Center (November 18-20). Her popular items include cuff bracelets made from leather belts designed with silver or brass shoe

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Starched collar necklace, Pamela Nakoski

clips and escutcheon plates (decorative back plates from dresser pulls) riveted to them. “The patina of the brass plates along with the richness of the leather come together to create a beautiful finished product,” says Nakoski. Another bestseller is an unusual statement necklace made from antique starched collars from the 1900s embellished with vintage jewelry or trim. The artisan gets a lot of commissions around the holidays, repurposing family heirloom jewelry into new, one-of-a-kind pieces for her customers to wear or give as gifts to be appreciated anew. pamelasvintagesoul.com

Tamara Stopinski Talulah’s Fancy and Friends, Honeoye Falls Tamara Stopinski has been creating and selling jewelry since she was 12 years old. Born in Binghamton and raised in Rochester and Honeoye, the artisan and her husband now live in a Honeoye Falls cottage nestled on 15

scenic wooded acres. She creates jewelry at home in this inspired setting as well as on-site at her gift boutique, Talulah’s Fancy and Friends, located in the historic refurbished Lower Mill building in Honeoye Falls. Having been whimsically nicknamed “Talulah” by a close friend led to the first part of Stopinski’s shop’s name: “Talulah’s Fancy.” She also sells other local artists’ designs, hence the reference “and Friends.” Stopinski’s own work is sold through her shop and website and at True Lily in Canandaigua and SJ’s Village Boutique in Pittsford. In addition to designing her original line of women’s jewelry, handbags and other accessories, Stopinski also enjoys painting and mixed media assemblage. For her jewelry, she works with a variety of mediums from base metals to fine and sterling silver, incorporating an array of elements from semi-precious

November /December 2016 ~

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Hand-sculpted fine silver earrings with garnet rice pearls and sterling silver findings, Tamara Stopinski

Hand-sculpted fine silver with labradorite, lace pearls, garnets and hammered adjustable sterling toggle and chain, Tamara Stopinski

stones to vintage finds and mixed media. “Growing up within the nature setting that is the Finger Lakes Region has often been an inspiration to me,” says Stopinski. “Many of my designs are a direct result and nature is mimicked often or in some cases, physically incorporated into the process. For example, real leaves, flowers, twigs and etcetera have been utilized in my work.” When creating for holidays, the artist often integrates a bit more “fancy” into her designs. “I tend to add a little of the sparkle factor but as always, each and every piece is one-of-a-kind,” she says. Talulah’s Fancy and Friends Lower Mill, Second Floor, 61 North Main Street, Honeoye Falls tamarastopinski.com

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Off the Easel Rochester 585-467-4020 Conesus 585-346-2060 Canandaigua 585-374-2384 Boat Rentals

Freshwater pearl sterling silver necklace and earring sets, Lisa Twombly

Sea Ray

Fine silver beach scene necklace made from precious metal clay, larimar and mother of pearl, Lisa Twombly

Lisa Twombly Estancia Designs, Marcellus Born in Rochester, raised in Brockport and now living in Marcellus near Otisco Lake, Lisa Twombly has been creating jewelry for about 15 years. Twombly characterizes the last nine as “selling seriously” and working fulltime as in, “every minute of the day that I can.” “Jewelry is my passion,” she says. Twombly’s home studio is in her finished basement with a beautiful, serene backyard view. Her designs are a mix of one-of-a-kind statement pieces, limited edition and some quantity items. She uses a variety of techniques including metalsmithing, stone setting, wire wrapping, stringing and precious metal clay techniques. The artisan sells her work from her website, on Etsy, wholesale through Indieme.com, at local shops (Craft Company No. 6 in Rochester, Imagine in Skaneateles, Bradley’s Jewelers in Liverpool, The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens gift shop in Buffalo, and Dansville ArtWorks) and at art shows including this year’s Holiday

Bazaar at the Rochester Museum and Science Center (November 18-20). “I have also literally sold pieces of my work right off of my body. The ultimate compliment!” says Twombly. Twombly’s designs are inspired both by her travels and the Finger Lakes region. One of her latest lines is a beach collection incorporating shells, pearls, Larimar and Iolite (a violet-blue stone known as “water sapphire”) influenced by vacations in the Outer Banks, Miami and Florida Keys. Grape-related pieces that reflect the bountiful wineries here include a fine silver grape cluster pendant and drop earrings with amethysts clustered to mimic grape bunches. “I find that people buying jewelry for gifts during the holidays like to have a full gift, a set of earrings plus necklace, so I tend to make more pieces that match,” says Twombly. She also creates a few sparkly items for festive holiday wear. Last year’s statement piece was a pendant with a large white druzy (tiny crystals over a mineral) resembling a glittering snowball. That’s cool! estanciadesigns.com

(Find handcrafted jewelry for the holidays on page 18-19)

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Malibu

Berkshire

Bayliner Canandaigua only

Smith Boys

(Conesus & Canandaigua only)

www.smithboys.com November /December 2016 ~

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Handcrafted Jewelry for the Holidays

Hot New Info on the Artisans, Shops and Shows (in order of article appearance)

dishing up delights l

Local Ingredients l

Waterfront views

Erica Bapst Adorn Jewelry and Accessories 36 South Main Street, Canandaigua adornjewelryandaccessories.com

770 South Main Street Canandaigua, NY 14424 1.585.394.1480 l www.theshorecanandaigua.com

Bill Coppard

caywoodstonejewelry.com Ithaca Farmers Market Winter Location: The Space@GreenStar 701 West Buffalo Street, Ithaca Ithacamade Dewitt Mall, 215 North Cayuga Street, Ithaca Little Red Wagon Artisan Market littleredwagonartisans.com

Pamela Nakoski

pamelasvintagesoul.com One Jane 28 South Main Street, Pittsford (Continued next column)

~ LifeintheFingerL akes.com

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Off the Easel Hopper’s Hills Floral & Gifts 3 East Main Street, Victor Serendipity Boutique 446 Exchange Street, Geneva Canandaigua Christkindl Market canandaiguachristkindlmarket.com Holiday Bazaar, Rochester Museum and Science Center rmsc.org, click “Programs & Events”

Tamara Stopinski

Talulah’s Fancy and Friends Lower Mill, Second Floor, 61 North Main Street, Honeoye Falls tamarastopinski.com

THIS REGION IS HOME TO LEADERS. This region is home to motivated people like Katie. Just weeks after Rochester Regional Health’s neurosurgeons removed a life-threatening tumor from her brain, she was back to coaching – leading her girls to victory.

True Lily 83 South Main Street, Canandaigua SJ’s Village Boutique 25 South Main Street, Pittsford

Lisa Twombly

estanciadesigns.com Craft Company No. 6 785 University Avenue, Rochester Imagine 38 East Genesee Street, Skaneateles Bradley’s Jewelers 309 Vine Street, Liverpool The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens gift shop 2655 South Park Avenue, Buffalo Dansville ArtWorks 178 Main Street, Dansville Holiday Bazaar, Rochester Museum and Science Center rmsc.org, click “Programs & Events”

Katie Titus, Webster

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Nooks & Crannies

a little bit of everything

Station House There’s much more to the Finger Lakes Region than water, woodlands, and wine … just glance about.

by James P. Hughes

had driven past the red brick structure several times before finally stopping to knock on the door. On each trip the hip-roofed building had caught my eye with its odd and angular style. On one side a substantial turret-like structure,

Above: The Gates Sub-Station as it appears today. Presently the home of Cheryl Rozell, it is located 4 miles west of Geneva along County Road 4 at Gates Road and near the hamlet of Seneca Castle. Below: Gates Sub-Station as it appeared during the heyday of the Rochester & Eastern. Photo credit www.rochesterandeastern.com, from the collection of David V. Gardner.

long but narrow, rose well above the roofline. It was clearly someone’s home, but without features that might fit a classic Finger Lakes prototype – not Victorian, not Federal, not Gothic, and certainly not Greek Revival. At one time it must have been

something else, built for another use … but when and what? Cheryl Rozell met me at the door. As I began an apology for dropping by unannounced, she interrupted. “Don’t bother, it happens quite often. There’s a great deal of curiosity about

~ LifeintheFingerL akes.com

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a week! r our s y a d 7 n fo Ope kspub.com .Kilpatric nu. e complete m

Visit www

Map of the Rochester & Eastern Rapid Railway route between Rochester and Geneva.

this place.” I had lots of questions, and Cheryl was gracious enough to take the time to answer. The building had been a station stop along the Rochester & Eastern Rapid Railway, an interurban line powered by overhead electric trolley wires and constructed between 1902 and 1904. Originating at the center of downtown Rochester, the railway

continued for almost fifty miles to the shore of Seneca Lake in Geneva. It passed briskly through Pittsford, Victor and Canandaigua, as well as other towns and settlements along the way. Small frame buildings or shelters served as stations at most stops. But at three locations, substantial brick combination passenger and power sub-stations with slate roofs were

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

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You can count on us. Guaranteed!

