Life in the Finger Lakes Winter 2010

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Winter Book Reviews • Warm Up to Curling

The Region’s Premier Magazine

Winter 2010

Photo Contest Winners Historical Photography Book Focuses on Groton Area

Unique Weddings WANTED: Young Professionals

LifeintheFingerLakes.com $3.95 US/$4.95 CAN

DISPLAY THROUGH MARCH ’11

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Life is good in the Finger Lakes!

Come join us!

KENDAL

®

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

AT ITHACA

A NOT-FOR-PROFIT LIFE CARE COMMUNITY FAST FACTS INFO PAGE 81

2230 N. Triphammer Rd. Ithaca, NY 14850 607.266.5300 800.253.6325 www.kai.kendal.org

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Volume 10, Number 4 • Winter 2010

F E A T U R E S

MY OWN WORDS

A stunning book of early photography was published this year thanks to the talents of some local professionals

By Bill Wingell, Ronald E. Ostman and Harry Littell

2 3 4 6 9 12

DREAM WEAVER

17

LIFESTYLE The next generation – young professionals with a new attitude see the positive aspects of the Finger Lakes Region

20

FRUIT OF THE VINE Back to the future at Eagle Crest Vineyards

44

WILDLIFE PROFILE Returning species – the fisher and bobcat

58

IN THE KITCHEN One pan, one dish

61

A PROUD COMMUNITY Camillus

64

BOOK LOOK Fictional, fun and focused reading

71

CULTURED A portrait of sculptor Wayne Williams

80 81 88

CALENDAR: FESTIVALS & EVENTS

WEDDINGS IN THE FINGER LAKES

23 26

• Brides just want to have fun

30

A LABOR OF LOVE

38 46 50

D E P A R T M E N T S

• A tale of two weddings

Master weaver Clara Rose Thomas of Baldwinsville can be considered a national treasure

By Rich Finzer FOR

WINTER BLUES

The snow is here to stay – enjoy life by getting out into the white stuff and playing

By Kristian S. Reynolds

THE NINTH ANNUAL PHOTO CONTEST Presenting the winners

Below: Winter in Lodi. Photo by Kateri Likoudis Cover: A Mennonite carriage makes its way along snowy Stryker Road in Yatesville. Photo by Roger Bailey

LETTERS FINGER LAKES MAP CONTRIBUTORS NEWSBITS SPORTS Warm up to curling

FAST FACTS AD INFO OFF THE EASEL Betsy Russell creates warm mittens with cool designs from sweaters nobody wants

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M Y

O W N

W O R D S

A Passion for the Region willing to share their ideas and talents. ne of the things I’ve noticed We have a very loyal readership, and I about the readers of this magthink the readers like to read about azine is that you’re a passionreal people doing real things. ate group. You know what you love, It is time again for the annual and you show me almost every day photo contest, and I can’t believe how through your photos, letters and subfar we’ve come in the amount of photo missions that you spend a considerable submissions. This year we received well amount of time trying to capture the over 1,100 photos. Every photographer essence of what the Finger Lakes that sent in those photos felt strongly Region means to you. enough about their work to act upon Passion can be the final ingreditheir passion for the region. I thank you ent that makes a good creation great.

It’s what pushes us to be just a little bit better than everyone else.

Clara Rose Thomas is just one such passionate person. In the article starting on page 38, the author, Rich Finzer, writes about a woman who always wanted to learn how to weave, but she thought she’d wait until retirement age to pursue it.

She was convinced to start much earlier than her golden years, and her love and Photo by Tammy Vollenweider excitement for that skill has for the opportunity to look over each earned her numerous awards and and every photograph and to get an accolades. She is now considered a idea of what you feel is important master weaver and a national treasure enough to capture that particular image. of sorts. I’m sure it wasn’t easy or conI’m going to invoke my right as venient for Clara Rose to begin when the editor to give you my editor’s she did, but she persevered and has choice this year for the contest. Up to become something more than she this point I’ve seen many good photos probably expected. of the white deer at the Seneca Army I receive many inquiries from peoDepot, but this photo, to me, really ple who want to either write for the captures their innocent and inquisitive magazine or get their photos pubspirit, and the deer have posed nicely lished. The one common trait among for the photogapher as well. Readers, all of them is how strongly they feel about their work and what they’re por- please keep taking those amazing photos and enjoy your winter! traying. I am humbled by their exuberance for the Finger Lakes, and I know how lucky we are as a magazine pubmark@lifeinthefingerlakes.com lisher to have such interested people

O The Gift of Love!

A gift certificate for a champagne hot air balloon ride from the gorge of Letchworth State Park. 600’ gorge and over 20 waterfalls!

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We make dreams come true!

www.BalloonsOverLetchworth.com (585) 493-3340

Glen Iris Inn Letchworth State Park

The historic Glen Iris Inn overlooks magnificent Middle Falls on the Genesee River and is surrounded by the natural beauty of Letchworth State Park. Our accommodations vary from charming guest rooms and suites at the Inn, efficiency rooms at Pinewood Lodge, and rental homes throughout the park. Enjoy a memorable dining experience at Caroline’s, the restaurant at Glen Iris.

www.glenirisinn.com (585) 493-2622 7 Letchworth State Park, Castile

FAST FACTS INFO PAGE 81

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L E T T E R S Hydrofracking article prompts various opinions It’s interesting that our renewal card arrived in the mail the same day I read your Fall 2010 edition. We would have renewed our subscription, but after reading your article on gas drilling, we won’t.

I’ve been involved in the gas business for many years, and it is clear that you didn’t talk to anyone other than the ill-informed locals before writing this. And that’s irresponsible. You must know that the alternate to gas right now is coal – strip-mined coal. Every gas well we’re too special to allow to be drilled in New York means more stripmining elsewhere in the U.S. And more global warming, since coal is much dirtier than gas.

And on top of that, the Marcellus shale in the Finger Lakes is too shallow for anyone to be interested in. There is no industry interest in any part of the Finger Lakes Region. If you’d spoken to anyone with industry knowledge, you would have known that.

So we’re done. We didn’t buy your magazine to get inaccurate news on gas drilling, so you can write off our subscription.

John Young, Ithaca

Dear Mark, I want to thank the author, Susan Gateley, and you and your editorial staff for the excellent article on hydrofracking which appeared in the Fall 2010 issue of Life in the Finger Lakes magazine. Your magazine is outstanding, and always has interesting articles and beautiful pictures. This particular article was extremely timely and, as always, well done. It was a valuable contribution to the education of the residents and business owners in the Finger Lakes, as well as to tourists, as to what is planned for our beautiful area and our pristine lakes, and the probable consequences.

Barbara Schiesser, Dundee

(Continued on page 5) FAST FACTS INFO PAGE 81

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The Finger Lakes Regional Map From Oswego

Sterling Hamlin

Fair Haven

Hilton

From Watertown

MONROE

Sodus Point Sodus

Greece

Red Creek

Wolcott

Oneida Lake

Webster

Brockport

Williamson

Baldwinsville

Rochester

Spencerport

Cato

North Syracuse

Rose Marion

E. Rochester

Walworth

WAYNE

Churchville

Fairport

Spring Lake

Clyde

Macedon Palmyra

From Buffalo

Savannah

From Utica

Jordan

Lyons

Syracuse

Farmington Scottsville Rush

Caledonia

Montezuma

Honeoye Mendon Falls Victor Clifton Springs

Holcomb Canandaigua

Phelps

Auburn

Cayuga

Waterloo

ONTARIO

Lima

Manlius Skaneateles Marcellus

Seneca Falls

Manchester

Avon

Otisco

Owasco

SENECA

Union Springs

Stanley

Cheshire

Lafayette

ONONDAGA

Niles

Gorham

Hemlock Honeoye

Geneseo

Pompey

Geneva

Bloomfield Livonia

Piffard

Fayetteville

Camillus

Weedsport

Newark

New Hope

Bristol Center

Tully

Hall

CAYUGA

Romulus Rushville

Aurora

Scott Cuyler Truxton

Conesus

Mt. Morris

Middlesex

Bristol Springs

Moravia Dresden King Ferry

Springwater

YATES

Naples

LIVINGSTON Wayland

Portageville

Nunda

Homer

Summer Hill

CORTLAND

Interlaken

Keuka Park Italy

Genoa

Ovid

Penn Yan Lodi

Solon

Cortland

Branchport

Himrod

McGraw

Groton Ludlowville

Dansville Trumansburg

Ossian

Freeville

Dundee

Prattsburg

Lansing Hector

Cohocton

Virgil

Dryden

Wayne Mecklenburg

Marathon

Ithaca Hammondsport Arkport

Haskinville

Weston

Avoca

Watkins Glen

Bradford

Hornell

SCHUYLER

Montour Falls

Canisteo

From Binghamton

Caroline

Danby Berkshire

Odessa Cayuta

Millport

STEUBEN Hartsville

Horseheads Painted Post

CHEMUNG

Corning

Jasper

Big Flats

Flemingville

Halsey Valley

TIOGA Owego

Chemung Center

Elmira

Addison

Rexville

Newark Valley

Van Etten

Breesport

Elmira Heights

Greenwood

Candor

Spencer

Pine Valley

Cameron Mills

The Finger Lakes Region of New York State

Harford Mills

TOMPKINS

Newfield

Monterey Beaver Dams

From Jamestown

NEW YORK S TAT E

Bath

Besemer

Burdett

Woodhull Barton Caton

Waverly

Pine City

Apalachin NIchols

Areas of interest in this magazine issue:

• Auburn • Baldwinsville • Branchport

EDITORIAL & PRODUCTION EDITOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark Stash mark@lifeinthefingerlakes.com SENIOR GRAPHIC ARTIST . . . . . . . Jennifer Srmack GRAPHIC ARTIST . . . . . . . . . . . Lindsey Williamson ASSOCIATE EDITOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tina Manzer ASSISTANT EDITORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J. Kevin Fahy

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Anya Harris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carol C. Stash

• Camillus • Canandaigua • Corning

• Dryden • Geneva • Groton

• Hemlock • Ithaca • Newark

• Penn Yan • Phelps • Prattsburgh

• Rochester • Syracuse • Watkins Glen

CONTRIBUTORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bill Banaszewski

EDITORIAL OFFICE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315-789-0458

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jason Feulner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rich Finzer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . James P. Hughes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Harry Littell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ronald E. Ostman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kari Anderson Pink . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kristian S. Reynolds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chef Eric K. Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jan Bridgeford Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joy Underhill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Laurel C. Wemett . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bill Wingell

DIRECTOR

OF

ADVERTISING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tim Braden tim@lifeinthefingerlakes.com

FOR ADVERTISING INQUIRIES Jason Hagerman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-344-0559 jason@lifeinthefingerlakes.com Rhonda Trainor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-344-0559 rhonda@lifeinthefingerlakes.com

FOR SUBSCRIPTIONS Tricia McKenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315-789-0458 subscribe@lifeinthefingerlakes.com BUSINESS OFFICE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315-789-0458

800-344-0559 Life in the Finger Lakes is published by Fahy-Williams Publishing, Inc. and owned by Eleven Lakes Publishing, Inc. Coowners: Mark S. Stash; Timothy J. Braden. Copyright© 2010 by Eleven Lakes Publishing, Inc. No part of this publication may be reprinted or otherwise reproduced without written permission from the publisher.

TO SUBSCRIBE, RENEW OR CHANGE ADDRESS: write to Life in the Finger Lakes, P.O. Box 1080, Geneva, NY 14456, or call 315-789-0458. Subscription rates: $13.95 for one year. Canada add $15 per year. Outside North America, add $30 per year. For renewal or change of address, include the address label from your most recent issue of Life in the Finger Lakes. For gift subscriptions, include your own name and address as well as those of gift recipients.

BUSINESS FAX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315-789-4263

Life in the Finger Lakes 171 Reed St. • P.O. Box 1080 • Geneva, NY 14456 www.LifeintheFingerLakes.com Serving the 14 counties of the Finger Lakes Region Printed by Vanguard Printing LLC, Ithaca, New York

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L E T T E R S I commend Life in the Finger Lakes magazine and the author (Fall 2010: “No ‘fracking’ way . . . �) for reporting on the impending industrialization of the Finger Lakes landscape by horizontal hydrofracturing (HH) gas drilling. The article states, “With appropriate environmental safeguards, natural gas . . . . could be a ‘bridge’ to a more sustainable energy policy.�

While it is doubtful that HH can ever be made safe, this nation should have created a comprehensive national clean energy policy/plan, with specific resource commitments and goals, decades ago when the warning signs (peak oil, fossil fuel driven climate change) were being acknowledged and discussed. We still do not have a comprehensive plan because the federal government has no definitive vision of a clean energy future and too often gets pulled in whatever direction serves corporate interests. In the case of the fossil fuel industry, that means leveling mountaintops for coal, offshore drilling at great environmental risk, and liberally sprinkling the countryside with 5 acre gas drill pads, pipelines and access roads.

Without a plan, it is ludicrous to suggest (as the gas extraction industry constantly does) that we are transitioning to clean energy in a meaningful way.

Touting natural gas as a ‘bridge’ fuel is code for mining and burning every last dollop of this fossil fuel, padding energy company wallets along the way.

It will take a great and sustained hue and cry from the population at large to prevent this dangerous industrialization of the Finger Lakes.

Fred Gros, Ithaca

the “local interest� section, I turned up the one issue I’ve been missing: your Summer 2001 Premier Issue.

So, very pleased to be able to report that my Life in the Finger Lakes holdings are complete to date.

Tim Wright, Trumansburg Editor’s note – the Summer 2001 premier issue is no longer available. If readers can find one at a sale, they should consider themselves lucky!

A friend of mine just sent me the current issue of Life in the Finger Lakes, and I was blown away by the wealth of information and the beauty of the layout. After spending the first 59 years of my life in the Mohawk Valley and Rochester area, I moved to southeastern Louisiana nine years ago, and the glorious photos of the Finger Lakes in autumn brought back many cherished memories of those years in upstate New York. Now that I have submitted my own subscription, my wife and I will have a welcomed guide for what we hope will become an annual fall pilgrimage to the Finger Lakes. Thank you for this marvelous publication.

John F. Denison Franklinton, Louisiana There are so many interesting and wonderful people that call the Finger Lakes their home. I think it is great that we can all read and learn about the people and places. Thank you.

Mary St George, Penn Yan (from the magazine’s facebook page)

Good News

Corrections

You may remember our correspondence going back to my Hawaii days.

I remain a subscriber and fan from my relocation since 2008 here on the high ground between Cayuga and Seneca Lakes just southeast of the Finger Lakes National Forest.

I thought you’d appreciate the news that just yesterday at the big Friends of the Library used book sale in Ithaca, in

In the Fall 2010 issue, the name of Frederick Douglass was misspelled in the article “Secrets of a Successful Cemetery Sleuth.� We apologize for the mistake.

Also, we note that the caption for the photos on page 84 of the same issue should state that the attic’s “secret room� is not being renovated, but is kept in that condition. Again, we apologize for this oversight.

This cabin was built with a team ‡ƥ‘”– „‡–™‡‡Â? —• ƒÂ?† ”‹•–‘Ž ‘—Â?–ƒ‹Â? •Â?‹ ’ƒ–”‘ŽŽ‡”•Ǥ ‹–Š ‘˜‡” Í–Í™ ›‡ƒ”• ‘ˆ ‡š’‡”‹‡Â?…‡ǥ Â™Â‡ÇŻÂ˜Â‡ Ž‡ƒ”Â?‡† Š‘™ –‘ ‡š’”‡•• „‹‰ ‹†‡ƒ• ‹Â? •Â?ƒŽŽ ˆ‘‘–’”‹Â?–•Ǥ ‡– —• ’—– ‘—” ‡š’‡”‹‡Â?…‡ „—‹Ž†‹Â?‰ …—•–‘Â? –‹Â?„‡” ˆ”ƒÂ?‡ Š‘Â?‡• –‘ ™‘”Â? ˆ‘” ›‘—Ǥ ‡ƒ”Â? Â?‘”‡ Č„ –‘—” ‘—” •Š‘’ ‹Â? ƒ”Â?‹Â?‰–‘Â?Ǥ

newenergyworks.com 585.924.3860

NEW ENERGY WORKS design | timberframing | woodworks

FAST FACTS INFO PAGE 81

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C O N T R I B U T O R S Joy Underhill is a Farmington-based writer and photographer who gets into lake country as often as possible. A lifelong resident of upstate New York, Joy enjoys trying some of the activities she writes about, as you’ll see in this month’s article about the sport of curling. “I always think I can write about something without actually doing it, but when I attempt something new, I’m astonished at what I don’t know and develop a whole new perspective for an article,” she says. “I love the work of George Plimpton and Charles Kuralt, both of whom took readers on experiential trips from an ‘everyman’s’ viewpoint. Fortunately, there are plenty of opportunities to explore the small towns, businesses, and activities that populate the Finger Lakes, both through photos and with the written word.” When not writing articles, Joy offers professional writing services to area businesses.

Born and raised in Wisconsin, Kari Anderson-Pink moved to Victor in 1999. She started her writing career in 2001 when she became an editor at FahyWilliams Publishing in Geneva. One of her favorite tasks there was proofreading Life in the Finger Lakes magazine.

After eight years, she left her editorial position to pursue her first love: music. While she continues to write articles for LIFL, she is now the director of music at Zion Episcopal Church in Palmyra. She also plays her Celtic harp at weddings, retirement homes, churches and schools.

She lives with her husband, two teenage sons and 5-year-old daughter. Kari enjoys going to Shakespeare readings at Books Etc. in Macedon, attending cooking classes at the New York Wine & Culinary Center, shopping for yarn at The Yarn Shop and The Sheep and Wool Shop (in Geneva and Marion, respectively), and sailing on Lake Ontario with her husband and children.

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Harry Littell and Ron Ostman began collaborating on research, writing, and photography after a chance conversation a decade ago revealed that each was looking for a coauthor with complementary skills. Their interests center on history, art, and photography.

They are putting the final touches on an illustrated book featuring Speedsville, New York, native John Eliza Tidd and his Civil War experiences, as revealed in letters to his sweetheart Amelia Haskell (1862-1865). Dear Friend Amelia, in collaboration with local historians Mary Jordan and Joyce Hatch, will be published by Ithaca's Six Mile Creek Press in 2011, coinciding with the 150th anniversary of the “Great Rebellion.” Harry and Ron also are working on a book showcasing Louis Comfort Tiffany's late 19th and early 20th century stained glass windows in the Finger Lakes region.

