Life in the Finger Lakes March/April 2025

The Eagles of Onondaga Lake, p. 36 • Emergence of Spring, p. 30

LIFL

The Region’s Premier Lifestyle Magazine Since 2001

March/April 2025

Drawing Interest Artist Andy Reddout Sketches Around the Region Page 46

Country Singer Madelyn Rose, p. 52 • Delicious Dishes, p. 35

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Life in the Finger Lakes Volume 25, Number 2 • March/April 2025

features

30

36

Emergence There comes a point in every January or February when most minds (even cold weather-loving ones) start to dream about the return of longer days, warmer weather and what’s to come.

The Eagles of Onondaga Lake Bald eagles congregate at this Syracuse Lake during the winter months

by Derek Doeffinger

Front Cover: “Boat Houses in Canandaigua,” gouache on paper, May 2020

by Andy Reddout. Read more about Reddout’s art on page 46.

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departments 3 4 6

my own words letters

70 advertisers 72 finger lakes map

happenings

Editorial & Production Editor Mark Stash mark@lifeinthefingerlakes.com Associate Editor Victoria Ritter

10

Do It Yourself

Graphic Artists Maia VanOrman Tammy Spear

The Art of Antiquing

14

Fruit of the Vine The Wines that Define the Finger Lakes – Cabernet Franc: A Coming of Age

20

History The Cardiff Giant: A Hoax That Made Millions

23

History Historical Markers

Contributors Christopher Bennem Melody Burri

46

Off The Easel

Lauren Chamberlain Julie Cummins Derek Doeffinger

Artist Andy Reddout: Sketching Around the World

Nancy E. McCarthy

52

Jennifer Morrisey

Laurie Mercer

Musical Notes Country Singer Madelyn Rose: Catch a Rising Star

56

Lifestyle One-of-a-Kind Stays

62

Human Interest Seth Green: The Father of Fish Culture

Editorial Office 315-789-0458

For Advertising Inquiries - 315-789-2475 Darlene Ryan darlene@lifeinthefingerlakes.com

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Product Picks Shopping the Finger Lakes

Life in the Finger Lakes 171 Reed St. • Geneva, NY 14456 FingerLakesMagazine.com Serving the 14 counties of the Finger Lakes Region

35

Dining Delicious Dishes

43

Enterprising AstraPouch Keeps Wine Fresh from Pouch to Glass

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

Copyright© 2025 by Eleven Lakes Publishing, Inc. No part of this publication may be reprinted or otherwise reproduced without written permission from the publisher.

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

my own words

Awaiting Spring

W

ow! What a winter we’re having in New York State. As opposed to the past several years of winter where the climate resembled more of a mid-Atlantic state winter, this year the temperatures have plunged, and there have been some significant snowfalls. I personally prefer when it’s colder and we get snow.

For one, it makes the surrounding landscape look nicer, especially in the aftermath of a nice fluffy snowfall. I also like outdoor winter sports, and playing in the snow is always a good time. And lastly, the feeling of getting through a real winter makes the spring that much more welcoming and sweeter.

Featured in this issue is an article titled Emergence (page 30). It showcases many beautiful springtime images from photographers in the Finger Lakes Photography Guild. Seeing the first blooming crocus flowers, watching the buds getting ready to turn into leaves on trees, and witnessing new life in the form of wildlife babies can bring a smile to the face and a warm glow to the soul after a long cold winter.

The cold weather can also affect the lives of wildlife, namely the bald eagle. Numbers of this majestic bird migrate south from the frozen north country and spends its winters on Onondaga Lake. This natural lake is surrounded by the communities of Liverpool and Syracuse and was once a very polluted lake due to some local industries. In recent years, many groups have worked hard to clean up the lake and make it a natural gem even though it’s adjacent to a city. The presence of the eagles reinforces the fact that the lake is indeed a cleaner version of its former self with healthy fish for them to eat. Read more about the eagles of Onondaga Lake on page 36.

With the mention of eagles fishing, we move now into a subject matter that involves modern day fishing and the propagation and stocking of those fish. Seth Green is considered

the “Father of Fish Culture” in New York State, and created the state’s first hatchery in Caledonia in the mid 1800s.

He helped to form the state’s first fish commission and was appointed the state superintendent of fisheries. Many stocking and hatchery methods even to this day are attributed to Green.

I was once told several years ago by a mutual friend, when he found out that I lived in the Finger Lakes, that I live in the middle of fishing paradise! I myself am not much of a fisherman, but I’m sure many people who do enjoy it can appreciate the opportunities afforded them in this diverse region. Seth Green’s story is told starting on page 62.

As some of you may know, along with being a magazine publisher and editor/designer, I also paint oil and acrylic landscapes in my spare time and have work in several galleries and shops. I was once told by my childhood art teacher Sue Hand to try and paint or draw everyday. That is quite an example to try to live up to, and I haven’t followed through with that all the time, but enough to be able to wield a paint brush with authority once in awhile.

She would also say that painting is like sketching, just using paint.

So that leads me to talk a little about Andy Reddout, who is our Off the Easel artist this issue (page 46).

He believes strongly in sketching and keeping his art muscles limber through this activity. I have spoken with a good number of people over the years who share an interest in sketching but don’t feel they’re talented enough. I say just enjoy the process and express yourself in a sketchpad any way you want.

Creativity is freeing the mind and seeing where it leads you.

Enjoy your well-earned spring!

The Moorings on Keuka.

ENJOY your Summer!

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What will you create when you Connect to What Matters?

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letters

I

Studio Sales Pottery, a functioning pottery studio and gallery of ceramic work.

The gallery is a restored oneroom schoolhouse built in 1852

Hosting the WNY Pottery Festival June 14 & 15, 2025

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was so happy to see that the magazine’s book reviews have continued (“Book Look” in the September/October 2024 issue) following the passing of Laurel Wemett earlier this year. Ms. Wemett’s coverage of the works of Finger Lakes authors was heartening to us and gave us the indication that our books were not going unnoticed. It sure provided us with the boost to keep writing.

Many of us are part of FLARE – Finger Lakes Authors and Readers Experience – whose mission is to highlight and promote Finger Lakes authors while fostering a deeper connection to readers. Keuka College graduate Laurie Gifford Adams and Brooke Baker, both writing instructors at Keuka College, coordinate places for FLARE authors to set up and display our books each year throughout the Finger Lakes Region. In 2024 we were welcomed at Vineyard View Winery in Keuka Park, at the Windmill Farm and Craft Market just outside Penn Yan, and at Star Cider in Canandaigua, among several other locations.

Check out the FLARE Facebook page, and thanks to Life in the Finger Lakes for the continued coverage. We’ll keep writing as you keep reading.

— John Robortella, Canandaigua Thank you John for explaining more about FLARE and how the authors in your group impact this region. I encourage members of your group, and any other writers out there who write Finger Lakes themed books, to reach out to me for possible book reviews. Please send emails to mark@lifeinthefingerlakes.com.

— Editor

H

ey, nice job with the latest magazine issue (January/February 2025). Articles, photography and layout are great. You guys are getting good.

Keep it going!

— Kevin Farrell, Canandaigua

E-mail your letters to mark@lifeinthefingerlakes.com

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MINDS meet the GREAT where

FIND YOUR FLOW WITH WATERFALLS FOR EVERY TYPE OF ADVENTURER. Pictured: Cascadilla Gorge Trail

VisitIthaca.com

happenings EVENTS Contact event for details MARCH March 1...27th Annual Downtown Ithaca Chili Cook-Off Warm up your winter with the 27th Annual Downtown Ithaca Chili Cook-Off, a signature event in the heart of Ithaca Commons. Join us for a day filled with delicious chili creations, live entertainment and community fun as chefs and restaurants from across the region compete for top honors. Chefs will compete in several categories, including Best Meat Chili, Best Vegetarian/Vegan Chili, Best Chili-Inspired Dish and the highly coveted People’s Choice Award, where you get to vote for your favorite creation. Entertainment will be provided throughout the event, featuring live music and performances that capture the energy and excitement of Ithaca’s winter season.

12 to 4 p.m.

101 W. State Street, Ithaca, NY 14850 info@downtownithaca.com 607-277-8679 March 9...Finger Lakes Community Band: Seasons The Finger Lakes Community Band is thrilled to announce that Canandaigua’s own Connie Fredericks-Malone will join them for their “Seasons” Concert. You may have had the opportunity to hear Connie’s great voice and interpretations with smaller groups, but you’ve never heard her like this! Connie will lend her voice to our wonderful 65-piece band for a thrilling musical experience.

Hear Connie sing “Summertime”, “Moon River” and “Over the Rainbow”. FLCB will represent all the “Seasons” including Dave Hayden’s new, haunting arrangement of “Autumn Leaves” in the style of Eva Cassidy.

Buy your tickets early. 3 p.m.

Fort Hill Performing Arts Center 20 Fort Hill Avenue, Canandaigua NY 14424 forthillpac.com March 18...Yoga with Jan Corning at Hunt Country Vineyards – Tuesdays Classes are held on Tuesday evenings from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Instructor Jan Corning received her certification from Ohra Studios in Bedford in 2019 after practicing Yoga for 10 years. She teaches a fitness based vinyasa flow at a level half. So, there is some challenge, but modifications are always offered. More advanced positions are rarely included in Corning’s class because she likes to keep the asanas available to everyone.

She focuses on building strength, while increasing flexibility and also focusing on the breath. Her goal when teaching is to have the students feel as if they worked at something, and accomplished it. Arrive about 15 minutes early to set up your spot, breath your stresses away and clear your mind before instruction begins.

Hunt Country Vineyards 4021 Italy Hill Road, Branchport, NY 14418 huntwines.com March 29...Think Spring with Faith Benedict Join potter Faith Benedict to create an item in clay which can be whimsical as garden decor or a functional piece for your home. We will use hand building techniques to create during the first four hour session and glaze the following Saturday. March 29, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 5, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. $105 for members, $121 for not-yet-members.

Fire Works Foundry 1554 Baker Road, Penn Yan, NY 14527 fireworksfoundry.com (Continued on page 8)

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Quail Summit Canandaigua’s Premier not-for-profit Senior Living Community.

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Quail Summit offers residents a variety of services and amenities including: • Maintenance-free living

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Quail Summit residents also enjoy priority access to a higher level of care in our assisted living or memory care communities if it’s ever needed.

Quail Summit is a St. Ann’s Community Partner housing logo.pdf

1/8/2009

11:33:44 AM

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happenings

EVENTS Contact event for details APRIL

Introducing our new, exclusive sauna line at Pettis Pools.

The most beautiful saunas you’ve ever seen

April 2...FLX Trivia Night at Ventosa Vineyards Get ready for a trivia night like no other. We’re bringing the fun, the laughs and the brain-teasing questions to the beautiful event space at Ventosa Vineyards. Come early for BOGO happy hour from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Theme Nights Galore – from nostalgic throwbacks to pop culture battles, it’s gonna get wild. Prizes for top teams – glory and goodies await. Menu designed for trivia players – delicious bites to fuel your genius. Wednesdays through April 30, 2025 at 6 p.m.

3440 Route 96A, Geneva, NY 14456 ventosavineyards.com April 4...The Finger Lakes Art of Mark Stash Along with being the editor of Life in the Finger Lakes magazine, Mark Stash also loves to paint landscapes in his off hours. He specializes in Finger Lakes and Adirondack scenes using both oil and acrylic mediums.

Meet Mark on First Friday, April 4, from 5 to 8 p.m.

Pittsford Fine Art 4 N. Main Street, Pittsford, NY 14534 pittsfordfineart.com April 19...Easter Egg Hunt The fun starts at 1 p.m. for the free annual Easter Egg Hunt! The hunt is for kids ages 0-12 years old. For the egg hunt, the kids will be divided into appropriate age groups.