Crew poses alongside railway car #33 of the Rochester & Eastern. Photo credit www.rochesterandeastern.com, from the archives of the New York Museum of Transportation

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Hilton Garden Inn - Ithaca 130 E. Seneca Street Ithaca, NY 14850 Tel: 607-277-8900 1-877-STAY-HGI www.ithaca.hgi.com November /December 2016 ~

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Call or stop in anytime! Clifton Springs, NY 585.478.4636 caveskitchens.com houzz.com

Showroom

Nooks & Crannies

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

9-7 9-7 9-5:30 9-5:30 9-5:30 9-1

constructed. Those at Pittsford and Victor exist today, but have been altered extensively over the years for commercial use. The third stands at the corner of County Road 4 and Gates Road near the hamlet of Seneca Castle. Eye-catching and unusual, it has been Cheryl’s home for over 50 years. With declining ridership due to the increase in automobile use and effects of the Great Depression, the rapid railway closed down in 1930. Around 1950, the building came into the possession of Howard Rozell’s family, and it was there that he grew up. When Cheryl and Howard were married in 1965, the sturdy brick station house became their home. Both Howard and Cheryl admit they weren’t familiar with many of the obscure facts relating to the railway, but were very, very aware of the building’s quirks and peculiarities. “Floors were slanted and nothing has ever been ‘true’ in this building,” says Howard. “Much of it had to be gutted to make it livable.” After poles, braces and power lines were removed, high ceilings were lowered to provide a comfortable living area. Creating sufficient storage space was a problem. “The tower which had housed electrical equipment was too narrow to create rooms,” Howard added. “So we used it for storage ... once it was cleared of cobwebs and bats!” Cheryl admits that living in an old station house over the years has been unconventional to say the least. “Even while gardening, I’ve uncovered bits of

Construction on The Rochester & Eastern Rapid Railway was completed in 1904. Its last day of operation was July 31, 1930. Photographs and further information are available at rochesterandeastern.com

~ LifeintheFingerL akes.com

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Rochester & Eastern Rapid Railway information and schedule brochure

glass and metal … electric insulators, and the like.” A few souvenirs have been kept including several pieces of track – one curved and one utilized occasionally as an anvil. “After about 50 years, I’m pretty used to living with the eccentricities in this place.” The glory days of the Rochester & Eastern are long gone – history to most, a memory to a very few. Overhead wires once crackled and sparks flew as people sped along its smooth rails in 50 foot long cars illuminated with bright overhead lights, some outfitted with plush crimson high-back seats and shiny brass parcel racks. Little remains to indicate the lively routine that occurred in days gone by along those tracks from Rochester to Geneva, except possibly that notable brick roadside structure near Seneca Castle that still puzzles travelers from time to time.

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November /December 2016 ~

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Fruit of the Vine

wine, spirits and brews

Enhanced Tasting at

Dr. Konstantin Frank

Story and photos by Jason Feulner

r. Konstantin Frank is undoubtedly one of the leading producers of vinifera wines in the Finger Lakes, but at times it is an easy place to overlook. With so many new, boutique wineries popping up on the landscape over the past few years, Finger Lakes wine lovers can find themselves chasing new and interesting wines in a variety of locations. A spirit of growth and change has been in the air, and sometimes the first guard

of vinifera based wineries is lost in the conversation. Meaghan Frank – now representing the fourth generation of the Frank family to lead the winery – wants to change that. In tandem with her father, Fred Frank, they have created a tasting platform that highlights the inherent quality of Dr. Frank’s wine, its dedication to unusual varieties of grapes, and its appeal to both the casual tourist and wine aficionados alike. This is a wine

lover’s approach to wine tasting. The concept is called 1886, named after the founding year of the original winery that graced the western slopes of Keuka Lake – the site upon which Dr. Konstantin Frank later founded his own winery in the 1960s. The 1886 Reserve Tasting Room, the centerpiece of this program, sits in a beautifully-restored stone room of the original 19th-century facility – a complex which also houses the cellars of Chateau Frank, the spar-

~ LifeintheFingerLakes.com

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kling wine arm of the Dr. Frank brand. “We wanted to offer our regular customers something more,” says Meaghan, a Cornell enology graduate who recently spent several years working in the Australian wine industry before returning to the family operation. She observed that Australian wineries often emphasize seated tastings, by appointment, where the winemaker walks customers through the wine lineup. Inspired by this intimate approach, Meaghan sought to bring a similar tasting experience back to the Finger Lakes.

GLASSY HOLIDAYS. cmog.org Corning, NY

Reserve an 1886 Tasting Enhanced tastings at Dr. Frank winery will be scheduled throughout the year. For additional information and reservation instructions, visit drfrankwines.com.

The concept is simple but elegant. Participants are treated to a presentation about the winery, the vineyard or winemaking, followed by a lineup of wines paired with food. Each session has a different theme. I attended one titled Unique Wine Variety Experience. We started off the afternoon with a glass of sparkling Célèbre Rosé, followed by a walking tour of the vineyard where Meaghan wielded a refractometer to allow the assembled group to see how to measure brix (sweetness) of the grapes as they approached harvest. We then re-assembled in the 1886 Reserve Tasting Room to try six glasses of wine made with unique varieties of grapes, each glass accompanied by an appetizer expertly prepared by the chef

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November /December 2016 ~

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Fruit of the Vine

Tasting Notes

ased on my experience, the reasonable fee for the 1886 tasting is a tremendous deal. The lineup featured the 2015 Pinot Blanc, 2014 Grüner Veltliner, 2015 Rkatsiteli, 2014 Gewürztraminer Reserve, 2013 Saperavi, and 2013 Cuvée D’Amour. What are these grapes, you may ask? That was the point of the program: We learned all about them. In short, Dr. Frank grows grapes that are either relatively unusual or nearly impossible to find in the U.S. All the wines were good; the

Gewürztraminer was a show-stopper with its greasy texture, honey-dipped apple and spice. Among the reds, the Cuvee D’ Amour (made from the unusual vitis Amurensis grape) stood out with its tremendous balance, featuring complex tobacco and cocoa powder notes on a steady finish. The food pairings were nearly perfect, and most importantly, participants left the event not only having tasted good wine, but with a greater knowledge of viticulture and wine. This program is a must for wine enthusiasts.

at Snug Harbor. It was a fun group of people, and the food and wine matches were spot on (see tasting notes). Previous 1886 sessions included a tour of the sparkling wine lineup and operation, as well as a Riesling lineup that included single vineyard and late harvest variations. The program will explore additional themes in the future. And yet Meaghan Frank is only getting started, brimming with ideas to bring a new approach to what has already been a successful family story. “I feel very lucky to be the fourth generation of my family involved in the winery. My father and I work very well together and I am enthusiastic about learning absolutely everything I can about the business. At the end of the day, for me, it’s about making my family proud and building upon my great-grandfather’s dream.”