Harry is Chair and Instructor in the Department of Photography at Tompkins Cortland Community College. Ron is Professor Emeritus of Communication, Cornell University.

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If you could design your dream window, what would it be?

myMarvin by

Mark Laita Photographer

Create windows and doors uniquely your own. Whether remodeling, replacing or building new. Get inspired by the myMarvin Project artists, or start organizing your own projects with the new Online Remodeling Planner at myMarvin.com Find out how we can help build your dream windows and doors.

Š2010 Marvin Windows and Doors. All rights reserved. ŽRegistered trademark of Marvin Windows and Doors. 1-888-537-8261 FAST FACTS INFO PAGE 81

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Before you get locked into a "Great Deal" with your propane, natural gas, or oil provider, give us a call to see how much you can save with a Geothermal Heating System. ³ *HRWKHUPDO 6\VWHPV DUH WKH PRVW HQHUJ\ HIILFLHQW HQYLURQPHQWDOO\ FOHDQ FRVW HIIHFWLYH VSDFH FRQGLWLRQLQJ V\VWHP DYDLODEOH WRGD\ ´

- According to the US Environmental Protection Agency

FAST FACTS INFO PAGE 81

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N E W S B I T S

Celebrate “Holiday Traditions” in Cayuga County The Seward House created Holiday Traditions, a free family event in Auburn, more than 30 years ago as a token of appreciation for the community.

Since that time, other local attractions such as Willard Memorial Chapel, Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center and Ward O’Hara Agricultural Museum have opened their doors with holiday happenings. Holiday Traditions will be held Sunday, December 11. Visit www.tourcayuga.com/events/events.php for more info.

Repairs Needed at Sampson State Park Marina Volunteer members of the Friends Of Sampson State Park Marina Committee have initiated a campaign to raise awareness of the current conditions at this State Park Marina, and the possibility that the facility will face closure if repair and reconstruction work is not initiated.

Built in the 1960s, the Sampson State Park Marina is a 103-slip multiuse facility providing transient and seasonal slips for boats up to 50 feet in length. The New York Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) recognized the need for marina improvements and in 2008 completed reconstruction plans to address issues

and incorporate ADA marina access.

Funding for the required repairs has not been authorized, and reconstruction plans are on indefinite hold.

Estimates show that at 75 percent occupancy, marina fees contribute more than $100k annually to OPRHP, and local business revenues are estimated to be in excess of $350k. In addition, Sampson Marina is one of three official weigh stations for the annual Seneca Lake National Trout Derby and the only station that provides camping, boat launch, docking and Derby weighin. The three-day Seneca Lake National Trout Derby has a 46-year history and attracts approximately 2,000 participants annually.

Anyone interested in assisting the campaign or signing the petition can contact committee co-chairs Terry Bonter (585-259-7177) or Don Kloeber (607-562-7540), or visit any of the following business supporters: Bass Pro Shop, Auburn; Seneca County Chamber of Commerce, Seneca Falls; Barrett Marine or Stivers Marine, Waterloo; Mark’s Pizzeria or the Golden Buck, Ovid; Anchor Inn & Marina, Ervays Marine or Seneca Marine, Watkins Glen; or Jamison Marine, Campbell.

Land Trust Recommends Limiting Canandaigua Lake Development The Finger Lakes Land Trust recently released A Vision for the Canandaigua Lake Watershed, a report detailing findings and recommendations based on an 18-month-long assessment of the watershed that included an analysis of the area’s natural resources as well as a survey of landowners and outreach to municipal leaders and other stakeholders.

The Land Trust’s assessment found widespread recognition of the regionally significant natural resources within the watershed. The lake itself serves as a public drinking water supply, is recognized by the National Audubon Society as one of New York’s Important Bird Areas, and creates a tremendous amount of recreational opportunity –

including fisheries that generate an estimated $8 million in revenue each year.

Based on its assessment, the Land Trust found that without a concerted effort, the lake’s water quality will likely be degraded and scenic views lost to steadily encroaching development. The Land Trust is now reaching out to local governments, landowners and other stakeholders in an effort to implement its recommendations. Copies are available for public viewing at the Wood Library in Canandaigua and the Naples Public Library. The report is also online at www.fllt.org/linkfiles/ cndgareport.pdf.

Monumental Mural Rises in Small Town Recently completed on the north shore of Seneca Lake stands “Seneca 634,” the latest project of artist Kenneth Millington. The exterior acrylic mural reaches three stories high and measures 80 feet across. A cross section of the lake is presented, and below the surface, a sonar screen reveals the layers of the region’s history.

Millington has painted large-scale murals for the past decade. His work

often deals with historical detritus, modern landscape and time. “Seneca 634” is his most important work to date, connecting contemporary painting to the roots of Geneva.

Finger Lakes Wine Festival Lauded by American Bus Association The American Bus Association (ABA) recently named the Finger WINTER 2010 ~

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N E W S B I T S Lakes Wine Festival as one of the Top 100 Events in North America for 2011. Inclusion in the Top 100 list, published as a supplement to the September/ October issue of Destinations magazine, indicates that the Finger Lakes Wine Festival, scheduled for July 15 to 17, 2011, offers excellent entertainment value.

Sue Sauvageau, an antiques dealer from Seneca Falls, will be attending the show.

FAST FACTS INFO PAGE 81

Post and Beam Homes • Locally crafted in our South Bristol New York shop 5557 Rt. 64, Canandaigua, NY 14424 Phone: 585-374-6405 • Fax: 585-374-8090 www.timberframesinc.com • timberframes@msn.com Visit our new model home on Seneca Lake (by appt.)

Building the Finger Lakes since 1977 FAST FACTS INFO PAGE 81

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February 13th Antique Show Benefits Granger Homestead The 12th annual Canandaigua Classic Antique Show and Sale will be held at Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack in Farmington on Sunday, February 13, 2011 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The event will feature 40 quality antique dealers, antique appraisals from noon to 2 p.m., food vendors and free parking. Admission is $5, and a coupon for a $1 off can be found at www.grangerhomestead.org.

Finger Lakes Museum Adds to Board Texas businessman George Slocum has been elected to the Finger Lakes Museum Board of Trustees. Slocum grew up in the Finger Lakes Region but moved to Houston early in his career.

He and his wife, Priscilla, live on Cayuga Lake for six months each year, where Slocum owns and operates the 1,200-acre Cayuga Lake Farm.

Slocum said, “I believe in the mission, vision, and leadership of the Finger Lakes Museum, and I want to do whatever I can to help make it happen.” The election of Slocum brings the museum board membership to 10.

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S P O R T S

Warm Up to Curling

by Joy Underhill

S

ome people say that curling is like bocce on ice. Others dismiss it as a curious game of people in pajama bottoms furiously sweeping brooms.

But when I tried the sport for the first time this fall, I felt like curling resembled, in some ways, a tough SAT question. How much must Stone A curl to stop at Point B? And where will Stone B go if you hit it with Stone A – and at what velocity?

Factor in the physics of differing ice speeds, player experience and game

12 ~

strategy, and you get the picture.

Still, I couldn’t help but be attracted to a sport where the postgame tradition involves tipping a few with your opponents. Not only do the winners clean the ice, but they buy the first round, too.

Where did curling originate?

No one really knows when curling first started, but its roots are definitely Scottish. One of the earliest curling stones dates to 1511, unearthed near

W W W. L I F E I N T H E F I N G E R L A K E S . C O M

Stirling. In 1760, the Edinburgh Cannonmills Club formed, and in 1838, the Grand Caledonian Curling Club was established solely to create standardized rules for the game.

As expected, curling is played mostly in countries that have ice: northern and mountainous Europe, Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, China and Japan. Scottish regiments brought the sport to Quebec, where they melted cannonballs to make stones due to a paucity of traditional granite. (article continues on page 14) Photo courtesy Rochester Curling Club

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The author takes some time to learn the unique sport. Photo courtesy Joy Underhill

So What’s It Like?

Curling didn’t look like a hard sport.

Initially I thought it couldn’t be that challenging to slide a stone on ice and redirect it a bit with some fast sweeping.

How wrong I was.

The one thing I didn’t count on was one foot is slippery at all times. That’s the foot that slides in front when you push off from the hack. I was firmly warned never to stand on that foot, whose sole is coated with Teflon. Yes, Teflon on ice.

Then there were the changes in balance needed just to stay upright. Push off with one foot, balance on a slick foot pad, and then release a heavy stone. My first time out, I fell only once – more like falling over rather than falling down – but felt at risk each time I launched the stone.

And that was just getting started. I never managed to get a stone past the second hog line, which would actually put it into play. Until I could slide it far enough, I couldn’t begin to grasp the complexities and strategy involved in winning a game.

I’m embarrassed to admit that after an hour of practice, my thighs ached for two days, and just a bit of vigorous sweeping awakened long-dormant deltoids. This is definitely a sport for those who appreciate precision and skill, but also enjoy play that places good sportsmanship high on its list of attributes.

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S P O R T S Curling has been played in America since the early 1800s, and it’s estimated that there are now 15,000 curlers and more than 100 clubs nationwide.

The Rochester Curling Club formed in 1961 after founder Lewis Elkin heard about a group of Kodak employees playing the game in Toronto.

The first bonspiel (tournament) was arranged with upstate and Canadian teams, and the club was born.

After playing on RIT’s ice rink for a few years, the club invested in its own facility, located near the airport, which now offers four “sheets” of ice and a warming room. This year, the club is celebrating 50 years of curling.

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How Do You Play?

Curling games last about two hours.

Although it looks like a casual event, it’s been estimated that the aerobic activity of a single game is equivalent to two sets of tennis – plus it requires clever strategies that rival chess.

The captain (“skip”) calls the shots

by giving each player a target to aim for.

In the old days, players didn’t slide out like they do now, but literally threw the stone like a bocce ball – and often suffered the ensuing rotator cuff injuries.

For those who can’t get low on the ice, special sticks can be used to push the stone forward.

During the game, the four players, including the skip, each throw two stones per “end.” Depending on the vigor of the sweepers, a stone’s trajectory can be changed by several feet. The game is played in eight ends, meaning shots are made from opposite ends of the sheet four times each. The stones that end up “in the house” (within the rings) and closest to the center earn various points.

“It’s a very precise game, much like billiards,” said Clark Raven, junior coach at the Rochester Curling Club.

“An inch can make or break the game.”

The bottom of the stone naturally curls in one direction, much like a bowling ball. Players can put additional spin

What’s with the Language?

The history of curling has endowed it with unique terms. Here are just a few from the extensive glossary on the Rochester Curling Club website.

Biter - A stone that just touches the outer edge of the 12-foot ring.

Burned stone - A stone in motion that is touched by a member of either team or any part of their equipment. A burned stone is immediately removed from play. Players use the honor system to reveal if they have burned a stone.

Hack - The starting block from which the stone is delivered.

Hog Line - The wide black lines 33 feet from each hack. A stone must completely cross the far hog line to be in play.

Pebble - A fine spray of water applied to the sheet before the start of each game. Curling stones slide along frozen pebble, which has the texture of orange peel, not on smooth ice.

Port - An opening between two stones wide enough for another stone to pass through.

Take-out - To completely remove a stone from play by hitting it with another stone.

FAST FACTS INFO PAGE 81

Hannah Ely concentrates on her technique during a clinic at the curling club. Photo by Joy Underhill

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S P O R T S

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A Family Sport Curling is a perfect family activity.

Participants can be ultra-competitive or laid back, depending on the level of play they enjoy.

Rochester-based painter Phyllis Bryce Ely first tried curling after winning a membership during the WXXI auction. Now in her ninth year with the sport, she can barely remember a time when her family didn’t curl.

Unlike a sport such as golf, novices can get right into play with just a half hour of instruction.

“It makes the winter pass quickly,” she said, “and is a relatively inexpensive sport to try. It’s great to find an activity that you can become competent at as an adult.”

When she’s curling, Phyllis doesn’t think of anything else, making it a great stress-reliever. Off the ice, Phyllis is one of the few artists who paints pictures of the sport. (See examples of her work at www.curlingart.com.)

Curling clubs exist in Niagara Falls, Utica and Albany as well, and it’s fast becoming a popular collegiate sport.

The season runs from October through April, offering games for all ages, from youth to senior, plus various adult leagues. At the Rochester Curling Club, you can curl every day of the week, including a couple daytime slots.

“There is a gentleness to this sport that many enjoy,” said Raven. “We never revel in another player’s errors and always compliment good shots. Plus, we get to meet and mix with other team members in a bonspiel. Overall, it’s a very social sport.”

Learn More Rochester Curling Club 71 Deep Rock Road Rochester, NY 14624 585-235-8246 www.rochestercurling.com Call or go online for information about open houses, membership, special events and the club’s extensive youth program.

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L I F E S T Y L E

The Next Generation Young professionals with a new attitude see the positive aspects of the Finger Lakes Region photos and story Jan Bridgeford Smith

R

ust Belt? No way. Boring? Get real. Depressed economy? Think entrepreneurial opportunities.

For Ben Sio of the organization 40 Below in Syracuse, and Mike Fuller of Pipeline 4 Progress (P4P) based in Corning, none of the tired, clichéd laments about Upstate New York make any sense. They love the area, see it brimming with opportunities, and head up organizations that are passing their enthusiasm on to young professionals.

This past August, a New York Times online article by Roberta Gratz featured an imaginative housing rehab initiative taking place in Syracuse. The project is designed to attract young professionals to the city. The story of one entrepreneur, Rick Destito, was highlighted as a model for how such efforts are drawing a

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much needed type of city dweller – talented, skilled and motivated – back to the area.

Midway through the article, Gratz wrote that “recently, in numbers not yet statistically measurable but clearly evident at the ground level, they’ve (young adults) been coming back … first as a trickle, and now by the hundreds. In some ways it’s a part of the natural ebb and flow of urban demographics. But it is also the result of a new attitude among the city’s leadership …”

To Ben and Mike, this statement affirms the efforts of 40 Below and P4P. They spend much of their professional and personal time promoting the virtues of living, working and playing in the Finger Lakes Region. Their enthusiastic message resonates with adults of all ages FAST FACTS INFO PAGE 81

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L I F E S T Y L E but it’s particularly targeted to talented people below the age of 40.

Whether the metropolis is Portland, Oregon, or Poughkeepsie, New York, community leaders everywhere are keenly interested in attracting people between the ages of 22 and 40 to settle in their respective vicinity. Across the country, mostly in urban settings, groups like 40 Below and Pipeline 4Progress have taken hold in support of the effort.

Origins of a Movement For the past two decades, a growing number of people have watched the “talent drain” in the Finger Lakes region with alarm. It’s understandable.

Without a resident workforce that is educated, skilled, and reasonably youthful, attracting new business ventures to the area is more than challenging, it’s almost impossible. And the consequences of a stagnant economy could be seen everywhere – from loss of popula-

tion to deteriorating downtowns. But there were also optimistic voices emerging during this same time period that suggested it was too early to sound the death knell for locales such as Syracuse and others in the Finger Lakes Region.

Urban experts like Richard Florida, acclaimed author of Rise of the Creative Class, suggested it was time for those in Upstate New York to get serious about attracting smart, creative people as a strategy for economic revitalization.

According to Florida, “This ‘creative class’ is found in a variety of fields, from engineering to theater, biotech to education, architecture to small business.

Their choices have already had a huge economic impact. In the future, they will determine … what companies will prosper or go bankrupt, and even which cities will thrive or wither.”

Florida’s ideas of what revitalization can look like were fresh and exciting.

His work captured the imagination of

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area leaders struggling to find new directions for their communities. In Syracuse, dozens of individuals and organizations decided to collaborate on convening a summit to explore the issues raised by Florida and other researchers.

On the afternoon of November 12, 2004, more than 630 young professionals, artists, entrepreneurs and citizens came together with political leaders for what became the largest young professionals summit in the nation’s history.

They were joined by a host of leaders from all over interested in listening to what this segment of the population had to say about improving the quality of life in the region. The 2004 summit produced more than 5,000 individual ideas and the group, 40 Below.

In attendance at this landmark summit was the CEO of Three Rivers Development Corporation in Corning, Jack Benjamin. He was intrigued by the outcomes of the summit and got in touch with Mike Fuller, at that time president of Twin Tiers Young Professionals, a social networking group in the Corning-Elmira area. Mike was excited about the idea of holding a summit in the Southern Tier, similar to the one in Syracuse.

In January of 2006, 350 participants attended just such a meeting. Once again, in addition to producing a cornucopia of ideas for improving the quality of life in the region, a group known as the Pipeline 4 Progress was initiated.

And Now Since their inception, 40 Below and P4P have been concerned with being the “voice” for the under 40 population of the region. As far as outreach activities, early on there was an emphasis on trying to “bring back” young people who had left, and hold on to young people already here. Both organizations soon realized this approach was long on labor and short on visible results. Today, rather than spending a great deal of time trying to persuade individuals to stay or return by handing out brochures in airports, the focus has shifted to working with other community and government organizations. They work on policy,

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I

n March 2011, a conference bringing together young adults, business leaders and politicians from across the region will be held in Ithaca. For more information on We Live NY and other happenings, check out these websites: Pipeline 4 Progress p4pnetwork.com/default.aspx 40 Below www.40belowsummit.com/about/ mission.php

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More about economic initiatives and research focused on attracting young talent to the region can be found at: New York State U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) University Center sponsored through Cornell University’s Community & Regional Development Institute http://devsoc.cals.cornell.edu/cals/ devsoc/outreach/cardi/

housing initiatives and economic development projects that foster the kind of entrepreneurial, social and cultural environment attractive to young professionals.

There is no one answer or sure formula for why young people seem drawn to one community over another, though they do find certain aspects of the Finger Lakes appealing. They like being close to their families; experiencing the four seasons; enjoying the beautiful natural surroundings and the developed recreation areas; the opportunity to attend the area’s good schools, colleges and universities; and taking advantage of the quality health care facilities here.

An Unlikely Ally In a turn of events unforeseen in 2004 and 2006, the economic recession that started in 2008 has proven to be a boon in the drive to attract young (Continued on page 77)

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ost visits to a Finger Lakes winery are planned outings where several wineries are visited, often along a route that brings tasters to a nice lunch or dinner spot along the way. Even without a plan, one is bound to stumble across enough wineries or eating establishments to make a day of it. Such establishments are so densely packed along the major four lakes (Cayuga, Seneca, Keuka, and Canandaigua) that any winery not within a few short miles of another winery is considered to be in the boonies.

