Life in the Finger Lakes September/October 2024 - Sample

58 The Geology of Taughannock Falls State Park

At 215 feet (65.5 meters), Taughannock Falls is higher than Niagara Falls

Derived from the book “Ithaca is Gorges: A Guide to the Geology of the Ithaca Area, Fourth Edition” by Warren D. Allmon and Robert M. Ross

44

Nature Notes

46

Wildlife Photography Undercover Agents

Camera-trapping captures wildlife at their most candid moments story and photos by Melissa Rowell

RMSC Cumming Nature Center brings us sketches and notes that describe late summer and autumn in the Bristol Hills of the Finger Lakes Region 50 Is This the Best Drive in the Finger Lakes?

Careening curves, new views, four cultures and light traffic await story and photos by Derek Doeffinger

Front Cover: Autumn at Wolf Creek in Letchworth State Park

Photo by Annette Caroscio Averitt

Editorial & Production

Editor

Mark Stash

mark@lifeinthefingerlakes.com

Associate Editor

Victoria Ritter

Graphic Artists

Maia VanOrman

Tammy Spear

Contributors

Lauren Chamberlain

Angela Cannon-Crothers

Derek Doeffinger

Maureen Dunphy

Carol A. Henry

James P. Hughes

Ray Levato

Nancy E. McCarthy

Melissa Rowell

Chris Sharman

Editorial

Darlene Ryan

darlene@lifeinthefingerlakes.com

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Business

Life

my own words

Hitting the Road, Seeing the Sights

Ilove to explore. It’s been hardwired into me since infancy, when my family and I went on a camping trip to Maine, and I was less than a month old. That may sound a little far-fetched for some parents, but I am the youngest of nine children and I think my experienced parents had raising kids down to a science.

Although I haven’t taken any extensive trips during the past few years, I still like to get out on day trips and some weekends away. Driving around New York State usually satiates my curiosity of seeing what’s around the next bend. What I have learned driving on back roads throughout the Finger Lakes Region is that you never know what you’re going to see, and sometimes there are unique and special vistas on roads you never traveled before. It could mean taking a different route home from work, or from the store after doing your grocery shopping.

I had an opportunity to take one such trip on a Saturday last autumn with Derek Doeffinger and Gary Whelpley. Some parts of that day trip are journaled in the article “Is This the Best Drive in the Finger Lake?” on page 50. Even though it was overcast and a typical November day in Upstate New York, the colors of the trees were still beautiful, and the excitement of meeting different people in our travels were the highlights of our day.

I remember last spring visiting a nursery in Macedon to purchase a red bud tree for my backyard. On the way back to my home in Canandaigua, I thought I’d take a little detour down a country road. Around each curve and over each little hill, beautiful little scenes presented themselves and made me realize that there are so many more areas to explore and get to know than you may think. Even life-long residents can always learn a few new things by just altering their routine a little bit.

And that’s really one of the mission statements of this magazine. From day one, we decided that we wanted to publish stories and show photos that will impress and educate anyone living here who think they know everything about this area. It’s also for anyone who just loves this region, regardless of whether they live here or not.

Speaking of learning new things, Ray Levato’s article about some really old trees (page 70) really captured my interest. To think that these trees have survived for several hundred years and are still thriving is fascinating. Let’s hope they continue on for another 100 or 200 years.

Autumn is coming, one of my favorite times of the year. Maybe I’ll see you during one of my weekend sight-seeing daytrips!

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Online Thoughts – “A Twilight View of Cayuga Lake,” from the September/October 2021 issue

My cousins, Dr. Emil Bove and his wife Jessie, my dad’s sister, and their children Kevin, Karen, Demetri and Emil Jr, lived in nearby Seneca Falls where Uncle Emil was a medical doctor. They had a nice cottage on the west side of Cayuga, and ironically it was adjacent on the north side of the Serling place. I graduated from Hobart College, and one day Demetri said I was invited to a party next door; she would come over and pick me up and drive me down there. It was a Rod Serling party, and some interesting people where there. His wife was very quiet, but Rod was a small guy like me and we got along well. There were some famous people there, and we brought over one of the Bove’s boats so all could water ski. It was a great time that I will always remember going back to 1961-65 when I graduated and went into USAF pilot training. I talk about it it a lot.

— Gary P. Brown, Hammondsport

The Creative Spirit

Amillion

thanks for the wonderfully written article (Off the Easel, July/August 2024 issue) by Nancy McCarthy. I loved how you weaved Connie and me into the work. I already have had beaucoup positive comments. The Hibernian Club has a copy on the bar for all the Irish customers to read. May there always be light on your journalistic path. Thanks again.

— Cornelius Lyon

Just received my latest issue of Life in The Finger Lakes and want to say a big “thanks” for featuring my Vineyard Vista drawing in the Product Picks section (for Artizanns)! Business has been crazy busy this year, thanks in part to the wonderful article Nancy McCarthy wrote (and you published) in the January/ February 2024 issue.

— Bodhi (Monti)

The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey, A One-Man Show

After its successful run of Alice by Heart at the 2023 Rochester Fringe Festival, Theatre444 is proud to once again bring you a unique one-man play for the 2024 Rochester Fringe Festival. “The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey” by James Lecesne will be performed in partnership with The Company Theatre and performed at the Temple Theater in Downtown Rochester, 50 Liberty Pole Way. Performances are September 10 and 19 at 8 p.m. and September 14, 15, 21 at 1 p.m. Tickets are on sale at rochesterfringe.com or theatre444.com

Patrick Fegley of Clifton Springs delivers a solo tour de force, effortlessly bringing to life all of the inhabitants of a colorful seaside town as they awaken to the beauty of being different. This show is led by NYS Award Winning Artistic Director Pam Rapoza with Technical Director Garrett Coons. Chuck DeSantis is a brash New Jersey detective eager for a case that gets him out from behind his desk. On one extraordinary day, he finds it: the disappearance of teenager Leonard Pelkey. Digging

deeper and deeper into Leonard’s life, Chuck follows clues that lead him to unexpected places and show him how one boy’s bravery can light the way toward truth. The New York Times said “The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey” “leaves you beaming with joy.”