~ LifeintheFingerL akes.com

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Enjoy the beauty of winter nestled in rustic elegance.

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BHLG02828_8125x10875_Ad, 8.125”w x 10.875”h, 4C

9/30/16 12:56 PM 10/5/16 12:03 PM

winners The 15th Annual

Life in the Finger Lakes Photography Contest F

ifteen years! That’s how long we’ve been publishing this photography contest, and it seems like yesterday that we looked over numerous photo entries for the first time.

Technology has changed a bit since that first year in 2002, when the vast majority of photos arrived as prints, slides and transparencies. Very few were digital. There was a lot more scanning on our part, and frankly, it took more time. Fast forward to 2016 and the total opposite is true – only about 5 percent of the entries arrived as actual print photographs. I’m sure that the vast majority – probably 99 percent of the population – now use digital cameras for photography. And for a publisher, this is a good thing, because even if a photo is taken using a digital camera and then a print is made, the quality of the image goes down if a scan then has to be made of that print. Long story short, for next year, it’s best to just enter photos to the contest as digital images and skip that generation of the print. Every year – and this one is no different – I am impressed with the quality of photographs that are submmitted. And like every year, so many great photos don’t make it to the winner’s circle. But you can now see these “staff picks” photos in our digital magazine, which you can download as a free app through Apple, Google or by visiting LifeintheFingerLakes.com. – Mark Stash, Editor

Grand Prize

“Lighting the Way” “I was at Letchworth State Park to photograph the Milky Way and was surprised and delighted when a cargo train crossed the Portageville Bridge. This is the shot of a lifetime for me.” Mandy Applin • Pittsford

~ LifeintheFingerL akes.com

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Second Place “Spring Herons” Sylvia Steen • Nedrow, New York

Third Place “Red Moon, Red Church - Corning” Chris Walters • Corning

~ LifeintheFingerL akes.com

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First Place “Female Ruby-throated hummingbird” Larry Heins • Caledonia

color November /December 2016 ~

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First Place ““Showered” Mendon Ponds Park Anne Marie Maier Penfield

black 32

and

white

~ LifeintheFingerL akes.com

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Above, right

Second Place “Taste of Fall” Bridget Aleo • Churchville

Right

Third Place “Palmyra Canal Park” Dave Folts • Walworth

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First Place “Webster” Joann K. Long • Bloomfield

Second Place “Pre-Storm on Nations Road in Geneseo” Kristine J. Tenalio • Geneseo

Third Place “Cascading Over Ithaca” “This composition of Ithaca Falls is a focus stack of two long exposures, allowing the foreground of the bedrock, comprised of the Genesee Group (Ithaca Formation), and the iconic falls to be in sharp focus while reducing the effects of diffraction at smaller apertures.” Caldwell Payne • Cortland

~ LifeintheFingerL akes.com

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digitally altered November /December 2016 ~

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honorable mention

“Dakota” – color Justin Hausner • Waterloo

“Heron at Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge” – color Vernon L Greene • Syracuse

“Weeping Willow in Winter at Sonnenberg Gardens” – black and white Phil Hilden • Victor “Canadaigua Hut Sunset” – digitally altered

“Winter Angel” – black and white Al Clark • Rochester

Eric Sutton • Horseheads

“Dry August Cumulonimbus” “In the middle of one of our historically worst droughts, the view over the parched corn field is of monstrous clouds that tease with false promises of rain.” – digitally altered Llewellyn Lafford • Penn Yan

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APP LIFL EXTRA!

Download the Digital Magazine at LifeintheFingerLakes.com to see the Photo Contest “Staff Picks”

10/5/16 12:06 PM

Ahhh, the perfect temperatures for our happy places.

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I.D. Booth, Inc. Serving the Finger Lakes since 1875 1-888-432-6684 | www.idbooth.com

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WHISTLE STOP TOUR

RAILROAD DEPOTS story and photos by Rich Finzer

1. Located in the center of Jamesville, this station is owned by the Town of Dewitt. Originally built in 1876 by the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad, today it sits alongside the tracks of the New York, Susquehanna & Western Railroad. The building is available to rent for meetings and social gatherings through the town.

1 . townofdewitt.com/JamesvilleTrainStation.aspx

ome of us drive past them with nary a sideways glance, while many of us marvel at their longevity. With their wide and welcoming hip roofs, distinctive architectural style and bay windows; each is a look back to a more genteel era when rail travel was quite literally the only way to go. And here in Finger Lakes country, we’re blessed with dozens of old railroad freight and passenger depots. Some have been converted into museums. Others have been repurposed as taverns, municipal buildings, public meeting spaces or private residences. So join me as we venture across Finger Lakes country to view these historic icons. Many, though not all, can be found along the rails of the old New York Central’s “Auburn Road.”

New York Becomes a Railroad Powerhouse By the middle of the nineteenth century, railroad building in New York had reached a frenzied pace to service the state’s growing population and rapid industrial expansion. Every line envisioned the same goal; to link Albany and Buffalo with one continuous band of steel. Twenty years later, the mighty New York Central acquired lines such as the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburgh, Auburn & Rochester and smaller short lines. But until the famed 4-track “Water Level” route was completed; the Auburn Road still carried trains laden with both freight and passengers.

2 2. The two story brick passenger depot in Martisco was built by the New York Central in 1870. Since 1965 it has been owned by the Central New York Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society and has been repurposed as a museum and library. By virtue of its historic architecture and significance, the Martisco Station was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. cnynrhs.org/Martisco.html

~ LifeintheFingerL akes.com

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Online Booking | Gift Cards | Group Rates + Packages

Redeem this ad to receive 15% off one regularly priced Spa Treatment M-Th or 10% off F-Su or take 10% off any one product or 50% off our Day Pass (a $20 value) 3. A few miles up the tracks from Martisco, the Cayuga village hall sits along the shore of Cayuga Lake. Built by the New York Central in 1910 and sited on the Auburn Road; instead of being consigned to the dustbin; it’s another creative repurposing of a former passenger depot. These days the rails out front belong to the Finger Lakes Railway.

4. Built in 1841 by the Auburn & Rochester Railroad, this station was “inherited” by the New York Central in 1853 when the A&RR was merged into the New York Central system. This stout brick structure served as the passenger station until passenger service on the New York Central ended in 1958. For many years after, the building housed a machine shop. Once acquired by the Village of Seneca Falls, it was completely renovated and restored to its former glory. Currently it houses the police department and village offices. Approximately 100 yards west is the repurposed NYC freight depot.

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5. Built by the Lehigh Valley Railroad in 1893, this massive brick structure once served as the line’s Geneva passenger station. As you view the photo, a large covered passenger platform once stood near the left side of the building; paralleling the tracks. During the heyday of the LVRR, as many as 12 trains passed through Geneva on a daily basis. The railroad’s Black Diamond Express ran its last passenger run through Geneva in May, 1959. Today this magnificent example of Victorian era railroad architecture is a private residence.

6 6. Built by the Rochester, Syracuse & Eastern Rapid Railroad circa 1910, this structure in Lyons was an interurban (trolley) passenger depot. Sadly, the railroad which never made a profit folded 25 years after its formation; and like many other railroad buildings this one passed into private ownership.

7. According to local rail fans, this freight depot was constructed in Shortsville by the New York Central circa 1900. Today it is owned and operated as a museum by rail enthusiasts of another “fallen flag”; the Lehigh Valley Railroad. Approximately 100 yards north is the repurposed NYC passenger depot built in 1911 which has become a popular dining location; the Depot 25. The signage on the building indicates that at one time there were four sets of rails in Shortsville. Since 1995, the single rail trackage has been owned by the Finger Lakes Railway. lvrrhs.org/museum/index.htm

~ LifeintheFingerL akes.com

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WHISTLE STOP TOUR

2016 2017 SEASON

RAILROAD DEPOTS 8. In 1841, the Auburn & Rochester Railroad built both a freight and passenger depot in Clifton Springs. The original freight depot is still standing and has been repurposed. After the A&RR was integrated into the New York Central rail system, the original passenger station was razed. It was replaced in 1885 with this stout brick structure. After being enlarged and enhanced with a handsome brick entry, the old station became the home of the village library. Both structures are conveniently located on Railroad Avenue.

