Life in the Finger Lakes January/February 2024

Nature Notes with RMSC Cumming Nature Center, p. 36

LIFL

The Region’s Premier Lifestyle Magazine Since 2001

January/February 2024

Winter and the Outdoors An Invigorating Combination

Make Way for the Mink, p.32 • Glenn Curtiss Inventions, p. 28

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contents

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LIFL

Life in the Finger Lakes Volume 24, Number 1 • January/February 2024

features

32

Make Way for the Mink

by Dave Hall

28

Getting Around with Glenn

36

Nature Notes with RMSC Cumming Nature Center

One thing about Glenn Curtiss – he liked GOING places, and he liked getting there fast!

A look at one of the area’s most adventurous inventors.

A look at nature journaling: a simple, regular practice that focuses attention and cultivates awareness of the natural world.

by Kirk House

by Angela Cannon-Crothers

Front Cover: Snowshoers enjoy the woodland trails at RMSC Cumming Nature Center in Naples, NY. In addition to snowshoeing, the Nature Center offers cross country ski rentals and miles of groomed ski trails.

Courtesy Larkin & Trevor Photography

J a n u a r y / F e b r u a r y 2 0 2 4 ~ ­­­­­­­­­­­­1­

contents

SCAN TO SUBSCRIBE!

departments 3 4 6

my own words letters

62 advertisers 64 finger lakes map Editorial & Production

happenings

Editor..................................................................... Mark Stash .........................................mark@lifeinthefingerlakes.com Graphic Artists........................................Maia VanOrman

8

46

History

Associate Editor.......................................... Victoria Ritter

Maple Syrup Production in a Rural Finger Lakes High School

Preserving the Beauty of the Gorges for Future Generations

Assistant Editor.............................................J. Kevin Fahy

Offbeat

12

Musical Notes

49

Musical Adventures with fivebyfive

History

24

The Construction of Mendon’s Legendary Cottage Hotel

Product Picks

39

Contributors.........................Angela Cannon-Crothers ............................................................................ Aurora Dufort ..................................................................................... Dave Hall .................................................................................. Kirk House .................................................................................. Ray Levato

Dining

56

40

Love in the Finger Lakes

Off the Easel

............................................................................Tammy Spear

Human Interest

.................................................................Nancy E. McCarthy ............................................................................. Karen Mireau .......................................................................Jonathan Pragle

Pen & Ink Illustrator Bodhi Mountain Makes an Indelible Mark Editorial Office.............................................. 315-789-0458

21

For Advertising Inquiries - 315-789-2475

People in the Know

Darlene Ryan............darlene@lifeinthefingerlakes.com

Jim Cecere, Owner of Finger Lakes Goods, Pastel and Vinifera

For Subscriptions ...............................fingerlakesmagazine.com/subscribe Business Office.............315-789-0458, 800-344-0559 Life in the Finger Lakes 171 Reed St. • Geneva, NY 14456 FingerLakesMagazine.com Serving the 14 counties of the Finger Lakes Region

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

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

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

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my own words

Keuka’s Newest Lakeside Community

The Rest is

History

H

istory has always been an important part of Life in the Finger Lakes magazine, and this issue certainly delves into many aspects of the past in the region. Through the study of history, we learn about ourselves and how past events have created and shaped what we know today, and therefore influences what happens tomorrow.

“There are many ways to discuss the real functions of the subject – as there are many different historical talents and many different paths to historical meaning. All definitions of history’s utility, however, rely on two fundamental facts,” according to historians.org.

“History helps us understand people and societies. It offers the only extensive evidential base for the contemplation and analysis of how societies function, and people need to have some sense of how societies function simply to run their own lives.

“History helps us understand change and how the society we live in came to be. Only through history can we begin to comprehend the factors that cause change; and only through history can we understand what elements of an institution or a society persist despite change.”

Ray Levato writes about the creation of Watkins Glen (page 46) as an attraction for locals and tourists alike. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), which consisted of young men between the ages of 18-25, was created during the 1930s Great Depression years to stimulate the economy by creating jobs. You can still see the results of their labor in many state and national parks around the country, consisting of incredible masonry and stonework that went into bridges, walkways, retaining walls, park buildings and other construction projects.

The elegance of these structures still look great today (with some renovation involved), and I have memories of parks from my childhood that revolves heavily around the beauty of the stonework.

Kirk House brings to light many of the projects in which Glenn Curtiss was involved (page 28). His inventions still have an effect on our present-day technology. From planes that can take off and land on water, to camping trailers and motorcycles, we still see the results of his incredible engineering mind. Take a trip to the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum in Hammondsport and I promise that the visit will be eye-opening.

People who know the hamlet of Mendon know about the Cottage Hotel.

These days it’s used as a restaurant and bar, along with a venue for live music.

Once upon a time it was a stop for the stagecoaches going through town. Author Karen Mireau has written about the old hotel, along with other tales of the Mendon area, in a recently published book. Check out an excerpt on page 49.

I find history fascinating. It’s good to know about our roots. The Finger Lakes in particular has a rich tapestry of history, involving so many different subjects.

Let’s do a little dive into the past, to learn more about our present and help shape the future.

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letters 23/24 Visual, Performing Arts & Design

Changemakers Series an evening with

ATLYS four

electric musicians doing infinite eclectic things

friday

feb 9 l 7:30 beston hall

glazer music performance center nazareth university artscenter.naz.edu

E-mail your letters to mark@lifeinthefingerlakes.com

I

read with interest the article “Summer Camps in the Finger Lakes” by Kirk House in the July/August 2023 edition of Life in the Finger Lakes and enjoyed it very much.

I am not sure if Mr. House intended a comprehensive list of the camps in the Finger Lakes but was disappointed that Camp Badger (also known as Empire State Special Needs Experience) was not included. Camp Badger provides a unique service for differentlyabled individuals and has been doing it for many years, beginning originally with children who were having speech and hearing difficulties and converting to services for differently-abled persons more recently.

Camp Badger was named for the former Ed Badger, a member of the Binghamton Lions Club who gave the land for the camp in Spencer, NY. The camp is a project of the New York State-Bermuda Lions. Its comprehensive website gives an excellent overview of the camp. I believe it is well worth being included in the list of summer camps located in the Finger Lakes that Mr. House provided in his article.

— Lion Rev. Dr. Richard H. Barron, Secretary The Binghamton Lions Club

I

want to thank you for my photo, “Morning Dance” being selected for 2nd Place in the color category of the 2023 annual photo contest (November/December 2023). The photo is my first wildlife photograph to be published!

Ironically, the grand prize winner, “Red Fox,” was taken by my best friend, Melissa Rowell! She was actually with me the morning I took my photo of the two great blue herons, with one of the adults just landing behind the one already in the nest. When I met back up with her a little later she asked how I did and I showed her the image on the back of my camera. She told me then that it was worthy of a competition photo.

Again, thank you so much to your judges for selecting my photograph for your 2023 competition!

— Daniel Dunn

I

am a 92-year-old transplanted elder (due to failing health) who deeply misses canoeing and cross-country skiing in the “God’s country of the Finger Lakes.” Your excellent magazine makes me nostalgic.

The most recent copy is outstanding. The photos alone are wonderful. Keep up the good work!

— John Ruef, Charleston, SC (formerly a Finger Lakes resident)

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happenings EVENTS Contact event for details JANUARY January 1…First Day Hike Set your intention to get outdoors more in 2024 by meeting from 10 to 11 a.m. for a First Day Hike guided by a Beaver Lake naturalist. Free with park admission ($5/vehicle).

Beaver Lake Nature Center 8477 East Mud Lake Road Baldwinsville, NY 13027 315-638-2519 • onondagacountyparks.com/parks/beaver-lake-nature-center January 17…Live Music Wednesday at Ventosa Vineyards Check out free, local, live music year-round every Wednesday (and select other days), along with a buy one, get one happy hour. If the weather is nice, music is out on the terrace … which comes with a beautiful view of Seneca Lake and sunsets that will take your breath away. Happy hour is 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. and live music from 5 to 8 p.m.

3440 Route 96A, Geneva, NY 14456 ventosavineyards.com/livemusic January 21… Syracuse Wedding Expo at the NYS Fairgrounds ​​Meet with local wedding pro​s face-to-face, sample hors d’oeuvres and tasty ​treats. ​ View ​the latest trends in fashion and decor. Take home a gift bag full of info and samples and h​ ​​ave the chance to win some pretty amazing prizes. Held from 12 to 3 p.m.

New York State Fairgrounds, Center of Progress 581 State Fair Blvd, Syracuse, NY 13209 syracusebridalshows.com

FEBRUARY February 9…An Evening with ATLYS Event runs from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Glazer Music Performance Center, Beston Hall at Nazareth University. ATLYS is a classically trained, crossover string quartet comprised of four strong and unique women. Lauded for their passionate and dynamic performances and signature sound, their concerts are both mesmerizing and interactive.

Nazareth University 4245 East Ave, Rochester, NY 14618 naz.edu/events/sep/7609/an-evening-with-atlys

Cayuga County Chamber of Commerce Hosts 8th Annual Restaurant Week January 19-27

D

uring Restaurant Week, participating ChamberMember restaurants in Cayuga County offer special prix fixe menus, appetizer and drink specials, and much more. All patrons of participating restaurants have an opportunity to take advantage of these promotions while supporting local restaurants during the end of January.

Details about each restaurant’s special will be available soon on the chamber’s website at cayugacountychamber. com/restaurantweek. No tickets are needed. Just say “Restaurant Week” when you place your order! Follow the Cayuga County Chamber of Commerce on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for Restaurant Week news and updates!

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offbeat

Maple Syrup Production and

Sustainable Agriculture in a Rural Finger Lakes High School story and photos by Jonathan Pragle

T

his time of year, the Whitman Woodlot is a mix of mud and snow. A student of Marcus Whitman High School in Rushville works her way up to a tree, removes the plastic bucket attached to its side and analyzes the contents inside.

The tree is a sugar maple, New York State’s official tree. This particular tree was here before the school was even built, but in the past several years it has seen something new: students identifying it, measuring it and ultimately collecting its sap to turn into syrup.