The 12-day Rochester Fringe Festival is the largest multidisciplinary performing arts event in New York State. Since the festival’s inception in 2012, nearly 670,000 people have attended more than 4,500 performances by regional, national and international artists, from emerging to superstar.

(Events on page 10)

EVENTS Contact event for details

SEPTEMBER

September 6-8... An Austrian Heuriger

Enjoy an authentic Austrian celebration, known as The Heuriger, which will celebrate “this year’s” wine at Dr Frank. Austrian Chef Erwin Schrottner of Cafe Katja in NYC will be onsite, cooking up delicious traditional Austrian bites and showcasing his culinary talents in cooking demonstrations. Tours through Chateau Frank’s sparkling cellar, Austrian live music, and of course, wine, will all contribute to the merriment of this festive event. 11 a.m.

Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery, 9749 Middle Road, Hammondsport NY 14840 drfrankwines.com/events 800-320-0735

September 7...Behind-the-Scenes Tours of Rose Hill Mansion

Go from the basement to the belvedere of Rose Hill Mansion. Please be advised that there are many stairs to climb, a dirt floor basement and some confined spaces included in the tour. The tour lasts an hour. Recommended for adults and children over 10 years old. As space is limited, reservations are required and can be purchased at historicgeneva.org. The tour lasts an hour. 11 a.m. Rose Hill Mansion, 3373 Route 96A , Geneva NY 14456 315-789-5151

September 11...“Birthplace of Sound Film” Walking Tour

Explore the history of the Case Research Laboratory, the Birthplace of Sound Film,

through this two-hour walking tour of downtown Auburn. The full tour spans about 1.5 miles, and will include stops along historic South Street, Genesee Street, and Fort Hill Cemetery. Explore the streets where lab employees lived and worked, learn more about the ways the city of Auburn shaped one of the most groundbreaking inventions of the 20th Century. Tours are $25 for the general public, $20 for Cayuga Museum members. 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Cayuga Museum Downtown

144 Genesee St., Suite 100, Auburn, NY 13021 cayugamuseum.org/walking-tours

September 22….Red Cat’s Harvest Party

Come along for a fun day celebrating harvest at Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards. Enjoy free tastings, live music by the Celtic Rock band Kilrush, special cellar tasting experiences with the winemaker, awesome deals on wine, food trucks, vendors and more. Admission is free.

11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards

5712 State Route 414, Hector, NY 14841 hazlitt1852.com

607-546-9463

September

26-29...

Wine Country Circuit Dog Show

The Wine Country Circuit Dog Show is an AKC-licensed event and is one of the largest circuits in the country. The show is hosted by three kennel clubs, each holding their all-breed dog shows, obedience, agility and rally trials on consecutive days of the circuit. The event is free and open to the public. Spectators are welcome. Enjoy the beauty of Sampson State Park, located in the central Finger Lakes Region, in the heart of wine country.

6096 Route 96A, Romulus, NY 14541 kanadasaga.org 607-227-7253

September 27-29... Finger Lakes Hot Air Balloon & Music Festival

Events and entertainment includes hot air balloons, live music, car show, vendors, food trucks, wineries, distilleries, breweries. Castel Grisch Winery 3380 County Rd 28, Watkins Glen, NY 14891 info@balloonfest.com • balloonfest.com

OCTOBER

October 5...Finger Lakes Fall Foliage Paddle

Celebrate the stunning fall colors of the region by participating in the Finger Lakes fall foliage paddle. Led by Saunders Finger Lakes Museum’s NYS Outdoor guides and educators, this afternoon paddle will take guests out onto the waters of Keuka Lake, through wetlands, and back up Sugar Creek to view the beautiful and colorful landscape that surrounds the area. 2 p.m. Price: $35-45 Saunders Finger Lakes Museum, 3369 Guyanoga Road, Branchport, NY 14418 fingerlakesmuseum.org/program/finger-lakes-fall-foliage-paddle 315-595-2200

October 5-6...Newark

Valley Apple Festival

Enjoy family fun at 10 a.m. at Newark Valley’s annual Apple Festival with tours of the Colonial Farmhouse, demonstrations of 1800s skills, music, dancing, great food, crafts, spinning and weaving, kids; activities, a gift shop, a black powder public shoot and more. Adults $7 / Seniors (60+) and NVHS Members $5 / Students (6+) $5 / Families $20 (2 adults and up to three kids) / Kids under 6 free. Bement Billings Farmstead, 8980 Main Street, Newark Valley, NY 13811 nvhistory.org

(Continued on page 84)

“A golden hour view of the gazebo at Kershaw Park, before a storm took out some of these same trees. ”

— Victoria Ritter

Share your photos at lifeinthefingerlakes.com/ user-submitted-galleries

“A summer evening storm is rolling in over the Canisteo River ” — Janie L. Ferguson

“A country drive on a warm June evening rewards me with beautiful clouds.”

— Kathleen Bremer

“The Reaux family enjoying an evening on Seneca Lake.” — Erin Braden

“Warm summer night on Canandaigua Lake” — Kimberly Carr

November 8-10, 2024 10AM-4PM

Doors open at 4PM – TICKETS: $20 grangerhomestead.org

The Cool Club & the Lipker Sisters

Old School Finds the New Cool

by Nancy E. McCarthy

Marilla Lipker first heard the Cool Club quartet in fall 2013 when they were playing a gig in Geneva. Lipker, then 20, asked the quartet’s vocalist and guitarist Rick Hoyt if she could sing a tune with the band. Lipker was not a professional singer, but she harmonized acapella with her two younger sisters Grace and Lizzie, performed with church groups and in community theatre musicals and studied opera.

Hoyt suggested she attend an upcoming jazz jam to give it a try. “She appeared and sang ‘Blue Skies,’ among others, with impressive confidence and flair,” Hoyt recalled. He invited Lipker to perform with the band at their next gig.

Shortly after Lipker started singing with the Cool Club, she told them about her other singing sisters. The trio of vocalists debuted with the band in January 2014 (on Lizzie’s 15th birthday). Soon after, their moniker changed to the Cool Club & the Lipker Sisters (CC&LS).

“When we joined up with the Lipkers, we really became a new band,” said drummer Joe Galusha. “When the sisters came into the picture it became a whole new experience. I

had the pleasure to watch them grow from extremely talented, but young girls, to stage savvy, independent women without losing their youthful exuberance.”