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November /December 2016 ~

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WHISTLE STOP TOUR

RAILROAD DEPOTS Hilton

There are dozens of other historic railroad depots dotting Finger Lakes country. To preserve central New York’s rich railroading history for future generations, public support for those sites converted to museums is 104 critical to their survival. To view a map of station locations that might be near you, visit depotmaps.com. Sodus Point Webster

Brockport

104

Wolcott

Sodus

104

Spencerport

Baldwinsville

Rochester

490

Gates 11

North 11 Syracuse

E. Rochester Fairport

490

Macedon

490

Industry 9 Caledonia 5

Shortsville 7 Canandaigua

Avon

Lima

Bloomfield

20A

690

Clifton Springs Phelps

Waterloo

Seneca Falls

Cayuga

Skaneateles

Mt. Morris

Jamesville 20

Auburn

Union Springs

20A

Manlius

Geneva 5

Honeoye

Fayetteville

Syracuse 481

Weedsport

Livonia Hemlock

Solvay Martisco

Marcellus

Victor

481

Jordan

Newark

Honeoye Falls

390

Clyde

Lyons

Palmyra

Geneseo

104

Aurora Moravia Ovid

Penn Yan Naples

390

Nunda

Dansville

Branchport

Ithaca Burdett in 1909, the passenger station Hammondsport 9. Constructed by the Erie Railroad

in Industry eventually became the property of the Erie Lackawanna Watkins Montour Glen railroad in 1960. Alas, as passenger Falls service had ended in 1941, the structure was used for storage until it was acquired in 1971 by the Odessa Rochester Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society. Today the site houses the railroad artifacts and rolling stock of the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum. The track running alongside the Candor Spencer building is now owned by CSX. Painted rgvrrm.org/about/exhibits/industry-depot/index.htm 86

86 17

Bath

Canisteo

Post

Horseheads

Corning

Newark Valley

Owego

Elmira

Addison

Marathon

Van Etten

Elmira Heights

Waverly

Dryden

Cayuga Heights

390

McGraw 81

Lansing

Cohocton

Rexville

Trumansburg

Dundee

Prattsburgh

Hornell

Cortland Groton

Wayland

Avoca

Homer

Interlaken

~ LifeintheFingerLakes.com

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WIN TER AT ITS B E ST ! Family atmosphere" ! Snowsports School" ! Excellent Ski Conditions 10 10. Built in Victor circa 1840, this repurposed retail boutique was once a passenger station for the Auburn & Rochester Railroad. As rail lines merged and grew, in 1853 the A&RR became part of the New York Central system. There are no tracks alongside of this old station anymore. Today, freight service to and from Victor is provided by the Ontario Central Railroad.

HUNT HOLLOW SKI CLUB 7532 COUNTY ROAD 36 • NAPLES, NY 14512 (585)374-5428 • hunthollow.com

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11 11. Built by the Buffalo, Rochester and Pittsburgh Railroad, the station at 607 Coldwater Road in Gates became the property of the New York Central in 1873. When the NYC folded in the 1960’s, the depot was repurposed as a furniture store and today is a popular pub and eatery. Here’s a second photo showing what the place looked like in the early 1950’s when I first laid eyes upon it. How much do I love that old depot? Well … I chose that image as the cover art for my first novel.

Rich Finzer resides in Cayuga County. During his 40+ years as a writer, he has published over 1,200 newspaper, magazine and Internet articles. His award-winning book Maple on Tap is available through his publisher; Acres USA. His three e-novels; Taking the Tracks, Julie & Me and Dawn Toward Daylight are available through Amazon Kindle.

Post and Beam Homes Locally crafted in our South Bristol New York shop 5557 Rt. 64, Canandaigua, NY 14424 585-374-6405 www.timberframesinc.com Building the Finger Lakes since 1977

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Autumn

“T

inter Photography by Peter Blackwood

he quiet transition from autumn to winter is not a bad time at all. It’s a time for protecting and

securing things and for making sure you’ve got in as many supplies as you can. It’s nice to gather together everything you possess as close to you as possible, to store up your warmth and your thoughts and burrow yourself into a deep hole inside, a core of safety where you can defend what is important and precious and your very own. Then the cold and the storms and the darkness can do their worst. They can grope their way up the walls looking for a way in, but they won’t find one, everything is shut, and you sit inside, laughing in your warmth and your solitude, for you have had foresight.”

– Tove Jansson, Moominvalley in November November/December 2016 ~

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Autumn to Winter

~ LifeintheFingerL akes.com

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“I

f we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.” – Anne Bradstreet, The Works of Anne Bradstreet

1936 Hudson Ave. in Irondequoit 877-409-6555 • www.fireplacefashions.com

“T

he leaves fall, the wind blows, and the farm country slowly changes from the summer cottons into its winter wools.”

– Henry Beston See more of Peter Blackwood’s work at blackwoodphoto.com

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Many hearth warming gifts for the holiday season! November /December 2016 ~

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e h T

Cider House R

~ LifeintheFingerLakes.com

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Good Life Farm and Finger Lakes Cider House are located on Hickok Road off Route 89 about 18 miles north of Ithaca.

e Rules

story and photos by Bill Wingell

hen Margaret Lynch and Ben Andrysick stopped by the Finger Lakes Cider House in Interlaken after having visited nearby Taughannock Park, they were taking a chance on a new drinking and dining experience. They weren’t disappointed. Ian Merwin, co-owner of Black Diamond Cider in Trumansburg, one of the Cider House’s five collaborative hard cider makers, was introducing his new Shin Hollow cider with tastings for visitors in the popular bar and dining room. “It was a pleasant surprise,” Andrysick said. “I had never experienced cider that way with so many varieties and in such a nice setting. It was a whole new world for me.” Lynch said she had tried hard cider in France. “I loved it there, and I’m really excited that it’s taking off around this area and it tastes as good or better than it did in Europe.” She said she “really enjoyed Ian’s cider,” noting: “I personally like the drier ciders with not too much sugar so this was great and definitely a change from others I’ve tried. It had an interesting combination of flavors with that little bit of vanilla and citrus coming together. It’s more refreshing and easier to drink if you don’t have the sugar.” Ian Merwin, Cornell University professor emeritus of horticulture and co-owner of Black Diamond Cider in Trumansburg, offers a tasting of his recently-released Shin Hollow Cider to Cider House visitors Benjamin Andrysick and Margaret Lynch, both of Ithaca. “It was a pleasant surprise,” Andrysick said. “I had never experienced cider in that way with so many varieties and in such a nice setting.”

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The Cider House

Rules

Above: Steve Selin, owner of South Hill Cider overlooking Ithaca, describes his cider-making to Cider House visitors from Syracuse. Emily Doucet, at rear with raised glass, who arranged the visit, said she was impressed by Selin’s use of wild apples and pears in his ciders.

Guests arrive at the Finger Lakes Cider House for a special Cider Week dinner and program introducing the Cider House’s collaborative producers. The popular tasting room and lowerlevel kitchen and apple-processing and cider-making facility were built by co-owner Garrett Miller with help by some friends and family.

~ LifeintheFingerLakes.com

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www.iwoodc.com

Log Home Care for All Seasons

Above: Deva Maas and Eric Shatt, co-owners of Redbyrd Orchard Cider, prepare crushed Manchurian Crab apples for pressing. The couple has five acres of cider apples. Shatt also manages Cornell University’s orchards and research farms. Below: Guests at a Cider Week dinner at the Finger Lakes Cider House feasted on a 10-course meal paired with pourings of appropriate hard ciders. They dined on such items as beef empanadas, pulled lamb shoulder with maple collard greens and glazed squash with toasted squash seeds and fried sage.