Consider Eagle Crest Vineyards the exception to that rule. It is situated on the western shore of a minor Finger Lake (Hemlock). No wineries share its general locale. There are no restaurants up the road, down the road, or across the road. In fact, not a single summer cottage dots the shoreline of the heavily wooded and steep land that surrounds the lake. Eagle Crest Vineyards lies in splendid isolation and yet possesses a

long, storied history that dates further back than any other Finger Lakes winery, save Pleasant Valley in Hammondsport.

A visit to Eagle Crest Vineyards is a purposeful one. Any wine lover who wants to make the journey should be in the frame of mind for a country drive and a bit of exploration, the wine being only one part of the experience. A trip to Eagle Crest Vineyards will consume most of a day, but a trip off the beaten path is hardly something to lament.

The Eagle Crest label was founded in 2005 and is not widely distributed in stores, but many readers have tasted wine from the winery without even realizing it. The parent winery, O-Neh-Da, which is the Iroquois word for Hemlock, was founded in 1872 by Bishop Bernard McQuaid to produce sacramental wines for the Diocese of Rochester. Over the years, the sacramental wine portion of the winery has grown, producing wine for Catholic parishes all over the eastern

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Photo by Jason Feulner. Labels courtesy Eagle Crest Vineyards.

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United States (as well as some Protestant churches that use wine in their services). At 12,000 cases annually, O-Neh-Da is one of the largest producers of sacramental wine and remains the oldest sacramental wine company in the United States.

The main source of pride for O-Neh-Da, explains co-owner Will Ouweleen, is the winery’s strict adherence to Catholic Canon Law, which dictates that sacramental wine must be a natural, unadulterated product of the grape. “We do not use any products that do not come from the grape, such as non-grape sugars. We also use local grapes, many of which are grown in our own vineyards. Not all producers of sacramental wine do this anymore.”

The wine is sold directly to parishes, where the typical congregations consume a few cases per year. Like regular table wine, most sacramental wine is sold in 750 mL bottles.

Circumstance led to O-Neh-Da’s unique history and identity. In the late 19th century, the City of Rochester acquired Hemlock Lake as its main drinking source, and used eminent domain to buy and demolish the 100 or so cabins that dotted the shoreline in order to protect the water quality. City officials permitted Bishop McQuaid to retain his vineyard and summer home, although the home has now been reclaimed by nature.

After McQuaid’s death in 1909, the Diocese of Rochester briefly ran the winery but soon found a group more interested in the task. The Society of the Divine Word, a Dutch monastic order, came to the hills above the lake and administered the vineyard and winery for more than 50 years. A sharp decrease in vocations led the society to lease the operation in the 1970s and 1980s until a group of new owners came on board in the 1990s.

Will Ouweleen did not arrive at ONeh-Da/Eagle Crest on purpose. A New York City investor who left Wall Street in the early 2000s to return to his native Rochester, he purchased a home perched above Hemlock Lake to try something different. The home (Continued on page 76)

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Weddings

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I N

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F I N G E R

L A K E S

BRIDES JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN

“Trash the dress” photos let brides kick up their heels

W

hen Elise Underhill was searching bridal magazines for the perfect wedding dress, she was enthralled by the pictures of brides standing in fields of flowers.

When her July wedding day came, her photographer suggested taking pictures of her in the middle of a pine grove at her parents’ Christmas tree farm in Prattsburgh. Since the farm was the site of her nuptuals, the outdoor photos would be easy to arrange. “I thought running through the woods in my wedding dress was a brilliant idea!” Elise told me.

Unfortunately, the woodsy wedding day photo shoot was washed out, literally, as it rained the whole day. The ceremony was quickly performed during

the only 10-minute dry spell. The couple exchanged vows on a hay wagon with guests seated on hay bales all around them.

The next day, her cousin stopped by and told her to throw on her dress for an impromptu photo shoot. Since the stress of the wedding day and the need for proper decorum were behind them, her cousin handed her a gun, told her to jump into the mud (a remnant from the previous day’s rainstorm), and started clicking away. Thus Elise’s wedding-dress photo adventure was born.

Ideas keep rolling What started off as a whim has turned into somewhat of an obsession for Elise and Bonnie Guston, a family

by Kari Anderson-Pink

friend and the professional photographer who has continued Elise’s photographic journey. Bonnie has taken pictures of Elise holding a chicken, dangling on a tree swing, standing in a waterfall, sailing on Keuka lake, shooting pool, swimming in a pool, pouring grape juice into a wine cask at Bully Hill, driving a Kawasaki Mule, and riding the ski lift at Hunt Hollow – all while wearing her wedding dress.

While some people are shocked at this type of cavalier treatment of a formal wedding gown, Elise and her mother insist that she’s actually gotten much more good out of her dress than most brides do. “I see lots of wedding dresses at garage sales, and the women will tell me, ‘I’ll never wear it again!” says

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Weddings

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mother of the bride Kim Cunningham.

“Elise has gotten to wear hers many many times.”

The guilt she could feel about “trashing” her bridal dress is easy to shed considering she only paid $40 for it.

After purchasing a more expensive dress, Elise lost weight; this meant that in order to wear the original dress, it would have to be totally remade to fit her smaller size. On a whim, Kim searched eBay and ordered a $40 dress without even showing Elise. It fit her like a glove and made her tear up – two requirements for a perfect wedding dress, as anyone who watches “Say Yes to the Dress” knows.

Elise insists that she would still have done these adventurous photos even if her dress had cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. “I would have hesitated, but I still would have done it!” she said, adding, “The night of my wedding, I accidentally ripped the bustle out of my dress, so after that I figured the damage was already done.”

Bonnie says that women who have been married for years are fascinated by the pictures she’s taken of Elise. “They tell me, ‘I want to do that!’

Getting pictures taken in your wedding dress would be a great anniversary idea,” adds Bonnie.

“Even women who are divorced want to do this, for different reasons, of course. What else are you going to do with your dress?”

explains Kim. So much for hefty drycleaning bills.

The three women agree that the damage done to the dress is worth the visual keepsakes they now have. “I’d rather see a wedding dress trashed than sitting in an attic,” states Bonnie.

Bonnie hopes to photograph Elise through the seasons and eventually make a calendar and photobook of their escapades. Snowboarding is one thing Elise wants to do while wearing her gown. Bonnie is hoping for a chance to take shots of Elise horsebackriding.

Trash-the-dress photos are becom-

To destroy or enjoy?

While this non-traditional type of wedding photography has become known as “trash the dress” (or “rock the frock”), Elise’s intent is not to destroy her wedding gown. Instead, she views it as an exercise in creativity, an artistic adventure, a personal story told through pictures.

The dress, while somewhat tattered along the hem, is still in relatively good shape, considering all it’s been through.

“Each time it gets dirty, she just hoses it off and hangs it on the clothesline,”

ing an increasingly popular option for brides who want to enjoy their special dress in a relaxed, casual, fun or even daring setting. Bonnie suggests looking for a professional photographer who has a good sense of humor, is knowledgeable about the area and doesn’t mind being active. “This is the bride’s chance to really shine.”

W W W. L I F E I N T H E F I N G E R L A K E S . C O M

Kari Anderson-Pink lives in Victor with her husband and three children. She is the director of music at Zion Episcopal Church in Palmyra and plays the harp professionally.

Photos in this article courtesy Bonnie Guston

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A TALE OF TWO WEDDINGS A couple of couples flaunts the Finger Lakes theme Jef and Tricia Zeller

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ure, the Finger Lakes Region is beautiful and if you’re from here, it’s a logical place to get married.

But for the Brongos and the Zellers, this area was more than just a setting for their weddings; it was the overarching theme of their events. Both couples were married at different spots on Keuka Lake, but the awesome lake views were only the beginning of their weddings’ Finger Lakes theme.

Dave and Margaret Brongo incorporated the regional flavor into their invitations, place cards, centerpieces, goodie bags and guest book. Jef and Tricia Zeller turned their wedding into a four-day event featuring local hotspots and activities that would make out-of-town guests want to come back for a visit.

Here are some creative ways they played out the Finger Lakes theme.

Great grape invitations Because Margaret and Dave were getting married at her mother’s vine-

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by Kari Anderson-Pink

Photo courtesy PhotoEmphasis

yard, they decided to use pictures of grapes to decorate their invitations.

Their invitations were handmade and featured a close-up photograph of grapes from her mother’s vines.

Good goodie bags When Dave and Margaret’s guests checked into their hotels, they were given goodie bags from the couple. The bags were actually Wegmans’ reusable shopping bags with grapes on them, and inside each were homemade cookies, Keuka (QKA) magnets, mints, travel brochures, and a copy of Life in the Finger Lakes magazine.

Cork place cards Because Dave and Margaret are wine lovers, they have collected plenty of corks, including many from local wineries. They had seen professionally made cork place card holders online but were shocked at the price. To save money, they decided to make their own by shaving off one side of each cork and

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cutting a slit in the opposite side. A card with a guest’s name was then slipped into each cork.

Lake-loving centerpieces Instead of having a fancy floral arrangement at each table, the Brongos chose to have their centerpieces feature specific Finger Lakes, including the smaller ones. Each table had two clear plastic frames: One held a picture of a lake, and the other frame had a list of facts about that lake and reasons why it was special to the couple. For example, Dave and Margaret’s first date was on Hemlock Lake, she went to summer camp on Owasco Lake and her husband lived on Conesus Lake.

Gorgeous guest book Rather than opting for a plain-Jane guest book, the Brongos used Kristian Reynolds’ Finger Lakes Panoramas book for guests to sign. Many friends and family members chose to sign pictures of lakes that held special meaning to them.

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Lake,” explained Tricia. “We even stopped at a brewery on that lake, too.” Their guests enjoyed the outing so much that afterward some of them booked their own wine tours.

Rehearsal dinner with a view These days, the rehearsal is not just for the ceremony, it’s like a practice for the reception as well. It is essentially a preparty party. With that in mind, Jef and Tricia wanted a place that would impress guests, and Esperanza Mansion filled the bill. The stately rooms combined with the bluff-top view of Keuka Lake made it a perfectly intimate and romantic precursor to the wedding.

Stunning ceremony site Since Tricia works at Keuka College and her mother is an alumnus, the family feels a connection to the school.

Therefore it was a logical choice to hold the wedding ceremony at the college’s Norton Chapel. But family connections weren’t the only reason they chose that site. “You’re not going to find a chapel like that with the beautiful woodwork and exposed organ pipes,” said Tricia. “Plus Keuka Lake is right across the street, so we were able to take pictures with the lake in the background.”

Lakeside reception Because they wanted to expose their guests to another lake besides Keuka, the Zellers chose Ventosa Winery on Seneca Lake for their reception. The winery overlooks vineyards and the lake, making it a scenic setting for a wedding gala. It also offers great vistas for wedding pictures. The couple was even allowed to take pictures in the winery’s cellar, which is normally closed to visitors. Another advantage to choosing a winery for the reception site is this: plenty of good wine!

Dave and Margaret Brongo Photo courtesy Wendy Mitchell

Cork place cards Photo courtesy Wendy Mitchell

For instance, on the picture of Honeoye Lake, Dave’s cousin drew an arrow to where the Brongo family has its picnic.

Another guest wrote, “This is our lake,” on Reynolds’ picture of Cayuga Lake.

Pre-wedding wine tour Because many of Jef and Tricia Zeller’s guests were from out of town, the couple decided to introduce their visitors to the area by hosting a wine tour two days before the wedding.

“We rented SUVs and went to some wineries around Keuka

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After-party at a castle Just as the party doesn’t start with the reception, it doesn’t end there either. Jef and Tricia decided to move their party to Belhurst Castle when the reception ended. Since they were spending their wedding night there anyway, it was a logical choice for continuing the festivities in a cozy, intimate and elegant setting.

For these couples, putting the focus on the Finger Lakes meant they were able to share their favorite locales with their loved ones. It also gave their out-of-town guests an opportunity to learn about an area they may never have discovered.

“Where some of my family lives is very flat, so they don’t see hills and that type of beauty,” said Tricia. “This was like a mini-vacation for them.”

Tricia recommends the Finger Lakes as a great place to get married no matter where you’re from. “This would be a great place for a destination wedding!”

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A Labor of Love The publication of a stunning book of early photography was made possible this year thanks to the talents of two local professionals and a benefactor who realized the “great possibilities.”

story by Bill Wingell photo captions by Ronald E. Ostman photo editing by Harry Littell

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n 2005, a photography exhibit in Ithaca portrayed – with extraordinary skill and artistry – rural life at the turn of the last century.

Displayed at the History Center in Tompkins County, the historic documentary images were taken by William T. Cook and Verne Morton in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Cook’s specialty was documenting logging work in northern Pennsylvania. Morton’s photographs of the daily labors and lives of his neighbors in Groton, Freeville and Dryden were particularly compelling, and inspired a project that would take five years to complete.

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A shelter was desirable when boiling sap, but not necessary. Outdoor fires worked well when the weather cooperated, and the tender didn’t have to inhale as much smoke. However, rain or snow would enter the evaporators if they were outside, so most producers preferred a

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roof over their heads, both to protect the maple syrup and to keep dry and warm. Here’s how a sugar-maker named Jeff Mitchell once described a similar scene in Maple Syrup Cookbook: “After being cooped up inside all winter, I still love to sit out under the stars at night listening to the crackling of the wood burning under the pan, and watching the flames lick the sides of the smokestack.” Courtesy History Center in Tompkins County WINTER 2010 ~

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A Labor of Love Right: Winter generally provided better travel opportunities than did other seasons, when roads were likely to be muddy and sometimes almost impassable. The snow, once a trail was broken, made it easier for the horses to pull their loads.

Memoirist Mary Oppen recalled winter travel in the early years of the 20th centry.

“On the way to school in the winter-time, in the gloaming of winter-short days, I met farmers driving sledges loaded with wood.

The low sledges had wooden runners, for the roads and streets were snow-covered all winter long. I would run and step on a runner, clinging to a sledge. Other children joined me, and we rode to school behind the half-frozen farmer and his powerful team of steaming horses. The horses liked the cold and the farmer talked to them: ‘Gee now, slow there girl, steady, steady.’ As we reached the school and hopped off we shouted our thanks, and he raised his arm in salute.” Courtesy History Center in Tompkins County Left, top: Robert Baxter, CEO of Dryden Mutual, greeting Ronald Butts and his wife, Laura, at the Dryden Mutual open house.

The 1932 photo features Butts at a home in Groton. Photo by Bill Wingell Left, bottom: Harry Littell and Ron Ostman review proofs of photos to be included in the book.

Photo by Bill Wingell

Remarkable photography Verne Morton was born in 1868 on a farm near Groton, a tiny community northeast of Ithaca and west of Cortland. He was one of Porter and Dorothy Jane Smith Morton’s four children. As a young man, Verne taught school in Groton and in the surrounding communities. In 1896, he began his 49-year-long career as a photographer.

Together with his brother Neil, Verne lived almost his entire life at the Morton homestead on Old Stage Road.

Neither man married. Their income came from family investments, and Verne sold his photographs to a variety of clients, including Cornell University,

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and a number of newspapers, magazines and other publishers.

Verne died in 1945 at age 77 after a short illness. Neil passed away in 1960.

Much of Verne Morton’s photography concentrated on the day-to-day activities of the residents of Groton and the surrounding area. With his cumbersome glass plate view camera and tripod, Morton took remarkable photographs of farm life, family activities, and children in school and at play.

“The industrial revolution was having an impact on farming back then,” observed Robert B. Baxter, CEO of Dryden Mutual Insurance Company.

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“You can see the transition from horse and human power to mechanical power in these pictures. Morton was documenting more than just local events, he was documenting the transformation of a society.”

Thanks to his strong and wellinformed interest in botany, Morton also produced thousands of stunning photographs of flowers and other plants, either out in the field or in his makeshift home studio. After processing his exposed plates at home, he would wash them outside in a watering trough.

To be sure, exposing a glass plate negative was not a point-and-shoot

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A Labor of Love Left: Verne Morton liked to photograph children with their animals, as seen in the photographs of Floyd Graves with his tame pet crow. Writer Neil Chaffie, who as a youth had a pet crow, wrote in a newspaper reminiscence: “There was a yarn told about crows ... a crow could learn to talk. Well, we had to try, so we captured a young bird and spent hours with it. All the bird did was cause us a summer of big trouble. Our pet bedeviled the neighborhood with its antics. ‘One more complaint,’ came the warning, ‘and that bird has to go.’ The bird took a liking to clothes pins – the ones holding the clothes on the line, that is. It wasn’t unusual on washday to see clothing scattered here and there. In addition, anything shiny, such as silverware, rings, bracelets or wristwatches, were confiscated by the bird. When the crow took to divebombing tiny members of the family, the game was over. It made one dive too many, caught a wing in a chain on the swing set and did itself in. We had a burial and all that, and never did figure out if the crow could talk.” Courtesy History Center in Tompkins County

process. That Morton was able to capture the images that he did was nothing short of amazing. “He was patient – he had to be,” observed Margaret Gleason Hill, 82, of Dryden. She’s the daughter of Rose Howe Gleason who, as a young and attractive girl, is present in Verne Morton photographs dating back to 1905. Rose’s sister, Sarah Howe Pendleton, also young and photogenic, can be seen in his images, too.

The Howes were neighbors of the Mortons, Margaret Hill noted, and her mother, besides being a comely young woman, “was good at standing still,” she said. “She was available and patient, and she was a pretty gal, too.

Verne took a lot of pictures of her through her teens.”

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Hill, a retired textbook illustrator, described Morton as “very quiet, studious and considerate. He was a good neighbor.” Her family would be invited occasionally to the Morton home to see “magic lantern” photography shows presented by Verne, she said.

“Photography was fairly new then. He devoted his life to it.”

Morton produced a collection of more than 12,000 photographs using glass plates, nitrate negatives and, in his later years, the new small-format film. When he died, he left his photographs and equipment to his brother, Neil. When Neil passed away, Verne’s archive went to a cousin’s daughter, who donated the collection to the History Center of Tompkins County.

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Great Possibilities Robert Baxter, also a member of the board of the Tompkins County history center, attended the 2005 exhibit.

“I stumbled in the door and was absolutely struck by how dramatic the photographs were,” he remembered.

“They were so detailed and lifelike, especially the Verne Morton photos.”