The Cool Club musicians are band founder Hoyt, longtime drummer Galusha, bassist David Goldstein and saxophonist Mark Bradley. The Lipker sisters are Marilla, Grace and Lizzie (Marilla also goes by Lipker Gonzalez after she and winemaker Joe Gonzalez married eight years ago). The band plays originals plus retro style covers from swing, boogie-woogie, blues and jazz genres with a few Motown classics sprinkled in.

Old school met new school when the two sets of musicians teamed up. There is roughly a four-decade generation gap between some of the players. But music

Above: The band released their second album, Dancing Into Your Dreams, in September 2024.

Below: (L-R) Bassist David Goldstein, Band Founder Rick Hoyt, Vocalist Grace Lipker (Continued on page 17)

transcended the age differences from the start.

“It was an oddly seamless blend,” Lipker said.

One reason that the young singers melded well with the more seasoned musicians was that the Lipkers already sang songs that fit perfectly with The Cool Club’s classic repertoire. One of the earliest songs the girls harmonized together on was “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” the iconic jump blues tune made popular by the Andrews Sisters in 1941.

musician. Growing up in Camillus, the youngest of six siblings, he took grade school piano and clarinet lessons. At 13, after the Beatles burst onto the music scene, Hoyt began playing guitar.

He also plays mandolin, harmonica and harmonium.

It’s been musical magic. CC&LS just celebrated its 10th anniversary as a band with a celebration concert this past May at Fairport Brewing Company.

Banding together

Hoyt, 74, lives in Geneva with his wife Anne (they have two adult children). He is a semi-retired psychologist and lifelong

“I have been writing songs almost as long as I’ve been playing the guitar,” said Hoyt. In 2003, he had quite a few he thought were pretty good. The tunes were influenced by ragtime, swing, boogie-woogie and rock. Hoyt decided to start a band to play them; he ended up forming two.

One was the Cool Club, although it was initially the Hot Club – inspired by the venerable Quintette du Hot Club de

(L-R) Rick Hoyt, Grace Lipker, Joe Galusha, Marilla Lipker, David Goldstein, Lizzie Lipker and Mark Bradley

Clifton Springs

France founded in 1934 by jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt and violinist Stéphane Grappelli and Hot Club of Cowtown, a contemporary country/jazz trio in Texas formed in 1997. The other was Boone Ra Racketstra, a rock/blues band, with Galusha on drums. When the rock group eventually disbanded, Galusha moved over to the Cool Club. The Cool Club’s members have come and gone but Galusha is a mainstay.

He was also good at finding places to play, at first for Racketstra and then for the Cool Club. Galusha, who lives in Rochester, continues in that role. He and Lipker book most of the gigs. The group performs at a variety of venues, events and festivals in Rochester, the Finger Lakes Region and beyond.

Lipker lives in Geneva and she plays a similar role to Hoyt as leader of the Lipker Sisters trio. Even before they started singing professionally, she orchestrated the harmonies they enjoyed vocalizing together as young girls at home. Lipker also writes songs and plays piano, guitar and ukulele. And she still squeezes in community theatre musical roles.

Lipker is a small business entrepreneur. Marilla’s Mindful Supplies, with shops in Geneva and Rochester, sells environmentally friendly plastic-free products. Grace is a deputy sheriff in Seneca County and Lizzie is pursuing a master’s degree in social work/counseling. Both younger sisters play guitar and Lizzie writes songs, too.

The coolest club around Chuck Rocker of the Chuck Rocker Band is a longtime friend of Hoyt’s and big CC&LS fan. Rocker encouraged the band to record some of their original material in his home studio. The band was so pleased with the demos they decided to release a full-length album. “I’m glad they were encouraged to go the next step,” said Rocker.

Their self-titled debut CD was recorded at Electric Wilburland Studio in Ithaca. Hoyt contributed 10 songs, Lipker wrote one and four are cover tunes. The band celebrated the September 14, 2019 release with a performance at Iron Smoke Distillery in Fairport. Co-founded by musician Tommy Brunett, it’s a venue they perform at often (CC&LS’s next scheduled appearance is December 14).

Guitarist/Vocalist/Songwriter Rick Hoyt

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“Under the Iron Smoke stage lights, they always come alive, weaving melodies and hypnotic movements, harmonies that showcase their musicianship and songs that speak from their hearts,” said Brunett. “Watching the audience light up and dance along is the ultimate reward, turning their music into a shared experience.”

The band recently finished up their second album, Dancing into Your Dreams. Record Archive in Rochester is hosting their CD release event concert on September 5. This time, the songs are all originals with eight from Hoyt and four from Lipker. “Marilla’s originals are an increasing part of the repertoire,” said Hoyt.

Scott Regan, a musician, songwriter and radio host of Open Tunings (broadcast on WITH, Ithaca and WRUR, Rochester), has known Hoyt and the band for a long time. He plays tracks from their CD on air and CC&LS have been guests on his show several times.

“Rick’s songwriting always struck me for its timeless dive into styles of the past, yet always keeping in touch with contemporary sensibilities,” said Regan. “Musically he writes songs that have one foot in the 20s and one in the decade yet to come.” Regan also admires Hoyt’s lyrical mastery of double entendre, wordplay and irony.

He compares Lipker’s track “Who Do You Dream About?” from their new album to timeless standards. “She leads us into the song with a simple intro, the way classics from the Great American Songbook did. The melody has an emotional depth that accents the tone in her lyrics. It’s a song in three dimensions not just one.”

CC&LS are a bit of an anomaly when compared to other bands on the regional club circuit. Yet they continue to build their following by playing the material they enjoy most. And their delight in sharing their music with their audiences is an unmistakable two-way street during live performances.

“In all my years of playing, from a young kid to a full-time musician after college for about four years, up to today, I have been in many bands, but none have given me the personal and professional satisfaction as this,” said Galusha.

Visit coolclubandlipkersisters.com for more information. Follow the band on Facebook or on Instagram @cclsflx.

The Lipker Sisters performing at Iron Smoke Distillery in Fairport

There’s Nothing Like an Open Book book look

by Chris Sharman

This edition of Book Look begins with a history of remarkable women – all with a connection to the Finger Lakes. Two titles delve into the challenge of war and the strength of human connection. The third title describes our region’s role in the American Arts and Craft Movement. We end our reviews with a detailed guide to Corning’s People Wall.