Lynch said she was also impressed by the Cider House itself. “I think they did a really gorgeous job with the tasting room and the setting,” she noted. “I like that it’s on their farm and you’re not just in a sterile room, and there are a lot of things going on around you.” Lynch said she enjoyed some of the farm’s products when she ordered one of the Cider House’s seasonal plates at the tasting bar. The dish included asparagus grown on the farm in the rows between approximately 1,200 cider apple trees. Melissa Madden and Garrett Miller bought the 69-acre corn and soybean farm in 2008. The couple proceeded to rework the crop land and wood lot into an eco-friendly unit producing certified organic fruit and fresh vegetables, meat and poultry. They named it “Good Life Farm.” In 2012 they decided to add cider production to their list of endeavors and began planting 300 cider apple trees annually; they now have 38 varieties of American heirloom, English and European cider apples in their orchard. In 2014, Garrett, along with his brother, Jimmy, and a few friends, began transforming a barn into the undeniably impressive Cider House. The new facility opened in the spring of last year with a spacious tasting room and bar and a lower level equipped with a kitchen and cider-processing facilities.

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Life in the Fingerlakes Magazine Ad / Spring 2014 3.25" x 4.75" / Color I Wood Care Artwork prepared by Anne Sabach / 607-842-6843

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The Cider House

Rules

Above: Finger Lakes Cider House offers upwards of 40 varieties of hard cider at any one time. Selections vary from “bone dry” to “gateway” sweet, according to the venue’s member-collaborators. Below: Melissa Madden, co-owner of Good Life Farm and the Finger Lakes Cider House, checks the farm’s herd of beef cattle. The grass-fed cattle on the certified –organic farm are sold direct to consumers. The farm also contains orchards of pear and peach trees and more than 1,200 eating- and cider-apple trees.

~ LifeintheFingerLakes.com

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Finger Lakes Tram Garrett Miller, co-owner of Good Life Farm and the Finger Lakes Cider House, tends bar at the popular cider venue. The tasting facility features at any one time upwards of 40 varieties of hard cider produced by its five member-collaborators.

In addition to Good Life Farm’s own cider, the Cider House features ciders from Black Diamond Cider in Trumansburg, Eve’s Cidery in Van Etten, Redbyrd Orchard Cider in Burdett and South Hill Cider in Ithaca. Melissa Madden explains: “A tasting room was part of the idea for this farm for a long time. When we first started growing apples we had cider in mind, and when we made the switch in 2012 to planting only cider apples we knew we wanted to have a cider room for it.

“W

e’ve been working on it since 2011 or 2012 and developing the relationships with the other cider makers,” Madden said. “They make high-quality cider with a great amount of integrity –there are no tricks, no flavor additives. They do their best to highlight the types and variety of apples they’re using, and they have a deep understanding of the production of quality cider—just like quality winemakers.” Redbyrd Orchard Cider, one of the four cider makers collaborating with the Cider House and Good Life Farm, sells its ciders at area farmers markets and has a distributor handling sales to restaurants and wine shops in New York City, but 50 percent of their cider is marketed by the Cider House, according to Redbyrd co-owner Eric Shatt, who also manages Cornell University’s orchards and research farms. “It’s incredibly beneficial to a small producer like us because we’re slowly growing and the Cider House gives us a great opportunity to really highlight our cider to a big crowd. It’s important as a place to communicate to the public about what we’re doing.” Jackie Merwin, co-owner of Black Diamond Cider in Trumansburg, made the point that “a lot of people who go into cider-making or wine-making feel they also have to build and operate a tasting room, but that’s not where our priorities are. We like growing the fruit and making the cider but having a retail tasting room was something we couldn’t contemplate doing. So a couple of years ago when Melissa and Garrett said they were going to build a tasting facility and asked if we’d like to be one of the cideries participating, we said: ‘Hell, yeah—yes, we would.’ “Ian said: ‘Thank the Lord we don’t have to build a tasting room now,’” Jackie related. “The Cider House has been an important part of our selling, and I really enjoy the

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The Cider House

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Rules

release parties and just going up there and hanging out. I think they’re running a great operation.” Steve Selin, owner of South Hill Cider on the Ithaca-Danby border, has a recently-planted orchard of 1,400 cider-apple trees but still buys apples from a number of Ithacaarea orchards and scours the countryside around the Finger Lakes in search of old, forgotten orchards and roadside hedgerow apple trees. Not long ago he found an old stand of trees southeast of Ithaca in Caroline and, after obtaining permission from the landowner, harvested 100 or more bushels of apples. That left him with the problem of getting the fruit out: “These hidden trees were far enough off the dirt road that we could only retrieve the fruit by hauling it out on our backs. Hence the name ‘Packbasket.’” Among the guests at a Cider House release party for Selin’s Packbasket cider was a group of young women from Syracuse.

~ LifeintheFingerL akes.com

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Above: Garrett Miller, co-owner of Good Life Farm and Finger Lakes Cider House, checks a portion of the farm’s crop of ginger, which is used to make the Cider House’s popular Ginger Bear soda and is also sold fresh to the public. Left: Autumn Stoscheck, co-owner of Eve’s Cidery in Van Etten, picks Empire apples at one of the cidery’s orchards in Newfield. The Empire apples are used in the cidery’s Rustica hard cider sold exclusively at the Finger Lakes Cider House. Sweeter than other Eve’s ciders, Rustica is what Stoscheck calls the company’s “gateway cider”—produced to appeal to people new to hard cider and still expecting a pronounced sweeter apple flavor in the beverage.

They sampled the new cider, described by Selin as bone dry, complex and fruity, and tasted slices of the apples and pears that went into its making. Emily Doucet, who arranged the excursion with her friends, said she thought “the cider was amazing, and I loved how he brought the wild apples and pears for us to try and how he walked in the woods to find the trees and had to pack the apples out on his back.” She bought a bottle of the Packbasket and another five varieties for a party she was planning. “Everyone really enjoyed the selection,” she said, adding that she provided tasting notes for each variety. Doucet returned to the Cider House for another visit recently and found it to be “really busy—it was packed. I think it used to be a well-kept secret but not anymore.” Download the DIGITAL MAGAZINE at lifeinthefingerlakes.com

LIFL to see more photos of Finger Lakes Cider House.

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History

narrative of the past

The King of

Rochester’s Viper Room by Julie Cummins

eter Gruber never met a snake he didn’t like. From the time he was a boy he was fascinated by them. The wooded area where his family lived in Pennsylvania in the 1800s was his playground, with snakes aplenty. His fixation with the reptiles continued throughout his life and earned him the name “Rattlesnake Pete.” The moniker fit him like a snake’s skin and made him famous. His first real contact with snakes came when he and his friend Doc were out tramping in the woods, and saw an Indian woman dragging a large rattlesnake. The boys Milking a snake for venom for medical use.

were in awe. When she told them she would make medicine out of it and asked if they wanted the skin, not a second went by before Pete answered, “You bet!” From then on he was hooked and he was determined to learn everything he could about rattlesnakes. Shortly after that, Pete and Doc set out on their first snake hunt. They thought they had taken plenty of precautions to keep from being bitten, but unfortunately, they thought wrong. Sure enough, when Pete clumsily grabbed a small snake, it bit him on the thumb. The spotted adder wasn’t poisonous,

From the Albert R. Stone Negative Collection, Rochester Museum & Science Center

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~ LifeintheFingerLakes.com

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marketplace though Pete didn’t know that. Scared but thrilled, he took the snake home and displayed it in his father’s restaurant. “I was never without ‘em after that,” he said. Thanks to that first encounter with the Indian woman, Pete was able to make friends with the Cornplanter Indians who lived in the area. Their medicine men taught him all the snake lore they knew: the many uses of snake oil as medical cures and how the most potent medicine came from rattlers. They even told him where there was a den of rattlesnakes in a place called Pit Hole, and Pete couldn’t wait to organize a hunting party. This time he was equipped with the right protection against bites. He wore gum boots, and carried a bag to put the snakes in, along with a slender stick a yard long with a forked tip. The stick was used to pin down the snake’s head to hold it still. Once pinned, Pete would grab it at the back of its neck with his bare hands. The hunt that day yielded four large rattlers, which he added to the box with the small adder. Word spread quickly and folks began going to the restaurant just to see the snakes. It wasn’t long before people also came to have Pete fix their earaches, rheumatism and other ailments with his snake oils. His dad’s restaurant business suddenly got as lively as the snakes! As the oldest of nine children, it was Pete’s duty to help with the tavern, but his dream was to build a museum dedicated to snakes. During the 14 years that he worked in the restaurant, he continued to hone his snake skills, often organizing snake hunts. One was a whopper. Pete, a bunch of his friends and a New York City newspaperman drove a wagon and team of horses along the Allegheny River for an all-day hunt in the hills, with great success. Twelve snakes were caught and put into a large wooden box. But the bumpy roads loosened the clasp on the box and all the snakes got loose. The men hastily scrambled out of the wagon, except for the skittish reporter who jumped onto one of the horses. Pete wasn’t about to

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Pete discussing speed limits with an officer.