There will have plenty of candy and games, and most importantly everyone will walk away having heard about the true meaning of Easter, the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

LeTourneau Christian Center 4950 East Lake Road, Rushville, NY 14544 To register: letcc.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/2337928 April 24...When Lafayette Came to Town: A Bicentennial Appreciation As the bicentennial approaches of General Marquis de Lafayette’s June 1825 farewell tour, the Bristol Hills Historical Society welcomes Christopher Carosa, author of the new book History Unleashed: Lafayette’s Remarkable Tour of the Greater Western New York Region. Hear how the French hero of the American Revolution made his way from Rochester through Mendon and Bloomfield to Canandaigua and Geneva: where he stayed, whom he met, what the Canandaigua Main Street parade for him looked like – and even the mythical claims by many more sites along the route that later claimed “Lafayette stayed here.” As Lafayette’s entourage traversed what was still largely frontier wilderness, he encountered what the book’s publisher calls “a vibrant tapestry of cultures, communities, and pivotal moments in American history.

From his encounters with Native American tribes to his interactions with settlers and soldiers, Lafayette’s journey illuminates the rich history of the region and its profound impact on the shaping of a nation.” Free and open to the public. 7 to 8 p.m.

South Bristol Grange Hall 6457 State Route 64, Naples, NY 14512

Greece / East Rochester (585) 392-7711 pettispools.com ­­­­­­­­­­­­8­ ~ F i n g e r L a k e s M a g a z i n e . c o m

April 24...The Art of Wine Local winemakers share their process and their work. Join us at the Arts Center to learn how various local winemakers create their signature products and learn how to taste the differences. Different winemakers every class. Must be 21 years old to attend. Enrollment is limited. 6:30 to 8 p.m. Members $20. Not-Yet Members $25 Art Center of Yates County 127 Main Street, Penn Yan , NY 14527

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Contact us at admin@team-designbuildinc.com (315) 651-3730

do it yourself

The Art of Antiquing Story and photos by Jennifer Morrisey

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M

inimalism has never been my style. I find joy in being surrounded by items that carry stories and echoes of history. In my home, every corner holds a touch of the past, some pieces handed down through generations, others discovered during my treasure hunts at local shops. From the worn vintage kitchen utensils to the hand-stitched quilts draped over the back of my sofa, each item adds a sense of connection to the past. There’s nothing I enjoy more than spending a weekend exploring thrift stores, antique shops and boutiques in search of my next find.

There’s magic in imagining the hands that crafted a piece, the homes it once graced and the stories it could tell if it could speak.

As much as I love antiques, I have a soft spot for collectibles with ties to the Finger Lakes Region. I am always scouting out a piece of the past I can hold in my hands.

After countless hours sifting through dusty boxes and browsing thrift store shelves, I’ve come to see the Finger Lakes area as a treasure trove for vintage and antique finds. What makes this region exceptional in terms of shopping is the number of stores with items that have a story waiting to be uncovered. Whether you’re a history buff, collector or someone looking for a unique home accent, you’re bound to find something meaningful.

Each town has its own charm and variety of shops just waiting to be explored. I think some of the best towns to scout for hidden treasures include Canandaigua – where I recommend visiting The Restore and Goodwill – and just outside town in Farmington, the massive Ontario Mall Antiques. Along Route 5 & 20 in Geneva, you’ll find a fantastic stretch of vintage and antique shops, such as Penny Lane Antique Mall and the Geneva Antique Co-op. The picturesque village of Skaneateles, with its lakeside charm and beautifully preserved Victorian architecture, offers an idyllic backdrop for exploring upscale antique shops and one-of-akind boutiques.

Collectibles with a story Over the years, I’ve uncovered countless treasures that tell the stories of the Finger Lakes. These are a few of my favorites to find and collect.

Made in Corning, Pyrex mixing bowls are cheery, iconic kitchen staples that have become highly sought after for their vibrant patterns and nostalgic vibe. I don’t pick up nearly as many as I used to because demand has definitely affected the price, but I still love finding them.

Established in 1871, Syracuse china dinnerware became a staple in train dining cars and restaurants. Restaurantware Syracuse china is durable enough to use daily, while the fine china is perfect for displaying or special occasions.

Stoneware Crocks are timeless pieces that are often used for traditional food preservation. They were typically used to make fermented foods; in our area, many were most likely used for sauerkraut. I love how crocks feel perfectly at home in my old farmhouse and are just as usable now as they were decades ago. They are great to use as a utensil holder, a planter or even as a storage piece for rolled-up towels in a bathroom.

Originally based in Newark, Sarah Coventry jewelry reached its peak in popularity during the 1960s and 1970s, and was known for its stylish, affordable pieces and home party sales model. I’m especially drawn to their bold vintage brooches. Shopping for Sarah Coventry pieces is an adventure in itself, it usually involves sifting through trays of costume jewelry at antique shops or estate sales, where a hidden gem might be waiting to be discovered.

Items like postcards, maps and old photos often fall

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do it yourself

into the category of ephemera, and are usually everyday paper goods not originally meant to become collectible.

While browsing an antique shop years ago, my husband discovered a postcard of the newly built Erie Canal running through his grandmother’s backyard, marked “Maxwell’s Grove.” What was once a simple souvenir is now a treasured piece of his family’s history.

Curating your collection Once you’ve caught the collecting bug, curating your treasures becomes a hobby of its own. Here are a few tips to help you build and showcase your collection thoughtfully.

Focus on what you love. Rather than pursuing the latest trends, seek out items that speak to you. This could be kitchenware that reminds you of your grandmother’s kitchen, postcards from favorite destinations or old farm tools. Notice which items you are drawn to or that evoke memories, and let them guide your collection.

Start small. I am a firm believer that a single, cherished item can be more impactful than a sprawling collection.

Begin with a few pieces and let your collection grow and change organically over time. As your interests and tastes evolve, so should your collection.

Do your research. Learning the backstory of your finds

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can really increase your appreciation of them. Even just picking up a few fun facts about each piece can add a whole new layer of appreciation of your items.

Set a budget. It’s easy to get carried away while shopping, so set a spending limit before you shop. Many vendors are open to negotiating prices. Don’t hesitate to inquire about price flexibility, it’s often less intimidating than you might think.

Think about display. Showcasing your collection is part of the fun. Get creative with how you integrate these items into your decor. I love mixing antiques with vintage pieces from different eras to create a lived-in layered look that tells a story.

Every piece I’ve collected – from a Lyons-marked saltglazed crock to a postcard of my husband’s grandmother’s farm – is more than just an object. They are a window to the past and carry stories of their history. I hope I’ve inspired you to explore local thrift and antique shops and experience the joy of bringing pieces of the past into your home.

To subscribe to Jennifer Morrisey’s blog about getting back to basics and living a simpler life, visit homeinthefingerlakes.com

Cabernet Franc:

A Coming of Age

T H E

W I N E S

T H A T

D E F I N E

T H E

F I N G E R

L A K E S

fruit of the vine

story and photos

by Christopher Bennem

I

once visited a friend’s house for dinner where the special guest was Bob Shrum, Al Gore’s campaign manager. Visiting Canandaigua to deliver a talk, he spent most of the night dispensing political insights, but he was particularly proud of a discovery he’d made that day: New York produces a good red wine. As evidence, he generously poured from the bottles of cabernet franc he’d purchased on Seneca Lake at Boundary Breaks.

After those ran dry, he reluctantly refilled his glass with the wine I had brought. After tasting it, he snatched the bottle, his eyes wide with shock. It was the 2020 Magdalena Vineyard cab franc from Hermann J. Wiemer

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Vineyards. The Finger Lakes, it seemed, had produced two very drinkable red wines.

Telling this story to Fred Merwath, winemaker and co-owner of Wiemer Vineyards, elicited a satisfied fist pump. He’d just finished walking me through the vintages from the last several years of Magdalena Vineyard’s cab franc, and they were magnificent. Merwath described how much their wines had changed from what they were producing 10 years ago, which were more extracted and heavier in their use of oak. It reflected a maturation that Merwath was proud to note in his own winemaking, but it is one which can also be seen across the region.

TAKE CONTROL OF

Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyards is a

OUT-OF-CONTROL WEEDS TODAY...

flagship winery of the Finger Lakes.

Fred Merwath, a Wine Enthusiast Winemaker of the Year (2021), learned to make wine from the founder and purchased the winery in 2007 with partner Oskar Bynke. They have been named a Top 100 Winery by Wine & Spirits 12 times.

In an Eco-Friendly Way!

More producers are embracing the varietal character of cabernet franc and are no longer chasing the intensity of California cabernet sauvignon that so many American wine drinkers associate with red wine. In a movement led partly by restaurateurs and sommeliers, the wine market also seems to be shifting, seeking wines that pair well with food. For today’s red wine consumer, Merwath explained, “It doesn’t have to have 14 percent alcohol, it doesn’t have to have brand-new oak and if it has some acidity, that’s great.”

Just to be clear: the Finger Lakes is making many more than two excellent reds (see page 18). After decades of experimentation, the region has discovered a number of red varietals that thrive in our extreme conditions, but none

Hosmer Estate Winery

has 70 acres of vineyards on Cayuga Lake.

Maren and Cameron “Tunker” Hosmer turned their Patrician Verona Vineyard into a winery in 1985. Their numerous awards include the Lifetime Achievement Award from the NY Grape & Wine Foundation.

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fruit of the vine

Barnstormer Winery is located

on 16 acres beside Seneca Lake in a 170-year-old restored barn. Producing small quantities of mostly red wines, it has garnered accolades from Food & Wine, VinePair, Wine & Spirits, Wine Enthusiast and others.

Boundary Breaks is located in

Seneca Lake’s famed “Banana Belt,” named for the long afternoon light which has helped their Riesling Dry #239 appear in multiple Top 100 lists from Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast. Twenty of their 55 vineyard acres are now devoted to cab franc.

Photo provided

shine forth with as much consistency and character as cabernet franc (we’ll explore some contenders in the next issue.) Research from Cornell in the late 1980s first suggested that of all red vitis vinifera (European wine-making grapes) grown here, cab franc was likely to be best-suited. It is best known for its use in Bordeaux, where it is an ingredient in the famous blends which showcase merlot or cabernet sauvignon. Two hundred miles north, however, in Loire, cab franc is the standard-bearer for one of the great cool-climate wine regions of the world.

At Wiemer, Merwath finished by pouring out a sampling of different clonal varieties. All cab francs grown on their vineyard from a single vintage, each came from vines originating from various areas of France. The Bordeaux and Loire varieties were plush and fruitful, the Pyrenees sample herbaceous and Roussillon’s distinctly earthy. The journey toward discovering what Finger Lakes cab franc is wasn’t over, Merwath told me. “We have a road that we’re on, but it’s going to meander.”

The array of influences before me were examples of the meticulousness that Merwath and co-owner Oskar Bynke have shown toward propagation of the varietal, and a sign that Finger Lakes cab franc, while beginning to coalesce around an identity, was not limited to one thing.

In fact, it was this very characteristic

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of cab franc that attracted another winemaker, Julia Hoyle of Hosmer Estate Winery, to this varietal. “Any grape I can do different things with, I’m going to like,” she told me.

Hosmer was one of the first growers to plant cabernet franc here, and for years they were a regular supplier to wineries throughout the region.

Today, Hosmer’s cab franc program has expanded significantly, adding a rosé, occasional reserve bottlings, their lighter “Berri” style and blends to their portfolio.

Once Hosmer sold half their fruit to other vintners, now only a quarter, and very few get their old vine cab franc.

Hoyle, who also collaborates with husband Kelby James Russell at Apollo’s Praise, sees the identity of Finger Lakes cab franc as moving toward two incarnations based on the amount of discernible oak influence. She opts for less.