Remarkable Women of the Finger Lakes

Julie Cummins

Arcadia Publishing / History Press historypress.com 2023

The

21 women highlighted in this book all have a connection to the Finger Lakes Region. Organized into the categories of wellness, images and influencers, the author provides brief, insightful and entertaining writeups of extraordinary women.

Consider Blanche Stuart Scott, the first woman pilot in America. Flying her Glenn Curtiss-built plane, she thrilled fair audiences with her acrobatic maneuvers in the early 1900s. She was the first woman stunt flyer, first woman longdistance pilot and first woman test pilot.

Pearl White is remembered as a famous silent film star. She completed many films at the Wharton Studios in Ithaca. White was also a pilot and fond of fast cars. She performed many of her own stunts to build publicity. She completed the famous The Perils of Pauline film series in 1914.

Sarah Hopkins Bradford is among the influencers. A few years younger than Harriett Tubman, Bradford would develop a friendship with the “conductor” of the Underground Railroad. This friendship would amplify Tubman’s struggle and message of equality. Conversations and interviews between the two resulted in Harriett Tubman, The Moses of Her People, Bradford’s book first printed in 1886.

Cummins is a well-recognized authority on children’s literature and library services, though Remarkable

Women is not a children’s book. She coordinated youth services for the New York Public Library and was the editor of School Library Journal. She has published a number of books and articles.

Catherine, Queen of the Tumbling Waters

Cynthia G. Neale Bink Books / Bedazzled Ink Publishing cynthianeale.com 2023

Atown, a street and other landmarks in the Southern Tier are named after Catherine Montour, though less is known about the actual woman born in 1729. Of French and Iroquois (or, the preferred name, Haudenosaunee) ancestry, she was the granddaughter of Madame Montour and the niece of Andrew Montour, both interpreters for the Iroquois.

“This is a work of imagination,” Neale begins, though she uses historical facts to tell Catherine’s story. The author paints a realistic picture of the Iroquois way of life as it encounters the threat of the American Revolution. Readers witness Catherine’s heroism throughout. When the Sullivan-Clinton Campaign in 1779 destroyed loyalist and Native American villages and farms, she led her people to Fort Niagara to take shelter with the British.

It is not known what happened to Catherine in the years after the war. Many believe she returned to her beloved Catherine Town, that was later named Catherine’s Landing and eventually Montour Falls as we know it today. (Continued

Neale hails from Montour Falls. Her other works include The Irish Dresser series. She has also authored screen plays, recipe books and essays.

By the Shores of Solon Pond

Adrienne Morris

Middlemay Publishing adrienne-morris.com 2023

This story begins in Cortland County around Solon Pond in Taylor. The tale centers on farm boy Waldo Potter in the early days of the American Civil War. Morris completed extensive research on our state’s role in the war and the involvement of her ancestors. Though this is a work of historical fiction, Potter was a distant cousin of the author.

Her work allows us to see the young soldiers of the Civil War as important family and community members. Waldo Potter was just 15 when he went to war, alongside his Uncle Chauncey. He was motivated by a combination of patriotism and necessity, as his meager soldier’s pay might offset losses from the family farm. While the book is set in the Civil War, it is an overall work about the strength of human connection.

“My goal is to transport you back in time with rich, complex stories about characters you will never forget,” Morris writes. Other titles include The Tenafly Road Series, a six novel collection that follows a family from the Civil War through the Gilded Age.

Tourists and Trade: Roadside Craftsmen and The Highway Transformation Craft

Bruce A. Austin SUNY Press sunypress.edu

2023

The book tells the story of Clarence Wemett, an Upstate New York oil merchant who established two craft shops to produce and sell handmade items. Despite the economic uncertainties of the Great Depression, the shops proved successful. The author describes the role of these shops (and others like them) played in New York’s contribution to the Arts and Crafts Movement.

In 1929, the Roadside Craftsman shop was established in an abounded church in East Bloomfield, while Avon Coppersmith was started in a toolshed just 15 miles away.

3482 Plum Point Rd S. Himrod, NY 14842 (607) 243-7535 PlumPointLodgeFLX.com

3482 Plum Point Rd S. Himrod, NY 14842 (607) 395-2022

Readers come to appreciate the “see it made” customized crafts created at the shops against a backdrop of increasingly commercial and commoditized goods.

While these shops were not the first of their kind, they were long-lived. One of the locations lasted nearly 40 years. We can picture early motorists driving east and west along NY Route 5 and US Highway 20. Decades before the New York Thruway, these rural roads were perfect for an afternoon drive and an occasional stop to buy pottery, wood, metal or woven crafts.

Austin is a communications professor at Rochester Institute of Technology. He is the author of additional books and articles focused on antiques and the Arts and Craft Movement.

People Wall ’76: The Mural in City Hall

Barbara Hall Blumer

Corning – Painted Post Historical Society (CPPHS) sites.google.com/view/peoplewallhistory/home

Whenpeople walk past the Corning New York Civic Center, the first thing they notice is large, full color

photographs. The images show Corning citizens of all ages and even some of their pets. But just who are these people dressed in mid-1970s fashion? No signs were ever put in place.

Corning author Barbara Hall Blumer identifies each of the 150 people and some beloved pets on the walls of city hall. Through extensive interviews and secondary research, she tells the story of how the wall project was initiated by Mayor Joseph Nasser and how the subjects were selected to be photographed by famous photographer Elliott Erwitt. Along the way, Blumer overviews Corning’s urban renewal efforts and how the city celebrated the U.S. Bicentennial celebrations. Through interviews, ideas and resources; more than 400 people contributed to the book’s success. “It can be magical when people get to tell their story,” Blumer said.

Blumer or “Sleuthy” as she is called, is known for her research that brings visibility to local history. Most recently, she wrote about Corning-born Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Duane Eddy who passed away in April of this year. All proceeds from the sale of People Wall ’76 benefit the CPPHS to preserve local history.

Heartfelt Hospitality

Skaneateles is a charming backdrop for this dream wedding.