History

From the Albert R. Stone Negative Collection, Rochester Museum & Science Center

Pete with his beloved St. Bernards

let a day’s work slip through his fingers, and recovered all of the snakes single-handed. As for that reporter, you can bet he wrote one thriller of a story. When his dad sold the restaurant, Pete finally had the opportunity to follow his dream – opening a saloon and museum of curiosities, with snakes as the leading attraction. He was 34, married and a father when he set out. It took a while for him to find a home for his idea, as neither Pittsburgh nor Buffalo would allow him to run both a saloon and museum together. But Rochester would, and in 1890 he moved there. It wasn’t long before flocks of people came on foot, by train and by boat to see the fascinating attractions at 8 Mill Street, along the Genesee River. A sign over the doorway lit up at night with the words: RATTLESNAKE PETE. No other advertising was needed. The museum was actually a penny arcade filled with mechanical curios, oddities of nature, and of course, snakes. One attraction was an electric trick

machine that shot out a padded fist when a coin was dropped in the slot. Pete had a devilish sense of humor. His most prized item was a gigantic stuffed horse that originally weighed more than a ton and a half. Other displays featured

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Keuka Lake-One of Keuka’s most attractive homes! Circa 1850 colonial sitting on a 19 acre parcel with 76’ of Keuka Lake frontage. A true year-round home with 3 bedrooms, 2 and 1/2 baths, central AC, two garages, patios, very attractively landscaped, master suite, fireplace, wood floors, upgraded kitchen, warm & cozy family room/ breakfast room. This is Perfect! Now priced at $699,000. Keuka Lake-Year-round, 2 story contemporary built in 1990 with many recent upgrades. 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, 50’ of natural lake frontage, public water & sewer, natural gas, central AC, open porch, decks, 2-car attached garage, granite kitchen tops, 2nd kitchen, gardens, and close to movie theatre, grocery stores, and shopping. Now priced at $529,000.

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~ LifeintheFingerLakes.com

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History a two-headed pig, an Egyptian mummy, jars of pickled brains, relics from famous outlaws, the first electric chair, Indian Chief Sitting Bull’s war club, hundreds of arrowheads and, of course, tanks of writhing snakes. Plus, there were all kinds of items made from rattlesnake skins including purses, canes, umbrella handles and neckties. The museum remained in operation for more than 40 years. Not only did Pete live and breathe snakes, he wore them as well – their skins, that is. He sported a suit, vest and shoes made from more than 200 rattlesnake skins. The buttons were made from rattlesnake rattles and his stickpin was a 1-inchlong rattlesnake fang set in gold. Pete carried a cane with a gold rattlesnake head. The final touch was a big gold ring in the form of a coiled serpent with ruby eyes. Tall with a bushy mustache, he cut a striking figure, especially when he drove his custom-designed red Rambler around town. The car itself was a spectacle. One side was embellished with snakes while the other side featured a 6-foot

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Pete with his float in a parade.

klaxon horn shaped like a gaping snake’s head. Pete loved one thing almost as much as snakes – dogs. St. Bernard dogs. He always had two or three of them, and they were his constant companions, even sitting on the running boards of his car, both sides. You can imagine why traffic stopped when Pete and his dogs drove through town. His snakebite remedy was one he learned from the Indians and it saved many lives, including his own. As skilled and experienced as he was in handling snakes, he still got bit: 29 times by rattlers and four times by copperheads, and he had the scars to prove it. Only one time was he unable to treat himself. Folks used to say that when a rattler got mad, it was just half-a-degree slower than lightning, and that time it was true. Pete was unpacking a crate of rattlers sent from Florida when a four-foot Diamondback struck his right wrist, hitting a large artery. He immediately passed out. Afterward he claimed, “The floor just came up and hit me.” (Continued on page 63)

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He was unconscious for nine hours, in the hospital for 10 days, and weakened by the venom’s effect for more than nine months. Do you think that near-death experience changed Pete’s mind about snakes? Not one bite. His ability to cure blood poisoning was widely known, and Pete often traveled hundreds of miles to treat victims. One such case made him famous. The popular Bostock Circus was performing in Coney Island in 1903 when a near fatal accident happened. The star clown, Phoebe Powers, had been bitten by a copperhead, sending him to the hospital on the verge of death. The owner of the circus had read about Pete in newspapers and since time was crucial, he arranged for a special train and a relay of cabs to get Pete to the hospital in record time. There, he saw a man swollen to a monstrous size. His neck and facial features were stretched so badly that they seemed to have disappeared. Phoebe was so far gone that Pete knew his regular treatment wouldn’t work. Instead, he came up with a new idea, and it worked. He fed the clown pail after pail of milk, causing Phoebe to throw up – all day and night. The milk absorbed the poison and his vomiting ejected it. It took five days until the clown was out of danger. Grateful to be alive, Phoebe sent Pete a tiger’s claw rimmed with gold and set with diamonds. It was engraved, “To the Rattlesnake King from the Animal King.” Pete proudly wore it from then on as a watch charm. Pete’s fame spread far and wide. Once a man sent a postcard from France with Pete’s photo on the front and simply addressed: “USA America.” The card reached him. He died in 1932, but without a doubt, his daring deeds made him a legend known as the Rattlesnake King. Julie Cummins has loved stories all her life. She ‘discovered’ Pete when she was a children’s librarian in the Monroe County Library System. Unlike Pete, she does not love snakes. Julie resides in Canandaigua.

www.fingerlakescabins.com November /December 2016 ~

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marketplace

Wine, Spirits & Brews

Est. 1962

A Legacy Four Generations in the Making

Get to the Point Breathtaking vistas. Award-winning wines. Experience one of the premier locations on the Cayuga Wine Trail. Enjoy our premium selections and stay for lunch at our on-site eatery, Amelia’s.

Colors: 4-Color Process (C,M,Y & K)

Business Hours: Winery Open 7 days a week 10 am-5 pm Deli Sat and Sun: 11 am-4 pm

20 miles south of Auburn on scenic Route 90

Order Online: www.longpointwinery.com

9749 Middle Rd. Hammondsport, NY 14840 800-320-0735 www.drfrankwines.com

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marketplace

Canandaigua – The Chosen Spot

Original artwork from over 40 established & aspiring artists 726 South Main Street Canandaigua

585 . 905 . 0201 www.nolansonthelake.com

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

Workshops & Classes 71 S. Main Street, Canandaigua, NY 585-394-0030 www.prrgallery.com

The area’s largest Native American Jewelry collection.