Baxter was wondering at the time how to celebrate Dryden Mutual’s 150th anniversary in 2010. He had considered writing a corporate history, but found that there wasn’t much documentation of the company’s past. “It had been a very informal organization,” Baxter noted. “There wasn’t much of a history to write.”

Enter Verne Morton. “When I realized that a local photographer’s collection was available, and most of the images were a hundred years old, it dawned on me that I might be able to connect our anniversary to these wonderful images.”

To make that connection, Baxter hired the exhibit’s organizers Harry Littell from Ithaca, an accomplished landscape photographer and photogra-

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Right, top: The personal football equipment of 1905, compared to the gear of today, seems primitive – more flimsy and less protective.

This young man isn’t smiling, but it should be remembered that a smile when having one’s picture taken wasn’t common until after the motion picture industry revolutionized the way people were expected to appear when they put on their public face.

At first the big smile brightened the silver screen, then stars’ publicity stills, then advertising. And today, of course, it is automatic that we “Say cheese!” when a camera appears, our smiles quickly disappearing when the shutter snaps.

And how about that huge, bulky football? Evidently, passing wasn’t a big part of the game in the early 20th century.

Courtesy History Center in Tompkins County

Right, bottom: Dennis Kelly of Groton was the man to see if a particular piece of furniture was needed to fit in a special place with unique dimensions. He’d make it to order, but the buyer had to be patient. Here, the master carpenter rests briefly next to his latest creation. The tools and materials he used to make it were close at hand.

No doubt the desk is one of a kind, made to fit the needs of the person who ordered it. Author Franklin H. Gottshall may have had craftsmen like Dennis Kelly in mind when he wrote in Period Furniture Design and Construction, “Good taste in furniture design, as in all arts, may be cultivated. Definite rules, of a type that do not confine the designer within limits that are too narrow, will be of material assistance in laying the foundation for designs that are consistently superior in beauty and merit.”

Courtesy History Center in Tompkins County

phy instructor at Tompkins-Cortland Community College; and Ronald E. Ostman of Groton, a writer and professor emeritus of communication at Cornell University. Littell’s task was to sort through the collection of about 5,000 glass plate images and choose 300, then organize them into the categories of community and people, with an emphasis on work and education. A committee consisting of Baxter, Littell, Ostman and history center personnel would edit the selection down to 125.

For the next two years, Littell labored over the photographs, digitally

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A Labor of Love

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scanning the plates and then meticulously adjusting the scans. During that time, Ostman researched Morton and the photographs, and wrote captions for the prints. By 2008, the 125 images, sized to 25 inches by 31 inches, had been printed, framed and installed for display at the insurance company’s offices in Dryden.

Dryden Mutual, known in Morton’s time as the Dryden & Groton Mutual Fire Insurance Company, was a cooperative owned and operated entirely by local residents who became the company’s insured policyholders.

The first policy was issued on May 7, 1860. During his research, Ostman discovered that Verne and Neil Morton had been insured by the company.

That was an important revelation for Robert Baxter who said, “I realized that Morton was taking pictures of his neighbors and those neighbors were probably all members of the Dryden co-op as well. Then it dawned on me: These are pictures of us.”

Littell and Ostman offered to produce a book of the exhibit, and at that point, according to Littell, “we came up with the idea of 150 pictures celebrating 150 years of Dryden Mutual.”

Baxter didn’t hesitate in approving the book project, and decided to add another 25 wall prints to the office exhibit “to provide symmetry with the company’s 150th anniversary.”

Capital Offset Company in Concord, New Hampshire, was chosen to produce the book. “We could have done a less-expensive version, but in honor of the wonderful artistry of the photos we had, we thought that was stupid. Instead, we decided to go with the highest quality art press we could find,” said Baxter.

Littell spent a week in Concord working 16-hour days to fine-tune the setup for each photograph as it was printed. The effort seems to have paid off: Great Possibilities has won three publishing awards. “Everyone believes it was the perfect way to celebrate a milestone in our company’s history,” Baxter noted. “It’s better than I could have imagined.”

Twenty-two hundred copies of the

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book were printed. Dryden Mutual has given away almost 1,700 copies to libraries across Upstate New York, to government officials, and to local agencies of the company. Baxter plans to send copies to Upstate New York colleges and universities before the end of the year. The books, according to Baxter, cost $75 each to produce; they have a list price of $49.95.

This past May, Dryden Mutual celebrated its sesquicentennial with a catered reception at its headquarters.

Some 600 guests attended, including Ronald Butts, 86, and his wife Laura, 82, of nearby Locke. Butts, a subject in one of Verne Morton’s photographs, stood, cane in hand, before a large wall print. He proudly pointed out his image to visitors who stopped to greet and congratulate him. Laura Butts told how some years ago, she helped move Verne Morton’s extraordinary legacy of glass plate images from the Morton home in Groton to the history center in downtown Ithaca. The plates had been stored in potato crates, she said. Some were found in the garage.

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5624 East Avon Lima Rd Rts 5&20, Avon, NY Dryden Mutual Insurance Company encourages the public to visit its offices to view the collection of large-scale Verne Morton photographs hung throughout the building. Special lighting was installed in the corridors to enhance the viewing. The company is located at 12 Ellis Drive in Dryden, NY 13053. Telephone 607-844-8106.

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The book Great Possibilities, 150 Verne Morton Photographs, can be purchased at the History Center in Tompkins County, 401 E. State Street, Suite 100, Ithaca, New York 14850. Telephone 607-273-8284.

All proceeds are contributed to the center. Its hours are Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit www.thehistory center.net for more information.

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FAST FACTS INFO PAGE 81

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Clara Rose Thomas creates dreamy fabric on one of her 15 looms.

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Dream Weaver

As Christmas approaches, the Thomas house is abuzz with activity. Clara Rose is weaving her blue ribbon-winning fabric and Walt is cranking out brooms like who laid the rail.

story and photos by Rich Finzer

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n an old farmhouse near Baldwinsville there is a treasure.

It’s not gold, or buckets of precious stones, it’s more. It’s alive. In Japan, where skilled artisans are revered, the government has designated many of them “Living National Treasures,” making them eligible for special protection and support.

The U.S. – unlike Japan, France and other nations – has not adopted this practice. But if it did, master weaver Clara Rose Thomas would certainly be on the roster.

I first met Clara Rose 30 years ago when my wife began taking weaving lessons from her. We eventually purchased a loom kit from her as well. Those two events became the

foundation of a relationship that has lasted to this day.

From the outside, the country farmhouse where Clara Rose and her husband Walt have lived for nearly 60 years looks like any other. But when you step inside, you instantly know that a weaver is in residence. There are looms everywhere! Clara Rose owns 15: seven floor looms, seven tabletop models and a massive antique rug loom, which dates from the late 1790s.

When we met, she was seated at her 20-inch Macomber model. Employing the “double weave pickup” method, she was fashioning a long section of double fabric that would eventually be cut and sewn into wall or window hangings.

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As I admired her craftsmanship, she said, smiling, “Nobody but me is crazy enough to do this kind of weaving anymore.”

The unique feature about this technique is that each side has the same design, but the colors are reversed. At the top of each a pocket will be sewn and the hanging hardware inserted. It consists of two antique wooden bobbins salvaged from long defunct New England knitting mills.

Right around the corner, in a bright sunlit room, sat yet another loom, a Harrisville 22-inch, 10-harness model threaded for making note card inserts (more about those later). On a table sat a squadron of shuttles loaded with various weft colors, looking just like a miniature rainbow.

Ready-made weaving patterns for her work are not available. Clara Rose painstakingly works out each warp and weft pattern on graph paper.

The beginning “Thirty-five years ago,” she told us, “I started repeating, ‘When I get old and gray, I’d like to learn to spin and weave.’ My son Bruce chirped up, ‘Mom, then it’s time you got started!’ So we sold a cow and bought a loom.”

The next year, in an effort to meet other weavers and Above: Table runners with various patterns hang ready to be sold.

Right: Walt explains that “corn” brooms are actually made from a species of sorghum.

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learn more about the craft, she joined the Syracuse Weavers Guild and eventually became president. In 1979, the rigors of running a 500-acre dairy farm coupled with the challenges of increased regulations led the couple to sell the rest of their cows. They reinvented themselves as full-time weavers.

For the past 21 summers, Clara Rose has been a vendor and exhibitor at the New York State Fair. In that time, by her own count, her work has won some 50 blue ribbons. “This year, I only won three,” she told us, quickly adding: “And an honorable mention.”

Given the incredible quality of her work, it’s surprising anyone else wins any ribbons at all.

In an upstairs bedroom were two perfect examples. Covering the bed was a 90-inch woven coverlet done in the “Whig Rose” pattern, named in honor of the Whig party.

Because of the width of the piece, it was made from a pair of matching 45-inch panels carefully sewn down the middle. She said it took 50 hours to weave and sew it – incredible.

Atop the coverlet was a hand-woven, hand-dyed wool blanket in a replica pattern of an authentic English wool blanket from the 19th century. “I dyed the red using madder, the same dye used to color the uniforms of British Redcoats,” (article continued on page 42)

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A Colonial Holiday Sale – The 30th Anniversary Cold Springs Craft 3280 Cold Springs Road Baldwinsville Friday through Sunday, November 19 through 21 Friday through Sunday, November 26 through 28 In addition to Clara Rose and Walt, other local artisans specializing in basket making and woodcrafts will also be selling their wares. Wise shoppers attend the first weekend, when the selection is best. For more details, e-mail Clara Rose at coldspringscraft@aol.com, or give her a call at 315-635-3478.

FAST FACTS INFO PAGE 81

Getting there From Thruway Exit 39, take Interstate 690 East and exit onto John Glenn Boulevard. Travel east to the intersection with Route 370 (second light) and turn left.

These shuttles and bobbins are ready for the note card loom, a 10-harness model.

Above is a Christmas card from Rich Finzer’s collection.

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Clara Rose said. “For the blue, I used native indigo.”

As much a student of history as she is a skilled weaver, Clara Rose frequently uses traditional colonial weaving patterns such as “double orange peel,” “4-leaf clover” and “star of Bethlehem.”

Another pair of blue-ribbon blankets was across the hall. On a bed laden with note cards, placements, mug rugs, baby blankets and bookmarks were two of 2010’s winning entries.

One was a baby blanket, the other a folded piece of fabric made so well it appeared to be machine-woven. At that point I mused that if you threaded one of her looms with strands of light, Clara Rose could probably weave you a sunny day.

Behind the table, an entire wall was covered with table runners and wall hangings. Clara Rose explained that if the piece had figures or a geometric pattern, it would appear identical when viewed from the other side.

However, reversing the green and red one would make it read “YRREM SAMTSIRHC,” which would confuse the daylights out of Santa.

It’s all in the cards Clara Rose fashions tiny woven inserts which she places in the variety of greeting and note cards she creates.

Some are seasonal – the October cards have orange weft woven into a row of tiny pumpkins. Her Christmas cards remain my personal favorites, as my wife and I have been the lucky recipients of these custom-made holiday treasures for the past three decades. As a rule, we don’t save many Christmas cards, but we have every card Clara Rose has ever sent us.

Above: Among her award-winning creations are a coverlet in the Whig Rose pattern, and a blanket that replicates a 19th-century English pattern.

Left: A work in progress, featuring a pineapple motif welcome wall hanging.

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E n j o y i n g Pushing knowledge forward Clara Rose graduated from Cornell University in 1950 with a degree in 4H Extension. Today that same major is probably termed “Home Economics.”

Her college education spurred a lifelong interest in books, personal growth, teaching, and sharing what some have called “proprietary intellectual capital.”

To that end, she conducts weaving classes and readily shares her expertise with local school children. Each year, she and Walt volunteer at the Baldwinsville Colonial Crafts Festival, where they participate in mini-workshops for 500 local fourth-graders.

Clara Rose weaves cloth while Walt weaves plant stems. Plant stems? Yep. He makes brooms.

Using an antique machine, Walt produces genuine “corn” brooms, although corn is a misnomer. The plant is actually a species of sorghum.

After the seeds are combed out, it will be woven with others into a broom, replete with a hand-cut sugar maple handle. So just how strong is the demand for handmade brooms? Well, at the 2010 State Fair, Walt sold 120 of them!

When I was at the house, Walt was weaving bookmarks.

A thought struck me: If an earthquake destroyed the cable car system in San Francisco, or a rogue wave smashed Old Ironsides to bits, both would be viewed as a tragic loss to our culture. But both could be completely rebuilt and put back into service. They are after all just things, mechanical contrivances.

People are not afforded this luxury.

In terms of our earthbound existence, it’s strictly a one-way street. Dedicated artisans like Clara Rose Thomas and her husband enrich the lives of others by fashioning simple natural materials into objects of lasting beauty. Clara Rose said, as I was leaving our interview, “It drives me nuts these days, because nobody seems to know how to make anything by hand anymore.” She may be right, you know. And if you agree, you might want spend time with somebody who still does.

G o d ’ s

C r e a t i o n

Finger Lakes Tram

Canandaigua Lake, 2007

2052 O’Neil Road • Macedon, NY 14502 • 315-986-1937

www.fingerlakestram.com Designed, built & serviced right here in upstate New York!

FAST FACTS INFO PAGE 81

Celebrate in style at This holiday season, celebrate close to home with your family and friends at The Inn on the Lake.Whether it’s dinner for two or a holiday party for 150, our staff will ensure that your event is just the way you want it. ................................................................................

Book now for Thanksgiving, Holiday lunches and dinners, and New Year’s Eve.

770 S. MAIN ST., CANANDAIGUA ~ 585-394-7800 WWW.THEINNONTHELAKE.COM

FAST FACTS INFO PAGE 81

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Returning Species - The Fisher and Bobcat story and photos by Bill Banaszewski

F

Fisher give birth to their young in tree hollows high above the ground.

With their semi-retractable claws fisher are well adapted for grasping their prey and climbing trees.

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or over 100 years many of the once farmed fields of the Finger Lakes region have been reverting to forests. Because of the changing landscape, wildlife species such as pheasant and bobolink that once thrived in grassy habitats are declining, while forestdwelling creatures like black bear are naturally returning to the region. Two mammals that have slipped under the radar and are silently returning to the Finger Lakes are the bobcat and fisher. Although few people have seen or would even recognize these secretive mammals, their presence in our area is increasingly being documented by bow hunters, incidental trapping, images captured on motion sensitive cameras and, unfortunately, by road-kill evidence.

According to Scott Smith, regional wildlife biologist for the DEC, both fisher and bobcat sightings in the eastern Finger Lakes are probably animals colonizing from the established populations that are in the Adirondacks and Catskills. Fisher sightings are more numerous in the southern portion of central New York and are probably the result of animals dispersing north from Pennsylvania, where they were re-introduced in the mid1990s. Smith believes that bobcat have been in the region longer than fisher, and are more widespread and numerous. Both species are successfully breeding and currently neither can be hunted or trapped in the region.

Smith explains that although fisher were historically believed to be creatures of undisturbed wilderness, they are actually quite adaptable and are leaving the big woods where food is scarce. They are moving into the Finger Lakes region where prey is plentiful. Although there are more fisher in the southern Finger Lakes region, one was recently killed on the road near the Outlet Mall in Waterloo.

Fisher are also called “fisher cats.� That is a misnomer, however, because they seldom eat fish and are not felines. Rather they are members of the weasel family and bear a slight

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resemblance to some of their relatives: the marten, mink and otter. Including their long bushy tail, they are approximately 3 feet long, and the larger males weigh up to 18 pounds.

They possess a thick, luxuriant dark-brown to black coat, which makes them valuable fur bearers.

Fisher are wanderers, and studies have documented that they often travel over 100 miles in a two-week period in search of food, which includes rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, mice, grouse, fruit and acorns. Fierce arboreal predators, fisher have the unique ability to prey upon an animal that eludes most others: the porcupine. After locating a porcupine by scent, a fisher will repeatedly circle and attack the front of its head, avoiding quills, until the porcupine is fatally injured. Although fisher are occasionally seen with a few quills in their faces, they seldom die from such encounters, even though they ingest the entire porcupine, quills and all.

Bobcat, too, are adapting to the diverse habitats of the region. They’re found in forests, edge environments, swamps and areas with rocky outcrops. Sometimes referred to as “wild cats,” bobcats sport short stubby tails, stand about twice the size of a house cat, and weigh up to 35 pounds. Their faces are distinguished by jowl-like ruffs and pointed ear tufts that are shorter than those of their closest relative, the lynx. The coat of a bobcat varies, but is generally gray to buff to reddish-brown with irregular spots throughout.

Except during the mating season, bobcats are solitary creatures. They maintain a social distance because their aggressiveness can lead to injuries and fatalities. Like domestic cats, they hunt by surprise, stalking and pouncing.

However, make no mistake — bobcats are formidable bundles of muscle with penetrating canine teeth, sharp hooked claws, and the ability to cover short distances in a blur. They are opportunistic feeders, occasionally preying on fawns and ambushing adult deer, but they typically feed on rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, mice, grouse, turkey, amphibians and even skunks.

Because so many residents of the Finger Lakes are unfamiliar with the fisher and the distinguishing features of the bobcat, I believe that reports of cougar sightings are actually cases of mistaken identity. It stands to reason

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Bobcats ambush unsuspecting prey from rocky outcrops.

Bobcats give birth within rocky areas and caves, typically having two or three kittens.

that reports of black cougar sightings around here are actually fisher sightings, especially since cougars in North America are never black. As Scott Smith explains, the bobcat in our area have relatively few spots and their coats tend toward a tawny brown. This may explain why some people who have actually seen a bobcat believe they have sighted a cougar. I became more convinced of this possibility when Scott shared a photo that was sent to him of a tawny-brown bobcat drinking at the edge of a pond.

When Scott covered the cat’s stubby tail, I was amazed to see how closely its coloring and features resembled a cougar. A fair number of people are also reporting sightings of lynx in the Finger Lakes. Most likely they, too, are seeing bobcats because lynx are not currently present in New York.

I have enjoyed experiencing the ever-changing wildlife populations of the region and eagerly look forward to more sightings of fisher and bobcat, fully realizing that when either of them is spotted it’s a rare occurrence.