The crew of high schoolers work quickly to collect 24 taps that were put in about a week prior. They already identified the tree by the opposite branch pattern, wavy bark and, if they’re lucky, past years’ healed tap holes. They learned tapping techniques in the classroom practicing on a five-foot section of Norway maple that had been cut from a district resident’s front yard. The class then practices driving a spile into the tap hole using different methods: a hammer, a rock and a professional maple tubing tool. This is where Mary Coolbaugh and Jonathan Pragle, the district’s agriculture and environmental science teachers, respectively, describe the importance of a good, clean taphole.

On this particular morning, the budding sugar makers

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collect 22 gallons of sap and begin the long trek back to the makeshift evaporator, a distance the length of three football fields. This morning, buckets are being collected by environmental science students; on another day, it could be introduction to agriculture, food science or living environment students.

The sap buckets get lifted and emptied into a 45-gallon collection tank. Nearby is the evaporator – two stainless steel buffet pans set inside the firebox that was designed and built by staff and students. A student opens the firebox to add some wood, a few pieces of ash taken from the same woodlot as the maples. Everything about today’s boil is from the Whitman Woodlot, 10 acres Northeastern Hardwoods that models most old growth forests in New York.

To reduce the amount of wood needed to boil the sap, students run the fresh collection through a home-built reverse osmosis (RO) system. The RO system the students are using consists of a 400 gallon per day pump (the same ones used on well systems in some of the students’ houses) a pre-filter and two RO membranes. Students

Coolbaugh and Pragle received several grants to purchase and build an on-site maple sugaring operation - resulting in the Whitman Sugar House.

test the sap going in, the sap coming out and the permeate to see the effect. While the system runs in back of their class, ninth and tenth graders do a mini lesson on osmosis using the system and see the concept in a realistic environment.

The fire crackles as the student feeds it a log and fixes a flat cinderblock door back in place. A peer adds a half gallon of sap to the front warming pan while the back pan continues a rolling boil of amber liquid. The wind changes direction and the steam rolls toward the class; comments are made on the smell of boiling sap and excitement for the finished product.

Outside the science wing on this early March day are four different science classes of varying grade levels watching the evaporator and connecting it to related concepts including phase changes, vaporization curves, electromagnetic spectrum, observing pattern changes and boiling points of different liquids. Mixed groups of students and teachers discuss sap sugar percentages, temperatures and flavors of syrup. It has turned into an impromptu science convention on the front lawn of Marcus Whitman High School.

The next morning, the pot of finished syrup is tested again, this time by the environmental science class. Maple syrup is measured in Brix, where one Brix equals 1 percent sugar. The standard density for finished syrup is 66.9 Brix, although most consider finished syrup to be between 66 and 68 Brix. The reading is 67 Brix at 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Perfect!

A sophomore takes a pipette and transfers a few drops onto the prism window of a refractometer and holds it up to the morning light. A refractometer measures the degree by which light is refracted while passing through the syrup, giving the observer a measurement of the specific gravity of the liquid.

She measures the syrup at 66.8 Brix. The class decides this syrup is done and ready to be filtered.

Delanie, a senior, and Hailee, a sophomore, carry the stainless-steel pot to the filtration and canning system. At Marcus Whitman, classes use a vacuum adapter on a traditional gravity-fed filter and bottler. The finished syrup is poured through the three pre-filters and one thick Orlon filter that will remove any sediment. Students are surprised at how much sediment there is and how it resembles sand. In fact, many call it “sugar sand.”

Sugar sand, officially called nitre, is the collection of Left: Marcus Whitman High School students collect sap from the Whitman Woodlot.

Inset top: Sophomore Raegan Weissinger drills a tap hole.

Inset bottom: Senior Maddie Mekeel uses a hydrometer to check for finished syrup.

J a n u a r y / F e b r u a r y 2 0 2 4 ~ ­­­­­­­­­­­­9­

WWW.THEINDESTUDIO.COM 1501 PITTSFORD VICTOR RD VICTOR, NY 14564 585-249-8100

Finished syrup is graded using a digital meter that measures light transmittance, shown with different syrup grades.

minerals that precipitate as the sugar in the sap is condensed.

While it is not necessary to filter the nitre out of the syrup, it certainly makes the finished product look and taste cleaner. The finished syrup steadily drips into the bottom of the system and the group looks forward to the next step in the process: grading.

Students in both environmental science and intro to agriculture practiced grading last year’s syrup using temporary maple syrup grading kits. They put a sample into a small jar and compare the color to stock golden, amber and dark jars. They have seen that this finished syrup was a little lighter than past batches and are hopeful for a golden. Golden is regarded as the most difficult to produce. Today, students will not be eyeballing the finished syrup for grade. New this year to the school is a digital grader or spectrophotometer. Earth science teacher Pat

offbeat

Prusinowski has come for this part as well. He is known in the school for estimating percentage transmittance with uncanny accuracy. He heard that the students may have a golden this morning and wants to see the result.

At this moment you could hear a pin drop. The reading comes displays on the screen at 74 percent. One percentage point away from a golden, but technically an amber. A collective sigh rings out, followed by the excitement of tasting the finished product.

To safely hot pack the syrup, it needs to be between 180 degrees and 200 degrees Fahrenheit to kill off any bacteria or mold. The temperature gauge reads 190 degrees Fahrenheit and students fill and seal the plastic containers while another student puts a sticker that says “Pure Maple Syrup. Amber with Rich Taste. Grade A.” On this date, they bottle 1.5 gallons of finished pure New York State maple syrup.

In a few weeks, the students in Pragle’s environmental science class will remove the taps from the trees. Yet on this crisp morning, students and staff enjoy the fruits of their labor with a pancake breakfast to ring in the vernal equinox. They exchange smiles and stories as they taste the differences between the grades of syrup they made themselves, discuss preferences and celebrate the communal effort it took to make such a sweetness.

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d v A e l n a tu c i with r s e u

s

M

musical notes

five by five Left to right: Haeyeun Jeun, Marc Webster, Laura Lentz, Ken Luk, Marcy D. Bacon, Eric J. Polenik. Photo by Robert Cooper.

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Album cover art by Lauren Perttula.

Waterfront Restaurant and Bar on Keuka Lake is For Sale

by Nancy E. McCarthy

F

ivebyfive is a Rochesterbased ensemble of six highly accomplished musicians performing adventurous, contemporary music. The group’s mission is to engage audiences in the collaborative spirit and creativity of today’s chamber music.

For centuries, chamber music was played in homes (in a room or “chamber”) by small groups performing classical compositions for guests. Today’s chamber music is most commonly heard in concert halls and other music venues. The term describes any music for small ensembles. The repertoire can encompass masterworks, modern compositions, jazz, folkloric genres and more.

“The idea of genres is disappearing,” said Laura Lentz, fivebyfive’s flutist and artistic director. “It’s important for classical groups to redefine what classical music is.”

Fivebyfive is helping to turn the definition of chamber music on its ear by commissioning and performing music by the most forward-thinking composers, advocating for creators who are underrepresented in the field and collaborating with a wide range of partners. They also make a point to interact with their audiences in unexpected ways.

“Five by five” is a radio broadcasting phrase that defines the strength and clarity of a signal. It means to be heard “loud and clear.” There couldn’t be a more apt descriptor for this group.

A big idea In 2015, Lentz wanted to start a chamber group in Rochester. She had just returned from Switzerland where she worked with the new music ensemble eighth blackbird in a performer/composer exchange.

Lentz was particularly inspired by the music of critically-acclaimed composer Missy Mazzoli. She first reached out to Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra bassist Eric Polenik to explore putting together an ensemble to perform Mazzoli’s composition “Magic with Everyday Objects.”

Polenik was instantly enthusiastic.

“I had listened to it and absolutely fell in

love with the piece. I told her ‘Rochester needs to hear this,’” he said.

Polenik’s string chamber group, Gibbs & Main, had stopped performing.

He missed playing with a smaller ensemble and looking to fill a creative void. Lentz and Polenik began to brainstorm about the type of group and music they envisioned. Polenik invited pianist Haeyeun Jeun to join them, explaining their interest in playing contemporary music. Jeun accepted immediately.

“I thought there will always be chances to play masterworks with a traditional ensemble but a rare chance to play with this charming instrumentation,” Jeun said. “I feel very lucky to play with these good friends and work with so many wonderful composers around the world.”

Their unusual instrumentation was, and still is, flute, bass, piano, clarinet and electric guitar. “It’s not a traditional mix of instruments but modern chamber groups come in all shapes and sizes,” said Marc Webster, who has been with the group in various capacities since 2016.

Fivebyfive’s debut concert took place on February 6, 2016 in the Allen Chapel on the Rochester Institute of Technology’s campus. The group performed the Mazzoli piece along with other contemporary works arranged for their instrumentation.

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The players All fivebyfive members are busy professional musicians and/or music teachers. The backgrounds and influences that the players bring to the table from their other projects make fivebyfive a richer experience for each other and for their audiences.

“The dynamic of this group is just great. Everyone is super creative, willing to take chances and listens to each other,” said Polenik. “I love new music, experimenting with music, and this feeds my soul.”

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musical notes

keyboardist and composer.

Webster, who owns Blue on Blue Recording Studio in Rochester, plays organ and electronics on fivebyfive’s current breath & fire album and is often on stage with the ensemble on keyboard, playing video clips and working the mixing board Performance at SUNY Fredonia in February 2023 to provide audio effects and enhancements.

When Covid started, Webster began working more with fivebyfive, using recording as a means to share their music during lockdown. This eventually led to Webster becoming a full fivebyfive member. “We aren’t aware of any other chamber group that has a recording engineer as a member,” said Lentz. The recording process helped to expand fivebyfive’s artistic voice and, as the pandemic ebbed, recording and Composer Marc Mellits (L) and fivebyfive. releasing music became an important tool of creative expression. and incorporate them into my own In 2022, the group was awarded a music,” Mellits said. three-year New York State Council on Webster assumed a new role as the Arts (NYSCA) grant and they were fivebyfive’s executive director in 2023. able to invest more significantly into He works with Lentz to maximize recording music. Fivebyfive has released the programming that the group can three albums: Of and Between (2021), deliver using their available financial The Play Album (2023) and breath & fire resources. Fivebyfive, a 501(c)3 nonprofit (2023). organization since 2017, primarily As artistic director, Lentz is operates from grants, ticket sales and responsible for the overall artistic vision donations. of the group and creating the various Percussionist Emma Gierszal, its concert programming to bring that current board president, has a close vision to their audiences. Because of history with fivebyfive. Gierszal became their uncommon instrumentation and the group’s production intern while commitment to playing new music, pursuing her master’s degree at the fivebyfive’s repertoire requires special Eastman School of Music in 2019. She arrangements for existing works or they went on to serve on its advisory board commission original compositions.