“I personally gravitate toward that red raspberry, floral, anise-y style,” she told me. It is an approach that has worked for them. Their recently-released 2022 Cabernet Franc received a glowing review from famed French newspaper Les Echos.

While seasoned vintners have been crucial to cabernet franc’s evolution here, a new wave of wineries is energizing the Finger Lakes wine scene.

Founded in 2013 by owner/proprietor Scott Bronstein, Barnstormer Winery is

one. Winemaker Taylor Stember got her degree in Viticulture and Enology from UC Davis in 2018, and worked abroad in Europe, Tasmania and Australia before coming here.

The morning before our discussion, Stember had been at a group cab franc tasting with other winemakers, and everyone was raving about the 2023 wines. Stember appreciates the “grit” of her fellow Finger Lakes winemakers.

“People here like the struggle,” she said. “Cabernet franc and Riesling are two grapes that are unapologetically themselves … they hold you accountable and don’t let you cut corners.”

Stember has a deep appreciation for the history of cab franc, but has her eyes set on the future. “There’s a lot to look forward to here,” she said, grateful to be in a wine region where there is so much opportunity for growth.

At Boundary Breaks, co-owner Bruce Murray is similarly bullish on cab franc’s future in the Finger Lakes. Since their first vintage of cabernet franc in 2017, they’ve received raves from many more than

Correction: In our January story on ice wine, we incorrectly identified Weis Vineyard’s Governor’s Cup Winner as a “2018 Noble Select Riesling ice wine” instead of “2018 Riesling Ice Wine.” Similarly, their 2020 Noble Select was categorized an ice wine when it is a late harvest wine. Both corrections have been made to our digital edition.

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30 FLX Wines to Watch out for: Cabernet Franc compiled in collaboration with Stephanie Fenner Location

Year

Wine

Price

Location

Year

Wine

Price

Canandaigua Lake Wineries

Seneca Lake Wineries

Ingle Vineyards

2022

Cabernet Franc

$40

Apollo’s Praise

2023

Cabernet Franc - Lahoma Reserve

$33

Inspire Moore Winery

2022

Wisdom

$24

Atwater Vineyards

2023

Cabernet Franc

$32

Cayuga Lake Wineries

Barnstormer Winery

2022

Cabernet Franc

$26

Airy Acres Vineyard

2022

Cabernet Franc

$25

Boundary Breaks Vineyard

2023

Cabernet Franc

$25

Buttonwood Grove

2020

Cabernet Franc

$25

Damiani Wine Cellars

2023

Cabernet Franc

$28

Hosmer Winery

2022

Cabernet Franc

$26

Element Winery

2017

Cabernet Franc

$46

Knapp Winery

2022

Cabernet Franc Select

$29

Forge Cellars

2023

Caywood Cabernet Franc

$34

Sheldrake Point Winery

2022

Cabernet Franc

$24

Hector Wine Company

2021

Cabernet Franc

$25

Six Eighty Cellars

2022

Cabernet Franc Appassimento

$68

Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard

2022

Magdalena Vineyard Cabernet Franc

$45

Keuka Lake Wineries

Lakewood Vineyards

2020

Reserve Cabernet Franc

$50

Domaine LeSeurre Winery

2019

Cabernet Franc Barrel Select No. 1

$54

Lamoreaux Landing

2022

T23 Unoaked Cabernet Franc

$20

Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery

2022

Cabernet Franc

$28

Le Chevalier (Vinifera)

2022

Cabernet Franc

$30

Heron Hill Winery

2022

Classic Cabernet Franc

$22

Nathan K. Wines

2021

Cabernet Franc

$32

Living Roots

2022

Finger Lakes Cabernet Franc

$34

Ravines Wine Cellars

2022

Cabernet Franc

$25

Weis Vineyards

2022

Cabernet Franc

$30

Ryan William Vineyard

2020

Reserve Cabernet Franc

$46

Trestle Thirty One

2022

Cabernet Franc

$58

Wagner

2022

Cabernet Franc

$20

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fruit of the vine

just Bob Shrum. Now one of the founding members of the new group, Cab Franc Forward, Murray joined Oskar Bynke of Wiemer and a number of downstate vintners in an effort to coalesce the state’s support around a single varietal and make cabernet franc New York’s official grape.

“The timing is good,” said Murray. “There’s a lot of movement in the market.” Echoing Merwath, he explained how the culinary community has been at the forefront of embracing this red. With more heft than pinot noir, and more acid than cabernet sauvignon, it is ideal for restaurants. A statewide focus will give more visibility to this versatile wine, critical to gaining entry into the New York City market which loves cool-climate wine, but has reserved much of that attention for European producers.

Stephanie Fenner, wine director of Geneva on the Lake, is a cab franc lover and knows the Finger Lakes wines are ready to go head-to-head with their French competitors. It’s no small compliment coming from Fenner, who was born in Languedoc-Roussillon and grew up in the Loire region, but it’s been part of her mission in the Finger Lakes since launching Geneva wine bar, Microclimate. It was there she first introduced flights comparing Finger Lakes wines to their international equivalents. Now she’s brought this approach to Geneva on the Lake.

Meet Stephanie Fenner

Photo provided

Stephanie Fenner has lived in the Finger Lakes for 18 years. With a background in wine microbiology, she has collaborated with many local wineries while working at Cornell, Microclimate Wine Bar and Hosmer. She is currently the wine director at Geneva on the Lake.

“We have guests from around the world,” she said. “These flights are a great way to introduce them to the wines of the Finger Lakes.” According to Fenner, it is just a matter of time for awareness of these cab francs to spread. “We’re just at the beginning of what we can do … nationally, there is no other region that is famous for their cabernet franc as much as we can be.”

Christopher Bennem is a co-owner of Glen Hollow, a vacation rental, writer’s retreat and winery launching its first vintage in 2025. Follow him on Instagram @glenhollowflx.

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history

The

Cardiff Giant A Hoax That Made Millions

By Laurie Mercer

I

n a raggedy old corn field, in the town of Lafayette, New York, lies the hamlet of Cardiff – center stage for one of the world’s greatest archaeological hoaxes. Just imagine yourself there, back on October 16, 1869, when two well diggers uncovered a 10-foot-tall, petrified man. Almost immediately, a tent was erected over the giant, and people easily parted with 25 cents, soon paying 50 cents for a peek.

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That was good money back then.

The back story supports their quickly embracing the bracing narrative.

Cardiff was within New York’s “Burnt Over” district, so named because of the many religions and social movements with original roots planted firmly in the soil here. The land was said to be “burnt over” because it was so heavily evangelized that there was no more fuel (the unconverted) left to burn

(conversion). Religions founded here by laypeople include the Latter-day Saints (Mormons), and the Millerites. Millerites founded many vital and still active religious communities: the Adventists, Seventh day Adventists, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and International Bible Students.

Upstate’s fervent divination also spread mystically with the Fox sisters, founders of Spiritualism. The Shakers,

The Town of Lafayette Bicentennial Committee in 1976 erected this marker at the site where the giant was discovered on October 16, 1869. It says, “It was proved a hoax, one of the greatest public deceptions in American History.”

Photo by the author

who favored celibacy, and the Oneida Society, a group that liked co-mingling marriages, were both astir with new members. More combustion came with the women’s rights movement, birthed in a building, now a laundromat with a historic marker, in Seneca Falls.

Amid this fervent eagerness to believe, trotting along with freedom from doubt, the Cardiff Giant, a 10-foot-tall supposedly “petrified” man was quickly warmly received. Real science was in its infancy.

The hoax, costing approximately $45,000 in today’s dollars to engineer, was surprisingly not about money, but about God. The originator, George Hull, a cigar maker, an atheist, and a skeptic, found himself locked in a theological debate with a revivalist preacher. Hull was flabbergasted by the preacher’s reading of the Bible, especially the Book of Genesis, which reads: “There were giants in the earth in those days.”

Ever a skeptic, he ordered up a giant to be made from a five-ton block of gypsum quarried in Dodge, Iowa. To avoid snoops, George told anyone who inquired that the slab was destined to become a statue of Lincoln! Next, a sketchy Chicago marble dealer partner with George for a share in the profits. Hull may have posed for the statue himself.

From the rock emerged an anthropological wonder of a man, one arm clutching his stomach, the other at his side. The giant’s lips-drawn-smiling expression remains very creepy, even today. To make it appear authentic, Hull, inspired by his mission, even drove pins into the body to mimic skin pores, and used chemicals to simulate great age.

Where to bury the 3,000-pound giant? Once sworn to secrecy, William “Stub” Newell, Hull’s distant relative, pointed out an ideal spot on his hillside farm in Cardiff where the giant arrived by railroad. The deal was for a piece of the action. In November 1868, on a chilly night, the conspirators buried their treasure under tree roots, making it look like the petrified man had taken his last gigantic gasp.

With the bait set, Hull went back to making cigars in

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Left: Getting little of the attention it once deserved, the original Cardiff Giant now rests peacefully at the Farmer’s Museum in Cooperstown, NY.

M a r c h / A p r i l 2 0 2 5 ~ ­­­­­­­­­­­­21­

history

The Onondaga Historical Society shared this image of the 10-foot Cardiff Giant first being lifted from the “burnt over” earth. Very quickly a tent was erected and people began to pay for a peek.

All CBC Covid-19 guidelines in place

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Syracuse. A year later, Newell hired a pair of unsuspecting workers to dig a well on a specific spot, and voila—they unearthed the Cardiff Giant. Within days, a tent was erected over their find, and the cash began to flow for a peek.

Major newspapers in large cities declared the giant “A New Wonder” and a “Singular Discovery.” After profiting from the initial gate, the conspirators quickly sold the giant for $30,000 for a three-quarter stake in its manly assets. But, aspersions were cast. Some sharp-eyed locals remember seeing George Hull, late at night a year earlier, transporting something in a massive crate through Cardiff.

When entrepreneur P.T. Barnum attempted but failed to purchase the original Giant, he commissioned a fake one instead. Already covering his bases, the stone cutting replicator had made several more copies for exhibition—half a dozen of them by year’s end. One model is even anatomically correct. Others modestly have a hand or even a tree limb draped where it matters most.

The marketing genius P.T. Barnum displayed his copy as the original and even outsold Hull’s authentic discovery in ticket sales. Barnum bragged, “Six Million People Have Paid to See Him,” and he was “Taller Than Goliath Whom David Slew.” During court proceedings questioning Barnum’s giant’s authenticity, the judge ruled for Barnum, saying the showman could not be sued for not calling a fake giant a fake.

Barnum apparently never said, “There’s a sucker born every minute,” but a fellow huckster on this adventure did so at this time. On December 10, 1869, Hull confessed. On February 2, 1870, both giants were revealed as fraudulent.

Even so, some scientists clung to the discovery story.

Apparently some folks still wanted to believe that giants once lumbered around the Burnt Over District in Western New York.

“It is rather rich,” quipped the Philadelphia Inquirer while reporting on Barnum’s exhibit, “that we should be victimized by such a fraud upon a fraud.” Having done the carnival circuit, the original giant changed hands again in 1947. The original giant, now called the greatest hoax on America at that time, rests in its forever home inside the front hall at the Farmer’s Museum in Cooperstown, getting little of the attention it once deserved.

Laurie Mercer is a writer/photographer living happily in the Burnt Over District.

history

Historical

Markers

B

eyond being the state that is home to the wonderful creation of the Garbage Plate, New York is unique in a multitude of ways.

We are the only state with two major shorelines — the Atlantic Ocean and Lake Ontario. We were the first capital of the United States and where George Washington was inaugurated in 1789. We are also home to the first Women’s Rights Convention, held in Seneca Falls in 1848. New York’s freshwater Finger Lakes are one of a kind, uniquely defined by eleven long, narrow lakes formed by glaciers during the Ice Age. With a state as distinctive as ours, I always love to learn more about its origins.

story and photos It can be easy to feel by Lauren Chamberlain disconnected from history, even in a land so rich in it.