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Winter Blues

story and photos by Kristian S. Reynolds

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f you’re someone who thinks the Finger Lakes climate brings six months of winter, here is the perfect remedy: get out and play! This prescription occurred to me while recovering from minor knee surgery. Being unable to participate in my usual fun winter diversions like skiing, skating and building snow forts with my kids, it occurred to me that shoveling, shoveling and more shoveling was not that much fun. Winter needs to be a little work and a lot of play. And play you can in the

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Finger Lakes! Our region is blessed with 11 ski areas, nine cross-country ski centers, several indoor and outdoor ice skating facilities, and 11 lakes.

Greek Peak Mountain Resort in Cortland and Bristol Mountain in Canandaigua are the largest downhill ski and snowboard centers. There are dozens of scenic cross-country ski trails in state and county parks and state forests. Check with your local county travel organization for the best outdoor facilities in your area.

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Serving lunch, dinner, late night and Sunday Brunch too.

Located downtown on the Ithaca Commons corner of Tioga/Seneca Streets

607-216-4343 www.kilpatrickspub.com

I know what you’re saying: “But the weatherman says the wind chill is 10 below!” Remember, wind chill only applies to exposed skin. So, do not go out in a bikini. Here are some tips for comfortable winter fun.

Dress in layers Several thin layers are actually warmer than one large bulky one because air trapped between layers hold heat in. Plus, if you’re exercising, you’ll want to remove and add layers as you heat and cool.

Wear a hat Most heat escapes through your FAST FACTS INFO PAGE 81

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head. As you warm up, you can always go to a headband.

Try the new fabrics New materials in jackets and gloves are water and wind resistant, breathable and amazing. New fabrics in under layers are lightweight, comfortable and wick perspiration away from skin.

Cover up On the most severe days, use neck gaiter, face mask, and hood.

Winter in the Finger Lakes can be so special if you’re dressed right and keep moving. So, warm up with the shovel and then take off to play!

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Downhill Ski and Snowboard Centers Brantling Ski Slopes, Sodus www.brantling.com Bristol Mountain, Canandaigua www.bristolmountain.com Four Seasons Golf & Ski Center, Fayetteville www.fourseasonsgolfandski.com Greek Peak Mountain Resort, Cortland www.greekpeakmtnresort.com Hunt Hollow Ski Club, Naples www.hunthollow.com Labrador Mountain, Truxton www.labradormtn.com Northampton Park, Brockport 585-374-6000

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Powder Mills Park, Rochester 607-545-6511 Song Mountain, Tully www.songmountain.com Swain Resort, Swain www.swain.com Toggenburg Mountain, Fabius www.skitog.com

Cross-Country Ski Centers Bristol Mountain, Canandaigua www.bristolmountain.com Cumming Nature Center, Naples 716-374-6160

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Four Seasons Golf & Ski Center, Fayetteville www.fourseasonsgolfandski.com

Dr. Sue DeBruyne Janet Takats, MS

Greek Peak Mountain Resort, Cortland www.greekpeakmtnresort.com Highland Forest County Park, Fabius 315-683-5550 Podunk Ski Touring, Trumansburg 607-387-6716

NYS Licensed Audiologists Hearing Evaluations • Hearing Aids

(585)243-7690 50 E. South St., Suite 400A

Geneseo

Additional Information www.fingerlakes.org www.explorethefingerlakes.com

in the Livingston Health Services Bldg

Your hearing journey begins with us...explore the possibilities FAST FACTS INFO PAGE 81

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Grand Prize

Great Bend – Letchworth State Park CHARLES VAUGHN • Spencerport

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s I stated in “My Own Words,” the photographers who enter the photo contest have a

true passion for this incredible area. It’s so diverse – from the deep gorges of Letchworth State Park to the panoramic views of the Finger Lakes themselves, from the classical architecture of the towns and cities to the quaintness of the country farm house – this area has it all.

As judges for the photo contest, the staff of our publishing company have seen a variety of subject matter in the photos. Here, we present the winners, and for every winner you see published, there are at least 10 other photos that are nearly as good. That’s what makes this contest so difficult for us to judge.

This year, for the first time, we have two local establishments that are sponsoring this contest, Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park and Geneva on the Lake Villa and Resort. We are excited and proud to have them on board.

– Mark Stash, Editor

The Ninth Annual

Life in the Finger Lakes P 50 ~

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s Photography Contest WINTER 2010 ~

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C

First Place

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A crowd has gathered to watch the fireworks at the Syracuse Inner Harbor MIHAI C. MIROIU • Ithaca

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Third Place

Waterfall in Watkins Glen gorge STU GALLAGHER • Liverpool

Second Place

“Lone tree” taken on Hollock Road in Dundee ED LOUIZ • Bradford WINTER 2010 ~

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First Place

Interesting patterns in the sky and trees are reflected in the water • BOB GATES • Jamesville

Third Place

Winter shadows at Finger Lakes Race Track in Farmington MIKE SARGENT Farmington

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Second Place

Water droplets enhance a spider’s web • DANIEL SCHLEGEL • Webster

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H O N O R A B L E

M E N T I O N

Things are looking up at Cummings Nature Center – the photographer’s son Kyle encouraged her to take this shot KELLY INGERSON • Webster

Love and happiness LISA DE MUTH • Horseheads

Coming up for air – Clute Park sandbar at Seneca Lake during an August sunset STEFAN TREGO • Montour Falls

Swans feeding at Durand Eastman Park in Rochester ANNE MARIE MAIER • Penfield

S O N N E N B E R G A W A R D Sonnenberg Gardens, a sponsor of the Ninth Annual Life in the Finger Lakes magazine photo contest, held a juried photo contest of their own this year in Canandaigua. Here is their grand prize winner.

“Late summer in the Japanese Garden” MARY MOON

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Seneca Lake Wine Trail ... A Tasteful Experience t/EE Z K& d, ϮϬϬϵ 'Ks ZEKZ͛^ hW

Visit one of Seneca Lake’s newest wineries!

Within its Tuscan setting, Ventosa offers a friendly atmosphere, premium wine tasting and a café serving lunch daily. The elegant décor & breathtaking view of Seneca Lake makes Ventosa the ideal place for your reception or party. Open daily year ’round

315-719-0000 www.ventosavineyards.com

keep us in mind this holiday season for custom wine gift baskets, hostess gift sets, stocking stuffers and much, much more!

Stop in & visit us--Anthony Road is Open Year-Round!

www.anthonyroadwine.com

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One Pan, One Dish

by Chef Eric K. Smith, New York Wine & Culinary Center photos by Jennifer Srmack

O

ne pan, one dish cooking used to be the domain of super bachelors and college students only. Granted, I went to culinary school so I have no idea how to assuage hunger in a dorm room, but I do know about being a super bachelor. Believe me, the meals can be uninspiring: cold pizza and a beer, or macaroni and cheese at midnight. Chefs hate to cook at home anyway, especially when it’s only for themselves. Nine out of 10 will tell you that a bowl of cereal

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and an episode of Bourdain is a great way to wind down after pulling 400 covers on a busy night in the restaurant.

But possibilities do exist for a gourmet meal that uses only one knife, one cutting board and one pan if you stick with three basic techniques: searing, seasoning and finishing.

Adding ingredients in sequence is also very important, and timing means a lot.

Searing is the initial contact between the meat and the pan. Heat your pan before you add the oil so the oil can surpass the smoke point and get “smoking” hot. Lay the generously seasoned meat or protein into the hot oil and sear it vigorously until golden brown. Flip it and repeat on the other side.

When you rub protein with flavor, you’re seasoning it.

I’m a go-to kosher-salt-and-fresh-cracked-pepper type of guy.

Since most of the premixed seasonings in your cupboard contain mostly salt and pepper anyway, try to use fresh herbs that you can dry throughout the winter.

Either tie them in bunches and hang them upside down, or lay them flat on a screen or rack to dry overnight, up to a week. Store dried herbs in airtight containers for the rest of the winter.

Finishing your dish, or “popping the sauce” as we call it in the restaurant biz, means adding a touch of flavor at the end without using salt. Try a combination of Worcestershire and Tabasco sauce – just a splash of each does the trick. You’re not really looking for heat here, just a pop of flavor. A splash of very nice wine vinegar works well, white wine for a white sauce and red wine for a red sauce. Monter au beurre, or thickening the sauce with butter also finishes a dish.

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Here are a few dishes to try.

Heat oil in the bottom of a large pan. Season the chicken with kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper. Brown the chicken, skin side down until it is golden brown. Add the sausage and cook until golden brown. Add the herbs and spices, and toast with the chicken and sausage. Remove the chicken and sausage to a sheet tray or plate. Add the rice to the pan and toast until golden brown. Toss in the onions, mushrooms, garlic and tomatoes. Cook the vegetables and rice until the vegetables are soft.

Add the hot chicken stock.

Return the chicken and sausage to the pan. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Stir in peas and roasted red peppers. Cover and cook for 5 to 10 more minutes until rice is cooked through.

Chicken and Chorizo Paella 6 to 8 boneless chicken thighs 2 links chorizo sausage 2 cups long grain rice 1 cup onions, chopped 1 cup mushrooms, sliced 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 1 cup tomatoes, chopped 1/4 cup chopped herbs: oregano, coriander and cumin 4 cups chicken stock, warm and simmering 1 pinch saffron 1 cup peas and roasted red peppers Finish with kosher salt, fresh cracked pepper, Tabasco and Worcestershire sauce to taste.

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T H E

K I T C H E N

1 cup of your favorite New York State red wine 1 bay leaf 1 pound penne; whole wheat if desired 4 cups water 2 cups shredded cheese – cheddar, jack or mozzarella 1/2 cup Parmesan 1 cup ricotta

Beef and Three-Cheese Penne Bake 1 pound ground beef 1/2 cup onion, diced 1/2 cup carrots, diced 3 cloves garlic crushed and chopped 1 16-oz can whole peeled tomatoes with juice

Preheat oven to 450°F. Heat a pan until very hot, then add enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan. Drop the beef in a few little pieces at a time and brown until golden. Toss in the onions and carrots, and then cook until soft. Add the garlic and tomatoes. When the tomato starts to thicken, add the red wine and reduce the liquid until thick. When the

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red wine thickens add the penne, bay leaf and water. Bring the entire concoction to a rapid boil and boil for 5 to 6 minutes. Fold in the ricotta in large clumps. Don’t stir very much.

Cover with the shredded cheese and Parmesan. Then place into a 450°F oven and cook until the cheese is brown and the pasta is cooked through.

Try these recipes with Chef Eric The New York State Wine and Culinary Center, Canandaigua 800 South Main Street, Canandaigua December 14, 6-8:30 p.m.

To register: www.nywcc.com or call 585-394-7070

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C O M M U N I T Y

Camillus story and photos by James P. Hughes

“T

here’s only one in New York State, only one along the Old Erie, and it’s right here in Camillus,” said Dr. David Beebe, speaking proudly of the recently dedicated limestone “water bridge.” Originally constructed in 1844, the fully restored (and once again navigable) Erie Canal aqueduct over Nine Mile Creek is the sole example of its type anywhere along the historic waterway from Albany to Buffalo. It is the crown jewel of the 7mile-long Camillus Erie Canal Park.

Beebe and his wife Liz have long been a driving force behind the everexpanding canal park, an invaluable community resource for local folks, school groups and visitors of every stripe. Their vision, combined with the hard work of more than 150 dedicated volunteers, has yielded a 420-acre park with a recreated canal store/museum, exhibits and historical signs, and miles of manicured towpath trails for hiking and biking.

“I can’t stay away from the place,” says canal park volunteer Linda Vishnesky. “The Erie Canal truly gets in your blood.”

Like many suburban communities in the Finger Lakes Region, Camillus is both a town and a village, citified and countrified. Along with tracts of contemporary homes and commercial development, a part of Camillus retains a rural air with pastoral farms scattered among its hills and up and down its country roads.

Decades ago, several miles of rolling farmland along the old West Genesee Turnpike separated Camillus from the City of Syracuse. With a growth spurt in the 1950s, suburban development quickly filled in fields and meadows connecting the two. Nestled between two large hills, and maintaining a small town feel, the Village of Camillus separates the more residential and rural parts of the township.

More historic attractions Several small museums exist in Camillus, among them the Wilcox Octagon House, a fine example of the quirky eight-sided construction mode made popular in the 19th century by philosopher and innovative thinker Orson Fowler. Only a small number of

A fisherman tries his luck in Nine Mile Creek.

A pastoral country scene in Camillus

The village separates the suburban parts of the town from its rural parts

A crowd gathers at the Erie Canal Park for the aqueduct dedication in May, 2010

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C O M M U N I D Y

The Wilcox Octagon House

Camillus knife

octagonal buildings remain scattered across New York State, and even fewer provide the public a view of the unusual features extolled by the somewhat eccentric Fowler, an encircling porch, connected rooms and a central circular staircase.

At the Wilcox House, visitors can see the basement kitchen/pantry where all the meals were prepared and then sent to the main floor dining room via dumbwaiter. The home, built in 1856 by abolitionist Isaiah Wilcox, is

rumored to have been a stop on the Underground Railroad.

In 2007, the Camillus Cutlery Company closed its doors after more than a century of forging some of the finest knives in the industry. Its 1876 origins made it one of America’s oldest knife companies. Millions were produced over the decades, quality implements for all uses, household knives, utility and sporting knives and specialty knives for electricians and carpenters.

During World War II alone, the cutlery

shipped more than 13 million to the allied forces for various military uses – knives for combat weaponry, machetes and surgical implements.

Camillus also produced knives for the Boy Scouts of America, unique character knives (from George Washington to Babe Ruth to Buck Rogers) and products for major companies. The factory may be gone, but Camillus knives are still very much in demand by serious collectors everywhere. “Whether or not you have used or owned a Camillus product, anyone into knife collecting is well aware of the Camillus Cutlery, its history, and its superior products,� said Dan Barriere, a local resident and avid collector.

Go Wildcats!

Every community is proud of the academics and activities of its schools, and Camillus is no exception. Named a 2009 Blue Ribbon School of Excellence,

Canandaigua The Chosen Spot 89%:&,"*0"*$%;/%0<*%/"'*$0%*=0,&% :",+"'%;#":*%;"#$%&'(%>&#$&7"4% :"'*+&,$%/,;7%&,;?'(%0<*% @;,#(-%&##%&:&"#&>#*%/;,% 0&$0"'+%A%,"+<0%/,;7%0<*%0&3B !"#$%&'(%)"'*+&,$-%."/0$% 1 23*4"&#05%60*7$

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

56 South Main St. â&#x20AC;˘ Downtown Canandaigua Open Daily â&#x20AC;˘ 585-394-6528

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Camillus’ West Genesee is often connected with music or lacrosse. In addition to the music department’s choral, jazz and concert music, the Wildcat Marching Band has captured 30 New York State Field Band Championships in 36 years, including a 15-year streak from 1989 to 2003. Nationally, the marching band has been a five-time Bands of America finalist.

The West Genesee men’s lacrosse program, under longtime coach Mike Messere, has captured 15 state championship trophies since New York instituted its state tournament in 1977. Raised in the upstate New York lacrosse hotbed, West Genesee players have frequently gained high school or college All-American status. Many have gone on to coach at the high school and college level, among them the present coaches at Syracuse, Penn State, Lemoyne and SUNY Cortland. In addition, West Genesee’s ice hockey, women’s lacrosse and football teams have brought state championships back to Camillus within the last decade.

Camillus is a welcome spot to visit – hike or bike, fish or golf, shop at the farmers’ market, or participate in a local celebration. In season, you can take a walk through the sunflower maze at Veterans’ Memorial Park at Gillie Lake or soak up some history with a prime rib dinner cruise in the Erie Canal Park.

There may be no better way to get a view of that classic restored aqueduct – close up!

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A Worry-Free Vacation for Both of You Our short stay program at Clark Meadows at Ferris Hills allows caregivers the opportunity to take a vacation, go on a business trip or simply take personal time while their loved one receives quality care in a friendly, comfortable setting.

Clark Meadows offers: Qualified personnel Recreation 24-hour staff & Emergency Response System Access to medical care Chef-prepared meals An affiliate of

To learn more, visit www.townofcamillus.com villageofcamillus-ny.gov www.eriecanalcamillus.com camillushistoricalsociety.com/default.aspx www.camilluschamber.com

"When I’m away and Mom visits Clark Meadows, I’m confident she’s receiving the special attention she needs."

Take a virtual tour at www.FerrisHills.com

One Clark Meadows

Canandaigua, NY 14424

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Founded in 1974

Gregory L. Schultz D.M.D., P.C.

B O O K

A Passion for the Profession.

A combination of excellence in skills and enthusiasm for patients’ care.

L O O K

Fictional, Fun and Focused Reading

by Laurel C. Wemett

T KEUKA FAMILY DENTISTRY

he Finger Lakes Region inspired some of the authors in this group to plumb their local archives. For others, the uniqueness of the region tickled their imagination to create a work of fiction. We hope our readers find that our choices pique their interest.

209 Liberty Street, Bath, NY 607-776-7656 E-Mail: gls@keukafamilydentistry.com FAST FACTS INFO PAGE 81

A Sudden Gift of Fate

By Mary Pat Hyland 2009 Publisher: Hyland blog: http://giftoffate.wordpress.com Softcover: $20.00

T

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his is the second book in the Maeve Kenny series and a sequel to Cyber Miracles. It is an engaging novel of two likeable young couples and how they handle the challenges of their lives. Irish newlyweds Fergal and Bridgeen Griffin receive an opportunity to turn around a failing Finger Lakes winery. The budding romance of their friends Maeve and Andy is complicated less by the difference in their ages than by long separa-

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tions. Andy seeks experimental cell therapy in Belgium for his paraplegia, forcing them apart. The stories of the two couples are interwoven and move the action forward.

While set around Keuka Lake and in Binghamton, where Maeve works in a bakery, the Irish connection remains strong. The author’s use of Gaelic gives the story an authentic feel. A lexicon of the Irish language (Gaeilge) and slang dialogue found throughout is included in an appendix.

The wine business, christened Loughmare Winery, strengthens the Irish identity, but there are ample references to winemaking in the Finger Lakes. Every chapter begins with a description of a Finger Lakes wine grape, presented in the order each was introduced to the area.

What Stinks? An Adventure in Highland Park

By Sally Valentine 2010 Pyramid Publishing www.rochesterauthor.com Available online through Amazon and Barnes & Noble Softcover: $9.95

M

rs. Levine and her 5th grade class at Susan B. Anthony School #27 are back. This is the third novel aimed at children in grades 4 to 6 which follows the urban students’ learning adventures.

This time the class has been invited by the Mayor to sing at the Lilac Festival in Rochester’s Highland Park.