142 South Main St. • Canandaigua, NY 585-394-3115 • MyCrownDowntown.com

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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

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marketplace

Shopping & Services

THE CHRISTMAS HOUSE 361 Maple Avenue • Elmira, NY 14904 (Rt. 17/I86, Exit 56, Left on Madison, Left on Maple)

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with your $20+ purchase *cannot be combined with any other offers/specials, 1 offer/day/person Exp.12/24/16

& BOOKS OFFICE SUPPLIES LONGS’ CARDS Lukacs Pottery Shop for unique, functional art and other fine handmade items Mon-Thur 8:30-7:00 • Fri 8:30-8:30 • Sat 9-6 • Sun 10-5 115 Main St, Beautiful Downtown Penn Yan, NY 14527

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

Call Ed Schoen • 315-946-4360

~ LifeintheFingerL akes.com

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332 W. Main St, Honeoye Falls, NY

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Quality used vehicles Full service repair shop We fix almost everything

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Strong Memorial Hospital Thompson Hospital Destiny USA Mall (Syracuse, NY)

Hours Mon-Sat 10-5 2 West Main Street, Clifton Springs 315-548-4438

Chair Caning Call Chris or Paula • All types of chair re-weaving • 30 years experience November /December 2016 ~

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marketplace

Seneca Lake Wine Trail

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~ LifeintheFingerL akes.com

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Book Look (Continued from page 72)

In Livingston’s work it is a place “where nothing is truly lost,” and each of her chosen females take a turn in the author’s spotlight. The 20 essays are not strictly biographical; the author on occasion takes the liberty of weaving whimsical and personal incidents into the narrative. Livingston switches deftly from different historical periods and locations. There is Maria Spelterini, the first woman to cross Niagara Falls by tightrope, and Audrey Munson, the artist’s model whose sculpted likeness is chiseled in stone on monuments in many locations of the country. Readers may remember the notorious Alphabet Murders in “Some Names and What They Mean,” an account of the murders of three girls in Rochester in the early 1970s. The author, whose childhood neighborhood and home life were not unlike those of the victims, imagines rescuing them. The reader will savor meeting these historic female personalities, while the collection speaks to the larger issue of what it is like to be a woman. Publisher: The University of Georgia Press Website: ugapress.org Edition: Hard back

Stories From Yates Past by Richard S. MacAlpine hat makes Penn Yan’s old town clock so interesting? What health epidemic resulted in the opening of Soldiers & Sailors Hospital there? Answers to these questions and much more about Yates County can be found in this collection of 40 stories. Richard MacAlpine, a retired American history teacher and local history author, chose selections from 120 articles he wrote for Yates Past, a publication of the Yates County History Center (yatespast.org). His research relied on the extensive resources available at the center, and he described these stories as “the most fun to research and write.” Bite-sized illustrated articles on topics that date from the early 1800s to the 1980s are presented in roughly chronological order. They describe unique personalities and practices, and recall the local impact of national and international events. In Yates County’s Biggest Fourth of July, for example, the focus is the celebration held after the end of the First World War. Some stories feature the author’s ancestors, including two farmers in the town of Starkey. Before the availability of refrigerated transport, bushels of apples had to dry in a large wood-burning evap-

orator. Unfortunately, using the dryer to prepare the fruit for shipment could result in serious fires, as it did in this case. These long-forgotten stories will entertain and intrigue readers. Publisher: Infinity Publishing Website: Infinitypublishing.com Edition: Soft cover

From Where We Stand: Recovering a Sense of Place by Deborah Tall

eborah Tall (1951-2006) moved to Geneva in 1982 when she and her husband were hired to teach at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. She was professor of literature and writing for many years, and edited the literary journal Seneca Review. Tall wrote five collections of poetry and two other books. This title, first released in 1993, was reissued in 2016 with a new forward and introduction. Before residing at the northern end of Seneca Lake, Tall was reared in suburbia, educated at a Midwestern university, and settled in a home on an island off of Ireland. The newcomer to the Finger Lakes steeped herself in the stories of her surroundings as she set out to make a true home. She tirelessly explored the past, especially the land’s original Native American occupants. The region’s links to early religious and social movements fired her inquisitive nature. Tall’s observations still resonate as she explores the connections we have with places. She investigates what philosophers, historians, and numerous experts express about the meaning of place. Geneva does not fare well under Tall’s scrutiny; her family moved to Ithaca after 10 years. One might wonder how she would respond to the many changes in the region today, especially the impact of the burgeoning Finger Lakes wine industry. Publisher: Syracuse University Press Website: syracuseuniversitypress.syr.edu Edition: Soft cover (Continued on page 70)

November /December 2016 ~

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(Continued from page 69)

Thoreau & Me In The Finger Lakes: Finding Nature’s Path to a Healthier, Happier Life

Book Look

Coldwater: An Eclectic History the Hamlet

by Mark W. Holdren

by Donald G. Ioannone and John M. Robortella

hile the author acknowledges that Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) never wandered the Finger Lakes area, the beliefs of the 19th century writer reverberate so strongly with him that Holdren feels his presence in nature. “We can never have enough nature,” wrote Thoreau in his book Walden, a reflection on simple living in natural surroundings. The New Englander believed that spending four hours daily in the open air was needed to insure his wellbeing, and studies now show the health benefits of the natural world. As Holdren points out, Thoreau was practicing an early form of shinrin-yoku or “forest bathing, a Japanese practice that encourages embracing the natural environment with all the human senses. There are many “official” shinrin-yoku forests in Japan, but Holdren says he has discovered his own sanctuaries in the Finger Lakes. The longtime writer takes the reader (and Thoreau) along while hiking and kayaking places like the High Tor Wild Life Management Area east of Naples. His keen observation fuels rich descriptions of discoveries in the natural world. “The footpath is bordered by spring pussytoes. Their flower heads, like tufts of white hair, stand in stark contrast to the mottled brown blanket of dead leaves that carpet the forest floor.” Delicate drawings by Elaine Verstraete provide evocative images of the landscape. Publisher: Powell Hill Press Website: powellhillpress.com Edition: Soft cover

t has been more than 50 years since a letter was postmarked Coldwater, NY. “Today, it is just a place name – an unincorporated hamlet within the towns of Gates and Chili,” write the authors in this “eclectic history” of Coldwater, a once energetic community in suburban Rochester. The collaboration of Donald G. Ioannone, a former business owner in Coldwater, and John M. Robortella, a former editor of the Gates-Chili News and author of other local histories, creates this permanent record to ensure that Coldwater’s past will survive. The hamlet’s name came from the readily available cold water used for steam locomotives. It became a regular stop on the New York Central Line with a railroad depot and post office. Since Gates lacked a traditional downtown, Coldwater (sometimes called Cold Water), filled the void. This well-written survey is copiously illustrated. It documents Coldwater’s settlement, its role as a railroad hub, and the community’s churches, schools, businesses, organizations and sports activities. Here is where the famed Harris Seeds Company was founded. Even the Wegman family has links to the community of Coldwater. Detailed biographies of Coldwater’s significant entrepreneurs, religious leaders, early families, and the well-known character “Frog Leg George” are included. A name index makes this a handy reference for genealogists.

Signature Quilts by Judi Stewart and Joan Hall ow does an organization celebrate when it reaches its 50-year milestone? The Town of East Bloomfield Historical Society (EBHS), founded in 1966, created a “signature quilt” that features the names and signatures of members and supporters. Signature quilts have a long history and EBHS owns four others dating from the mid-19th century to 2006, each made using different methods of construction and style. The sale of squares for the 2016 anniversary quilt will provide for the care and restoration of the society’s collection of textiles. Stewart and Hall write, “Signature quilts embody a moment in time when a group of individuals come together to create, in fabric, a time capsule for future generations to view and admire.” This collaboration of quilters Joan Hall and Judi Stewart, town historian and current EBHS president, documents the society’s five signature quilts and includes a valuable index of names that appear on the quilts. Experienced sewers and quilters designed the newest quilt, a delightful and eclectic mix of images and names, including those of relatives of signers on its four other signature quilts. At its center is a cross-stitched likeness of the East Bloomfield Academy building where the Society is located. Local history buffs, quilters and genealogists among others will enjoy this fully-illustrated title.