Fall in the Finger Lakes is a magical time. As a sentimental family spot for the groom, Jordan and Casey’s wedding day took place fully onsite at The Sherwood Inn in Skaneateles. To match the historic aesthetics of the inn, the couple wanted a vintage theme to be carried throughout the day. Their cocktail hour music consisted of ‘50s and ‘60s oldies, ‘70s dance floor traditions, coffee-colored roses, newspaper wedding programs, and personalized favors that were matches and cigars.

Photos by Emilee Carpenter - emileecarpenter.com

To start their day, the bridal party got ready at the Hannum House, followed by photos along stunning Skaneateles Lake. The ceremony was on the beautiful front lawn of the house, which was followed by an outdoor cocktail reception with the Little Sipper serving fall favorites like cider as well as prosecco on tap. The Little Sipper also reopened later on for late night cigars, enjoyed by the guests. The reception was held throughout the first floor of The Sherwood Inn, featuring a buffet and cake and cupcakes from the nearby Patisserie. In the middle of the reception, the couple snuck off to have a sparkling send-off by the lake before dancing the night away! For more information about a Skaneateles wedding, contact:

The Scarlett Agency scarlettagency.com

Little Sipper, LLC littlesipperbuffalo.com

The Sherwood Inn sherwoodinns.com

Penn Yan THE POTTERS’ GALLERY

AUTUMN Fun At Longs’

An Echoing Legacy

by James P. Hughes

“A bell’s not a bell ‘til you ring it ...”

— Oscar Hammerstein

Allegany County, a stone’s throw from the Finger Lakes Region, is a pleasant mix of rustic and rural, hamlets and villages amid rolling hills, deep valleys and rippling streams. Home to two colleges, Alfred is one of those welcoming villages. Spread out on opposite sloping hillsides, Alfred University and Alfred State College flank Main Street, keeping the borough a spirited and lively place.

Along with the bustling sounds of a typical college town, the resonance of pealing bells has periodically emerged in the village of Alfred for almost a century. It is not the simple ringing of handbells or wind chimes. This is the all-encompassing sound of a full 47-bell carillon atop an imposing multi-tiered tower.

The instrument itself is a set of suspended bells played by keyboard and foot pedals. With the talent and effort of

a skilled carillonneur, the result is a melodic concert across the countryside, the kind of event that encourages – maybe even demands – any passerby to stop and take notice.

Bells shall ring

The dream of a carillon at Alfred University began in the mid-1930s when a dedicated group of university alumni, staff and general music lovers agreed it could become a campus landmark and a “living emblem of the spirit of Alfred.” A contingent was organized, a plan was devised and funds were raised. Soon a suitable set of bells for the undertaking was located in Belgium, purchased and shipped to Alfred.

In 1937, crowds gathered on the Alfred University campus to watch the unloading of the acquired bells. With

Present-day photos by James P. Hughes. Historical photos courtesy Alfred University

1. Carillon bells arrive and are unloaded at the station (1937).

2. Rows of bells in place (late 1930s).

3. The original carillon tower became active in 1937.

4. Early view of bell after installation.

5. The original carillon bells await their tower installation (1937).

6. Carillonneur Ray Wingate at the console. He served from 1937-1968.

7. Carillonneur Joanne Droppers hard at work at the console.

8. Laurel Buckwalter is the current carillonneur.

construction of the tower underway at the wooded edge of Pine Hill, enthusiasm grew. At its dedication ceremony, the structure was christened the Davis Memorial Carillon in honor of President Emeritus Booth Caldwell Davis and his wife Estelle Hoffman Davis. The Davises were present for the dedication concert, each passing several years later.

A tolling tradition

The music of the Davis Memorial Carillon has now chimed for generations of villagers and students, with each performance a proud reminder of Alfred’s history and tradition. With the passing of time, the carillon has undergone changes. The original wooden bell tower, constructed in 1937, was dismantled and replaced in 1953 with an open steel tower. Some 30 years later, it was enclosed by glass. Along the way, new carillon bells have been added, others restored and informational panels installed at ground level.

Rare talent, dedication and hours of practice are necessary to attain the title of University carillonneur, and just three musicians have shared it during the instrument’s almost nine decades of existence. Dr. Ray Wingate, an Alfred University professor of music, served as carillonneur from

A zoomed-in view of the Davis Memorial Carillon shows the various levels of bells.

the first notes played at the installation in 1937 until 1968. Through 1994, Joanne Droppers ably followed Dr. Wingate. Successor Laurel Buckwalter has carried the title, and all it demands, forward to the present.

Due to its size and complexity, playing a carillon is as physically challenging as it is satisfying. Dozens of stationary wired bells, ranging widely in size and weight, must be coordinated using a console of levers (called batons) and a pedal board to create the carillon’s unique harmonies. Impressive to view, its individual bells range widely in size and weigh anywhere from 19 pounds to just under two tons.

Davis Memorial Carillon stands ready to continue a legacy of unique music from its perch high on the Alfred University hillside. There will be carillon music for traditional concerts, special occasions and even opportunities to climb the long stairway to its top to take in stunning village and valley views.

As noted by Buckwalter, the bells will forever be important “to people who remember the sound as part of their college experience, and all those who associate the sound of the carillon with being in Alfred.”

As its centennial celebration approaches in 2037, the

Search youtube.com for videos of the Davis Memorial Carillon’s music.

View of Alfred campus and village from near the top of the Davis Memorial Carillon.

product picks

is our version of a Bordeaux blend, with fruit-forward, caramel, supple leather, hints of black cherry and strawberry with warm, silky tannins. $39.95. ventosavineyards.com

FingerLakes Bell Company

We handcraft each powder-coated steel bell right here in the Finger Lakes. A bell for every Finger Lake and lakes of New York. flxbells.com

The Jewel Box

Cast from lucky stones collected around the Finger Lakes, these treasured pendants are available in solid 14K yellow gold or sterling silver. There are many sizes, shapes and finishes to choose from. ithacajewelbox.com

Silver Lake Marine

The 2024 Moomba Tykon is designed for those who crave exceptional performance, versatility and value. this remarkable boat stands tall among its peers. At 24 feet, its seating capacity fits 18 people. silverlakemarine.com

Cricket on the Hearth

The Jotul F445 Holiday wood burning stove features a nine-hour burn time with 20-inch logs heating up to 1,600 square feet. Check out the full line of Jotul gas and wood burning models. cricketonthehearth.com