New York State Historical Markers allow us to remember where we come from and honor those who built the world we know. in 1923 when the New York Historical Our knowledge of history ensures Association aimed to celebrate the we maintain a connection across approaching 150th anniversary of the generations. They guarantee that American Revolution. They sought important events, achievements and to increase recognition for New struggles are not lost.

York’s role in the formative periods of Today these distinctive blue and America’s history. The Commissioner gold historical markers are widely of Education then organized the recognizable and serve that purpose. installation of markers at historically Think back to your commute to significant sites for the Sesquicentennial. work or your last road trip around New Marking places of historical importance York, it is likely you have seen these from the colonial, revolutionary and signs. The question is: have you ever state formative periods of New York’s stopped and read them? history. These first markers were small These markers piqued my curiosity and placed primarily along highways about a year ago while driving home between 1926 and 1939 until funding from college. To the dismay of ran out. drivers behind me, since that day, I After a brief pause in funding, new will always pull over to read any I see. legislation passed in 1960 and the New On Voak Road in Yates County, York State Education Department (SED) one reads: “Built about 1790 - Potter resumed coordinating the construction Mansion - Home of Arnold Potter of these historical markers. This new Pioneer & Early Settler after whom leadership focused on creating and the town is named - State Education maintaining historical markers, which Department 1932.” led to the replacement of the original This discovery sparked my deep 1920s markers with larger, more dive into the history and establishment permanent versions. of these signs.

In 1966, this law was repealed What I found was much more and management was transferred to complex than I initially anticipated. the State Historic Trust. Later, in the New York’s earliest efforts to 1970s, ownership was transferred to the commemorate and Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic preserve its rich Preservation (OPRHP). Currently, it history can be is mostly up to local authorities to traced back maintain their historical markers. For to the 1920s. example, the marker for Fort Des Sables Foundations is funded by Monroe County rather than for this specific New York State, distinguishable by the project began M a r c h / A p r i l 2 0 2 5 ~ ­­­­­­­­­­­­23­

history

symbol at the crown of the sign. The sign stands on Culver Road across from Seabreeze Amusement Park and reads: “Fort Des Sables - A French trading post built by Joncaire near this site in 1717 as a Seneca link to New France, arousing British ire - County of Monroe 1959.”

Many of these historical markers teach about 18th and 19th-century military events, significant people, historical periods and events, as well as African American, Native and women’s historical sites. What was once a commemorative program, is now a long-term educational effort. While ownership and departments may change, the overall goal remains: to keep history alive and help citizens understand the roots of their homes.

The roots of my hometown in Irondequoit are rich and extensive. After 22 years in this town, I just learned about

the Irondequoit Melon. This sign can be found in front of Monte Alban Mexican Grill on East Ridge Road and reads: “Our Irondequoit Melon was developed here on the W.M. Sutton farm. Its seed was first sold in 1899. Very famous for its taste.

Wiped out by blight in the 1940s. Irondequoit Grange No. 849.” This unique melon was a vital piece in the early tourism, agriculture and economy of Irondequoit.

Another historical site of significance in Irondequoit is our Pioneer Home and Cobblestone & Blacksmith Shop, which stand preserved in time behind to our town hall. The signs read: “Cobblestone Blacksmith Shop - The oldest building in Irondequoit. Built-in 1630 by Ransford Perrin - Irondequoit Historical Society” and the other, “Pioneer Home - Built about 1830 on Ridge Road just west of Culver. This New England ‘Salt Box’ style home has been moved

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twice - Irondequoit Historical Society.” These historical markers have allowed me to further research and learn more about my hometown. As investigating these historical markers in your area will for you.

The New York State Museum provides a resource for Historical Markers where people can apply to place or repair a marker. They also offer a guide for maintenance, including how to remove rust on signs and the exact paint to use for restoration (Rust-Oleum® #7727 Royal Blue and #7747 Sunburst Yellow).

These markers are more than just signs; they act as windows to the past, mirrors to our shared history. I encourage you to use this article as motivation to seek out and support historical markers within your communities to ensure their stories are not forgotten with time.

Do your part to keep history alive in your town — one historical marker at a time!

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product picks ASTRA Pouch

Astrapouch 1.5-liter pouches hold the equivalent of two 750mL glass bottles of wine, spirits or coffee. Take them to the slopes or out on the boat! The beautiful, lightweight packaging makes it a huge splash. astrapouch.com

Antique Revival

Check out this oversized 5-foot French Louis XIV deeply carved and reticulated giltwood mirror. Circa 1890. antiquerevival.com

The Derma Spa

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Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery

The 2024 Dry Rosé is a blend of our best rosé grapes. This delightful wine exudes elegance and charm with candied fruit and floral tones perfect for sunny days. $16.99 drfrankwines.com

Empire Sheds

This 10- by 16-foot lofted barn includes free delivery within 30 miles from our location.

Some discounts may apply. Site preparation is available. $5,025 empireshedsales.com

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Pettis Pools

Transform your space with the Auroom Baia, a stylish two-person sauna featuring ergonomic wave benches. Starts at $9,740 plus tax pettispools.com

Reed Homestead

Vinifera

“Real Touch” faux florals, Easter egg stuffers and German traditional Beatrix Potter papier-mâché eggs have just arrived. Step into spring at Reed Homestead Shop.

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Go beyond one winery. The Vinifera Wine Club lets you experience the highest quality wines across the best wineries of the Finger Lakes! fingerlakeswineshop.com

Crown Jewelry

Crown Jewelry is an authorized Seiko Watch dealer. mycrowndowntown.com

Fireplace Fashions

The Heat & Glo True 36 is a popular direct vent gas fireplace. It offers a spacious and impressive view of the flames and mimics the look of a traditional masonry fireplace. fireplacefashions.com

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Winecountry Wearables

Crafted in Upstate NY of solid 14K gold or sterling silver, our unique jewelry beautifully celebrates your passion for wine. winecountrywearables.com

Airy Acres

This 2023 Glide Rosé is a crisp and refreshing bubbly wine that has notes of red berries and cherries, perfect for pairing with many dishes or by itself. $22 airyacresvineyard.com

product picks Long Point Winery

The 2021 Syrah is aged for 40 months in Hungarian and American oak. It provides deep, dark berry fruit with notes of black currant with a long finish of spice laced with toasted oak. longpointwinery.com

Pettis Pools

Experience luxury with the FinSauna Solara 400 GF, crafted in Thermo-Spruce.

Starts at $6,940 plus tax, including freight. pettispools.com

Morgan Marine

Show off your love for Keuka Lake with exclusive Vineyard Vines ties, hats and vests, available only at Morgan Marine. keukalakevines.com

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Lazy Acre Alpacas

Brighten your little one’s Easter basket this year with one of our colorful Parfait Teddy Bears! Made from 100 percent alpaca fleece. $26 lazyacrealpacas.com

Cricket on the Hearth

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900 Panorama Trail S., Rochester cricketonthehearth.com

CabAve Cabinets

We can design custom wine rooms in the heart of the Finger Lakes Region. cabave.com

Billsboro Winery

No special occasion needed to enjoy Saluté, a light, bubbly sparkling wine!

Notes of Meyer lemon and green apple round make this the perfect partner with a cheese board! billsborowinery.com

FLX Goods

Our bestselling long-sleeve shirts are soft, supple and pre-shrunk making for a perfect fit to show off your Finger Lakes pride! fingerlakesgoods.com

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Yellow crocus – winter meets spring Photo by Joann Long

Emergence

by Melody Burri

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W

inter in the northeast can be a photographer’s dream. Fluffy snowflakes seem to float in midair. A pristine white blanket transforms every object into a virtual work of art. And sparkling frost

and ice add next-level dazzle to breathtaking landscapes.

Even our frigid Finger Lakes continue to shine under the bright winter sun.

But there comes a point in every January or February when most minds (even cold weather-loving ones) start to dream about the return of longer days, warmer weather and what’s to come.

Gardeners devour seed catalogs and obsess over spring and summer projects. Campers and travelers lock in reservations for warm weather adventures. And photographers pore over photographs they captured when the world was full of color. It’s a practice that‘s good for the eyes and heart and soul.

That’s why Finger Lakes Photography Guild members compiled this small gallery of spring and summer “emergence” – to bear undeniable proof that living things truly do burst forth after a brutal winter. Plants, animals, nature — even humans — eventually step into the light and warmth. They stand tall and proud and maybe even a little defiant for having survived a northeastern winter.

Contributing to this collection are FLPG members Charlie Cappellino, Barb Drake, Mike Linse, Joann Long, Regina Muscarella, Joy Underhill and Robin Vorhees.

For all who’re feeling a touch of sadness, sluggishness or fatigue due to shorter days and colder temperatures — spring is coming. And along with it will again come our collective emergence. Let nature bear witness.

Eastern bluebird Photo by Regina Muscarella

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Overnight frost on tulips Photo by Joy Underhill

T

he Finger Lakes Photography Guild is a supportive group of

photographers who strive to use digital imagery as a form of fine art.

Members are amateur and professional photographers with varying skill levels and from varying walks of life. Goals

Delicate spring colors blend into a soft montage at Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge. Photo by Barb Drake

include creating venues where they can share their work, improving their photography and editing skills and spending time with people who share their passion.

The guild’s focus is on learning and sharing knowledge with each other. Members pursue photographic excellence through ongoing training from guest experts, monthly educational programs, peer reviews and by sharing tips on technique, composition, equipment, the creative process and experiences.

For more information about the guild, email fingerlakesphotographyguild@gmail.com.

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Montezuma goslings Photo by Charlie Cappellino

Leaves start to bud at Ontario County Park.

Photo by Robin Voorhees

A newborn fawn curls up in the soft spring ground cover at Tinker Park. Photo by Regina Muscarella

Baby robins, nesting at Montezuma Wildlife Refuge, let mom know they are ready for lunch! Photo by Regina Muscarella

Gaggles of snow geese are harbingers of spring in a farm field in the Town of Canandaigua.

Photo by Michael Linse

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A Baltimore oriole displays his beautiful color, framed by the flowering trees in the Arboritum at Durand Eastman Park.

Photo by Regina Muscarella

Snow blankets blooming daffodils.

Photo by Joann Long

A hefty bullfrog reflects as he relaxes in a pond on the Auburn Trail in Victor.

Photo by Regina Muscarella

Bluebell buds at Mertensia Park Photo by Joy Underhill

dining

Delicious Dishes

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Lemon Cake

The Red Bird Café Enjoy a slice of lemon cake with seedless raspberry filling, frosted with silky lemon butter cream. Cakes

by Andrea are available at the Red Bird. redbirdcafeandgiftshop.com

Todd’s Pork Chop

Nolan’s A center-cut bone-in pork chop grilled to perfection, topped with rosemary butter and served over crispy onion rings and our signature demi-glaze. nolansonthelake.com

Bananas and Cream Crepe

Simply Crepes Caramelized bananas, crème brulee custard, candied walnuts and whipped cream. simplycrepes.com

M a r c h / A p r i l 2 0 2 5 ~ ­­­­­­­­­­­­35­

Eaglesof O The

story and photos by Derek Doeffinger

A

shout pierces the air: “Look to your right, 2 o’clock, about 150 yards out.”

Eighteen heads swivel to the right.

Other voices join in. “It’s headed right at us.”

“Look, he’s got a fish.” “Not for long, there’s a juvenile in pursuit.”

The excitement is electric, thrilling. An hour-long, foot-stomping wait in the cold has suddenly exploded into action as two giant bald eagles battle over a fish. The leading one, the white-headed “bald” adult, has caught a fish. The juvenile (brown head, brown tail) wants it.

They’re coming our way, closer and closer. About a dozen of us are photographers.