Marc Mellits, a renowned and prolific in 2021 and then joined the board of directors in 2022. Gierszal characterizes composer, is a frequent collaborator. He fivebyfive as a trailblazing ensemble created an arrangement for fivebyfive particularly in its programming of of his piece “Dreadlocked” for breath & creative and inclusive concerts. fire. “I love blending electric guitar with acoustic instruments and often take (Meet the Musicians on page 16, instruments more comfortable in rock

story continued on page 61)

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

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musical notes (Continued from page 14)

Meet the Musicians Photos by Robert Cooper

Flutist Laura Lentz co-founded fivebyfive and is its artistic director.

Lentz released her debut solo recording Jacob’s Triptych in 2023 with two new works dedicated to her by internationally known Dutch composer Jacob ter Veldhuis (AKA JacobTV).

She is currently working on a recording project with Norwegian composer Kari Telstad Sundet and a consortium project of a new work for flute and strings by composer Marc Mellits. A dedicated teacher, Lentz presents her new book Modal Flute Warmup at flute fairs and universities, holds flute masterclasses and workshops across the country, instructs a large, private studio of local students and is on faculty at Eastman School of Music teaching a course designed to empower students to seek funding for their creative projects.

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Bassist Eric J. Polenik, co-founded fivebyfive and has been a Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra member since 2005.

Polenik performed on the orchestra’s Grammy winning album, American Rapture. He began to play the double bass at age 16 and, four years later, performed with the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra as its Principal Bassist. Polenik regularly performs with many ensembles in Upstate New York including the Buffalo Philharmonic, Slee Sinfonietta at University of Buffalo, Rochester Oratorio Society and Finger Lakes Opera. He was a member of the eclectic string chamber group Gibbs & Main. Polenik is a professor of bass at Roberts Wesleyan University and a member of the string faculty at Hochstein School of Music. He regularly serves as a coach for collegiate and youth orchestra programs.

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(Continued on page 18)

musical notes (Continued from page 16)

Pianist Haeyeun Jeun, a fivebyfive co-founding member, is an accomplished performer in the United States and Korea, her homeland. Jeun’s achievements include a silver medal at the 2013 Seattle International Piano Competition, second prize in the 12th Osaka International Piano Competition, first prizes in the Eastman-Hamamatsu, Piano Society of Korea and the Music Association of Korea competitions. She was chosen by the Eastman piano faculty to represent the school at the 2007 Hamamatsu International Piano Academy in Japan. As a soloist, she made her orchestral debut at age 9 with the Busan Philharmonic and Chanwon Philharmonic Orchestras. She has performed with other prestigious orchestras such as the Prime Phil Orchestra and Vio-LINK-oto Ensemble. Jeun teaches at Finger Lakes Community College and is organist and accompanist at Greece United Methodist Church.

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Clarinetist Marcy D. Bacon is an active performer with the Wilmot Wind Quintet (WWQ) and woodwind quintet Fem Vindar.

Bacon has played with the Rochester Chamber Orchestra, Rochester Oratorio Society Orchestra, Rochester Lyric Opera, ensemble. twenty.21 and the Western New York Chamber Orchestra.

She teaches at Nazareth College, RIT and Eastman Community Music School and has presented sessions on wind quintet literature with her WWQ colleagues at the NY State School Music Association Winter Conference and the National Association for Music Education AllEastern Conference. She has also presented audiation sessions pertaining to early childhood and instrumental applications. Bacon can be heard on the Oregon Catholic Press label playing sacred music and compositions by Jacob Avshalomov.

(Continued on page 20)

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musical notes (Continued from page 18)

Guitarist Ken Luk frequently appears as a soloist and with the Janus Guitar Duo and Trio Ghidorah. Luk performs with Rosa Boemia, Forró Estrelas do Norte, Mosaic Foundation, the Eastman Gamelan Ensemble and the Rochester Mandolin Orchestra. Performance highlights include Experiencing Villa-Lobos Festival, Live from Hochstein, Rochester Fringe Festival, The Great Blue Heron Festival and Grassroots Festival of Music and Dance. Co-founder of Rochester Classical Guitar and the Rochester Mandolin Orchestra, he is also an avid arranger and was a finalist in the 2017 Roland Dyens International Arrangement Competition. Luk also serves on the board of the Classical Mandolin Society of America.

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Recording engineer, keyboardist and composer Marc Webster is fivebyfive’s executive director. Webster has performance and production experience in a wide range of musical genres including classical, film score, jazz, rock, gospel, blues and rap. As a composer his compositions have been featured nationally on the Performance Today radio program and his movie soundtrack “Fury” was a semi-finalist at the Moondance Film Festival. Commissions include music for fivebyfive, Gibbs & Main String Quintet and the Eastman Youth String Orchestra. Webster owns and operates Blue on Blue Recording Studio with a special focus to work with classical musicians and composers to create albums, music videos, concert recording and other kinds of audio and video artistry.

people in the know

Jim Cecere Finger Lakes Goods, Pastel, Vinifera

J

im Cecere is a true Finger Lakes Region entrepreneur.

He owns three area businesses: Pastel in Victor, Vinifera in Geneva and Finger Lakes Goods, also in Geneva. Finger Lakes Goods provides hundreds of locallymade products from small businesses around the region.

Cecere shares a little about his different enterprises and the importance of shopping local.

How did your shops in Geneva and Victor get started as businesses, and what was your inspiration?

After spending more than two decades in finance and corporate roles, I felt compelled to begin a new chapter that would not only be meaningful but also contribute positively to my community. This led to the creation of Finger Lakes Goods in Geneva. The fundamental concept is to curate and sell an array of products crafted in the Finger Lakes Region, both in our charming physical shop and online. Initially, we collaborated with five producers, offering around 15 products. Now, we proudly feature products from about 35 local artisans, expanding our range to more than 300 items.

Vinifera, our second venture in Geneva, was a bit more complex due to the need for specific licenses. It has evolved into a hub for more than 60 producers of fine wines, spirits

and craft beers from the Finger Lakes and across New York State. We also feature a hidden door, which leads to a Prohibition-era speakeasy. Customers are immersed in a cool vibe with great music and can enjoy a flight of wine, cocktails, charcuterie and desserts.

Our latest addition is Pastel, a delightful bakery specializing in cookies and other baked goods. It originated from the acquisition of the Finger Lakes Cookie Company.

Located in Victor, Pastel not only continues the legacy of those renowned cookies but also introduces an expanded selection including cheesecakes, tarts and more, broadening our baked goods repertoire.

What kinds of products do you carry? Are there any customer favorites?

That’s a hard question as there are so many great products and so many things customers love. It starts with the customers who love good quality and value. They also want to support local business. My shops have everything from locally roasted coffee to honey to sweatshirts to soaps and lotions and more. We have such an amazing relationship with the wineries that we are able to carry a lot of what would otherwise only be available at their premise. And the J a n u a r y / F e b r u a r y 2 0 2 4 ~ ­­­­­­­­­­­­21­

cookies? Well, as soon as people try them, they are hooked.

Some unique favorites include our cheesecake, velvet wine and Nutella chocolate chip.

the Finger Lakes Region. It humbles me every time I think about how lucky I am to both know them and get inspired by them. It makes me want to do more.

Are you involved in any other Finger Lakes businesses?

What can you tell us about them?

My businesses work with and support almost 100 Finger Lakes businesses. This is what I’m most proud of and the entire reason why I’m doing what I’m doing. Every time someone purchases something from my shops, the impact is real. It puts true meaning to “shop local.” Every purchase supports the passion of a small business. It helps them further develop and build their products. It helps them hire more people. It brings more storefronts throughout the region. And, it brings happiness to customers who get to experience just how amazing products made here are.

What are you most grateful for?

In October 2023, I was honored, along with Vinifera’ Wine & Spirits Director Kevin San Jose, with recognition

by Wine Enthusiast as members of their Future40. This recognition is for our work in promoting the Finger Lakes wine industry, as well as distilled and craft beverages. It focused on the experience we provide customers at the Wine Shop & Speakeasy, as well as providing access to more than 60 Finger Lakes and NYS providers.

The recognition is not only for us, but brings more attention to the quality wines, spirits and beers made in the Finger Lakes and NYS. We can’t wait for our own wine to be released.

What is your favorite part of your job?

I love the fact I personally know just about every owner and producer of the products I carry. They are good people. People who are passionate and have committed themselves to

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What are your roots? Are you a Finger Lakes native?

I was born and raised in Geneva, attending St Stephen’s, DeSales and Geneva High. I also graduated from Hobart College. My family has deep

people in the know

roots in Geneva and throughout the Finger Lakes. It’s great to be home and be able to reconnect with all of them after being away for so long.

What do you enjoy most about the Finger Lakes Region?

There are two things. First is the beauty of the lakes, waterfalls, parks and farmland. It’s not fettered with warehouses, big box stores or a lot of chains. The small towns are quaint, inviting and full of great things to do. When you watch a sunset or sunrise over any one of the lakes, it’s magical. The second is the drive and determination of so many businesses that want to make a difference. I continue to be inspired by them, and want to continue to do more to improve our community and help attract visitors here.

Do you have any favorite local activities you enjoy?

It’s funny, I grew up looking at Seneca Lake almost every day, but I never took advantage of it.

It’s different now. I was on the lake so many times this summer I can’t count. And the food! The restaurants in the area are incredible. It really is a foodie’s delight!

no more morning chaos!

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J a n u a r y / F e b r u a r y 2 0 2 4 ~ ­­­­­­­­­­­­23­

Reed Homestead

Transform your cabin or lodge into a cozy retreat with our selection of products. The rustic framed print showcases the beauty of the American brook trout, reproduced from an 1898 guide. Artwork $37, lamp $220, flask $19. reedhomestead.com

Crown Jewelry

Check out this amethyst and diamond ring in 14K rose gold.