Before the big day, they learn about

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curious and imaginative and testing their friendships and their teacher’s patience as they navigate through school. Two best friends become estranged but their classmates imaginatively reunite them. The class maintains a long distance friendship with “Granny Rob” from Valentine’s first book, The Ghost of the Charlotte Lighthouse. Their email communication fuels their selfexpression. When they send Granny some White Lilacs Perfume, it kindles a nursing home romance. What Stinks? is a fun read which underscores the values of learning and friendship. lilacs and that the park was designed by renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmstead. However, all does not go as planned during the field trip and a surprise encounter in the park is sure to amuse readers.

Mrs. Levine’s students are a likeable bunch. They alternate between being

T Finding Atticus

By Laurie Gifford Adams 2009 iUniverse www.lauriegiffordadams.com/7.html Softcover: $14.95

his fictional story focuses on the trust, devotion, and love between a youngster and a dog. Atticus is a champion show dog that belongs to the owner of a struggling kennel.

Thirteen-year-old Jamie Reston is the handler for the prize-winning Golden Retriever. She works at the kennel

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B O O K

whenever she’s not in school. The opportunity to sell Atticus arises and offers a way for the business to remain solvent, but the prospect of losing Atticus is too much for Jamie, whose father has recently died. She hatches a plan to temporarily hide the dog deep in the woods in order to stop the sale.

Things spiral out of control when the young girl’s classmates, the local newspaper, and the rest of the town try to find the missing dog. Jamie realizes too late that she has put the dog’s life at risk.

The setting of the book is based on the Keuka Lake area where the author grew up. The fictional locale of Finding Atticus gives a warm nod to Adams’ roots. On her webpage she elaborates on these connections.

The book is a page-turning emotional ride with lots of excitement to please younger teens.

L O O K

Historic Genesee Country: A Guide to its Land & Legacies

By Rose O’Keefe 2010 The History Press www.historypress.net Softcover: $19.99

W

hat do Francis Bellamy (author of “The Pledge of Allegiance”) and Antoinette Brown Blackwell (the first ordained female minister in the U.S.) have in common? Both are recognized on a New York State historical marker.

These modest but sturdy signs are scattered throughout the state, reminding us of historic figures and significant landmarks. Places like a long-gone Native American campsite or a Civil War parade ground are identified by these signs for future generations.

The author explores Allegany, Genesee, Wyoming, Livingston, Monroe and Ontario Counties near the

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Genesee River. The book quotes many markers and intersperses these with historical background information and photographs. The material is organized by county and presented in chronological order. The reader will enjoy learning about both prominent and littleknown personalities and landmarks.

O’Keefe stresses the far-reaching signif-

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icance of abolitionists, proponents of women’s rights, and religious movements of the region.

There is a helpful appendix of County Population Counts beginning with 1790, when Ontario County included all the area west of the Preemption Line at Geneva to Lake Erie. The last decade is 1850, by which time the area was divided into six counties.

Auburn Correctional Facility

By Eileen McHugh 2010 Arcadia Publishing www.arcadiapublishing.com Softcover: $21.99

T

oday it is the largest employer in Cayuga County. In 1817, it accepted its first prisoners. It was the

birthplace of the single-cell architectural style known as the Auburn plan, and the repressive program of inmate management known as the Auburn System. Other firsts include the employment of a chaplain, putting a matron in charge of women prisoners, and separating mentally unstable

inmates from the general population.

It also was the first prison to use the electric chair for capital punishment.

This new Images of America title lets readers inside the walls of the Auburn Prison, now called the Auburn Correctional Facility.

Photographs document all aspects of prison life, changes to the building over its long history, the 20th century prison reform movement and significant uprisings. On a lighter note there are images of “Copper John,” the figure of a vigilant Revolutionary War soldier who looks out from atop the administration building.

Author Eileen McHugh, the director of the Cayuga Museum of History and Art, and Auburn city historian, has selected and captioned over 200 fascinating vintage photographs to tell the story of the oldest continually operating prison in the United States.

Celebrate Historic Downtown Cortland's cultural heritage by bidding a collective farewell to the departing year, and expressing our joy and hope for the year ahead. Join us on First Night, Friday evening December 31st, for our traditional countdown and ball drop followed by fireworks display.

www.historicdowntowncortland.com This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of the Interior.

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B O O K

L O O K

Paul Garrett: Dean of American Winemakers

By Emerson Klees, 2010 Friends of Finger Lakes Publishing 585 244-1550 P.O. Box 18131, Rochester, NY 14618 Softcover: $14.95

FAST FACTS INFO PAGE 81

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merican Wine for Americans” was espoused by Paul Garrett, dubbed the Dean of American Winemakers in the first two decades of the 20th century. Emerson Klees has penned a concise, illustrated biography of Garrett, a North Carolinian who became a multimillionaire by making and selling wine. Best known was Virginia Dare, his top seller made with the southern Scuppernong grape.

In 1919 when Prohibition became law, wine was grouped with hard liquor as “intoxicating.” Garrett then had 17 grape-pressing facilities and wineries in six states, including New York. Klees chronicles how the entrepreneur survived while many wineries failed.

For many years, Penn Yan became the headquarters of Garrett & Company.

Paul Garrett had a strong influence as a spokesman for grape growers and winemakers. He was known for his strong human values such as perseverance, drive, resilience and determination.

The author has treated the subject comprehensively, adding the history of winemaking in the eastern U.S., the legend of Virginia Dare and the Lost Colony, Prohibition, the wine industry in the Finger Lakes Region, and what can be learned from Garrett’s life.

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Handcrafted treasures by local artists

11 Fennell Street Skaneateles, NewYork (315) 685-8580

www.skaneatelesartisans.com FAST FACTS INFO PAGE 81

Back Roads of the Finger Lakes

By Mark W. Holdren 2010 Powell Hill Press www.powellhillpress.com Softcover: $15.95

T

his engrossing collection of stories by author and journalist Mark W. Holdren focuses on some of the region’s anomalies and some of the less typical pastimes pursued by its residents. The herd of white deer at Seneca Army Depot, the struggles of small country churches, the influx of Mennonite and Amish families, migrant workers, resident artists, and activities like deer hunting and trout fishing are among the featured topics.

“Dirt roads are our connections to a simpler era, one when people were linked to the land and communities were distinct,” writes Holdren in the essay, Take Me Home Country Road. The author encourages the reader to disregard the perceived inconvenience of unpaved roads and to seek them out, although as he points out, few remain.

The reader may encounter people with whom he is acquainted (as did this reviewer). Some of these absorbing stories were featured in Canandaigua’s Daily Messenger newspaper. A strong emphasis on nature runs throughout these selections. All are enhanced by the striking black and white illustrations of artist Elaine Verstraete.

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Cabinetry built in Clifton Springs, NY

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B O O K

L O O K

The Settlement of Western New York State

By John M. Robortella 2010 Gates Historical Society Gift Shop 585-464-9740 Softcover: $19.95

R

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obortella’s book begins with an historical essay on the settlement of western New York State including the Phelps and Gorham Land Purchase, the survey of the Preemption Line (the eastern boundary of the Purchase), and the founding in 1813 of the Town of Gates, named for an American Revolutionary War General. The town covered a considerably larger geographical area when first founded. Located just west of the city of Rochester, the Town of Gates is today a suburban community.

Author John Robortella, a former newspaper editor, devotes a large part of the book to the transcription of a handwritten book of minutes, finance reports, and school district and road surveys dating from 1809 to 1837. These are the earliest documentation of Gates’ government and were only rediscovered in 1999. They are as amusing as they are enlightening – like an 1817 law restricting rams from running “at large” from September 1 to December 14.

The book contributes to the understanding of the town’s early settlers and is a timely publication in anticipation of the Town of Gates’ bicentennial in 2013.

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“Do What You Do Because You Love It” A portrait of sculptor Wayne Williams

by Laurel C. Wemett

rt is everywhere in the Finger Lakes. Inspired by the region’s diverse scenery and lifestyles, artists pursue their creativity outdoors, in studios and in workshops. In the many well-established museums and galleries or at the newer fledgling arts organizations, a wide array of artistic styles and talents are represented.

Often the artists, like Wayne Williams, share their artistic skill and passion through teaching at local colleges.

Williams, who is retired after a 35year career at Finger Lakes Community

Above: Wayne works on a clay maquette or small model here for “Cougar,” made on commission for a school in Wayne County Photo courtesy Robert Snyder

Left: “Cougar,” the finished piece Photo courtesy Wayne Williams

College, found his calling there. “I didn’t want to teach in public schools,” explains Williams of his career choice.

“I wanted to be at the college level.

CCFL (the Community College of the Finger Lakes, as it was then known) was literally creating a college, right from scratch.” The year was 1968 and Williams was charged with coordinating the new college’s art program.

Rand Darrow, a CCFL student in WINTER 2010 ~

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Visit

NAPLES

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Theaters, Wineries, Artists and More

Henderson’s

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Naples & Finger Lakes souvenirs available here!

Phone: (585)374-2080 103-107 South Main St., Naples, NY 14512

Local fruits to luscious creams we have your favorite!

Call to order yours!

A variety of pies available daily also chicken pot pies, quiche, jams, jellies & gifts.

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585-374-2139

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The original sauce with a multitude of uses. Use it as a marinade, topping or an additon to recipes.

154 N. Main Street, Naples 585-374-6719 Come visit our first class B&B and enjoy our luxury accommodations and amenities.

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72 ~

Special Packages Available Wine Tour Packages ❧ Romance Packages In Room Massage ❧ Golfers’ Packages

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C U L T U R E D

that first year, remembers attending Williams’ art classes in a commercial building on Main Street just south of the railroad tracks in Canandaigua.

Darrow appreciated his instructor’s relaxed manner. “He was a great teacher,” recalls Darrow, “cracking jokes all the time.” Darrow graduated with a major in Liberal Arts and continued on to SUNY Oswego where he earned a BA in fine arts. He taught art to elementary and middle school students for 30 years.

These days Williams and Darrow typically cross paths at the Wayne County Arts Council in Newark where Williams and his wife, Marleen, are heavily involved. Williams offers classes in figure drawing and sculpture and hangs the gallery’s shows, including his former student’s “Slavic Tales of Novgorod” this past August. “I’d like to take a sculpture class from him,” says Darrow.

In 2003 when Williams retired, the college honored him and another retiring art professor, Tom Insalaco, by renaming its art gallery the WilliamsInsalaco Art Gallery. It was known formerly as Gallery 34 to recognize its origins at 34 North Main Street in Canandaigua. Williams held professor’s rank from 1976 and served as director of the art gallery beginning with its opening in 1983.

Williams, who was born and raised in Newark, New York, says he began doing art at about age 8. By the time he was in junior high school his career direction seemed clear. He received local and national awards for his art and a scholarship to Syracuse University, from which he graduated in 1958 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in sculpture. He continued with graduate work at Syracuse, receiving an MFA in sculpture in 1962. He worked full time as a sculptor until he began teaching.

At one point Williams admits he wanted to be a painter, but didn’t want to adopt the abstract expressionist style in vogue in the 1950s, preferring to pursue the realist tradition. He advises any would-be artist to “do what you do because you love it.”

After graduation he traveled

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Hammondsport

Glenn H.

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

Lake Country Metal wires and tubing are used to create the basic structure for his sculptures.

Photo courtesy Robert Snyder

abroad, spending time in Belgium, the land of his ancestors. “My family’s name was originally Willems,” explains the 73-year old who still relishes the time spent in the Flemish countryside. Williams speaks excitedly about art, referencing the lives of great artists. He acknowledges that American artists do not have the same stature as those in Europe, where Old Masters like Brueghel and Rembrandt are national heroes.

These days the energetic Williams, known primarily as a sculptor, is active at the Phelps Arts Center where he is on the board of directors. In midSeptember when a group of visitors on a motor coach tour explored artworks displayed in the beautiful church-turnedgallery, they were treated to a large number of Williams’ bronze and metal sculptures, along with his charcoal drawings. “I’ve always loved his work because he deals with things, people, and animals you understand,” says the center’s

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Director Emeritus Marion Donnelly, who has known him for many years.

Outside the Phelps Community Historical Society, Williams’ life-size figure of a farmer raises his pitchfork above a colorful flower garden on the front lawn. Inspired by the peasants working the fields in Europe, the metal figure is shown with wooden shoes. This is Williams’ largest copper piece, loaned to the Phelps museum in connection with Artistry in Sculpture, a community exhibition in 2009. Williams added a new base using a metal wagon wheel, and topped the figure’s head with a cap.

“We always have referred to him as a ‘farmer,’” says

Monday-Saturday 10-5 • Sunday 11-4 67 Shethar Street, Hammondsport • 607-569-3530 patchwork@infoblvd.net • www.LakeCountryPatchwork.com

“Sal Pulling” Photo courtesy James E. Hall Oxford Gallery

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Niles Gourmet BISTRO

C U L T U R E D

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www.nilesgourmet.com

74 ~

ake it a day in the country. From fine furniture, gifts and collectibles to casually elegant luncheon dining, our shops offer a unique shopping experience. Relax and enjoy the country.

The Loomis Barn - Fine home furnishings and accessories Corn House Cafe - Open for lunch specialty sandwiches, homemade soups Susan’s Shop - 20th century collectibles. Fun and functional The Back Room - Unique accessories, gifts and accent items Store Hours Tues-Sat 10-5, Sun 12 -4, Cafe open for lunch, Both store and café closed Mon

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Just a 10-15 minute drive from Canandaigua, Penn Yan or Geneva. Call for directions.

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Open Year Round Wed. thru Sun. Reservations Please Call Ahead For Pizza

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

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Williams’ sculpture of a peasant farmer in Phelps Photo courtesy Phelps Community Historical Society

Mary Beth Springmeier, director of the historical society. The work pays homage to the farmers who dominated the agricultural history of Phelps. “Many came across from Europe, including the Netherlands and the Lowlands,” explains Springmeier.

Williams readily admits he is influenced by artists like Millet and Van Gogh, both 19th century painters whose images ennobled the laboring peasant.

There were farmers on both sides of Williams’ family and his familiarity with a grandfather’s farm horses is reflected in his realistic rendering of animals.

Williams’ themes vary: bronze sculptures of a cat sleeping on a chair or a nun riding a bicycle demonstrate he cannot be pigeon-holed. In Rochester’s Highland Park, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial includes a figure of a soldier sculpted by Williams.

His work is found in many public and private collections and even one local school. A few years ago he created “Cougar” for the North Rose-Wolcott Central School where his figural sculpture, “The Graduate,” was previously installed striding across the courtyard at the high school. Before casting the school’s feline mascot in bronze, Williams created two models. What he calls a more pensive cougar was chosen over a springing pose. Kathy Hoyt, the school’s athletic director, recalls how the student club, the Student Athlete

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Mentors, raised most of the money for the sculpture through a variety of fundraisers.

Williamsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; newest piece, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sal Pulling,â&#x20AC;? was created for the September exhibition, Waterway West: A salute to the Erie Canal at Rochesterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Oxford Gallery, an arts business that represents him. The exhibit was planned for the 2010 World Canal Conference held in the city. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I researched mules,â&#x20AC;? explains Williams, who presented the animal straining forward, pulling the weight of an unseen canal boat. The sculptureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s welded steel frame was covered with copper and then hammered. Later, hot bronze was applied to the surface. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mules became the preferred power for the canal,â&#x20AC;? says Williams. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pound for pound a mule is stronger than a horse and more sure-footed.â&#x20AC;?

Williams learned they are extremely intelligent animals and can jump higher than a horse. This attention to detail prepares him for his realistic depiction of the animal. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I named the mule Sal,â&#x20AC;? admits Williams, referring to the classic local song, 15 miles on the Erie Canal.

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Phelps Arts Center 15 Church Street, Phelps, NY 14532 315-548-2095 www.phelpsartscenter.com

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Phelps Community Historical Society 66 Main Street, Phelps, NY 14532 315-548-4940 www.phelpsny.com/ phelps-fun/historical-society Vietnam Veterans Memorial of Greater Rochester Highland Park South, Rochester, NY Wayne County Council for the Arts, Inc. 108 West Miller Street, Newark, NY 14513 315-331-4593 www.wayne-arts.com FAST FACTS INFO PAGE 81

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F R U I T

O F

T H E

V I N E

(“Eagle Crest Vineyards” cont’d from page 22)

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happened to be adjacent to the winery property, and Will soon found himself drawn to the winery and its history. “It’s like a family. The winemaking team has been in place for 30 years, which is incredible. There’s a real sense of pride here in what we are trying to do.”

Will owns a share of the business, but is completely hands-on, organizing efforts in marketing, sales, tasting-room management, and event planning.

Rob Beckmann, the head winemaker for 30 years, creates all of the sacramental wine for O-Neh-Da as well as the table wine for Eagle Crest, which includes a mixture of native, hybrid, and vinifera grapes, the last group sourced from grape growers on Keuka and Seneca. Beckmann is not the first ONeh-Da winemaker to make table wine.

From time to time throughout the 20th century, winemakers at O-Neh-Da blended and bottled wines for general sale to consumers. The tasting room and laboratory contain numerous old bottles from these efforts, some dating back more than 70 years. O-Neh-Da was part of the early consumer wine business in New York State, and at times its bottles were as well-known as Gold Seal, Taylor, and other early companies.

History permeates every inch and every corner of Eagle Crest, highlighting an operation that hit its stride decades earlier than most Finger Lakes wineries.

The bottling machine is vintage 1940s.

The destemmer and press hail from the early 1960s and sport a funky yellow paint job. The giant wooden tanks in the production facility are more than 80 years old and hold between 4,000 and 6,000 gallons of wine each. “You work with what you have,” says Rob Beckmann, who notes that the equipment functions well. Through a dedication to sustainability, the staff keeps the equipment operational without rushing to replace what does not need to be replaced.

The tasting room has been remodeled to reflect the old and the new, the focus of which is the Eagle Crest lineup of wines. There are numerous varieties

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An old wooden tank is still in use after many years of service.

available, ranging from dry to sweet.

The native grape wines are not necessarily all very sweet – a common practice – but range in style from off-dry to semisweet to sweet. The Riesling is made in a particularly aromatic style, and there are multiple vintages of unoaked Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc available for tasting. Will Ouweleen believes that there is a “little something for everyone” in terms of wine styles at Eagle Crest. Ultimately, the experience of the winemaking team shines through, with most of the wines – even the sweeter varieties – demonstrating restraint and balance.