The eagles are already in range for those photographers with super long telephotos attached to the newest cameras to catch every microsecond nuance of wings beating, talons extending, heads turning and beaks opening. The rest of us are hoping for a closer approach.

The adult eagle, desperate to keep its fish, veers left and dives downward, then pulls up and swerves right to escape its pursuer who, coming from underneath, extends its talons to grab the fish. Suddenly, the adult starts a barrel roll, pauses upside down with the fish now out of reach of its pursuer, rolls upright and drops low, skimming the water. As the birds recede into the distance, our excitement fades – until the next skirmish.

It’s eagle time at Onondaga Lake. It’s a

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Onondaga Lake

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Eaglesof Onondaga The

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T

o see great pictures and keep track of the eagles, visit the “Bald Eagles of Onondaga Lake” Facebook group. Its members include a large group of Syracuse area photographers who come to the lake several days a week and share some spectacular photos.

Tips for Eagle Watching

D

ress warmly, take binoculars. Consider three or four areas for eagle watching, including a couple that let you sit in your car. The most popular spot is at the winter end of the creek walk beside Destiny Mall and below the railroad trestle. On Google Maps, enter 480 Hiawatha Blvd W., Syracuse and park in the mall parking lot near that address. Head down the embankment path (a short, steep slippery descent) beginning where the guard rail has a yellow paint splotch; at the bottom, turn right to the best viewing area.

You can sit in your car, but you won’t get the full lake view. Some people pick the top floor of the adjacent parking garage to watch from their cars – it’s a little further from the action but a lot warmer.

Photographers often try the pedestrian bridge at the south end of the lake, but on windy days it’s a challenge to stay warm there. Access is a 1.3-mile walk along the trail from the parking lot at the West Shore Pier, accessible from Interstate 690.

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This juvenile eagle spotted a fish under the ice and spent a few entertaining minutes trying to get it.

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chance to see 40 or more eagles ply the skies to scour the lake for fish.

If you’re like me, you’re excited to see a lone eagle soaring overhead. Even a distant sighting of a bald eagle stirs a primitive longing to join the master of the skies. But here, at Onondaga Lake in the winter, you can see a dozen perching in the trees and spot three, four, even five tangling over a fish.

Eagle time begins up north when the cold, snow and ice seal the foothills and waterways of the Adirondacks and beyond, locking up the food until the spring thaw. Hungry eagles abandon their home territories and head south where prey can be found. Eagle time at Onondaga Lake typically stretches from mid-January to late March but varies depending on when the cold starts, ends and its depth.

With an eagle’s 30-year life span, the aerial flyway to Onondaga Lake becomes a familiar path for to adult eagles.

At Onondaga Lake, adult and juvenile eagles will find open water and a plentiful supply of fish, their favorite food. How far the open water extends on the 4.5- by 1-mile lake depends on the local temperatures. But there’s always enough for the eagles to fish. That’s because the sewage plant on the south side of the lake discharges warm water that keeps a sizable area open.

More than two thirds of an eagle’s diet typically consist of fish. In warmer weather, bald eagles add an assortment of small mammals, waterfowl and carrion to their diet. But in the winter at Onondaga, fish dominate their diet – with an occasional side dish of tasty duck. The open water attracts a wide variety of waterfowl by the hundreds. Eagles like an easy meal, so older, dumber and injured ducks are favored targets. However, DEC wildlife technician Bonnie Parton notes eagles often take on healthy ducks with a favorite technique: “To tire out the ducks, an eagle will repeatedly swoop down and make them dive under the water, and then grab one.”

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What you don’t see is that an eagle above these two eagles dropped the fish and now it’s a free for all to see if anybody can get the fish before it hits the water.

A mature male bald eagle typically weighs 6 to 9 pounds; the bigger females add a pound or two. On average, bald eagles need about a pound or more food a day but according to Cornell’s website allaboutbirds.org, they “sometimes gorge, ingesting a large amount of food and digesting it over several days. They can also survive fasting for many days, even weeks.”

To hunt or to steal?

When eagles are crowded together, they hunt for food as well as steal from other eagles. Stealing is supposed to be the easy way. In the cold winter weather, “easy” means survival because less energy is expended. But nothing can be stolen until it’s possessed. So, some eagles, even the skilled thieves, spend some time hunting fish.

When a strategic outlook branch or post is available, many eagles will perch and watch for prey. But at the lake, most eagles hunt from the air.

A hunting eagle hopes for a mild but steady breeze that lets it soar effortlessly on wings extended to their full 7-foot span, saving the energy expended by flapping.

Unlike the feet-first dive of a hunting osprey, eagles tend to swoop.

Once they spot a fish at the surface, they begin a targeted glide, wings spread wide, looking like a 737 airliner coming in for a landing. As they near

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the target, they briefly rotate their wings back and extend their feet and talons forward to nab the fish – often only getting their feet wet – and, clutching the fish, fold their feet back against their body, continuing to a perch to feast.

Ideally, that’s what happens. But at Onondaga, any eagle that catches a fish instantly shifts into avoidance protocols and maneuvers. Successful hunters expect to quickly come under attack and know that they have to defend their catch before they can dine.

It is these frequent attacks that amaze and entertain spectators. It seems to me that the older, more experienced adults have greater success at fishing, and thus are frequently targeted by less skilled juvenile eagles (1 to 3 years old with their head and tails still brownish). But adults have also had years of practice at pick-pocketing younger competitors, so you’ll see a lot of mixed-age thievery. Often the hunter, under a ferocious attack, will release its fish and then its two or three assailants will maneuver frantically to make a diving, mid-air interception of a fish falling toward freedom.

The attacks seem ferocious and dangerous. And despite many eagles sporting an empty primary feather slot on their wings, they usually aren’t severely hurt.

“The injuries aren’t usually life

The Decimation and Recovery of Eagles

R

eaders over 50 years old will likely have a different perspective on bald eagles than younger people. Older generations have first-hand experience of the disappearance of bald eagles caused by the widespread application of the eggthinning-breaking insecticide DDT. In the early 1970s, New York State was down to one nesting pair of eagles along Hemlock Lake; that pair was not reproducing, so the situation was dire. The restoration began with the ban on DDT, but recovery didn’t take hold naturally. In the 1980s, the DEC brought in, raised and released (a process called hacking) bald eagles from Alaska and a few other states.

By establishing 10 nesting pairs, they were able to create a slowly growing but thriving population that’s now resulted in more than 1,000 eagles in the state.

Banning DDT wasn’t enough to bring eagles back to Onondaga Lake. More than a hundred years of industrial and municipal pollution left the area dead and dangerous – often tagged the most polluted lake in the country. By the mid-20th century, the lake was ruined for recreational use and was killing plants and animals.

The Federal Clean Water Act of 1972, enforced by the DEC, began the road to corrective enforcement of its polluted waters.

With the designation of the lake as a federal Superfund site in 1994, remediation began in earnest. Honeywell, having taken over Allied Chemical (the major polluter of heavy metals and PCBs), became responsible for funding and leading an effort to improve the water quality. When the process was completed in 2007, it resulted in the eventual return of dozens of bird and fish species, aided by the restoration and proliferation of shore and wetland plants. That was achieved in part by hundreds of local volunteers spearheaded by the Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps (created by Honeywell, local Audubon groups and community members in 2012) who spent thousands of hours replanting and improving the watershed.

“The restoration of 90 acres of wetlands and shoreline has brought birds, wildlife and people back to the lake,” said Chris Lajewski.

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threatening,” said Parton. “I’ve never had to go pick up a sick or injured eagle from that area.”

At times it’s possible you aren’t observing a fish tussle but a mating ritual.

Courting eagles maneuver mid-air until they’re facing each other. Then they interlock their talons and together plummet earthward in a tumbling death spiral, hopefully (and usually) untangling in time. It’s a compatibility test to see who lets go first, and it seems to work as they mate for a lifetime.

More than eagles Chris Lajewski, head of the Montezuma Audubon chapter and the Onondaga Lake Conservation Group, revels in the rejuvenation of Ondondaga Lake. “It’s the largest gathering of eagles in New York State,” he said. He’s well aware that in the 20th century (see page 41 sidebars) both the bald eagles and Onondaga Lake nearly met their demise.

But it’s not only eagles that have returned. “Over 200 bird species appear on and around the lake,” Lajewski stated.

Lajewski proudly noted kingfishers, swans, peregrine falcons, ospreys, mergansers, herons, redheads, canvas backs, mallards and other ducks that have returned, and fish species have multiplied nearly tenfold to more than 60 species– thanks to the efforts of Audubon members and diverse groups of nature lovers from industry, government and the community.

When you look for the eagles, also keep an eye out for all the other wildlife. If you come back for a stroll on a balmy spring day, you’ll see the lake once again alive with people and wildlife.

enterprising

AstraPouch Keeps Wine Fresh from Pouch to Glass

W

ith more companies looking for environmentallyfriendly packaging, one manufacturer in the Finger Lakes Region is offering its expertise. Headquartered in Middlesex, AstraPouch® manufactures lightweight, durable and eco-friendly packaging for alcoholic beverages, coffee, syrups, oils and more.

Peg Angelo, who has been in sales for more than 30 years, learned of AstraPouch a little more than a year ago via LinkedIn. Upon reviewing the company’s website and social media pages, she saw working there as a fun opportunity. She is now the sales account executive for AstraPouch.

“My motto is to ‘Never stop learning,’” Peg said. “While most are looking to retire at my age, I wanted to try something new!”

Peg sat down with us to talk about how AstraPouch has a reduced carbon footprint, the ways that it stands out from

traditional glass packaging and how its products can be used to store various types of liquids.

What kind of business is AstraPouch, and how long has it been in existence?

We are a full-system provider of flexible packaging for all beverages. We supply the custom printed packaging for both the AstraPouch and Bag-in-Box (BIB), very low minimum purchases, wine and coffee formulation knowledge, filling machines to rent or own and an extensive co-packing network in the United States.

For 15 years, we’ve offered flexible liquid packaging design and distribution. By designing and selling our Astrofill Pouch and BiB filling machines, we can guide our customers during the entire process and introduce them to the flexible packaging world.

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enterprising

and aluminum foil, providing maximum protection with minimal material.

Why choose Middlesex for the location of an international business?

Owner and founder Dave Moynihan started the business in Rochester, then moved it into the heart of the NYS wine industry and closer to his home in Vine Valley.

Middlesex is in the middle of the wine region. We cut our teeth designing packaging that can meet the strict technical requirements for preserving wine, so it only made sense to put our operations where our customers are.

How can using pouches reduce the carbon footprint of wine packaging?

Carbon emissions from the production of wine packaging is toward the low end of the scale when using pouches, as opposed to standard bottles that are commonly used; pouches are around 10 percent compared to wine bottles.

The durable and lightweight design of our pouches is a combination of the best qualities of plastic, cardboard

What kind of local businesses can use AstraPouch’s products? How can they enhance the local economy?

We lower the cost and carbon footprint of the local wineries, distilleries, breweries and any other business that can use our products.

Apart from the smaller carbon footprint, what are the benefits of using your pouches to package wines?

Our pouches have an economic value, as they provide a lower cost for businesses. Because our pouches don’t let

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BIB and Pouch Sales are About to Explode as Small and Medium Wineries Begin the Move to Low Carbon Footprint Wine Packaging

Carbon emissions during manufacturing of different packaging by type Emissions calculations made in 2018-2019, average expressed as grams of CO2 equivalent per liter CHART DATA SOURCE: ALKO/SYSTEMBOLAGET/VINMONPOLET

light in, which affects wine, they keep wine fresher. The pouches include a special one-way valve that doesn’t allow oxygen to re-enter the package. Using an AstraPouch actually extends the life of the product in comparison to a bottle of wine. Wine in a bottle will essentially “go bad” after two to three days from time of opening as it now has let oxygen back into the product. Our pouches can keep liquids fresher up to one month after opening.