“Precious jewel, you glow, you shine, reflecting all the good things in the world.” – Maya Angelou mycrowndowntown.com

Dr. Konstantine Frank Winery

The 2019 Ruby Amur is a port-style wine made with the Amur grape and aged for one year in French oak barrels.

Perfect for cold winter nights by the fire. $59.99. drfrankwines.com

product picks Vinifera

Spending too much on too many different wine clubs without enough variety? Experience many of the best wineries with a Vinifera Wine Club membership. fingerlakeswineshop.com

Antique Revival

This antique oil painting features a winter landscape with ice skaters in a giltwood frame. Circa 1890. antiquerevival.com

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Ithaca Jewel Box

The waves are calling with this set of jewelry. ithacajewelbox.com

Milly’s Pantry

Warm yourself this winter with handknitted scarves and hats with detachable pom-poms by Anita Cornell. Proceeds support Milly’s Pantry and our local pet rescue center. 19 Main St., Penn Yan. millyspantry.org

Fireplace Fashions

Stop in today to increase the efficiency and heat from your fireplace with a gas insert.

Fireplace Fashions has been around since 1957.

1936 Hudson Ave., Irondequoit. fireplacefashions.com

Long Point Winery

The 2020 Barbera is a beautiful Italian-style red wine has flavors of ripe plum, fig and raisins. Aged in Hungarian oak barrels, the tannins and acidity are firm, making it a great food wine. $20.99. longpointwinery.com

FingerLakes Bell Co. Ring in the New Year with a new Fingerlake Bell. A bell for every Finger Lake and lakes of New York.

We ring to please. flxbells.com

J a n u a r y / F e b r u a r y 2 0 2 4 ~ ­­­­­­­­­­­­25­

product picks Zugibe

The 2020 Pinot Noir is delicate and medium bodied with flavors and aromas of red cherries and cranberries.

Wine $23.99, Zugibe beanie $19.99.

Fitch Construction

Call us to get started on your kitchen makeover. The days are getting cooler, and more time is being spent inside. Make your kitchen the place everyone gathers in.

zugibevineyards.com

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CabAve Cabinets

With this lazy Susan, you’ll have no more dead corner space! CabAve has the lazy Susan and more options to choose from. cabave.com

Artizanns

Artizanns has a large collection of the late Dorothy Harrison’s paintings.

Most are intensely colored FLX landscapes.They are available in many sizes and on sale, 20 percent off, for a limited time. artizanns.com

Lupo’s

Lupo’s five-bottle gift pack is the perfect way to send hometown flavor to your friends and family near and far! spiedies.com

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

BAY VIEW TERRACE, GENEVA, NY

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We are excited about our new project at Bay View Terrace and we hope you are too!

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Getting Around with

by Kirk House

2

1

O

ne thing about Glenn Curtiss – he liked GOING places, and he liked getting there fast, and any means of getting there was fine with him. He was born in 1878, and his mother was famed for her skill at driving horses; his first business was selling harness and horse blankets, so he almost surely knew how to drive, if not to ride.

But the other half of his first business was bicycles. The roads were dreadful, but he and his friends loved to “make a century,” riding 100 miles in a day. He’s in the uniform of a semi-pro racing team – notice his muscle development!

Also notice such “modern” features as toe clips and dropped handlebars. Even as a millionaire in later years, he sometimes rode his bike to work. (1) From bicycles to motorcycles! Curtiss was one of America’s first manufacturers, and gained fame as “The Hell-Rider,” whose frightening moves won race after race and set record 3

after record, with engines of his own design. At Ormond Beach in 1907 he rode the world’s first V-8 motorcycle to an unofficial world land speed record, at more than 136 miles an hour (on the beach, not a track!). He also used motorcycles routinely … riding from Hammondsport to see his mother in Rock Stream, or to Rochester on business. (2) Reliable engines that were light in weight but high in power were perfect for early aviators! Captain Thomas Scott Baldwin manufactured airships (we’d call them blimps) in Hammondsport, using Curtiss engines. On June 28, 1907, Curtiss piloted his first flight. Keuka Lake is just out of sight. (3) To test propellers, Curtiss created an unusual three-wheeler.

It scared the horses, but Glenn never let an opportunity pass him by. Dubbing his new creation the Wind Wagon, he sold a few as novelty road vehicles. (4)

4

6

5

Of course, Curtiss also used conventional autos. He got bored on the train from San Diego to New York, got off in Kansas, bought a car and drove the rest of the way. He even created a flying car, though it didn’t work. In later years he would buy stock cars, streamline them, install aeronautical engines and get wherever he was going really fast. (5)

By 1908 Curtiss was building experimental airplanes with Alexander Graham Bell and three other men. Curtiss first “soloed” on his 30th birthday in 1908, and on the Fourth of July flew spectacularly in Pleasant Valley. He then started manufacturing, and in 1909 set the American distance record (24.7 miles) on Long Island. The well-dressed lady is holding up numbered placards, showing him how many laps he’s completed. Later that summer, in France, he set the world air speed record – more than 46 miles an hour! In 1910 he blazed the sky trail from Albany to New York City. (7)

And why sit idle when a Finger Lakes winter closed the roads? Curtiss adapted his Wind Wagon concept and was soon whizzing across Keuka Lake on a propeller-powered ice boat. In the shallow waters of Florida, he used the same arrangement to make an airboat. Notice the necktie, vest and high stiff collar! (6)

In 1911 Curtiss created the first practical float plane – Winston Churchill would later coin the word “seaplane.”

Curtiss built America’s first naval aircraft, and here he’s using the Navy “A-1” to train our first naval aviator, Lt. Theodore G. Ellyson. Hammondsport Glen is in the background, along with the steeple of the Presbyterian church on Pulteney Square. (8)

7

8

J a n u a r y / F e b r u a r y 2 0 2 4 ~ ­­­­­­­­­­­­29­

Getting Around with 9

11

A year later, Curtiss created the flying boat, here being inspected at Hammondsport by Henry Ford. Curtiss marketed these seaplanes as “aerial yachting,” but they also hunted down U-boats. In 1919 a huge Navy-Curtiss flying boat made the first flight across the Atlantic. (9) While wintering in Florida after World War I, Curtiss developed an early streamlined travel trailer. He saw it as the rear compartment of an articulated three-axle consist, and touted the comfort it offered, even over bad roads. He, and later his widow, manufactured these luxury units as the Curtiss Aerocar. (10) In 1930 Curtiss reprised his 1910 Albany-to-New York City flight, this time in a closed-cabin, twin-engine, 18-passenger Curtiss Condor airliner. (This was unlike anything Curtiss had ever flown, so a professional pilot handled takeoff and landing.) (11)

Two months later, Curtiss left Hammondsport by ambulance to Bath, and thence by train to Buffalo General Hospital. As he was trundled out of his hometown, through Pleasant Valley, past the fish hatchery and into Bath, over roads he knew intimately from childhood, he had no idea that he was leaving them for the very last time. He died unexpectedly in the hospital at the age of 52. He had talked with Glenn Curtiss Jr. on that final hop to Bath, discussing ways to rework the Curtiss Aerocar as an ambulance, giving patients a more comfortable trip. On his very last ride, Curtiss was still planning another one. (12) Photos courtesy Curtiss Museum in Hammondsport. The museum has an original Aerocar, several original Curtiss motorcycles and one of his speedboats, made to his specifications in Hammondsport – not to mention several original Curtiss airplanes. The museum also has working reproductions of the Wind Wagon, the first naval seaplane and other pioneer aircraft.

10 12

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Make Way for the

Mink I

t is a bright fall afternoon, and a small, wooded trail leads me to one of my favorite spots along a local waterway. This special place is the home and hunting ground to a mink that I have come to know quite well.

The rough bank of Fall Creek offers cover complete with an old muskrat den for housing. A fallen tree provides excellent cover and a place to hunt. I stand quiet near the edge of the creek where the trail has led me, knowing that patience is the name of the game. I wait for 15 minutes and am rewarded when I notice ripples generating from under the bank. There she is!

It is the middle of the day and the animal I have come to know as Belle is out hunting. She is curious and active as she explores the back side of the half-submerged root ball. Swimming, she makes her way up and onto the main trunk. After a quick scan, she slips into the water and almost

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

story and photos by Dave Hall

immediately surfaces with a minnow. She exits the creek and trots up the fallen timber towards some cover where she enjoys her catch.

Mink are absolutely beautiful animals that are surprisingly common and will reward the disciplined observer with hours of memorable viewing.

Welcome to the family!

Mink are part of the mustelid family which is a large and diverse group of animals that includes otter, weasel, fisher, skunks and badgers. Animals in the mustelid family share more than a few traits. They have short legs, elongated bodies, small ears and stouts and somewhat elongated skulls. Mink range in size from just over a pound to 3-1/2 pounds. Males are generally larger than females. Mink are dark brown when wet and can appear more rusty brown when dry. They have a

white chin patch which can be irregular or unique in some way, making it possible to identify individuals. Mink can also have a white patch on their chest.

At home in the Finger Lakes Although mink can hunt on land, they are water centric mammals that range through the United State and Canada. In New York State this means that mink can be found virtually anywhere there is water, and the hunting is productive. Regularly seeing mink is a great indicator of aquatic food availability.

In my life I have had the great fortune of seeing mink in the Town of Williamsville along Ellicott Creek, the shores of Cayuga Lake, countless locations in the Adirondacks, at several of the locks along the Erie Canal, Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge and near the base of local waterfalls in Tompkins County. If you live near a substantial enough sized body of water, it is very likely that mink are nearby.

A mink’s dinner Mink are true carnivores, eating an array of prey including crayfish, muskrat, ducks, mice and fish. For their size, mink are incredibly capable predators that often take down prey many times their own size. I once witnessed a mink swimming with a 5-pound smallmouth bass that it had just subdued. The mink dragged the still living fish onto shore where it proceeded to consume the gills.

Mink are opportunistic hunters. On another occasion I was able to observe two mink one wintery day from the parking lot bordering a big box store.

The duo had discovered a bounty of pan fish that had become trapped, due to low water levels, in a culvert pipe that emptied into a small waterway. The mink would disappear into the darkness of the pipe and appear moments later with a struggling sunfish. The crazy thing was that the mink never got wet!