The Nest Egg

We have beautiful fair trade bracelets for everyone! No matter what your style, we’re sure you’ll find something to make you smile! 125 Main Street, Penn Yan. 315-536-3488

product picks

Crown Jewelry

Live life in full bloom with this beautiful piece mycrowndowntown.com

Fireplace Fashions

Corning Building Company

The GE Profile ENERGY STAR 4.8 cubic-foot capacity UltraFast washer/dryer combo comes with ventless inverter heat pump technology. corningbldg.com

Song Hill Winery

The 2013 Sparkling Cuvee sparkling wine was crafted using the methode champenoise, just like the champagne in France. Features aromas of honeysuckle, lemon zest and mid-palage and a crisp fennel-honey finish. songhillwinery.com

Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery

The 2023 Gruner Veltliner is a stellar example of this Austrian varietal thriving in the Finger Lakes Region. It is an elegant and versatile wine, perfect for pairing with a variety of dishes such as fresh salads, seafood and light poultry. $18.99. drfrankwines.com

Stop in to check out the Lopi Endeavor, or any of our other wood-stoves qualifying for 30 percent tax credit. Fireplace Fashions, since 1957. fireplacefashions.com

Lukacs Pottery

We make wheel-thrown mugs with comfortable handles, including travel mugs with lids that fit in your car’s cup holder. They keep beverages hot or cold. lukacspottery.com

The Potters’ Gallery

We carry a full line of Kari Zelson Robertson’s wonderful contemporary pieces! We have work of 24 potters from all across the Finger Lakes and Western NY. Visit our Facebook page at thepottersgallery

Airy Acres

The 2023 Rkatsiteli is a rare white wine that’s full of flavor. Ranging from tropical and stone-fruit to citrus, this wine is a must for the summer! airyacresvineyard.com

Artizanns

Carrianne Hendrickson makes exquisitely imaginative, ceramic sculptures like this Rabbit’s Journey in a Boat. Her functional pottery is also available at Artizanns in Naples. artizanns.com

FLX Goods

Candy for adults! Enjoy any of our many flavors of Winosaurs gummy candy dinosaurs made with real wine! Must be over 21 to purchase. Shop in-store and online. flxgoods.com

product picks

The Secretary Cabinet is your family’s command central, offering a great spot for organizing mail and charging your devices! There’s an open house on the first Saturday of every month! cabave.com

Wine Country Barrel Art

This rustic oak barrel art is custom designed by Kevin Bailey. Upcycled and hand-crafted using retired oak barrels, they are attractive decorations. A variety of Finger Lakes designs are available. winecoutrybarrelart.etsy.com

Milly’s Pantry

Bring beautiful and relaxing sounds to your home with these unique, hand-made Finger Lakes bells. Find them at Milly’s Market & Cafe, 19 Main Street in Penn Yan.

Reed Homesead

These keychain wristlets are customized for your special spot in the Finger Lakes. A great gift at $18. Customization also available. reedhomestead.com

Brewery Ardennes

The Limited Release Barrel Aged Dubbel is a rich brown ale with hints of caramel and raisin from aging in Finger Lakes Distilling bourbon barrels. Pairs great with roasted meats, dark chocolate and aged cheeses. breweryardennes.com

CabAve Cabinets

Boundary Breaks

Our Cabernet Franc is the best one we have produced, as 2022 was a great vintage for all red wines from the Finger Lakes. Available in stores, in our tasting room or online. boundarybreaks.com

Yates County Arts Center

Handmade pottery bowls are the highlight of the center’s annual ice cream social. Participants buy a handcrafted bowl that’s filled with Seneca Farms ice cream and topped with hot fudge. Call the Arts Center at 315-536-8226 for more information. artscenteryatescounty.org

Antique Revival

Check out this carved Italian Carrara marble figural sea serpent fountain, circa 1880. antiquerevival.com

Lamplighter

The Lamplighter Hardcover Collector’s Edition is Lamplighter Publishing’s signature book. The Lamplighter was an immediate best-seller in 1854, outselling The Scarlet Letter 40 to one. $25. lamplighter.net

Long Point Winery

This 2021 Zinfandel has flavors of blackberry and raisin with a spicy finish. Aged in Hungarian oak. longpointwinery.com

Lazy Acre Alpacas

This oversized sweater is great for a cool evening or just cuddling up on the couch. Available in black or brown. Sizes small to large. Made in Peru, 100 percent alpaca. lazyacrealpacas.com

The Fertile Imagination of

Folk Artist Sara Pulver

by Nancy E. McCarthy

Rochester folk artist Sara Pulver lives in the historic Sea Breeze neighborhood bordered on two sides by the scenic shores of Lake Ontario and Irondequoit Bay. The community’s venerable linchpin is Seabreeze Amusement Park with several lively restaurants and bars nearby. “It’s a fun, quirky place to live,” Pulver said.

“Fun and quirky” are also perfect descriptors of Pulver’s vibrant acrylic paintings. Folk artists create visual stories about daily life or the culture of a community. Pulver playfully depicts tableaus of a fantastical community sprung from her own imagination.

“My twist is that I make the people small like they’re the pets, and the pets are big doing people-y things,” she said. Classic scenes include a little person being cuddled on the lap of an over-sized dog or a large sleeping cat (head on pillow and blanket under chin) with a tiny human curled up at the foot of the bed.

“Sara’s work is pure joy and love, unfettered by worry or woe,” said photographer Jennifer Sarah Blakeslee who discovered Pulver on Etsy in 2010. “The level of detail, the care with which she creates scenes filled with kindness and thoughtfulness is evident in the smallest brushstroke. When I look at one of her paintings, I feel connected to the animal world, to the earth and to the creatures (birds, cats, humans) I love.”

“Sleep Tight” is a commissioned painting for Jennifer Sarah Blakeslee

Sara Pulver and her tiny pup Popo at home

Numerous Pulver originals and prints hang in Blakeslee’s Beacon home. Thanks to social media and global online marketplaces, Pulver’s customers hail from well beyond New York and even the United States to other countries including Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Hungary, Australia and Japan.

Discovering art

Far left: “Sitting Pretty” commission features some of the art and photos in the client’s home.

Left: “Singing” from the whimsical Cat n Crow series includes Bob, their little pet man.

Below: “Cozy Evening” is also from the Cat n Crow series.