Grams of CO2 equivalent per liter

900

894

800 762

700 664

600 500 400 300 253

200 100 0

141 68

71

Bag in Box

AstraPouch®

How can local consumers use the products as well?

Go to your local store and look for the boxed liquid products or pouches (wine, spirits, cold brew and olive oil), and feel good about reducing your carbon footprint. Home winemakers are also finding that they like working with the flexible packages.

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PET

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Are there any future goals that AstraPouch is planning to accomplish?

We are looking to expand business throughout industries and continue to raise awareness of the environmental advantages of non-volumetric liquid packaging.

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off the easel

Artist Andy Reddout:

Sketching Around the World

by Nancy E. McCarthy

H

oneoye Falls artist Andy Reddout is almost 20 years into his second career and juggles several interests.

Formerly an advertising agency art director, Reddout is an art teacher and sports coach at Victor Senior High School.

He’s also a freelance illustrator and graphic design artist, a prolific urban sketcher and avid golfer. He’s sketched and golfed here in the Finger Lakes Region and all over the world.

“Any opportunity to see and experience new art, architecture and culture – he’s in!” said Carrie Costello, his wife and frequent travel partner. The couple’s next travel adventure is to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. Reddout also plans and chaperones biennial school trips abroad. In 2024, the students sketched their way through incredible museums and galleries in Paris and Amsterdam.

Reddout sketching with his students in Château de Versailles, France in 2024.

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SONNENBERG GARDENS PRESENTS Reddout’s newest achievement was illustrating Genny Sees the Eclipse, a children’s book commemorating the total solar eclipse of April 8, 2024. He squeezed that project in during his 2023 summer break from school.

As a teenager he remembers focusing on one skateboarding trick for hours at a time, but Reddout is no longer a one-trick pony.

Sidetracked Reddout grew up in Victor. “I got into drawing when I was young. My dad would draw these monsters and I would draw army men destroying the monster,” said Reddout. Drawing was a way to entertain himself. Reddout copied from comic books as well as watched and drew along during the “Draw Squad” television show.

Reddout’s initial career goal was to be an art teacher, but he got sidetracked. Upon arrival at SUNY Cortland, he discovered that his desired major had been discontinued.

Reddout switched to their studio art program instead. His printmaking professor encouraged him to consider finishing his bachelor’s degree at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and study graphic design. Reddout followed his advice and attained his BFA at RIT in 1999.

Right out of college, he was hired as an art director for an ad agency. Reddout made TV commercials and created ads, websites, logos and billboards for local and international companies. To move up he had to move over and work for other agencies to develop his career. “I quit a lot of jobs! That was the only way to advance in advertising in Rochester.”

After working grueling 12-hour days, weekends and holidays for a few years, Reddout needed a change. He began freelancing and taught art as an adjunct professor at RIT. He fell in love with teaching and attained his master’s degree in art education at RIT in 2006.

Reddout was hired at Bloomfield Elementary School as an art teacher (and sports coach) and worked there for 10 years. In 2017 he moved over to Victor Senior High School, his alma mater. “The position was some computer art and some traditional art – a good fit for my past digital career,” he said (although calling some of his former teachers by their first names was initially a bit strange). He currently teaches drawing and painting, illustration, visual journaling, digital studio art and computer-generated art. Through the years at VSHS he’s also coached tennis, basketball and golf.

“Andy is the type of teacher that students flock to,” said his colleague Dave Denner, a longtime VSHS art teacher. “He is an exceptional artist, great storyteller and an outstanding motivator because he understands how to embrace and share the joy of making things with others.”

Urban sketcher Reddout joined a local sketch group in 2012 where he met artist Genine Carvalheira. “We sketched our way into each other’s lives,” he said. “We have been friends since, and she was even in my wedding!” In 2017, they attended the Urban

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off the easel

Reddout and Genny book.

Photo by Glenn Clark

The Artist’s Process

Illustrating Genny Sees the Eclipse

T

ransforming Genny from a graphic poster into stylized illustrations for a children’s book was an exciting new experience for Reddout. He created all the project artwork digitally using an iPad Pro, Apple Pencil and the Procreate art app.

Reddout began by sketching the animals featured in the book on an iPad with his Apple Pencil, experimenting with different angles and poses: mouths open or closed, standing, sitting and more. “Once I had the characters, I laid all the pages out in a single document to visualize the overall cadence and flow from one page to the next,” he said.

Reddout then enlarged the sketches into double-page spreads, carefully adjusting the placement of each animal to leave room for text. “The final step, and my favorite, was ‘inking’ the art and adding colors and shadows using Procreate. This is when the illustrations truly come to life, practically leaping off the page,” he said.

There were multiple emails and phone calls throughout the process resulting in image tweaks from simply moving the position of the sun on a page to turning a dog into a chicken (“One of the strangest requests I’ve ever received!”).

After all final illustrations were approved, the completed artwork was submitted. Text was added and then sent off to the printer to become a book.

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Right: Watercolor on paper, Barcelona, Spain 2022 Right, bottom: “Haven’t Had Time to go to the Dump” won the People’s Choice Award at Plein Air in Clifton Springs, 2022.

Sketchers (USk) symposium in Chicago and in Porto, Portugal in 2018. USk is a global sketching community that defines an urban sketch as a drawing created on location – indoors or out – that captures what the artist sees from direct observation. There are USk chapters in more than 70 countries and 489 cities, according to its website.

“When we were both home, we would run a sketch group and made regular events to sketch with five to 20 people at places in and around Rochester,” said Reddout. His drawing buddy Carvalheira moved to Bogota, Columbia with her spouse four years ago and just finished her term as president of USk. “Andy is an amazing artist and one of the most versatile people I know. He can create incredible work in any medium he tries. He finds beauty in everything, whether it’s the stunning cityscape of Porto, Portugal, the simplicity of drink glasses on his wedding day or the gritty charm of a rusted gas meter in a Canandaigua alley,” said Carvalheira. “His ability to capture the essence of the world around him is what makes his work so inspiring.”

Reddout doesn’t define himself solely as an urban sketcher. “I think I’m just a general all-around 2D artist,” he said. He works with a variety of mediums: watercolor, ink, oil, colored pencil, gouache, acrylic and digital. But if stranded on a desert island with just one medium, he admits that he would choose a Blackwing pencil and a sketchbook.

(Continued on page 50)

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off the easel

Creating Genny the Cow Crafting a Brand owner Glenn Clark and Reddout worked together in the advertising industry and still collaborate on occasional projects. When the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce hired Clark for a marketing campaign, he wanted Reddout involved. The end goal was to attract visitors to Genesee County to view the April 8, 2024 solar eclipse. “He had the creative talent as well as the professional skills we needed to build a memorable visual brand for this once-in-a-lifetime event,” said Clark.

The first marketing piece was a GeneSEE the Eclipse commemorative poster featuring a fanciful dairy cow sporting solar eclipse glasses. While the two had brainstormed, Reddout sketched several different ideas and characters; Genny the cow emerged as the strongest concept of all. “She was memorable, visually distinct, fun and ‘on-brand’ as an animal mascot for a mostly rural region,” said Clark. Reddout’s Genny became the highly-visible character anchoring all of the marketing materials leading up to the eclipse.

After the poster, the Chamber of Commerce commissioned and published children’s book Genny Sees the Eclipse. It was written by Colleen Onuffer, a local public relations director at Travel Alliance Partnership, and Reddout was tapped as illustrator. In the story, Genny teaches the other farm animals how to safely watch the eclipse. “I’ve always dreamed of doing a children’s book so I was absolutely

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Sketching during 2018 USk Symposium in Porto, Portugal. (L-R) Artists Suhita Shirodkar, Genine Carvalheira, Shari Blaukopf and Andy Reddout

“Andy Jenkins” graphite on paper, 2021.

delighted,” Reddout said.

A March 2024 Forbes magazine article, “Six Best Books to Prepare You for April’s Total Solar Eclipse,” included Genny Sees the Eclipse on its list with high praise for the “beautifully illustrated” book.

Reddout was thrilled with the write-up.

Though the book has checked off a box on his dreamscome-true bucket list, Reddout would love to illustrate another book. But the timing of that would have to be carefully planned around his school schedule. Teaching art is definitely his highest professional priority.

“I always say that my job is to be bugged by my students and drawing pictures all day,” said Reddout. “It doesn’t get much better than that.”

Follow the artist on Instagram @areddout. View and purchase Reddout’s work at andyreddout.com.

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musical notes

Country Singer Madelyn Rose:

Catch a Rising Star

by Nancy E. McCarthy

P

enn Yan country singer Madelyn Rose publicly sang her own original songs for the first time during a backyard party in 2021. The following year, she snagged a song distribution deal with Vere Music in Nashville.

She performs extensively in the Finger Lakes Region and has released two EPs – both recorded in Nashville.

Her latest project was the Cowboys EP in 2024.

This would have been a whirlwind start to a promising music career for any musician.

But it’s especially astonishing considering that in 2024 Madelyn Rose had also just graduated from high school.

Above: Madelyn performing at Apple Barrel Orchards, Penn Yan. Left: Madelyn designed the Cowboys EP cover. Photo by Riley Earl

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Madelyn also designed the Teenage Heartache EP cover.

Photo by Dire Image

The piano and the pandemic Madelyn Rose, now 18, is the only child of Brian and Christie Mosch. Madelyn loved music and sang from an early age (although she was a shy child and wouldn’t sing in front of anyone but her father). When she was 4, Christie brought an electronic keyboard home. Piano lessons began soon after. Brian, who played guitar, and Madelyn would play and sing together. They also had a karaoke set up, and Madelyn sang along to backing tracks.

Madelyn was 13 when the pandemic in 2020 kept her home with virtual schooling and interrupted her piano lessons. That’s when she picked up the acoustic guitar and learned to play from online sites and tips from her father.

Country music was her favorite genre. Madelyn’s biggest musical influences are Carrie Underwood (“She stayed true to her roots.”), Christina Aguilera (“Drop dead amazing voice.”) and Lainey Wilson (“She stuck to her dreams and 10 years later she made it big.”). Madelyn’s voice has been compared to Wilson’s.

Madelyn started writing original songs and asked her parents if she could convert her bedroom into a makeshift recording studio. They were supportive of the idea. Brian bought some basic recording equipment and upgraded her keyboard. Researching and learning all aspects of the musicmaking and the production process – writing, singing, playing, recording, mixing and mastering – turned her interest into a passion.

Being stuck in a lockdown cloud had a bittersweet silver lining: it provided the time for Madelyn to concentrate on her music. “She blossomed,” said Christie. “As horrible as Covid was, it was a blessing in a way.”

At 14, Madelyn recorded and produced a full-length album all by herself.

Nashville and the Finger Lakes Through a friend of a friend of Brian’s with music industry ties, Madelyn’s songs made their way to Richard (Continued on page 54)

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musical notes

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Ellis, an artist manager specializing in young performers. Ellis represented Madelyn in 2022 to make introductions and inroads in the Nashville music scene. Madelyn co-wrote with some professional songwriters and then recorded and released two EPs under a six-song music distribution deal with Vere Music (VM). Through their relationship with the Alternative Distribution Alliance (ADA) – whose parent company is Warner Brothers Music – VM distributed Madelyn’s songs to worldwide streaming platforms.

“Madelyn has great instincts in the studio, is a strong vocalist and has a savvy about the industry that is uncommon with artists at this age,” said Rusty Harmon, president of VM. Harmon, a music industry veteran, previously managed the highly popular American rock band Hootie & the Blowfish, among others.