Publisher: Town of East Bloomfield Historical Society Website: ebhs1838.org Edition: Soft cover

Publisher: Finger Lakes Historical Press Email: jrobortella@rochester.rr.com Edition: Soft cover

~ LifeintheFingerL akes.com

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Index of Advertisers November/December 2016

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

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

Adirondack Firestone.......................... 55.......................................adkfirestone.com

Hotel Ithaca.......................................... 23.....607-272-1000.........thehotelithaca.com

Antique Revival.................................... 23.....800-780-7330........antiquerevival.com

Hunt Hollow Ski Club......................... 43.....585-374-5428........hunthollow.com

Belhurst Castle........................................7.....315-781-0201..........belhurst.com

I.D. Booth.............................................. 37.....888-432-6684........idbooth.com

Bristol Harbour.................................... 27.....800-288-8248........bristolharbour.com

I-Wood-Care..........................................51.....800-721-7715.........iwoodc.com

Bristol Mountain Aerial Adventures..... 51.......................................bristolmountain.com

The Inn on the Lake............................18.....800-228-2801........theinnonthelake.com

Caprini Realtors......................................2.....585-330-8258........caprinirealtors.com

Ithaca Farmers Market........................ 47.....607-273-7109.........ithacamarket.com

Caves Kitchens..................................... 22.....585-478-4636........cavesmillwork.com

The Jewelbox.........................................16.....800-711-7279.........fingerlakescharm.com

Cayuga County Tourism.....................18.....800-499-9615.........tourcayuga.com

Kendal at Ithaca...................................C3.....877-915-7633.........kai.kendal.org/FL

CB Craft Brewers..................................16.....585-624-4386........custombrewcrafters.com

Kitchen Theatre Company.................41.....607-272-0570.........kitchentheatre.org

Chemung Canal Trust..........................14.....800-836-3711.........chemungcanal.com

Larry’s Latrines.....................................54.....607-324-5015.........larryslatrines.com

Clifton Springs Chamber of Commerce......................41.....315-462-8200.........cliftonspringschamber.com

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

Cobtree Vacation Rentals.................. 39.....315-789-1144..........cobtree.com

Rochester Regional Health ................19.....585-922-4000........rochesterregionalhealth.org

Corning Museum of Glass................ 25.....800-732-6845........cmog.org

Rosamond Gifford Zoo.........................8.....315-435-8511..........rosamondgiffordzoo.org

Cricket on the Hearth.........................56.....585-385-2420........cricketonthehearth.com

Route 96 Power & Paddle....................8.....607-659-7693........powerandpaddle.com

Downtown Ithaca Alliance................ 25.....607-277-8679.........downtownithaca.com

The Salvation Army............................. 26.....888-434-1391

Eastview Mall...........................................5.....585-223-4420........eastviewmall.com

Seager Marine...................................... 22.....585-394-1372.........seagermarine.com

Elmira Corning Regional Airport.......10.......................................ecairport.com

Seneca County Chamber...................15.....800-732-1848.........fingerlakescentral.com

Excellus.....................................................9.......................................excellusbcbs.com/livefearless

SignLanguage Inc................................54.....585-237-2620........signlanguageinc.com

Ferris Hills..............................................C2.....585-393-0410.........ferrishills.com

Smith Boys Marina...............................17.......................................smithboys.com

Finger Lakes from Space Poster........16.....800-331-7323.........atwatervineyards.com

Timber Frames..................................... 43.....585-374-6405........timberframesinc.com

Finger Lakes Jewelry............................13.......................................fingerlakesjewelry.com

Wagner Vineyards...............................69.....866-924-6378........wagnervineyards.com

Finger Lakes Tram............................... 53.....315-986-8090........fingerlakestram.com

Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel................11.....607-535-6116..........watkinsglenharborhotel.com

Fireplace Fashions............................... 47.....877-409-6555........fireplacefashions.com

Wild Birds Unlimited.......................... 53.....877-266-4928........sapsuckerwoods.com

Rasa Spa................................................ 39.....607-273-1740.........rasaspa.com

German Brothers Marina Inc...............4.....585-394-4000........germanbrothers.com MARKETPLACE ADVERTISING

Real Estate for Sale.................Pg. 60-61

Halco.........................................................3.....800-533-3367........halcoenergy.com

Accommodations................... Pg. 62-63

Seneca Lake Wine Trail............... Pg. 68

Halsey’s Restaurant..............................16.....315-789-4070.........halseysgeneva.com

Canandaigua................................. Pg. 65

Shopping & Services.............. Pg. 66-67

Hangar Theatre.....................................10.....607-273-ARTS........hangartheatre.org

Culture & Attractions.................... Pg. 59

Wine, Spirits & Brews.................. Pg. 64

Hilton Garden Inn Ithaca....................21.....877-STAY-HGI.........ithaca.hgi.com

Naples..............................................Pg. 57

Granger Homestead........................... 55.....585-394-1472.........grangerhomestead.org

Need an idea for a great gift? Why not share the beauty of the region with a gift subscription LifeintheFingerLakes.com 800-344-0559

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056-072.LIFL_NOVDEC_2016.indd 71

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Book Look

reading reviews

The

Enduring Memories of

People and Places

by Laurel C. Wemmett

he following titles recall groups or individuals who have influenced and inspired us through their beliefs, writings, actions and achievements. Human interaction with locations, and how physical surroundings impact their occupants’ lives, is explored. Take time to embrace the people and places found in these worthy offerings.

Bob Davies: A Basketball Legend by Barry S. Martin

hile Bob Davies (1920-1990) hailed from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the legendary basketball player’s career strongly impacted professional sports here in the Finger Lakes Region. Dubbed the “Harrisburg Houdini” for his sleight of hand movements like the behindthe-back-dribble, Davies is remembered for his stellar college and pro-basketball career. This well-researched biography covers Davies’ Depression-era youth when he was a champion marble player. He became an All-American basketball player and then coach at Seton Hall University in New Jersey. In the Navy during World War II, he led the highly rated Armed Services basketball team. Afterwards, he signed with the Rochester Royals, today’s Sacramento Kings of the National Basketball Association. The Rochester Royals were described by NBA historian Leonard Koppett as “the most perfect team” of their era. Davies’ retired jersey number 11, worn when the Royals won the NBA championship in 1951, hangs today in the Sacramento Arena. Davies’ exemplary life, both on and off the court, became the basis of a series

of books for young readers, originally published between 1948 and 1966 about Chip Hilton, a fictional sports hero. Barry Martin, a retired administrative law judge in California, watched Davies play for the Royals. His biography includes interviews with those who knew Davies personally and professionally. Many illustrations, chapter notes, a bibliography, and valuable index makes this a great resource for sports enthusiasts. Publisher: RIT Press Website: ritpress.rit.edu Edition: Soft cover

Ladies Night at the Dreamland by Sonja Livingston tories of remarkable girls and women, some famous, others unfamiliar, even nameless, are the basis of this collection of well-crafted essays by Rochester native Sonja Livingston. She is also the author of Queen of the Fall and Ghostbread, which won an Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP) Prize for Nonfiction. The Dreamland was a real dance hall on the south shore of Lake Ontario before it was destroyed by fire in 1923.

(Continued on page 69)

~ LifeintheFingerL akes.com

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83488 Kendal Golf AD for LIF T: 8.125” x 10.875”

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Early mornings find Cindy, Pat and Tom out on the greens, enjoying each other’s company and improving their game. Now that they’re retired, this group of friends makes the short drive to one of the many local, challenging golf courses as often as they can. Without home and lawn maintenance to manage now, they can enjoy a relaxed lifestyle, the company of friends and the promise of long-term care they may need someday right on Kendal’s 105-acre campus. And, from here, the story just keeps getting better. Come for a visit and tell us your story. Call 1-800-253-6325 or go to kai.kendal.org to learn more.

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LIFE IN THE FINGER LAKES NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016 • VOL. 16, NO. 6

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