A few more fun facts Mink are active year-round. Despite most field guides suggesting that mink are most active when the sun is rising or setting, my experience has taught me that these spirited animals can be active at most any time of the day. I theorize that “optimal operating” conditions are most likely to determine when mink are active; mink don’t like to be too hot or too cold. For example, when nights are likely to be coldest, mink will be more regularly seen out hunting during the day. On the other hand, mink are less likely to be out in the heat of the day during warmer months. Foul weather tends to keep mink sheltered.

Mink are generally solitary but are sometimes seen in pairs. Mink come together to mate in late winter. After a gestation of about 51 days, one to eight young are born with an average of four kits per litter. Young mink stay with their mother

into the fall. At this time, they disperse to establish territories of their own. Mink become sexually mature at about 10 months of age.

Mink vocalizations include squeaks, screeches, growling and hissing. With that said, I have witnessed hundreds of mink in my life, often in relative close proximity, and have yet to hear one vocalize. From my research, I have learned that vocalizations are often associated with breeding, territorial disputes and times when mink feel threatened. Mink have also been known to purr when they feel contented.

Another way that mink communicate is through scent.

Much like skunks, but without the accuracy, mink can spray when they are threatened. The scent has been described as worse than that of skunks.

Purposely marking territory with anal scent glands is done to mark territory.

Mink also have scent glands in their throat and chest. I have witnessed mink rubbing their faces along moss cover logs on fallen trees within their territory.

Signs left behind The webbed feet of mink leave easily identifiable tracks in mud, damp sand and wet snow. Like all mustelids,

Mink are excellent “observers.

My wife and I once watched a mink for five minutes that seemed just as curious about us as we were about it.

”

mink have five toes on each foot. Their tracks range in size 1-1/4 to 2 inches wide for the front track and 1 -1/4 to 1-7/8 for the rear track. Mink often leave piles of crayfish remains or other leftovers from their hunting efforts. Mink scat is often left in prominent places such as docks or logs near the water. Scat is twisted in appearance, is usually dark or brown and often full of fish scales or crayfish remains.

How and where to see mink Mink like good cover to hunt and hide within. Generally speaking, they need a large enough wetland or water body

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to meet their needs. On my property we have a small pond that has recently become larger because of beavers. In the 25-plus years of living at our home I have seen only one mink at our pond. Despite having small bass and sunfish, this wetland just isn’t productive or large enough to support a population of mink.

In contrast, the south end of Cayuga Lake holds dozens of mink in a relatively small area. This space is incredibly rich and dynamic, offering a density of food opportunities. There are seasonal runs of migratory fish, waterfowl abounds, there is an array of rodents in the nearby thickets and woods, and the local

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Mink tributaries help to keep life interesting. On one April morning I spotted five mink in a two-hour period. Two of them were scavenging a dead carp.

When looking for mink, be sure to move slowly and quietly. This is vital as any sudden movements or loud sounds will easily be detected by birds and animals. When you find a promising location, be still and carefully scan promising spots. Pay special attention to the area where water and land come together. This is the domain of the mink. One indicator that I often come across is ripples created from a mink making its way along an undercut bank. Water bubbles can also be trailed when a mink submerges, making it possible to anticipate where it will pop up.

Mink are excellent observers. My wife and I once watched a mink for five minutes that seemed just as curious about us as we were about it. We were paddling in Catherine Creek on a cool fall day in Watkins Glen at the time. Being in a quiet vessel such as a canoe or kayak can bring one up close and personal to mink. In my experience, mink often seem less concerned if they happen to spot me while I’m in my canoe than if they happen to notice me when I’m on the land.

Local birds and other prey species can help in your

quest to find mink. Listen for alarms and behaviors that help indicate that there is a predator afoot.

For me, watching wildlife is one the greatest joys in my life and mink are one of the most dynamic and interesting animals that I regularly see. They always teach me something when they are out and about, and generally exhibit interesting behaviors. If you follow my suggestions, it’s very likely that you will begin to discover more and more of these amazing creatures. Good luck, get outside, slow down and have fun!

Dave Hall is the founder of Primitive Pursuits, a youthfocused nature awareness program offered in partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County.

He has worked as a naturalist and guide in Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York and has served as an instructor with the Adirondack Mountain Club, the State University of New York at Cortland, Cornell Outdoor Education and Ithaca College. Hall’s newest book, The Naturalist’s Guide: A Field Guide to Observing and Understanding Wildlife was released on September 1, 2022. He also is co-author of Winter in the Wilderness: A Field Guide to Primitive Survival Skills. He can be reached at davehalloutdoors.com.

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by Angela Cannon-Crothers

S

ometimes, simple things can have a big impact. Here at the RMSC Cumming Nature Center, we are big proponents of nature journaling: a simple, regular practice that focuses attention and cultivates awareness of the natural world. In a nature journal, you might record the daily weather, or make seasonal observations by noting the date a specific plant buds out or when you first spot a species of bird in spring. You can also use your journal just to jot down your own thoughts about the natural world.

Nature journaling can happen outdoors or from your kitchen window. Your journal can take any form that suits you, be it writing, sketching, scrapbooking, pondering or poetry.

No matter the medium you choose, just tracking the date and place of your practice is a form of activism. Keeping a nature journal is an act of love and compassion for nature.

It can be beneficial for your own wellbeing and a means of collecting data to benefit numerous citizen science projects like Project Feederwatch (feederwatch.org), The Great Backyard Bird Count (birdcount.org) or Audubon’s Climate Watch (audubon.org).

More than a quaint old-fashioned hobby, a nature journal is a door to discovery, a window to understanding the world around you and a habit that gleans a wealth of important information about our changing world – information we need now more than ever.

Enjoy these snippets from the nature journals of the staff at the RMSC Cumming Nature Center, and pay attention to these natural happenings in the weeks to come.

Although the first weeks of January can be quite cold, the temperature inside a beaver’s lodge can be nearly 60 degrees warmer than outside temperatures. A beaver lodge often includes three generations, where older siblings help care for, cuddle and play with the younger kits. Some Native Americans called beavers “the little people” because of their social behaviors and building habits.

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In the last weeks of January and the first weeks of February, black bear cubs are born. At birth, they weight just 10 to 16 ounces. The mother slumbers while the tiny cubs feed on her rich milk.

The Carolina wren is a nonmigratory wren whose range has been slowly creeping northward, and it has been spotted more and more frequently around the Finger Lakes Region. Look for a little bird with a white eye stripe and classic “up turned” wren tail.

Around the third week of February, tree sparrows begin to return to the Finger Lakes Region. How early can you spot one?

Red-winged blackbirds start showing up as early as the last week of February.

Listen for their “o-ka-leeeee” call in wetland areas.

Around the third week of February, tree sparrows begin to return to the Finger Lakes Region. How early can you spot one?

On sunny winter days, springtails (also known as snow fleas) pepper the surface of snow. These macroscopic hexapods come from the soil to the surface to eat miniscule bits of algae and detritus on the snow.

Scientists think they may also help disperse fungal hyphae.

Sketches by Angela Cannon-Crothers, Maureen Dunphy and James Raspanti.

J a n u a r y / F e b r u a r y 2 0 2 4 ~ ­­­­­­­­­­­­37­

During winter hikes in the snowy forest, look for basswood tree seedpods that have blown across the snow. These seedpods have adapted to float in the wind, featuring a long feather-like leaf that can carry multiple seeds to new ground.

By the third week of January, daylight is getting incrementally longer and our resident chick-a-dees notice the subtle change. Listen for their springtime “fee-bee” song to begin.

Prompts for observing nature at home Each day, write down one thing you noticed outdoors and a question you had regarding it. Sketch a winter wildflower gone to seed. Paint the colors you notice late on a winter day.

Citizen science opportunity Get involved with the Great American Bird Count on February 16 to 19, 2024! You can record birds at your own feeder or participate at places like RMSC Cumming Nature Center. Learn more at birdcount.org.

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J a n u a r y / F e b r u a r y 2 0 2 4 ~ ­­­­­­­­­­­­39­

off the easel

Making an Indelible Mark in the Finger Lakes

Pen & Ink Illustrator Bodhi Mountain

by Nancy E. McCarthy

I

n 2022, at age 62, Monti Emery made the nail-biting decision to start an artistic career. For decades, as Emery adeptly climbed the corporate ladder, he found ways to weave his illustration skills into his work. But he yearned to create art full-time and had been seriously thinking about it for a couple of years.

“There was an awakening in me that brought with it a clear sense of purpose, a fresh sense of confidence and a new understanding of what type of value my art could provide,” Emery explained.

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DINNERS WEDDINGS RECEPTIONS Before making the leap from the corporate world to the world of art, Emery started a small side business producing high-quality greeting cards. The cards featured his handdrawn black and white illustrations depicting Finger Lakes Region scenes. Several retail outlets, including Watkins Glen Promotions, Cheshire Union and Bully Hill Vineyards’ gift shop in Hammondsport, began selling the cards. “The response to my illustrations was way more positive than I thought possible,” he said.

“When I first saw his work, I was impressed. I’m a huge fan of black and white illustrations,” said Will King, director and curator of Bully Hill’s on-site museum and gallery.

Emery chose a pseudonym for his art that captured the spirit of his new artistic journey: Bodhi Mountain. In Buddhism, “Bodhi” means awakening or enlightenment.

“After years of daydreaming about following my passion, I awakened to the very sincere possibility it could be made real,” he said.

Additionally, “Monti” is Italian for mountain, which dovetailed perfectly with Emery’s love of mountainous landscapes. Together, “Bodhi” and “Mountain” carried deep meaning for him.

It’s how he signs his artwork.

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Sidetracked Emery was 2 years old when his family moved to Elmira.

Growing up, Emery and his two siblings enjoyed outdoors activities with their parents such as skiing, boating and fishing. Feeling a deep affinity for the region, Emery and his wife Theresa live in nearby Big Flats and are raising their family there.

Emery was always drawing or painting as a child.

Inspired by his father who enjoyed painting oil landscapes, Emery first painted with oil, then acrylics, before discovering pen and ink illustration. It became his preferred medium. In the eighth grade, he won his school’s annual art award for one of his landscape illustrations. Early on, his career goal was to be a professional artist.