Thanks to the faster pace of online education, Madelyn was able to graduate early from high school in February 2024, freeing her up to concentrate on recording and performing. Madelyn performs her solo shows with an acoustic guitar. She sings her original tunes and iconic covers such as “House of the Rising Sun” and “Ring of Fire” plus country hits like Miranda Lambert’s “Gunpowder & Lead.”

For the past couple of years, Madelyn has taken voice lessons with Lis Lewis via Zoom. Lewis is a legendary Los Angeles-based voice teacher and performance coach with an impressive client list that includes Rihanna, Demi Lovato and Gwen Stephani.

Madelyn estimates playing more than 60 dates in the Finger Lakes Region

Madelyn performing at Snug Harbor Restaurant, Hammondsport

between March and September 2024. She’s made several appearances on the Apple Barrel Orchards stage in Penn Yan. “Madelyn has a beautiful voice and stage presence. Her ability to sing different country songs through the decades, especially at her age, is impressive,” said owner Allison Hiller. “But what stands out to me most about Madelyn is her original music.” Before Madelyn first performed at Apple Barrel, Hiller downloaded her song “Won’t Be Me.” She and her daughters listened to it on repeat, and all sang along when Madelyn performed that tune.

“You could see her light up with confidence and pride as she sang. Having Madelyn as an entertainer here has been amazing and we are so excited to continue to watch her grow in her musical career,” Hiller said.

Madelyn’s burgeoning career remains a family project.

Brian plays a role as technical consultant and music advisor while Christie books gigs and handles copyrights and licensing. They both regularly attend Madelyn’s shows along with family and friends. “Going to her gigs is so enjoyable,” said Christie. Music has brought the family even closer.

Madelyn is currently studying digital media and marketing at Finger Lakes Community College. She designed her EP covers and feels these skills would be useful for her music career or for marketing other musicians. Besides her college studies, Madelyn’s focus is performing regularly in 2025.

Meanwhile, VM has left the door open for Madelyn to record and release more songs. “She has certainly gained momentum, continuing to build on her streaming and social media numbers,” said Harmon. “We would love to continue working with Madelyn and build on her success.”

Whatever path she chooses in her musical journey, the future looks bright for this young rising star!

For more information, visit madelynroseofficial.com.

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lifestyle

One-of-a-Kind

STAYS The Quiet Place – South Hill Lodge

by Lauren Chamberlain

W

hen it comes to creating a memorable travel experience, accommodation and hospitality play a pivotal role in setting the tone for the entire journey.

Traveling can be one of the most rewarding ways to spend your hard-earned free time – seeing new places, trying new foods and experiencing rich cultures.

One thing holding potential travelers back is accommodation. Finding the right place, at the right price, to stay safely and comfortably while you explore new areas can be a huge stressor.

The question many people may have is: Why choose a fancy getaway over a chain hotel if you are just there to store your stuff and sleep? If a name brand hotel is your choice, there is no problem with that. However, if you have ever wanted completely transparent pricing without hidden fees for parking or wi-fi, or to be able to have a contactless check-in, or not be forced into an elevator chock-full of dripping, chlorine-coated children, I may have a better option.

The Quiet Place, Apple Country Retreat and The Cliffs Bed & Breakfast at Sodus Point are three examples of the

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Finger Lakes Region’s unique hospitality and accommodation opportunities. Each has contributed to the area’s growing appeal. Whether you’re seeking relaxation, adventure or a taste of local culture, the right place to stay is essential to making your visit special.

These getaways provide the perfect backdrop to unwind and use your well-earned vacation time. Whether you are visiting for scenic drives, biking and hiking, antiquing, festivals, farm markets, museums, wineries, water sports, snow skiing — the list could really go on — these are the answer for you!

The Quiet Place Getaways The Quiet Place Getaways are exclusive private vacation rentals scattered across the Finger Lakes Region. Here, guests can see much of the regional scenery before experiencing a continuing sense of quiet, ease and comfort at their accommodations that allows them to better connect with each other, nature and one’s self.

The Quiet Place offers a variety of private homes in the Finger Lakes for guests who are looking for a chance to

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The Quiet Place began 25 years ago but was only graced with the ownership of Mark and Catie Tortarella in January 2021. Eric Moon and Jan McKie launched The Quiet Place in 2000 with the first secluded cabin in Bloomfield, bought in an auction. Since the Tortarella’s took ownership, their vision stayed true to the original dream of the previous owners: to create a one-of-a-kind escape to experience true peace and quiet moments without sharing a living space with proprietors.

Similarly to the Nicols from The Cliffs Bed & Breakfast at Sodus Point, the Tortarellas discovered The Quiet Place while looking to celebrate their love. In October 2020, they reached out to Moon

and McKie for a place to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary.

During their phone call to reserve, Moon started sharing the story of The Quiet Place’s growth and how he and McKie had formed their company brick by brick. As they talked, Moon offered the Tortarellas the opportunity to take ownership of the business.

While they strive to maintain the authenticity of their predecessors, the Tortarellas enjoy making it their own through their attention to detail and personalized touches. They find an enjoyable challenge in evolving while maintaining “a personal, yet unique, experience no matter where the guests stay.”

Valerie Dimino is a long-time lover of the Tortarellas’ business. As a writer,

Membership eligibility required. Federally insured by NCUA.

(Continued on page 58)

The Quiet Place - Bloomfield Cabin

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lifestyle

she shared that one of their properties, the Naples Chalet — her personal favorite — was a pivotal piece in drafting and revising her first book.

“Throughout my stay, I feel assured that every need has been thoughtfully addressed — and yet I’m left entirely to my own devices,” Dimino wrote in her blog, “10 Reasons The Quiet Place is the Ideal Getaway.” She explained that her 10 reasons embody everything that the Tortarellas have hoped for visitors – from the amenities and decor to the locations with phenomenal views. The goal is to not only be a great place to stay, but to give guests a place to recharge and gain a better overall state of their mental and physical well-being.

Each of The Quiet Place’s 20 private properties are placed across the wine region of Upstate New York, are individually owned and only operates as a The Quiet Place exclusive getaway. The Tortarellas are hoping to grow with some new getaways and locations.

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Apple Country Retreat

Apple Country Retreat Welcome to Apple Country Retreat in Tully. Owners Jay and Marilyn James believe any visitors will be delighted with the many options offered at this facility.

Nestled in Otisco, Apple Country Retreat gives visitors convenient access to Otisco Lake, Syracuse, Skaneateles, Cazenovia, Cortland and Auburn. Just a stone’s throw from the lake, it offers year-round rustic luxury lodging with

Front entrance of Apple Country Retreat

accommodations to suit each visitor’s needs.

The James family spends their days ensuring that everyone who visits their facility feels welcomed upon arrival and leaves eager to return.

“Our greatest compliment comes from the many guests who return and bring their friends and family back,” they shared.

Guests can indulge in a variety of lodging options. The

Ginger Gold Loft suite features a fully equipped kitchen and a private bath.

The Empire Suite boasts two spacious bedrooms, a kitchen, living room, full bath and additional half bath. For those looking for a cozier experience, the Jona Gold and Jona Mac rooms share a charming bathroom and a communal entertainment area complete with a pool table, baby grand piano and television.

The Apple Country Retreat has grown significantly since its humble beginnings in October 2003. Starting as a hunt for a place to store their equipment and machinery for their Royal Fiberglass Pool business, Jay and Marilyn ended up falling in love with a parcel of land in scenic Otisco. Previously, the historical Bardwell Farm operated for three generations as a dairy farm. Jay and Marilyn initially planned to reconstruct the barn as a bunkhouse for their crew for Royal Fiberglass Pools.

However, this then evolved into a B&B and event space. Within the last several years, the idea of being more than a bed and breakfast came to fruition. Starting in 2013, the James family (Continued on page 60)

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lifestyle

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pitched the Apple Country Retreat to the community and began hosting events and overnight guests.

The property has a gathering area that can accommodate a catered event of up to 120 people, making it the perfect space for celebrations.

Rather than a traditional B&B, they had a much more extraordinary vacation spot with their rustically elegant environment and luxury suites. With a Hard Cider Tavern, Granny Smith Lounge, dining space, pools, hot tubs, firepits and their outdoor bar, “One Bad Apple”, there is not much room left for wanting.

The Cliffs Bed & Breakfast at Sodus Point As you approach The Cliffs Bed & Breakfast at Sodus Point, the beauty of the landscape catches your attention.

Tucked into four acres of private woods, visitors can gaze at the serene shores of Lake Ontario with 300 feet of waterfront views overlooking from a 60-foot cliff above the water.

Owners and Innkeepers Erin and Chris Nicol purchased the property in 2023. However, the story of The Cliffs began well before the couple acquired the property. The house was owned by a local doctor until the 1990s. It opened as a bed and breakfast in 2005.

Erin and Chris were engaged and looking for wedding venues when they stumbled upon the bed and breakfast, The Cliffs at Sodus Point.

A year later, they celebrated their wedding there and returned each year

after to celebrate their anniversary.

When the property became available, they quickly jumped at the opportunity. Not only was this place of their new passion, but it was where they eternalized their love for one another.

The Cliffs features four spacious rooms, each especially designed for ultimate comfort. There is a gathering space with a refrigerator, television and board games.

Beyond complimentary wi-fi and wireless device charging, a gourmet homemade breakfast awaits guests each morning in their cozy dining area. On warmer visits, guests are welcome to cool off in the in-ground pool. There are multiple areas to relax in – whether you prefer to lay in the sun by the pool, or cozy up inside with a book.

Their Lake Room has a full view of Lake Ontario. The Alaskan Room is the largest of the four and has a Jacuzzi tub. The English Cottage Room is quaint and cozy.

The Nicols seek to create nothing less than the perfect experience for their guests. They prioritize a restful, relaxing and unique lakeside atmosphere with above-and-beyond service. As hosts, they make a point to connect customers with other regional small businesses.

“Our B&B offers a unique location as a large property in a residential setting with an incredible view of Lake Ontario,” the Nicols said.

“A relaxing stay with comfortable

The Cliffs Bed & Breakfast at Sodus Point

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accommodations and excellent service from booking to check out is our goal, and we look forward to meeting guests traveling near and far.”

More than a place to rest From the moment you check into any of these businesses, the warmth, comfort and service you receive can elevate your stay and turn a simple

trip into a lasting memory. The Quiet Place, Apple Country Retreat and The Cliffs Bed & Breakfast at Sodus Point have special qualities that set them apart, from personalized service to unforgettable atmospheres. When booking a stay at any of these places, guests aren’t just choosing a place to rest – they’re adding to their experiences.

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human interest

Seth Green:

The Father of Fish Culture

by Julie Cummins photos courtesy Wikimedia Commons

W

hat do a children’s card game, a railroad and one man dedicated to a sport have in common? It’s a four-letter word: fish!

From the time he was young, Seth Green was fascinated with nature. Born on March 19, 1817 in Rochester, he was raised in a family of Seth Green’s Trout Ponds, near Mumford, in 1866. Now Caledonia Hatchery. farmers and learned how from Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper, Sep. 1, 1866 to plant at a young age. He learned the secrets of nature from his Seneca Indian friends, Lower Falls around Rochester and sold them to the docked particularly fishing. His education was the wilderness itself. His ships and their crew. By 1847, he had opened several shops, skill at hunting and fishing didn’t require book learning, but making him the largest dealer of fish in New York and a famous those skills put food on his family’s table and would lead to a fisherman. Green’s business grew so big that he employed 100 thriving business. men who could bring in a haul anywhere from 12 to 25 tons of Green married Helen Cook in 1838 and established a fish fish in a month. business with his brother-in-law in Rochester. They traveled Green had an uncanny ability of seeing anomalies in the across Lake Ontario to fish markets, even when it was stormy wild; one in particular provided him with a fishing secret that weather. Locals who wanted fresh fish knew Green was the would lay claim to his legacy. On an annual fishing trip to go-to guy.