Eagle Crest Vineyards is the latest attempt by O-Neh-Da to retain a place in the table wine market, and all indicators point to a brand that is here to stay.

“We are trying to have fun with wine,” Will Ouweleen says while explaining Grape Jamm, the annual music festival that takes place on the winery’s grounds.

Will and his team market their wines directly to consumers when possible, and distribute the wines themselves.

Each visitor to the tasting room is given a personal wine tote with the purchase of just one bottle. The staff at Eagle Crest knows that their winery is a bit off the beaten path, and they are willing to meet consumers halfway. Their enthusiasm is infectious, making the long drive seem well worth the effort.

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Gift Subscriptions for the Holidays

(“Next generation” continued from page 19)

adults to the region. Professionals who had moved to large cities for the social possibilities and high-paying jobs in the banking, real estate and financial fields found themselves laid-off, in debt, and living in expensive housing markets.

For many, it was time to return home and take stock. What they found in the Finger Lakes was a lifestyle they could afford that offered many of the amenities they enjoyed.

But the success of establishing this part of New York as a magnet for talented young adults can’t rest on high national unemployment and a slow economy. In fact, according to David Brown, associate director of the Cornell Population Program and codirector of the Cornell Community and Rural Development Institute, becoming a Mecca for “young creatives” is not as easy as it may sound.

Brown suggests there’s a complex interplay of factors that have to do with an individual’s perceptions and expectations of a community that influence the decision to settle in a particular locale. Family connections, jobs, diverse economic activity, developed physical and social infrastructure and a high level of civic engagement all play a part in the charm a community holds for a young adult.

Failure is Impossible Yet with all the challenges inherent in revitalizing a neighborhood, much less a region, members of 40 Below and P4P are optimistic, and with good reason. As Rick Destito noted, “People are beginning to appreciate what’s happening and new people are coming in.”

The determined attitude that seems to fuel the optimism is expressed in the words found on the 40 Below website.

“We are committed. We are passionate.

We will prevail … Together, we will leave this region better than we found it … We will address our region’s shortcomings and infuse our vision into the public debate. We will put our time, energy and resources into our dreams.

We will shape the reality of our own future, starting today.”

Casual Fine Dining with City Style Ambiance ~ Featuring a Wood Fired Oven for our Entrees, Pizza and freshly Baked Breads ~ Many gluton free options ~ We use fresh, local ingredients ~ Extensive Wine List including many from the Finger Lakes Region ~ Join us for Happy Hour Sun, Tues, Weds, Thurs 4:30-6:30 ~ We’re available for Holiday Parties, Wedding Rehearsal Dinners & Special Events Serving Dinner Daily (closed Mondays) 106 Seneca St, Geneva, NY 315-789-4070 Reservations Recommended The Premier Magazine of the Finger Lakes Region

GIFT Subscriptions

www.Halseysgeneva.com Our Friendly and Engaging Staff looks forward to serving you.

FAST FACTS INFO PAGE 81

1st Gift............................$13.95 2nd Gift ..........................$11.95 Each Add’l ........................$9.95

A Subscription for YOURSELF 3 Years (12 issues) ........$28.95 2 Years (8 issues) ..........$21.95 1 Year (4 issues) ............$13.95 Canada, add $15. Overseas, add $30.00 postage per year. U.S. funds only.

Four GREAT issues a year!

Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter

800-344-0559 Fax: 315-789-4263 subscribe@lifeinthefingerlakes.com www.LifeintheFingerLakes.com

THE CHESHIRE UNION Gift Shop & Antique Center

Located along the

Canandaigua Wine Trail.

The classrooms in our 1915 schoolhouse are filled with a mix of unique merchandise to meet all your gift-giving and decorating needs.

• • • • • •

Lang Center Webkinz Jewelry Candles Books Framed Prints

• Crystal Wine Glasses • We Feature Local Products & Artwork

VISIT OUR SCHOOLHOUSE DELI

4244 Rt. 21 So., 5 miles South of Canandaigua

CALL TODAY! Orders need to be received by Dec. 17 to guarantee notification by Christmas.

Call for Hours

585-394-5530 www.cugifts.com FAST FACTS INFO PAGE 81

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REAL ESTATE

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W

inter is a time of peace and quiet contemplation.

The snow softens and brightens the landscape. It’s also a time to think of your Finger Lakes dream home. Take advantage of these real estate opportunities today!

FINGER LAKES UPSTATE NEW YORK Lake properties, Homes Estates, Farms, Land, Lots on & around Seneca & Cayuga Lakes, the largest of the Finger Lakes; List and Sell.

NO ONE EXCEEDS OUR MARKETING PLAN! Senecayuga is a member of New York MLS Alliance serving: Roch / Syr / Buffalo / Niagara Plus: Ithaca MLS and Elmira-Corning MLS, Covering all Eleven Finger Lakes, & 30 Internet websites.

www.senecayuga.com

Mel Russo Lic. Real Estate Broker 315-568-9404 senecayuga@aol.com

Keuka Lake - newer, 3-4BR, 3BA, 2700sq.ft. home, right-on-water! 96' of natural shoreline on 3/4 acres. Master suite, 2nd kitchen, boathouse, central air, workshop, attached garage. It is the complete package!... $799,000.

Keuka Lake Landmark Restaurant, circa 1895. 250' of shoreline, 1.8 acres, quality building and equipment, large dining decks/porches, plus

56 FIRE LANE 21, OWASCO LAKE 2 bdrm, 2 bath furnished summer cottage with 50' of west side Owasco Lake frontage. Newer furnace and central air so you can extend your summer stay. Deck at lake. Dock and hoist included. $269,900

Jeff Trescot,

a 2BR suite on the 3rd level. This opportunity is but once in a lifetime... whether fulfilling your entrepreneurial dream on the Finest of the Finger Lakes, or searching for the best residential site... $1,060,000.

Broker Office 315- 497-3700 Cell 315-730-1446 www.jefftrescot.com jefflcre@aol.com

Keuka Lake - East side, 3 bedroom, 2 bath contemporary. 92' of lake frontage plus 2 1/2 acres. Great room, family room, decks, granite, marble, cedar, fireplace, ...and it's more than just for summer - it's a yearround home!... $549,000.

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

markmalcolm.com

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www.CanandaiguaLake.com

Amazing three bedroom Cape on 80’ of shale beach. The superb condition allows you to enjoy every day of waterfront living with amenities that include cherry flooring, corner fireplace, Quartz kitchen counters, central air and much more. Build a guest house on the available 1.3 acre building lot overlooking the lake. Bring the family, bring the friends! Lake living at its best.

Holly H. Harvey - Associate Broker ReMax First • 585-414-4845 95 Allens Creek Rd • Rochester, NY 14618

Call today for a private viewing.

Since 1975!

Canandaigua Lake Year-round Residence.

115 ft. Prime Level Lakefront, Permanent Dock & Hoists, Beach, Private Road, Area of Fine Homes.

Sensational Lake View! $1,375,000

Nick & Marty Mendola • Edelweiss Properties www.CanandaiguaLake.com • (585) 394-0270 CAYUGA LAKE - HEART OF THE FINGER LAKES Perfect Finger Lakes getaway on Cayuga Lake, eastside, just north of Aurora. This 3-season cottage sits on 148ft of prime level lakefront with yearround access. Private road, public utilities available, can sleep 6-8. Lovely screened-in wraparound porch,brand new roof, side lawn for the grandchildren to play safely, great parking area. $239,000

REAL ESTATE

CONESUS LAKE

For more details and photos go to www.LakeCountryRealEstateNY.com View all waterfront listings on our website.

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

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

Advertise Your Finger Lakes Property in the Spring Issue.

Deadline: January 7, 2011 Jason@LifeintheFingerLakes.com Rhonda@LifeintheFingerLakes.com Darlene@LifeintheFingerLakes.com

800-344-0559 • LifeintheFingerLakes.com

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C A L E N D A R

DECEMBER Nov. 19-Feb. 27…20th Annual Miniatures & Dollhouse Exhibit More than 90 displays include doll houses of all styles and ages, from Victorian to farm to modern, including Barbie, and many other special themes. Also included are model boats, machinery, cars, trucks and antique toys, all at the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum in Hammondsport.

607-569-2160 www.glennhcurtissmuseum.org Nov. 26-Dec. 24...Dickens Christmas Visitors to Skaneateles can step back in time every Saturday and Sunday through December 19, from noon to 4 p.m., and enjoy a limited show on December 24 (noon to 3 p.m.) Charles Dickens and his cast of characters interact with residents and visitors in the streets, stores and restaurants.

315-685-0552 www.skaneateles.com/visit/events-a-attractions/dickens-christmas.html

Now produced in a NEW sustainably built facility powered by 70% wind energy!

Nurturing FAMILY & FARM for over 50 years. www.redjacketorchards.com

t (FOFWB /FX :PSL FAST FACTS INFO PAGE 81

3-19…Yuletide in the Country Journey back through time on the snow-covered streets of the historic Genesee Country Village & Museum. Encounter characters from the past as they celebrate Christmas with festive holiday songs, lively music, seasonal refreshments and dance. You won’t want to miss the lighting of the candle-decorated Christmas tree and this year’s gingerbread village. A full Yuletide buffet, featuring festive and hearty 19th-century fare, will be available. Reservations required for both the Yuletide tours and buffet. Friday tours begin at 5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday tours begin at 2 p.m.

585-538-6822 www.gcv.org 10-12...Ithaca Ballet presents “The Nutcracker” Choreographed by Lavinia Reid, and set to the familiar Tchaikovsky score, Ithaca Ballet’s “Nutcracker” is a treat for the whole family and an Ithaca tradition. The Friday night performance features the Fingerlakes Symphony Orchestra. Friday at 7:30, Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m.

607-277-8283 www.stateofithaca.com 10-12...

It’s A Wonderful Life Festival Seneca Falls invites you to come visit and take part in the fun and festive activities planned all weekend long. There truly is something for all ages. For more information, contact the Seneca Falls Heritage Area Visitor Center by phone or at sfheritagearea@rochester.rr.com.

315-568-2703 www.therealbedfordfalls.com Photo courtesy therealbedfordfalls.com

11...The BIG Event in Canandaigua This is a new event. Enjoy an unforgettable day of holiday activities starting with a pancake eating contest at the Villager, music at the Commons, wine tastings by Constellation Brands, a Finger Lakes Getaway giveaway, live alpacas for petting, and much more. End the night with community caroling at the Commons. www.downtowncanandaigua.com/events/the-big-event/ 11 & 12...Finger Lakes Camerata These semi-professional and student singers based at Finger Lakes Community College give two free performances, one at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Canandaigua on December 11, at 7:30 p.m., and a second at St. Mary’s Church in Auburn on December 12, at 3 p.m.

585-396-0027 www.flcc.edu

FAST FACTS INFO PAGE 81

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12… Old Fashion Christmas Open House with Santa From noon to 4 p.m. the museum will host its annual Old Fashion Christmas Open house. There will be horse drawn wagon rides, model T car and truck rides, cookie decorating, ornament making, face painting, carolers, museum tours, music entertainment and refreshments served. Admission and parking is free with donations accepted at the Ward W. O’Hara Agricultural Museum & Family Living Museum in Auburn.

(Continued on page 83) 315-252-7644 • www.co.cayuga.ny.us/parks/emerson

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FAST FACTS AD INFO WINTER 2010 COMPANY

PAGE

PHONE

WEBSITE / E-MAIL

COMPANY

PAGE

PHONE

WEBSITE / E-MAIL

Annie Walker's ..............................27 ......315-781-0348 ......anniewalkers.com

Hope Lake Lodge ..........................66 ......607-835-6300 ......greekpeakmtnresort.com

Antique Revival..............................69 ......800-780-7330 ......antiquerevival.com

Inn at the Finger Lakes ..................21 ......315-253-5000 ......innatthefingerlakes.com

Avon Stove & Fireplace ................37 ......585-226-3430 ......avonstoveandfireplace.com

The Inn on the Lake ......................43 ......585-394-7800 ......theinnonthelake.com

Balloons Over Letchworth ............2 ........585-493-3340 ......balloonsoverletchworth.com

The Inn on the Lake-weddings ......29 ......585-394-7800 ......theinnonthelake.com

Belhurst ........................................25 ......315-781-0201 ......belhurst.com

The Jewelbox ................................75 ......800-711-7279 ......ithacajewelbox.com

Belhurst Winery ............................41 ......315-781-0201 ......belhurst.com

Kendal at Ithaca ............................C2......800-253-6325 ......kai.kendal.org

Best Western Vineyard Inn ............10 ......800-823-0612 ......vineyardinnandsuites.com

Keuka Family Dentistry ..................64 ......607-776-7656 ......gls@keukafamilydentistry.com

Brawdy Marine Construction ........11 ......315-536-0546 ......brawdymarine.com

King Ferry Winery..........................76 ......800-439-5271 ......treleavenwines.com

Bristol Builders ..............................37 ......585-586-8370 ......bristolbuilders.com

Lady of the Lakes Suites ..............68 ......888-414-LAKE ......ladyofthelakessuites.com

Bristol Harbour ..............................18 ......800-288-8248 ......bristolharbour.com

Lake Home Valet............................13 ......607-569-3675 ......lakehomevalet.com

Bristol Harbour-weddings..............29 ......800-288-8248 ......bristolharbour.com

The Loomis Barn ..........................74 ......800-716-2276 ......loomisbarn.com

Bristol Mountain ............................49 ......585-374-6000 ......bristolmountain.com

Lyons National Bank ......................C3......888-946-0100 ......lyonsbank.com

Caves Millwork ..............................69 ......585-478-4636 ......cavesmillwork.com

Marvin Windows & Doors ............7 ........888-537-7828 ......mymarvin.com

Cayuga Wine Trail..........................14 ......800-684-5217 ......cayugawinetrail.com

New Energy Works ........................5 ........585-924-3860 ......newenergyworks.com

Chateau Layfayette Reneau............21 ......800-4-NYWINE......clrwine@aol.com

Niles Gourmet................................74 ......315-784-5015 ......nilesgourmet.com

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

Phelps, NY ....................................C4......315-548-8900 ......phelpsny.com/visitors

Cheshire Union Gift Shop ..............77 ......585-394-5530 ......cugifts.com

Quality Wine Tours ........................49 ......877-424-7004 ......qualitywinetours.com

Clark Meadows at Ferris Hills ........63 ......585-393-4330 ......ferrishills.com

The Rabbit Room ..........................24 ......585-582-1830 ......thelowermill.com

Clifton Springs

Red Jacket Orchards ....................80 ......800-828-9410 ......redjacketorchards.com

Chamber of Commerce..................59 ......315-462-8200 ......cliftonspringschamber.com

Seneca Harbor Station ..................24 ......607-535-6101 ......senecaharborstation.com

Clifton Springs Hearing Center ......41 ......877-394-6775 ......cliftonhearing.com

Seneca Lake Wine Trail..................57 ......877-536-2717 ......senecalakewine.com

Cobtree ..........................................69 ......866-573-6322 ......cobtree.com

The Shops at Ithaca Mall ..............74 ......607-257-5337 ......theshopsatithacamall.com

Community Bank ..........................70 ......800-835-2993 ......communitybankna.com

SignLanguage Inc..........................70 ......585-237-2620 ......signlanguageinc.com

Conifer Village at Eastview ............36 ......585-223-2673 ......coniferliving.com

Skaneateles Artisans......................69 ......315-685-8580 ......skaneatelesartisans.com

Corning's Gaffer District ................65 ......607-937-6292 ......gafferdistrict.com

Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion ..80 ......585-394-4922 ......sonnenberg.org

Cortland Downtown Partnership....67 ......607-753-4928 ......historicdowntowncortland.com

Southern Tier Plastic Surgery........68 ......607-734-2067 ......stpsa.com

Dr. Frank's Vinifera Wine Cellars ..6 ........800-320-0735 ......drfrankwines.com

Southside Hearing Center..............49 ......585-243-7690 ......ksbrady2003@yahoo.com

Elizabeth Brewster House ..............63 ......607-749-2442

Spa Apartments ............................16 ......315-462-3080 ......spaapartments.com

tobuck.brewsterhouse@cnymail.com

Taughannock Farms ......................76 ......607-387-7711 ......t-farms.com

Esperanza ......................................64 ......800-927-4400 ......esperanzamansion.com

Timber Frames ..............................10 ......585-374-6405 ......timberframesinc.com

Finger Lakes Community College ..13 ......585-394-3500 ......www.flcc.edu

Warfield's Restaurant ....................19 ......315-462-7184 ......warfields.com

Finger Lakes Premier Properties ..16 ......888-414-LAKE ......flpplake.com

Waterloo Premium Outlets ............3 ........315-539-1100 ......premiumoutlets.com

Finger Lakes Tram ........................43 ......315-986-1937 ......fingerlakestram.com

Watkins Glen

Finger Lakes Winery Tours.......Insert ......315-828-6289 ......fingerlakeswinerytours.com

Chamber of Commerce..................36 ......800-607-4552 ......watkinsglen.travel

Five Star Bank................................75 ......877-226-5578 ......five-starbank.com

Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel ............15 ......607-535-6116 ......watkinsglenharborhotel.com

Genesee Country Village................27 ......585-538-6822 ......gcv.org

Yates County Arts Center ..............14 ......315-536-8226 ......ycac.org

Geneva on the Lake ......................37 ......800-3-GENEVA ......genevaonthelake.com German Brothers Marina ..............17 ......585-394-4000 ......germanbrothers.com

MARKETPLACE ADVERTISING

Glen Iris Inn ..................................2 ........585-493-3340 ......balloonsoverletchworth.com

Accommodations ..................................................................Pgs. 82, 83

Gleason Geothermal ......................8 ........866-898-9029 ......gleasonheating.com

Attractions..............................................................................Pg. 84

Granger Homestead ......................75 ......585-394-1472 ......grangerhomestead.org

Canandaigua ..........................................................................Pg. 62

Granger Homestead-weddings ......27 ......585-394-1472 ......grangerhomestead.org

Hammondsport ......................................................................Pg. 73

Halsey's ........................................77 ......315-789-4070 ......halseysgeneva.com

Naples ....................................................................................Pg. 72

Handwork ......................................20 ......607-243-9400 ......handwork.coop

Real Estate for Sale ................................................................Pgs. 78-79

Herendeen Brothers ......................74 ......585-289-4020 ......herendeens.com

Seneca Lake Wine Trail ..........................................................Pg. 57

Hilton Garden Inn ..........................48 ......877-STAY-HGI ......ithaca.hgi.com

Shop Here! Retail & Business................................................Pgs. 85-87

Holiday Inn - Ithaca ......................21 ......607-272-1000 ......hiithaca.com

Wineries ................................................................................Pg. 22

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ACCOMMODATIONS

P

eaceful country home that compliments the Finger Lakes.