Left, black and white: Evening at the Marina Left, color: Bully Hill Vineyards Above: Depot Park, Hammondsport

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After high school, Emery enrolled in the Buffalo State University’s fine arts program. During the first year, intimidated by his exceptionally talented peers, Emery lost confidence in his abilities. At the end of the year, he left the program. His career path would instead encompass industrial design, engineering and operations.

He eventually achieved a BS in industrial design in 1994.

“I felt the degree was the perfect blend of engineering and design: combining the study and application of both form and function for commercial and industrial products,” he said. Emery excelled in this field and earned several U.S. patents for equipment and machine inventions.

Throughout his professional career, Emery honed his technical illustration skills by merging illustration into his day-to-day work such as including illustrations in power point presentations and creating engineering and product sketches.

With management as the next logical step in his career, he pursued an MBA and in 2011 took an operations position with World Kitchen in Corning.

When he left to pursue art full-time, he was its plant engineering manager and leading a team of 200 employees. “My stress level was at an all-time high,” said Emery. “I began to wonder how I had gotten so far away from that young man who just wanted to be an artist.”

Singing Creek Cards Emery named his business Singing Creek Cards as a tribute to Sing Sing Creek, a nearby trout stream. “My wife and all five children have been extremely supportive.

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Vintage Sentry

Every day I am grateful for my family,” he said. Emery and Theresa have three children and he has two children from a previous marriage.

In addition to greeting cards, he sells framed full-size prints and takes commissions, too. Incredibly intricate detail is the hallmark of Emery’s work. When considering a new subject to illustrate, the more opportunity for complexity means the greater the inspiration. At the suggestion of his wife, he began adding a touch of color to some of his black and white illustrations. More recently, he added full color photorealistic drawings to his body of work – blending hand-drawn pen and ink illustrations with digital painting (see sidebar for the artist’s process).

“As time went on, I thought we really should have a

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J a n u a r y / F e b r u a r y 2 0 2 4 ~ ­­­­­­­­­­­­43­

The Full-Color Pen and Ink Illustration Process

E

mery’s signature colored pen and ink drawings begin with a hand-drawn black and white illustration. He takes reference photos of various subjects and scenes to determine a balanced, interesting and relatable composition. Emery may combine different subjects into one composite scene or begin with a completed scene from a picture he took.

“The foundation of my work is in the details,” said Emery. His illustrations are intentionally complex. Using Sakura Micron pens on high quality marker paper to get precise, non-bleed lines, Emery free-hand sketches or utilizes a drawing light board for tracing (or both) depending on the intricacy of the images. The completed illustration is scanned into a computer and color is added using Krita, a digital painting program.

His scanned illustration is placed on one layer. He creates a second “paint” layer for color work. “Similar to oil painting, I am able to freely paint colors, build-up tones, add shadows and highlights on that second layer.”

From start to finish, a colored illustration takes about 50 to 60 hours to complete. Some new customers mistake Emery’s illustrations for photographs. “After explaining to them how much work actually goes into each piece, and the fact that I am consciously trying to achieve a high level of accurate detail, they seem to have a new appreciation for the effort required,” Emery said.

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Tranquil Garden, pen and ink

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off the easel

show for Monti and display some of his larger pieces as we were only selling his cards,” said King. In August 2023, Emery was the featured artist at Bully Hill’s Walter S. Taylor Gallery. Patrons were drawn to his iconic Finger Lakes scenes and Emery was the gallery’s best-selling artist of the season.

In addition to exhibits, Emery participates in several art shows.

Last year, he won awards at Corning GlassFest and the Hammondsport Art Show. Local resident Tom Longstaff and his wife Debbie came across Emery’s work during the Hammondsport show this past summer. The couple, looking for art to decorate the walls of their home, was captivated by his vibrant full-color prints; they bought four of them. “We liked the idea of prints of local places that show how beautiful the village is,” said Longstaff. “His work is unique and different.”

Monti Emery in his home studio

The Arts Center of Yates County in Penn Yan is the sponsoring organization of the Keuka Arts Festival and also hosts a “Celebrate the Season” holiday group exhibit November through December in their Flick Gallery – among many other events and exhibits. Emery has participated in both.

“His work is clean and precise and a refreshing change from paintings and photographs,” said Kris Pearson, executive director of the Arts Center.

“Painters think of color and light and proportion in their paintings, but drawing focuses more on design – line and perspective. It’s an area in which Monti is obviously very talented.”

Being a full-time artist includes various part-time tasks. The fun, creative side of drawing new illustrations for cards and prints and commission work pairs with behindthe-scenes work of preparing for shows

and exhibits, delivering re-stock items to retail outlets, packing and shipping art ordered online and book-keeping.

His new work life is exceptionally satisfying.

“I hope my story can help inspire others to pursue their passion and not give up on hopes and dreams – no matter how long those unfulfilled dreams have aged,” said Emery.

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J a n u a r y / F e b r u a r y 2 0 2 4 ~ ­­­­­­­­­­­­45­

history

Preserving

the Beauty of the Gorge for Future Generations

There are 19 waterfalls in Watkins Glen State Park. The tallest is 60 feet high. This particular waterfall is called Cavern Cascade.

Photo courtesy New York State Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation

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by Ray Levato

T

here are more than 1,000 waterfalls and gorges in the Finger Lakes Region, and one of the most well-known of them all is Watkins Glen.

Watkins Glen’s gorge-ous rock formations were created about 12,000 years ago when massive glaciers gouged out valleys. They eventually receded and small tributaries on the cliffs at the southern end of Seneca Lake eventually cut deep gorges into the bedrock as the water descended to the lake.

Thanks to the efforts of financiers and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), Watkins Glen offers accessible, scenic and spectacular views.

The CCC In 1933, less than one month into his presidency, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed an executive order creating the CCC. It was one of FDR’s most favorite programs in the entire New Deal because of his long-standing interest in conservation.

Created in the heart of the Great Depression to provide work for unemployed young men, thousands of camps were opened across the country. From 1933 to 1942, 3 million young men found their way through 4,500 CCC camps nationwide.

New York State had 208 CCC camps.

The men were paid $30 a month, with $25 of that sent back home to their families to help with the nation’s economic

The name The Village of Jefferson changed its name to Watkins in 1852 to honor Dr. Samuel Watkins, who spent much of his life promoting development in the area.

Dr. Watkins inherited the glen property after the death of his older brother John Watkins who was of the two New York City financiers who purchased 325,000 acres around the gorge in 1794.

Water power was important in those days and the lower creek was used to power a sawmill and a gristmill where the visitor parking lot is today.

Ithaca lawyer George Freer married Dr. Watkins’ widow in 1852 and inherited her estate when she died. He partnered with newspaper editor Morvalden Ells to develop the glen into a tourist attraction – “This Book of Nature” they called it – which opened on July 4, 1863. The next year, a long staircase was added and trails to Glen Cathedral and Rainbow Falls were opened. The glen began to get national attention from artists, even the great American humorist Mark Twain Original 1935 Whites Hollow CCC Camp members at Watkins Glen. who wrote many of his novels at Quarry Photo courtesy Schuyler County Historian Farm in nearby Elmira.

In his book Roughing It, Twain praised Watkins Glen recovery. In the early years they worked on conservation as superior to what he saw in Hawaii: “If one desires to projects: planting trees, combating soil erosion and fighting be so stirred by a poem of Nature wrought in the happily forest fires. commingled graces of picturesque rocks, glimpsed distances, The camps were supervised by the U.S. Army which had foliage, color, shifting lights and shadows, and failing water, the organizational capability. The men wore surplus Army that the tears almost come into his eyes so potent is the uniforms and lived in Army tents in the early years. Each camp charm exerted, he need not go away from America to enjoy housed about 200 men. Ages ranged from 18 to 25. Most such an experience. The Rainbow Fall, in Watkins Glen … is an came from cities where the population centers were. The men example.” were later housed in barracks and the camps operated under a “Glen” was added to the name in 1926 with the military-style regimen which is credited with preparing a whole spectacular gorge in the center of the village as inspiration. generation of men for World War II. The CCC was not only Through the last half of the 19th century the glen had a building infrastructure, it was also building up young men. succession of owners. Early wooden bridges and staircases But it was not all work. The camps had educational and were replaced with concrete structures and iron railings when recreational programs for the men during their free time as the state acquired the property in 1906 as a public park. well. Art, music and baseball were popular activities.

J a n u a r y / F e b r u a r y 2 0 2 4 ~ ­­­­­­­­­­­­47­

history

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Stone slabs were used for building fireplaces in the park picnic areas and also for the walkways through the glen.

Photo courtesy Schuyler County Historical Society

“The Whites Hollow camp arrived at a serendipitous moment in our history,” said Heather O’Grady-Evans, executive director of the Schuyler County Historical Society.

“The camp opened the day before the Great Flood of 1935, which devastated large portions of Schuyler County. At first unwelcomed, especially by the fathers of young ladies, the camp men were quickly accepted because of the monumental work they helped with following the flood.”

The Great Flood in July 1935 wiped out much of Watkins Glen’s infrastructure. Thunderstorms poured as much as 12 inches of rain into the glen in three hours. Sadly, more than 40 people in the region perished.

However, the flood was the catalyst that transformed the state park. The men at the nearby CCC camp at Whites Hollow worked tirelessly to rescue people and repair catastrophic infrastructure damage from the flood, first in the village, then to the gorge trail. They replaced the industrial-looking concrete and steel structures with beautiful natural stone and mortar arched bridges, stone staircases and pathway retaining walls. Much of the stone came from a quarry in Montour Falls.

The Finger Lakes Region was dotted with CCC camps, most of which operated year-round. Whites Hollow CCC camp SP-44 in the upper park is now the site of the Hidden Valley 4-H camp. Other Schuyler County CCC camps were located at Monterey and Burdett and focused primarily on soil conservation. The Van Etten camp was actually located near Cayuta in the county.

The work of the CCC left a legacy of beauty in the glen that continues to be enjoyed and admired today. Schuyler County historian Gary Emerson said the demand for young men for the military spelled the end of the Civilian Conservation Corps. Yet, the legacy of the CCC is still visible in the area today.

“The CCC helped young men and their families survive the Great Depression,” Emerson said. “Some of the men working in Schuyler County married local women, with their descendants still living in the area today.”