Ontario, Canada, he found that male fish ate eggs almost as Early on, Green caught salmon and sturgeon in the soon as the female spawned them. The females would (Continued on page 64)

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human interest

then hide any remaining eggs by covering them with gravel. This unique behavior became Green’s inspiration for artificial propagation and his secret of artificially hatching eggs. As his newly discovered spot at the Caledonia Creek had ideal conditions, the Caledonia Fish Hatchery was born.

Above: Caledonia hatchery, interior. Photo is from the cover of the Annual report of the Commissioners of Fisheries, Game and Forests of the State of New York (1896) Above, right: New York Fish Commission in Caledonia, May 5, 1886. Standing: E. G. Blackford, R. B. Roosevelt. Sitting: Seth Green, W. H. Bowman, R. U. Sherman

The advocate Green had a philanthropic side and recognized that fish were a limited resource. His hatchery in Caledonia was the first in the state and he urged the state of production of fish in New York to form a fishing commission and then appointed him as the state superintendent of fisheries. He was charged with increasing the production and number of fish in New York waters.

(Continued on page 66)

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human interest

Between 1868 and 1875, the commission established regular stocking of the lakes and waterways.

Green wrote many publications before his health went into decline.

Two basics were Fish Hatching and Fish Catching – which he co-wrote with Robert B. Roosevelt – and Home Fishing in Home Waters: A Practical Treatise in Fish Culture, both useful today. Fish commissions from four New England states paid him to try his shad method on trout, but it wasn’t successful.

Green’s business quickly grew as he became the largest fish dealer, earning him the name of “Father of fish culture in North America.”

He also became known as the infamous angfly fisherman (angling is a technique using ultra lightweight lures to mimic small flying insects for feeding).

The fisherman and his secret Fish farmers in the East Coast were eager to generate their own hatcheries, but there was one obstacle in their way: how to transport fish for the long trip to the West Coast. However, Green devised a clever method.

What container was large enough to survive the long trip of 2,000 miles from Albany, New York to Tehama, California? Milk cans seemed an obvious way, aquarium tanks another, but Green had an ingenuous method – one that would change the face of transporting fish from East Coast to West Coast.

Letters requesting support poured in, but success depended on water supplies. Caledonia had the perfect combination of natural elements for hatching brook trout.

In 1871, Thockmorton and Redding who were California fish commissioners, wrote to Green about the possibility of sending young shad from Caledonia to Tehama. While Green noted the chances of a successful trip were low, he was willing to try.

Green set off by train to (Continued on page 68)

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California with 12,000 shad hatchings in milk cans. The dry areas of the long trip meant it was imperative to find fresh water to keep the fish alive. While Green was able to restock the cans with fresh water from Lake Erie at a stop in Cleveland and from Lake Michigan once they reached Chicago, the process was unsustainable. When the train reached Omaha, Green decided on a different approach. He took a tin pail and filled it from the passenger water tanks. The train porters saw Green with his pail, noted the lower water supply and figured out what was going on. They approached the train’s baggage man who then confronted Green. After hearing Green’s explanation, he became sympathetic and offered to help him.

The fish successfully made their journey to the Sacramento River.

Green’s legacy Shad were not the only fish that Green experimented with.

He received many accolades and lived to receive many of them. The Société Impériale d’Acclimatation of France awarded Green a gold medal in 1875 for his dedication to pisciculture. In 1880, the German Fishermen’s Club in Berlin presented him with gold medals in tribute to the importance of his work across the world.

Sadly, Green’s physical health declined after he contracted typhoid pneumonia in 1882 on a fishing trip with a friend. In January 1888, Green and his son were traveling to a museum when their carriage over turned and Green severely injured his back.

The accident confined him to his house for the rest of his life. He died that August at age 71 and is buried in Mount Hope Cemetery in Rochester.

Green left a legacy to fishermen across the world. He was the penultimate fisherman, a champion among anglers, an expert in fishing culture and author of multiple publications.

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Quail Summit....................................................................................................7 The Quiet Place............................................................................................61 R

The Red Bird Cafe & Gift Shop........................................................68 Reed Homestead.......................................................................................66 Reliant Credit Union................................................................................ 57 Rio Tomatlan..................................................................................................63 RJ Cars Inc...................................................................................................... 67 Route 96 Power & Paddle...................................................................51 S

Seneca Grove Rustics............................................................................66 Signlanguage Inc......................................................................................55 Simply Crepes Canandaigua..............................................................4 SkyPort IT, Inc...............................................................................................39 Smith Boys - Conesus NY...................................................................42 Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion................................................ 47 St. Ann’s Community............................................................................... 13 Studio Sales Pottery Supply Co........................................................4 T

Timber Frames Inc....................................................................................41 Tom Kalcevic/Trapshooter/ Coach/Knife Collector & Author............................................69 U

Unique Toy Shop........................................................................................63 V

N

Vinifera...............................................................................................................65

Naglee Fine Arts........................................................................................69 National Soaring Museum.................................................................. 71 Nazareth University Arts Center.......................................................6 New Energy Works TimberFramers......................Back Cover Nolan’s on Canandaigua Lake........................................................63 North Star Art Gallery............................................................................44

West End Gallery........................................................................................51 The William George Agency for Children’s Services...................................................................53 Wine Country Wearables.................................................................... 57 Woodhouse.................................................................................................... 24

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Periwinkle & Sage, LLC.........................................................................68

Adventure Awaits in the Finger Lakes

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Z

Zugibe Vineyards.......................................................................................65

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culture & attractions

Come Walk through History with Us …

4 Unique Collections ~ 1 Price ~ Something for Everyone Brockway Trucks & Memorabilia  Military Memorabilia  Local History Model Trains & Railroad History  Agricultural Heritage  Vintage Tractors Antique Firehouse Museum & First Responder Display and more!

Open: MARCH: Thursday - Saturday & APRIL: Wednesday - Saturday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM with last admission at 3:30 PM

We will do our best to accommodate visitors at other times by Appointment

4386 US Route 11  Cortland, NY Halfway between Binghamton & Syracuse 1/2 mile off I-81, exit 54

607-299-4185  www.cnylivinghistory.org

Please visit our Website or Facebook Page or call: 607-299-4185

Handicapped Accessible  Wheelchairs & Scooters Available Meeting Rooms, Theater & Venue Rentals  Memorial Garden & Veranda Buses & Groups Welcome with Prior Arrangements

Cortland County

HISTORICAL SOCIETY Then & Now Children’s Room

Suggett House Museum

Telling Your Stories for 100 Years!

Kellogg Memorial Research Center

TOUROUR OUR FARM FARM && TOUR BROWSE OUR GIFT SHOP

BROWSE TOUR OUR OUR GIFT FARMSHOP &

Free admission!

Explore history!

Discover your story!

Member of the Empire State Museums Reciprocal Program and the North American Reciprocal Museum Association

607-756-6071

25 Homer Avenue, Cortland, NY

www.cortlandhistory.org

Our alpaca farm is the largest in the Fall is a wonderful time to visit us hereSHOP on the farm.

BROWSE OUR GIFT Finger Lakes area. You will have the The coolerTOUR temperatures and Fall colors & make for an OUR FARM opportunity to meet our herd of 60+ Our alpaca farm is the largest alpacas. in the enjoyable visit with our alpacas and the most gorgeous Learn alpaca history &You care while touring OUR GIFT SHOP Finger area. will have the for photoBROWSE ops. WeLakes are open Tuesday through Sunday the vintagetobarns.

Individual and groupalpacas. tours. opportunity herd of tours and/or a visit meet tofarm our our store.

We also60+ offer yoga with Our alpaca is the largest in the theLearn alpacas ifLakes you are looking forwill a while new and fun way alpaca history &You care touring Finger area. have the to interact with friendly on our the vintage barns.

Individual group tours. opportunity toour meet ouralpacas. herdand of Register 60+ alpacas. website for a tour or yoga. Preregistration is required to Learn alpaca history & care while touring insure we have the correct staff available to make your the vintage barns.

Individual and group tours. visit as enjoyable as possible.

SCHEDULE YOUR VISIT:

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Now Open Regular Hours

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SCHEDULE YOUR VISIT: (585) 455-1203

SCHEDULE YOUR VISIT: SCHEDULE YOUR VISIT: www.lazyacrealpacas.com www.lazyacrealpacas.com (585) 455-1203 www.lazyacrealpacas.com

8830 Baker Road Bloomfield, NY 14469

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

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Areas of Interest

or visit FingerLakesMagazine.com

in the March/April 2025 issue 1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8

Bloomfield (p.57) Caledonia (p.62) Canandaigua (p.10) Cardiff (p.20)

17 Syracuse (p.36) 18 Tinker Park (p.33) 19 Tully (p.58)

13 Ontario County Park (p.33) 14 Penn Yan (p.52) 15 Seneca Falls (p.23) 16 Sodus Point (p.60)

9 Irondequoit (p.24) 10 Middlesex (p.43) 11 Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge (p.32) 12 Newark (p.11)

Durand Eastman Park (p.34) Farmington (p.10) Geneva (p.10) Honeoye Falls (p.46)

From Oswego

Lake Ontario

Hilton

Sodus Point

MONROE

9

Brockport Spencerport

5

Webster

104

Sodus

8

5

Avon

Palmyra

Lima

Victor

12

Manchester Shortsville Canandaigua

Bloomfield

20

3

5

Clyde

Lyons

6

Honeoye Falls

Livonia Hemlock

20A

Mt. Morris

5

1

Geneva

Waterloo

7

20A

Seneca Falls

15

5

11

20

Cayuga

2

Dansville

Penn Yan

11

4

20

11

9

CAYUGA Homer

Interlaken

Cortland Groton

390

Lamoka Lake

Bath

SCHUYLER

Ithaca

Burdett

Watkins Glen

86 17

Dryden

Cayuga Heights

Waneta Lake

6

McGraw 81

Lansing

Hammondsport

CORTLAND

11

Trumansburg

Dundee

Cohocton

Canisteo

ONONDAGA

19

Ovid

14

Branchport

Prattsburgh

From Jamestown

20

8

YATES

Hornell

20

Auburn

Moravia

Wayland

Avoca

81

Aurora

5 Naples

5

Union Springs

SENECA

10

390

Manlius

Skaneateles

10

7

Honeoye 13

4

Fayetteville

Marcellus

Clifton Springs Phelps 20

90

Syracuse 481

Weedsport

Newark 90

ONTARIO

Solvay 690

From Utica

481

17

90

Jordan

3

LIVINGSTON

Nunda

Macedon

490

1 Geneseo

81

North 11 Syracuse

WAYNE

90

390

Oneida Lake

Wolcott

104

Baldwinsville

Fairport

18

90

2

From Watertown

Rochester

490

490

Caledonia

Sodus Bay

104

E. Rochester

From Buffalo

104

16

Marathon

From Binghamton

Montour Cayuta Lake Falls TOMPKINS Odessa

N

STEUBEN

17

Painted Post

Horseheads

Corning Elmira C H E M U N G Heights

Rexville

Candor

Spencer 86

Elmira

Addison

Van Etten

TIOGA

Owego

15

Waverly

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

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

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

4 5 6 7

Newark Valley

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

86

17

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

From Binghamton

It’s a new age in aging T

oday’s aging adults are pursuing more activities and living healthier lifestyles than ever before. At Kendal at Ithaca, we are committed to a supportive, caring environment that creates opportunities for each resident to maximize their potential.

Kendal at Ithaca is a premier life care community of the Finger Lakes. Residents participate in dozens of activities that range from the physical such as tennis, pickleball and yoga, to the more cerebral like poetry, and creative writing to creative pursuits like quilting and woodworking. See more information on our website, www.kai.Kendal.org.

Kendal residents are creating a new age of aging. Come join us!

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585.924.3860

-BOB DYLAN