Yale Manor Bed & Breakfast

563 Yale Farm Road Romulus, NY 14541 315 585 2208 www.yalemanor.com

Bristol Views Bed & Breakfast 6932 County Rd. 12 Naples, NY 14512

585-374-8875 www.bristolviews.com Henry and Barb Owens

A beautiful wedding venue, located high above Canandaigua Lake with breathtaking views. Our seven landscaped acres offer access to hiking trails, waterfalls and relaxation. A recent letter noted “20 years of B&B’ing and we finally found the BEST.”

Fisherman Welcome

Finger Lakes Mill Creek Cabins

4343 Routes 5 & 20, Canandaigua, NY

Comfortable * Affordable * Centrally Located Best Rates for Skiers!

2382 Parmenter Road Lodi, NY 14860

607-582-7673

The Hound & Hare Bed and Breakfast Recapture the Romance Jacuzzi • AC Fireplace Antiques Romantic Breakfast by Candlelight

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

Check out our Casino Package, 2 nights stay, $25 to gamble, & 25% off food @ Casino Package only $150!

Your home away from home!

For reservations or Information

585-394-2800 or 800-727-2775 On the web— www.fingerlakesinn.com

www.fingerlakescabins.com

Great Gift! Great Price!

The Region’s Premier Magazine

3 years - 12 issues for only $28.95

(607) 257-2821 1031 Hanshaw Road, Ithaca, NY 14850 AAA Approved

www.HoundandHare.com

Call 800-344-0559 Today!

SUBSCRIBE TODAY! Only $13.95

Best Value!

A Subscription for yourself 3 Years (12 Issues) ................$28.95 2 Years (8 Issues) ....................$21.95 1 Year (4 Issues) ....................$13.95 Canada: Add $15.00 postage per year. Outside North America: Add $30.00 postage per year. U.S. Funds only.

(800) 344-0559 • (315) 789-0458

www.LifeintheFingerLakes.com 82 ~

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Glass Magnolia Bed & Breakfast

19...Baroque Organ Showcase Celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Italian Baroque organ. Back by popular demand, this annual holiday concert features Eastman School of Music faculty and up-and-coming young singers and instrumentalists. At this festive program, the audience will be invited to sing along. Tickets are $10 (students $7), available from the RPO Box Office or at the door by cash or check. Seating is limited. mag.rochester.edu

Open all year

Historic early 1800â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s country estate nestled in the peaceful rural charm of the Finger Lakes Wine region

WEDDINGS HORSE TRAIL RIDES AVAILABLE Call For Reservations

Photo courtesy www.lightinwinter.com

29â&#x20AC;ŚOld Fashioned Games Play games children of all ages enjoyed during the 1800s. Try Jacobâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ladder, ball and cup, and much, much more. This one-hour childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s program at the Chemung Valley History Museum in Elmira begins at 10:30 a.m. and is free and open to the public.

607-734-4167 www.chemungvalleymuseum.org Dec. 31-Jan. 1...

Downtown Cortland First Night Celebration Help celebrate Downtown Cortlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heritage by bidding a collective farewell to the departing year and expressing your joy and hope for the year ahead. The tradition calls for a late supper at a local restaurant, a few libations to get fortified against the cold and then it is on to Main St. for the traditional countdown and ball drop followed by a fireworks display. www.experiencecortland.com

JANUARY 8...Jamie Atkins in Circus Incognitus Circus Incognitus is an unforgettable one-man circus comedy starring the multiple award-winning vaudevillian Jamie Atkins. The story begins with a clown who has something to say and is frustrated by his inability to express himself. As Circus Incognitus continues, the audience follows this shy clownâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts to muster the courage to face his greatest fear â&#x20AC;&#x201C; speaking in public. Recommended for all ages. Held at the Callahan Theater at Nazareth College Arts Center in Rochester from 2 to 4 p.m.

585-389-2170 boxoffice.naz.edu 15...Jeffrey Broussard and the Creole Cowboys Playing traditional and original Zydeco, one of the genreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most dynamic performers will appear at 7:30 at the Smith Opera House in Geneva.

315-781-5483 www.thesmith.org 22...High Tor, Hot Chocolate and Snowshoe Hike Explore High Tor Wildlife Management Area in Naples by snowshoe from 1 to 4 p.m. Fee covers instruction, snowshoes, hot chocolate and dessert.

585-346-5597 www.packpaddleski.com 20-23...Light in Winter Festival Light in Winter is beauty and brains â&#x20AC;&#x201C; an annual festival that uses the city and campuses of Ithaca as a backdrop for three days of creativity and exploration. The festival is unique in its focus on collaborations, putting scientists, musicians and

artists together to create new connections right before our eyes. The result is a weekend full of the sorts of aha! moments that seldom occur beyond childhood. www.lightinwinter.com 29...Groton Winter Fest Dog sled rides with professional dog musher, bounce house, snow cones, kiddy games with prizes, free cross-country ski rental, outdoor games for kids, sledding and more.

607-898-4569

8339 N. Main St. â&#x20AC;˘ Interlaken, NY 14847 607-330-2809 www.glassmagnolia.com

6 ,"

/

FEBRUARY 4-5â&#x20AC;ŚHomer Winterfest Village of Homer celebrates winter with games, entertainment, food and crafts.

607-749-7604 5...Native American Winter Games & Sports Explore Seneca ways of winter with snowsnake game, dogsled demos, snowshoeing, plus Native American stories and food at Ganondagan State Historic Site in Victor from 10a.m. to 4 p.m.

585-742-1690 www.ganondagan.org

*Â?i>Ă&#x192;i V>Â?Â? vÂ&#x153;Ă&#x20AC; Ă&#x20AC;iĂ&#x192;iĂ&#x20AC;Ă&#x203A;>Ă&#x152;Â&#x2C6;Â&#x153;Â&#x2DC;Ă&#x192; Â&#x153;Ă&#x20AC; Ă&#x152;Â&#x153; Ă&#x20AC;iViÂ&#x2C6;Ă&#x203A;i > vĂ&#x20AC;ii LĂ&#x20AC;Â&#x153;VÂ&#x2026;Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x20AC;i°

,AKEFRONT $R 'ENEVA .9

11â&#x20AC;ŚCabin Fever Cabin Fever in Corning will feature more than 30 wineries and breweries from the Finger Lakes Region, complimentary limousine shuttles courtesy of Silk Limousine, collectible wine and beer glasses with imprint logos, from 5 to 8 p.m. Mardi Gras-themed merchandise will be available for purchase at check-in locations and great shopping and dining promotions in Gaffer District Businesses.

607-937-6292 www.gafferdistrict.com 11-13...Chocolate & Wine Weekend Event Enjoy a self-guided tour around beautiful Seneca Lake. Pick up your gift item at your assigned starting winery, then start sampling chocolates, or foods prepared with chocolate, creatively matched with their wines. Over the 2 1/2 day event, visit over 30 unique wineries and enjoy a weekend of fun and relaxation. www.senecalakewine.com

W E B

E X T R A

For more events, explore our online calendar at www.LifeintheFingerLakes.com.

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ATTRACTIONS

Historic Maritime District

Wayland Historical Museum Cr. S. Main & Washington Sts. Wayland, NY

Open Daily 1-5pm July & Aug. 10-5pm

585-728-3610 or 728-5108

West 1st Street Pier, Oswego 315-342-0480 Since 1982

Open Monday 10AM - Noon or by appointment

www.hleewhitemarinemuseum.com

PhG Tours

Exploring the History of New York's Finger Lakes Region

Jennifer Cleland, Ph.D.

333 Spencer Road, Ithaca, NY 14850 www.phgtours.com • jc@phgtours.com • (607) 319-4951

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

www.PattersonInnMuseum.org

Clute Memorial Park & Campground 155 S. Clute Park Drive Watkins Glen, NY 14891 Ph: (607)535-4438 • www.watkinsglen.us

Seward House We invite you to visit Seward House, the historic home of statesman William H. Seward and his family.

Seward House features an extensive collection of Civil War memorabilia and early Alaskan artifacts.

Great Gift! Great Price!

3 years - 12 issues for only $28.95

Call 800-344-0559 Today!

33 South Street Auburn (315)252-1283 www.sewardhouse.org

“The Holiday Boutique” Crafters & Artisans fill the Museum Dec. 3 & 4: 10am-5pm, Dec. 5: 12-3pm Lunch served 11-2 Friday & Saturday

Museum Hours: Tues. - Fri. 10-4pm, Sat. 10-1pm Closed Sun. & Mon.

Admission Adults $4, Students $2

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Retail & Business SHOP

HERE!

MAKE YOUR OWN WINE

www.fallbright.com

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

Secure online shopping Winemaking Information

Call for Monthly OPEN HOUSES www.loghomeguy.com

Fall Bright, The Winemakers Shoppe • Keuka Lake 10110 Hyatt Hill, Dundee, NY • 607-292-3995

www.realloghomes.com

Call Ed Schoen • 315-946-4360

Discover...

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

Not Just For Christmas Any More!

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

Visit our 2nd location at the Arnot Mall, Exit 51A

A518580

Fine Women’s Clothing... where your favorite outfit is waiting!

Open Mon - Sat 10-6 • Sun 12-4 www.janemorganslittlehouse.com 378 Main St., Aurora • 364-7715

• Spanner • Elliott Lauren • Louben •

THE CHRISTMAS HOUSE

• Fat Hat • 600 West • Cartise •

• Brighton • Pleats • Joseph Ribkoff •

• Vera Bradley • Andria Lieu • Ursula •

Copper Beacons Herb Shop

Our specialty is organic culinary and decorative herbs Fresh herbs / Dried herbs and spices Specialty teas / tea accessories Herbal products / crafts One-of-a-kind theme gift baskets Plus much more Come visit the Farm

3883 County Rd. 143, Trumansburg, NY 14886 Thu.-Sat. 11-5, Sun. 1-5 • 607-387-5240 ecollins@FLTG.net • www.copperbeacons.com North of the village of Trumansburg, left off Rt. 96

www.christmas-house.com • (607) 734-9547 www.facebook.com/ChristmasHouse

C ORNELL S HEEP P ROGRAM

BLANKETS Created from the wool of Cornell Dorset and Finnsheep breeds and their crosses, these blankets are ideal for football games and cold nights, and as gifts for graduation, wedding, birthday, Christmas and other occasions. Red stripes near each end and red binding accent the 100% virgin wool. Your purchase of blankets helps to support the Cornell Sheep Program, and $10 from each sale goes to an undergraduate scholarship fund. Each blanket is individually serial-numbered on the Cornell Sheep Program logo label and comes with a certificate of authenticity.

Lap robe (60 x 48 inches, 1 stripe) $85 Single (60 x 90 inches, 3 stripes) $119 Double (72 x 90 inches, 3 stripes) $129 Queen (76 x 104 inches, 3 stripes) $155 Add 8% New York State sales tax & shipping ($10 for Lap robes & $15 for all other sizes)

Additional information about the blankets is available at: www.sheep.cornell.edu (click on “blankets”) Purchase at the Cornell Orchards, the Cornell Dairy Store, or from the Department of Animal Science in 114 Morrison Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-4801 or by telephone (607-255-7712), fax (607-255-8929), or email cspblankets@cornell.edu.

Folks from the beautiful Finger Lakes Region have enjoyed millions of cups of coffee from Finger Lakes Coffee Roasters for over twelve years. Our travels and roasting experience allow us to locate the highest quality beans from all over the globe. Freshness is guaranteed. Please visit us or purchase a bag of beans online!

www.fingerlakescoffee.com 800-420-6154

Visit our locations.

Farmington Corner of Routes 96 & 332 (CVS Plaza) 585-742-6218

Pittsford Plaza Monroe Ave. (Next to Michael’s) 585-385-0750

Strong Memorial Hospital Thompson Hospital

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Gift Subscriptions for the Holidays

The Finger Lakes from Space

POSTER

Take the Finger Lakes home with you with this stunning poster of the Finger Lakes Region from Space! The photograph, taken by satellite, consists of high-detail satellite imagery with overlaid map information.

The map detail consists of cities, towns, main and secondary highways as well as airports, the Erie Canal, state parks and many other features of interest. There is no other poster of the Finger Lakes as beautiful and informative as this one. Poster size - 25˝ x 39˝.

Call 1-800-331-7323 to order, or visit Paper Poster: $22.95 • Laminated Poster: $29.95

www.atwatervineyards.com Dealer inquires invited.

The Premier Magazine of the Finger Lakes Region

GIFT Subscriptions

Four GREAT issues a year!

1st Gift............................$13.95 2nd Gift ..........................$11.95 Each Add’l ........................$9.95

Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter

A Subscription for YOURSELF 3 Years (12 issues) ........$28.95 2 Years (8 issues) ..........$21.95 1 Year (4 issues)............$13.95 Canada, add $15. Overseas, add $30.00 postage per year. U.S. funds only.

800-344-0559 Fax: 315-789-4263 subscribe@lifeinthefingerlakes.com www.LifeintheFingerLakes.com

CALL TODAY!

Orders need to be received by Dec. 17 to guarantee notification by Christmas.

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Retail & Business SHOP

HERE!

Finger Lakes Images

Bill Banaszewski Specializing in Outdoor Photography Over 200,000 Stock Photos Custom Photo Shoots 315-536-1004 www.thefingerlakesimages.com P.O. Box 196, Penn Yan, NY 14527

LW EMPORIUM CO-OP Gifts, Antiques & Home Décor and

WHISTLE STOP ANTIQUE CENTER

The Wildflower Café at

We serve fresh, natural foods including local pasture raised organic beef and chicken and sustainable sea foods and of course Rooster Fish Ales!

223-301 N. Franklin Street

10am-5pm Tues thru Sun • Closed Mon

607.535.9797

6355 Knickerbocker Road off 104 in Ontario 315-524-8841 • www.lwemporium.com

www.rooste rfishbre wing.com

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E A S E L

Fully Wooly Betsy Russell creates warm mittens with cool designs from sweaters nobody wants.

by Tina Manzer

L

ike many good stories about art and discovery, this one begins in a New York museum. A baby blanket there made of felted wool from old sweaters caught Betsy Russell’s eye. The rest is history. Really.

Because 11 years ago it inspired her to hunt down discarded woolens and turn them into things that were functional and beautiful. The word, “re-purpose”? Betsy may not have invented it, but she did perfect it.

“I thought it was a creative way to recycle,” she told us from her home in Canandaigua. “I knew there was an abundant supply of old sweaters in the second-hand shops I love to frequent, so I decided to make a blanket myself.”

Since then, she has accumulated a dazzling cache of woolens by tracking down sweaters at garage sales, the Salvation Army, Goodwill, and the closets of her friends and family. They all go in a hot-water wash and come out woolen felt, the raw material for her designs. Betsy gave us the particulars.

How do you choose the sweaters?

I shop by feel – if it isn’t wonderful to touch, you won’t want to have it next to your skin. (Not all wool is itchy.) Next is color. I just peruse until something pops out. If it’s a rich color, soft and cheap, I buy it.

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How do you turn them into felt?

There is more than one kind of felting; the kind I do is called “boiled wool.” I wash the sweaters multiple times in my washing machine, hot wash/ cold rinse. I dry them in the drier. I want the wool to become tight but not too dense. The great thing about felt is the edges don’t fray.

Why mittens?

Mittens are practical and fun. They can be completed in a reasonable amount of time and they keep your hands much warmer than gloves. I’ve also made blankets, hats and scarves, and I love to dress bare bears. I call it my recycling business.

What tools do you use?

Scissors, thread and a thimble. I don’t own a sewing machine. I don’t really know how to use one.

What’s your favorite part of the process?

Putting the colors together. I can see when it really works and when it just doesn’t. Mother Nature already has the color and design thing all figured out. I couldn’t improve on that.

This winter, Betsy’s mittens will be available for sale at the Memorial Art Gallery in Rochester, the Cheshire Union Gift Shop and Antique Center in Cheshire, and her living room.

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FAST FACTS INFO PAGE 81

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Come home to Phelps Where Community and Tradition Thrive

Featuring Hand Rolled

Truffles “All Made with Premium Gourment Chocolate” Macadamia, Expresso, Sea Salt, Merlot Wine, Blue Cheesecake, Champagne and more

3 Church Street, Phelps, NY 14532 (585) 330-6094 • Call for Hours

Our small friendly community is nestled in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of upstate New York. Centrally located on State Route 96 between Rochester and Syracuse. In Phelps you’ll find a full range of services, from shops to restaurants and bakeries, arts and community centers to museums, banking and churches and business enterprises.

Throughout the year you’ll find cultural and fun family events going on in Phelps.

To find out more about Phelps, its history, community, businesses and events go to www.PhelpsNY.com

Shop Christmas Here!

Gift Items Available plus Limited Edition Paintings for sale

Holiday Light Parade 7, Dec. 1-1 0 1 20

Deer Creek Cottage 1995 ©

Silent Auction for the Phelps Historical Society Bid on over 23 Uniquely Decorated Trees Open House: Dec 12th, 1-4 PM Late Hours: Thurs Dec 16, 10 AM -7 PM

3 Church Street, Phelps, NY 14532 (315) 548-8544 • (315) 734-8048 www.kinkadegalleryofthefingerlakes.com

December 4th, 5:30 p.m., Downtown Phelps to Village Tree Lighting

Come to Phelps for our

New Year’s Eve Fireworks

THE HOWE HOUSE MUSEUM

December 31st, 9:30 p.m.

See it throughout the Village.

66 Main St. Phelps, NY Tues- Fri 10 AM- 4PM Info: 315.548.4940 or histsoc@fltg.net

www.PhelpsNY.com

91-93 Main Street Phelps, NY 14532

Halco Renewable Energy Serving the entire Finger Lakes region.

Offering Solar, Wind & Geothermal Systems. www.halcoheating.com • (800) 533-3367

The Historic Phelps Hotel Restaurant (315) 777-5131 (315) 777-5657

FAST FACTS INFO PAGE 81

90 Main Street, Phelps, NY 14532 (315) 548-5200 www.phelpshotelrestaurant.com