Ray Levato is a retired reporter/anchor at WHEC-TV Ch. 10 in Rochester.

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history

How to Build a Lasting Legend The Construction of the Cottage Hotel Excerpted from The Cottage Hotel: The History & Untold Tales of Mendon Hamlet’s Legendary Stagecoach Inn & Tavern

by Karen Mireau

or a moment, let’s travel back to 1819.

George S. Stone and his older brother, Jeremy, stand at Mendon hamlet’s crossroads watching the stagecoaches come and go. They can see that business is booming at the Mendon Hotel across the street. Plenty of room for competition, they conjecture.

Four-horse stagecoaches had been passing through town since 1810.

But in 1817, Sam Hildreth puts Mendon hamlet on the map when his organized stagecoach line from Canandaigua

to Buffalo makes its first appearance. A steady stream of visitors has been arriving ever since.

A year later, the Stone brothers purchase undeveloped land on the northeast corner of the crossroads, hoping that the $1,000 they’ve paid for the property (the equivalent of almost $23,000 today) will prove to be a good investment.

They’ve already observed that those traveling on stagecoaches are not the only potential customers. By law, the

proprietors of inns and taverns must take care of stage drivers, stable hands called hostlers, and the ever-present drovers that herd cattle and other livestock from town to town.

Admittedly, drovers are a rough bunch. Most likely they will bed down in the stable with the horses, but they too work hard and must be well fed.

(Continued on page 52, see photos below and on pages 50-51)

Left: This photo shows how repairs might have been made to eroded mortar.

Different sized stones were used. It’s clear that these weren’t sorted for size or chosen for aesthetic purpose; but then again they weren’t intended for public display, only for strength and function.

It’s somewhat slap-dash work compared to the finely-wrought exteriors of the 10 cobblestone structures that still exist in Mendon hamlet, but by gum it gets the job done—despite freezes, floods, and a multitude of dancing feet above it, 200 years later that foundation still holds firm.

Right, above: Here is a view of the pine plank floors, looking up from the basement ceiling that also shows the handhewn floor joist.

Right, below: And here’s what those same floors look like from above in the interior of the cottage, with their beautiful, aged patina. Once the foundation is in place, it’s time for the Stone brothers to build what will become the Cottage Hotel.

J a n u a r y / F e b r u a r y 2 0 2 4 ~ ­­­­­­­­­­­­49­

history

Left: A rare photo of The Cottage Hotel in 1918.

Left, bottom: And another of The Cottage in a postcard dated 1925. See the wagon wheels in the barn to the left?

Below: A 1978 photo looking south on Pittsford-Mendon Road (Route 64), with the barn, The Cottage, and the remnants of Howard “Ike” Stanley’s filling station in the foreground.

Photos courtesy Diane Hamm, Mendon Historian

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Right: A photo taken in 1960 that appeared in the Monday, August 22 Honeoye Falls Times showing the excavation for the installation of gas mains by Rochester Gas & Electric, bringing cooking and heating gas to Mendon hamlet for the first time. It’s another good look at the handsome balcony that will be torn down shortly thereafter when owner Mary Elizabeth Heckman deems it unsafe for her children to play on.

Photo courtesy Diane Hamm, Mendon Historian

The barn in 1994, prior to renovations.

Photo by John G. Sheret

And here is what The Cottage Hotel and the adjacent renovated barn looked like in 2022.

Photo by Karen Mireau

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Miami Motel “Mad Men of Miami” in the Heart of the Finger Lakes Featuring Jacuzzi Rooms

Dennis & Valerie Calkins Proprietors

4126 US Rt 5 and 20 Canandaigua, NY 14424 585-394-6700 motelmiami.com miamimotel4126@gmail.com

Ward W. O’Hara Agricultural & Country Living Museum

Over 18,000 Sq. Ft of Exhibits Museum Heated • Free Admission and Parking General Store • Creamery • Blacksmith and Woodworking Shop • Miniature Circus and Train Displays • Country Kitchen • Parlor • Bedroom

Museum Festival of Trees January 2 thru January 31, 2024 Over 175 trees decorated and on display

Open 7 days a week 10 A.M. till 4 P.M. Located in Emerson Park on Owasco Lake

6880 East Lake Road Rt. 38 A Auburn, New York 13021 315-252-7644 • tquill@cayuga county.us wardwoharaagriculturalmuseum.org

Although clearly of a different social status, they will be welcomed as warmly as the rest of the guests. No doubt they will have some wild tales to add to the entertainment at the tavern’s communal table!

Visitors do tire of having to share their sleeping quarters with strangers, sometimes four or five to one of the larger beds. But this is common practice, for rooms are scarce and stagecoaches usually arrive full of 10 or more passengers.

The two-story Cottage Hotel will have nine bedrooms, while the threestory Mendon Hotel across the street offers 10 upper sleeping rooms. No doubt both establishments will find ways to squeeze in a few more customers.

It’s possible that John E. Tomlinson, the owner of the Mendon Hotel, may have been the one to suggest a new inn to accommodate the overflow from his own business. By the time the Cottage Hotel opens for business a little over two years later, it will be a common sight to see up to 14 stagecoaches lining the streets.

Now it’s time for the Stone brothers to start bringing their dream of a new stagecoach inn and tavern to fruition.

First things first—a foundation must be built. The raw materials of sand, stones, and limestone are readily at hand, but they must be gathered and hauled to the site.

The right kind of sand is easy. It’s plentiful and can be found in the run-ofthe-bank gravel pit just up the hill from what will become the Cottage Hotel The same is true for limestone, which will be broken into chunks and burned in a lime kiln, then slaked with boiling water. This creates a chemical reaction that turns the limestone into a powder that will then be mixed with the sand to make a soft mortar.

The mortar is composed of one bushel of fresh stone lime to eight or nine bushels of clean sharp sand. As the strength of the building depends on the goodness of the mortar, it is very important that sand of the first quality should be obtained.

Yellow sand or any sand that contains clay should be rejected.

— New Genesee Farmer and Gardener’s Journal, Volume 2 no. 5, 1841 (Continued on page 54)

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Extra Virgin Olive Oils Aged Balsamic Vinegars Freshly Ground Spices Local Speciality Foods Unique Gifts

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REED HOMESTEAD SHOP

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history (Continued from page 52)

Featuring original artwork from a select group of talented local artists. Stop by and meet the artists or shop online.

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When the last of the glaciers retreated some 13,700 years ago, they left behind geologic features unique to this part of western Upstate New York. Kames are mounded hills of sand and gravel. Eskers are rough winding ridges of sand and gravel, and drumlins are more oval, eggshaped hills consisting of rock debris, compacted clay, silt, sand, gravel, and limestone.

Why are these important? Simply put: they are composed of the till, or sediment of the glaciers—all materials needed for stone foundations and structures.

Field stones (or rubble) and heavy rounded stones known as cobblestones or roundheads left behind by the glaciers are plentiful.

Despite their abundance, gathering these stones requires effort. It’s grunt work, to be sure, but has to be done before building can begin.

What’s needed are men with the strength, ability, and enthusiasm to work with stone. These might be neighbors or local masons.

Or perhaps the Stone brothers themselves will pitch in and do the work themselves. No one really knows for sure.

By the early 1820s there are also craftsmen arriving in the area to work on the Erie Canal who might be called upon for their manpower and expertise. The majority of these workers are immigrants from Wales or Ireland who gain competence as they build wells, foundations, pig cotes, and other settlers’ needs throughout Monroe, Ontario, and Livingston counties and The Cottage’s foundation might have been one of these.

These masons will also build quite artful homes and barns in the hamlet in the 1830s. Of the 1500 structures built of cobblestones in the United States, 90% will be built within a 75-mile radius of nearby Rochester.

As you might imagine, farmers find stones of any kind to be a bit of a nuisance. Field stones along

A

s we sit and have a cold one at the bar, it’s hard not to ponder the history beneath our feet. Just think of the tremendous energy that went into excavating and then building those cellar walls! If only they could speak and tell us the stories of those who built them.

In the words of Paul S. Gordon (“Buzzy”) Bronson former owner of the Cottage Hotel, now a natural stone mason and artist: So when you see some stone be sure to admire the pleasure it gives you as you warm by that fire Or when you see some stone that makes you feel good perhaps in a fence, in a field or a wall in the wood Give thanks to the men who were laying their claim, to the land with the stone by no other name

shopping & services

with cobblestones are unearthed as Mendon farmers plow their fields.

These must be removed prior to planting their crops and before their plows are dulled or broken. Rubble might be used for foundations or to build drystone fences to separate their pastures. Mostly it is set aside in piles at the edges of their fields, making it an easy harvest. Children and women are often employed to collect stones from the fields, and many a farm hand or gatherer complains of sore hands that may soon require bandaging.

Stones are hauled by horse- or oxen-drawn wagons on flat, rough sleds called stone boats to where needed. Due to their heaviness, this is best done in winter or very early spring, when the ground is still frozen or firm. They are sometimes sorted for size using thick wooden planks with holes cut in them or sorted with a beetle ring made of iron. Then the work begins. (See pages 49-51).

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Naglee Fine Arts has service packages available.

human interest

Love

in the Finger Lakes

by Aurora Dufort

N

either my husband nor I are native to the Finger Lakes Region. I am from rural Western New York, while he is from the Capital Region. We both happened to be offered teaching positions in the same school district.

During Summer 2008, in a time of financial crisis and mass teacher lay-offs, I was an optimistic and inexperienced teacher candidate whose certification was still hot off the presses. I applied to every opening I saw posted that summer, most were for openings in towns I had never visited and probably could not pinpoint on a map. It happened that my first job offer was for a teaching position at a small school in the Southern Tier. Without hesitation, I accepted a position in a town I knew nothing about, in an area where I did not know a soul.

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James and Aurora share a moment at the marina in Watkins Glen, with the iconic Seneca Lake pier in the background.

Photo by Jeffrey Foote Photography

Featuring Finger Lake Artisan Foods & Handcrafted Gifts

Furniture

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Manchester Mission

The well-used map where visited wineries and other points of interest are highlighted.

human interest

Photo by Aurora Dufort

It did not take long for me to feel at home in this beautiful area. I settled into my first apartment, located in the bustling small town of Corning, within walking distance of the Corning Museum of Glass and Market Street, five charming blocks of unique shops, bars and restaurants. My co-workers quickly turned into friends, and I met the man I now call my husband. We had our first date beside Seneca Lake at the Village Marina – now Horseheads Brewing – under the warm June sun.