Pulver has always been a daydreamer. A fertile imagination fuels her artistic style, but as a child it was a coping mechanism. When Pulver couldn’t make sense of the world around her, she created her own. “I had a large interior life going on,” she said.

The middle child of three siblings, Pulver grew up in Irondequoit. She was creative – building elaborate forts and putting on plays with neighborhood kids, drawing funny cartoons to amuse her mother, writing quirky stories and crafting poetry.

Pulver studied advertising and graphics at Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica for two years and then graduated with a BA in psychology from SUNY Fredonia in 1990. Even though her mother was an art teacher, Pulver’s own interest in making art began during her third year of college. Her artist friend Trish McCoy sent acrylic paints and brushes as a birthday gift.

Like many folk artists, Pulver never had a formal art education. “Once I discovered outsider and self-taught art, I found tons of inspiration,” she explained. “I’ve always been on the imagination side of art as opposed to the skilled side, so I think that’s why artists like William Hawkins and Sam Doyle appeal to me.” Viewing works by surrealist Salvador Dali and abstracts by Pablo Picasso in a museum during a trip to Spain also made a deep impression. It provided Pulver the validation to experiment freely with her style.

Pulver took an art supply store job right out of college, then worked as a graphic artist (“It sucked my creative energy,” she laughed) and eventually for McCoy’s brother Tom at his picture framing business. She worked contentedly for Tom for 12 years until 2008. During that time, Pulver painted after hours, thriftily sizing her work to fit discarded frames. She and McCoy exhibited their work at the framing shop and she sold her originals on eBay. Pulver’s technique wasn’t fully refined

then. She observed what was selling, churned out paintings and admittedly lowballed her prices.

Pulver debuted her humorous “Cat n Crow” series on eBay: paintings starring the offbeat couple of a red cat and black bird (with cameos from a little pet man named Bob). “The first one I did was where Crow is sitting, writing a letter: ‘Dear Cat, Let’s be friends. From Crow.’ And Cat is standing right behind Crow with a big frowny face. It just became the perfect vehicle for exploring relationships because they were genderless, ageless.” Pulver, a lifelong birder, often includes crows and other feathered creatures in her work.

After toying with the idea of opening a gallery with McCoy, the friends decided it would be more practical to sell their own art directly and moved over to Etsy in 2008. Pulver’s online shop featured her paintings, prints and notecards. She began offering commissions, too.

Captivating commissions

Blakeslee’s most cherished Pulver painting is one that she created for Blakeslee and her husband Jeff. It features the couple curled up in bed with their three cats and small meaningful details: a tiny wall portrait of a beloved deceased cat, a vulture and an aardvark (their favorite animals) playing outside, a book of

The Artist’s Process

The majority of Pulver’s paintings are currently commissioned works. Commissions come her way through Etsy, social media and returning customers. A new project typically starts with email or text exchanges between the client and Pulver to understand how the clients’ pet(s) fit in their family and gather up photos and stories to hone in on a scenario.

The client may have a specific idea or ask Pulver to come up with one. Once everyone is in agreement, Pulver draws an initial quick paper sketch and then sketches more extensively on canvas.

“I get clues from photos for the color scheme and start laying down blocks of color,” said Pulver. “Eventually I add in details. Details are what make the painting special.” Small personalized touches include recreating artwork from their walls, favorite food/drink or what’s on television.

Commissions usually take up to a week to complete. “They may hear from me for a question or two, but other than that the next time they hear from me is with a picture of the finished piece,” Pulver said. Usually it’s approved right then, although occasionally she might tweak slightly to capture a likeness better.

Yiddish, one of Jeff’s favorite languages. Another Etsy customer, Becky Dambacher of Elgin, IL, took commissioned work to a whole new level. From 2014 to 2016, this devoted dog mom to three Scottish terriers, commissioned 44 paintings depicting their imaginary canine escapades and celebrating various holidays. In the process, Pulver nailed the personalities of her adored Scotties, Blackjack, Connery and Dooney. Some paintings hang on walls, but Dambacher also uses two tabletop easels to display and rotate the other paintings according to the season.

“I treasure every painting I have from Sara. They are heirlooms!” said Dambacher. “Not only is she an incredible inventive artist, but she is a wonderful person to work with.”

“I consider the whole series to be quite the collaborative accomplishment,” Pulver said.

Pulver’s main focus is painting, but she also makes small found object sculptures, papier-mâché and elaborate mixed media

One of the Scottie commissioned paintings depicts Blackjack, Dooney and Connery trick or treating with their tiny human mom Becky Dambacher dressed in a candy corn costume.

collages. On September 29 and 30, 2023, Pulver partnered with metal sculptors Paul and Christine Knoblauch in “Perfectly Complete Strangers,” an exhibition featuring her collages and their sculptures. The husband-and-wife team own Knoblauch Studio in Rochester, the show’s site.

“The combination of her detailed collages and our sculptures created a captivating and cohesive exhibit,” said Christine. “Sara’s artwork is profoundly thought-provoking. Her meticulous attention to detail and her creative diligence weave compelling stories through her pieces.”

Home sweet home

Pulver shares her art-filled house with artist Felix Caruthers, her live-in partner of 14 years. Their three mixed breed dogs Mudget, Franky and Popo look like fanciful pups you might see in her paintings.

“Over the years we’ve transformed our living space

Pulver’s collages were featured in a Fall 2023 exhibit at Knoblauch Studio in Rochester.

together,” said Pulver. “It’s a working space as well as a showcase and art piece in itself, inside and out.”

Blakeslee has visited Pulver’s home. “Her entire house is a canvas,” said Blakeslee. “Doors, banisters, she paints everything and turns it all into art that’s living and breathing. Everything she sees has a spirit and warrants being treated with delight.

It’s not just whimsy – it’s a way to live, where sparks of joy are visceral and visible at every turn.”

Pulver and Caruthers opened their home/studio to art lovers this past July as a stop on the “Irondequoit Passport to Art” art trail event. It’s always a rare treat to view Pulver’s work in person but if you missed it, you can find her delightful paintings online anytime.