Four years later he proposed on the rocks that extend from the Seneca Lake Pier, in front of Horseheads Brewing.

We were spending the day wine tasting, one of our favorite

activities. We purchased our first bottle of celebratory engagement wine at Lakewood Vineyards and headed 15 miles up the west side of the lake to Prejean Winery to tell one of our favorite tasting room associates the good news.

We took our engagement photos at Watkins Glen State Park and on the rocks where we were engaged.

In May 2016 we got married at one of the places most dear to us, the Hangar Theatre in Ithaca, a performing arts venue in a historic airport hangar, where I later worked for two summers. The Hangar Theatre is located next to Cass Park, along Cayuga Lake, just outside of downtown Ithaca.

Just a few miles up the road, you will find the spectacular Taughannock Falls. Having attended performances there since our first summer together, the Hangar was the setting for some of our favorite memories. The location also paid homage to the fact that we were co-directors for our school’s drama club. When we walked down the aisle as part of our venue tour, we knew it was the perfect place to begin our next act.

Over the past few summers, my husband and I have been working toward fulfilling the ambitious goal of visiting all of the wineries and breweries on Seneca, Cayuga and Keuka lakes, the three lakes nearest to our Elmira home. It is a lofty goal, as every summer there are new destinations to

Put music on your schedule this summer!

Choose from a variety camps for middle and high school students, including: • Keyboard Explorations I & II • High School Wind Ensemble •Percussion Ensemble Intensive (NEW!) and more!

It’s not too early to start planning! Visit us online today.

EASTMAN SCHOOL OF MUSIC • UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER

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culture & attractions A Hidden Gem in the Heart of Central New York

Children's Room Suggett House Museum Research Center Hours Wed - Sat 12:00 - 5:00 pm

25 Homer Ave Cortland, NY 607.756.6071

Come Walk through History with Us! 4 Unique Museums ~ 1 Price!

www.cortlandhistory.org

Brockway Trucks & Memorabilia Local History & Musicians  Trains Military History & Memorabilia NEW ~ Antique Firehouse Museum Tractors  Agriculture and More!

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Tuesdays 10 am-3 pm • Saturdays 1 pm-5 pm

Visit Our Website for Event Listings and Additional Information Winter Hours Vary ~ Closed January Open: Saturdays in February and Anytime by Appointment

Groups and Rentals are Always Welcome with Prior Arrangements

4386 US Route 11  Cortland, NY 607-299-4185 www.cnylivinghistory.org info@cnylivinghistory.org

6925 State Route 5, Bloomfield, New York 14469 585-257-5119 • www.antiquewireless.org

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human interest

Get to the Point Breathtaking vistas.

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Watkins Glen State Park is a favorite location to visit.

Photo by Jeffrey Foote Photography

visit. Should this remain a goal that continually eludes our grasp, I think that is a shortcoming we can accept. We keep a map of the Finger Lakes in our car, and each time we stop at a new location we highlight it on the map. It’s a treasure hunt I would recommend to everyone who lives in the area.

The wine is unparalleled, but the wine trails are about so much more.

The scenery is truly breathtaking. There is this astonishing moment coming up the hill on NY-414 into Watkins Glen from Corning when you can first see the glistening lake, dotted with sailboats in the summer.

I have so many positive memories associated with Seneca Lake that as soon as I see it, I feel at peace. I love the time in the car with my husband and friends as we drive along the lake, windows down, music and laughter filling the air. The never-ending adventures that the area offers have given me countless cherished memories with my out-of-town family and friends. I love the conversations with each other and with the tasting room associates. I love sitting outside at the wineries in the summer, listening to live music played by talented locals. I love the one-of-a-kind shops along the lakes, places like Seneca Lake’s Hector Handmade, an artist collective that sells products made by local artists within a 30-mile radius of the shop.

I love the endless nature trails to explore throughout the region, trails that wind through the woods, lead to awe-inspiring overlooks and run alongside waterfalls. The trails remind me of the power and beauty of the natural world that I so often forget about as I stare at my computer screen.

Fifteen years after moving here, I am surrounded by a network of strong and loving individuals: my husband, best friends, colleagues, even a sweet dog, adopted from Hornell Area Humane Society. My former middle and high school students now work at the businesses we frequent. Some are now teachers and custodians in area schools. They work at stores, restaurants and wineries throughout the area. They have fixed our cars, created the artwork that adorns our walls and constructed and heated the hallways of my school. One former student, now a veterinary technician, even helped us say goodbye to our beloved bulldog when the time came.

In the summer of 2008, I had nothing to connect me to this area except a job offer, but today a web of connections and memories stretches across the map. In striking out on our own as young adults and moving away from our families, my husband and I ended up finding each other and finding a place to call home. I would have none of this if I had not taken a chance on an area I did not know. This summer marks 12 years since that first date, and everything still seems magical.

Readers, I hope you pick up a new map of the Finger Lakes this summer and join us on our treasure hunt across the region. There is always something new to see, and the old never ceases to call us back.

(Continued from page 14)

“Fivebyfive includes the audience in the music-making process whether through inviting concertgoers to sing along, walk among the performing musicians or even create art during the concert,” Gierszal explained. “Seeing fivebyfive perform live has all of the familiarity of a regular concert setting, but still turns the paradigm on its head a different way each time.”

For four generations the Frank family has produced wines of the in the tradition of the Dr. Konstantin highest in the Eastern United States.

Frank,

quality "Father of Vinifera"

legendary

Innovative programming As part of fivebyfive’s ongoing 2023-24 concert season “Dichotomies,” the group is presenting Light & Dark: Eclipse Music: a one-of-a-kind concert experience that celebrates the awe and wonder of the forthcoming 2024 total solar eclipse. As the path of totality includes Rochester, fivebyfive will debut its eclipseinspired program in the Strasenburgh Planetarium at the Rochester Museum and Science Center on January 20 and 21, 2024 (the actual eclipse is April 8).

Five new pieces will be performed live with immersive video on the planetarium’s dome. Mellits was one of the composers tapped to create an original composition (simply titled “Eclipse”). Another new work, “In the Path of Totality”

by New York composer Jessica Meyer, was funded by a NYSCA Support for Artists grant. The other groundbreaking composers/ arrangers are Julie Herndon and Kamala Sankaram.

The group’s next concert season, “Our Stories,” kicks off in fall of 2024 with a Fantasy & Reality program featuring original music and poetry from Latin America. While each season has its own theme, fivebyfive’s long range vision supports the overall evolution of modern classical music by commissioning new works, introducing pieces that challenge musical boundaries and sharing their love of this music with more audiences.

For more information, visit fivebyfivemusic.com.

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advertisers January/February 2024

We appreciate your support of these businesses!

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A collection of exclusive Finger Lakes vacation properties

With over 20 properties spread out among the Bristol Hills, we make it easy to escape to the Finger Lakes during every season.

South Hill Lodge

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Areas of Interest in the January/February 2024 issue 1 Elmira (p.40) 2 Geneva (p.21) 3 Hammondsport (p.28)

4 Irondequoit (p.25) 5 Ithaca (p.58) 6 Mendon (p.49)

7 Naples (p.36) 8 Penn Yan (p.25) 9 Rochester (p.12)

10 Rushville (p.8) 11 Watkins Glen (p.46)

From Oswego

Lake Ontario

Hilton

104

Sodus Bay

Sodus Point

MONROE

4

Brockport

Webster

104

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Baldwinsville

Rochester

490

9

E. Rochester Macedon

490

From Buffalo

Caledonia

Avon

Lima

Manchester Shortsville Canandaigua

Bloomfield

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20A

20

5

LIVINGSTON

Clifton Springs Phelps

5

Geneva

Waterloo

Seneca Falls

20

Cayuga

5

SENECA

7

20

20

Auburn

ONONDAGA

11

20

11

9

Aurora Moravia

5

Penn Yan

8

YATES

7

Cortland Groton

6

Avoca

3

SCHUYLER

Dryden

Cayuga Heights

Ithaca

Burdett

Watkins Glen 11

Bath

Hornell Canisteo

Lamoka Lake

Hammondsport

86 17

5

Waneta Lake

McGraw 81

Lansing

390

CORTLAND

11

Trumansburg

Dundee

Prattsburgh

Homer

Interlaken

Branchport

Wayland

CAYUGA

Ovid

Cohocton

From Jamestown

81

8

10

Naples Dansville

Manlius

Skaneateles

Union Springs

4

2

Fayetteville

Syracuse 481

10

2

20A

Honeoye

390

Nunda

5

90

ONTARIO

3

1

Solvay 690

Weedsport Marcellus

Victor

20

Mt. Morris

90

Newark

From Utica

481 90

Jordan

6

Honeoye Falls

390

5

Geneseo

Clyde

Lyons

Palmyra

90

90

North 11 Syracuse

WAYNE

Fairport

490

Oneida Lake

81

104

104

Spencerport

From Watertown

Wolcott

Marathon

From Binghamton

Montour Cayuta Lake Falls TOMPKINS Odessa

N

STEUBEN

17

Painted Post

Horseheads

Corning Elmira C H E M U N G Heights

Rexville

Candor

Spencer 86

1

Elmira

Addison

Van Etten

TIOGA

Owego

15

Waverly

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

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

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

4 5 6 7

Newark Valley

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

86

17

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

From Binghamton

The gentle, comforting ripple of warm saltwater has an invigorating effect — especially during aqua-aerobics class. And, for Kendal residents Sara, Carol and Joann, the exercise is a fun, refreshing way to get fit — and get together.

Living on the 105-acre campus at Kendal not only keeps them involved in the lifestyle they love, but connected to any future care they may need. 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.

2230 N. Triphammer Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850

A not-for-profit continuing care retirement community serving older adults in the Quaker tradition. ©2014 KENDAL

– Hamilton Wright Mabie

TO M WAT S O N P H OTO

PA R T N E R I N G W I T H A R C H I T E C T S A N D D E S I G N E R S F R O M O U R E M P LOY E E - O W N E D S T U D I O & S H O P I N N E W YO R K .

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