Find Pulver’s work on etsy.com at her 3crows shop. Follow her on Facebook (Sara Pulver’s Artworks), on Instagram @ sara3crows or visit her website at sarapulver.weebly.com

Field Journal Prompt: Make a spore print. Find a gilled mushroom that is fresh and recently opened. Pick one (unless there is only one, then leave it!) and carefully remove the cap. Place the mushroom gill-side down on a piece of paper and put a glass jar or bowl over it (try black construction paper for striking results from white spores). After 12-24 hours, remove the glass. If you have a spore print of the gills—congratulations! You can lightly spray the print with acrylic spray or hair spray to help it last longer.

Citizen Science Opportunity: To learn how you can contribute observations about migratory butterflies, dragonflies and more, visit journeynorth.org.

From late August into early September, notice the sweet scent of American groundnut flowers (Apios Americana). The nutty flavor of roasted, boiled or fried groundnut tuber provided a nutritious, carbohydrate-rich food for Native Americans and early pioneers. Its tubers are best harvested after the first frosts of fall.

Before ground bees have expired for the year, leaving just their larvae to overwinter, the bulgy and oddly blue blister beetle or oil beetle (Meloe violaceus) can be found searching for the nests of ground bee larvae to feast upon, as well as sweet honey and pollen. Do not touch a blister beetle, however! Their body fluid contains cantharidin—a chemical that can cause painful swelling and blistering.

Sketches by Angela Cannon-Crothers and Maureen Dunphy.

A plethora of asters are blooming by the second week of September. There are many varieties, from the small calico asters (Symphyotrichum lateriflorum) to the stately purple New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae). Such late blooms provide valuable nectar before the first hard frost kills most insects—typically around October 10.

From late summer through mid-September (and sometimes even into October!), green darner dragonflies (Anax junius) can be seen trooping together in large migratory flocks. Green darners are multi-generation migrators (the second hatch of the season migrates), and there are both resident and migratory phenotypes. Other migrating dragonflies include variegated meadowhawks (Sympetrum corruptum) and black saddlebags (Tramea lacerata).

Ornithologists have discovered that hawk and kestrel migration times tend to pair with this likely food source.

The hills and valleys of the Finger Lakes Region are a profusion of colors from late September through midOctober. In Lakota legend, the sunset hues of fall foliage are a gift from the Great Spirit in gratitude to the trees who give up their leaves to blanket the frozen ground. Their sacrifice keeps the roots of the flowers and grasses safe and warm all winter long. The yellow and orange pigments we see after the chlorophyll dies are carotenoids that can carry on some photosynthesis in cooler weather; the reds are anthocyanins.

Nighttime

Jack-o-lantern fungi (Omphalotus olearius) appear in late October and are the color of pumpkins. In darkness, their gills are a luminescent, eerie color green—just in time for Halloween!

Daytime

New England aster

Great blue heron

y obsession with camera trapping began many years ago when I was abruptly awakened one night by the most chilling scream I have ever heard. I sat bolt upright in bed, my heart pounding, wondering what possibly could have made that blood-curdling sound.

As an avid wildlife photographer living in Upstate New York, it suddenly occurred to me that there were many species of animals I had never seen during the daylight hours. As daylight fades and dark descends, the forest surrounding our home awakens as nocturnal creatures crawl out of their hiding places in order to stalk prey and search for something to eat.

My desire to somehow connect to these mysterious visitors led me to camera trapping.

Hitting the trail

My quest began with trail cameras, which are weatherproof and motionactivated cameras used primarily for scouting purposes. I’ve been very pleased with no glow/infrared Browning trail cameras, purchased from Amazon. They are less likely to disturb or affect the wildlife, lessening the chance of causing them undue stress and disrupting their behavior.

These cameras are easily attached to trees, usually about two to three feet off the ground, on well-worn paths where animal droppings and paw prints or other clues of an active wildlife corridor are found. Mounting them near a water source such as a stream or pond where there’s often a parade of nocturnal animals coming to drink, hunt or bathe also yields a variety of interesting images.

Initially I set the cameras on stills only, but now exclusively use video with 20- or 30-second clips that also record sound. Video tends to capture behavior that stills miss and often provides more insight into how and why an animal is responding to its environment and to

story and photos by Melissa Rowell

other animals they may encounter. Though trail cameras are very easy to set up, they do come with some drawbacks. Their image quality tends to be substandard. False triggers can quickly fill up a memory card and be a real headache. To reduce the chances of the cameras taking unwanted images, make sure the cameras are facing north and trim away any wayward branches or tall grass that may sway in the breeze and trigger the camera. I also always use lithium batteries since they aren’t as affected by changes in temperature, which is a prime concern living in the Northeast.

Capturing a snapshot

Whereas trail cameras are relatively simple and inexpensive to operate, DSLR (also known as mirrorless camera traps) produce superior images. However, DSLR are more costly and exceedingly

frustrating … especially if you’re not highly technical.

I have two DSLR wireless camera traps and use a Nikon D850 in each of them. The camera sits sturdily on a quick release camera mount and plate. The camera fits snugly in a waterproof Cognisys Scout camera box that has a sealed lens tube which accommodates the attached Nikon wide angle lens. I use a 25-70 mm lens to increase my chance of capturing the entire animal in focus and to give a more intimate perspective of the subject.

The camera box is attached to a sturdy tripod which can be picked up for about $20 in a thrift store or garage sale, and I usually situate it about 12 inches off the ground. The box is camouflaged with a lightweight camo blanket in order to, hopefully, not spook any visiting wildlife.

I also use a Scout receiver and

Scout transmitter which is a sensor that forms an IR beam that will trigger the Nikon camera when an animal or bird walks through it. I situate the trigger at whatever height the animal is that I hope to photograph. For example, if I’m trying to camera trap a weasel, I’ll set the trigger lower than if I’m after a raccoon or a fox.

Since I’m primarily trying to photograph nocturnal wildlife, I utilize two wireless, weatherproof Scout flashes. Two to three sources of light are recommended, but I’ve been quite happy with two, and even sometimes just one. My goal is to create an image that is as natural as possible in low light or nighttime scenarios while simultaneously trying to create an atmosphere that causes minimal stress on the animal.

Some animals are more sensitive to the flashes than others. Foxes are

one of the most sensitive species I have encountered. On the other hand, raccoons, opossums and even fishers remain quite relaxed when the flashes are triggered.

I place the flashes on thrift store, sturdy tripods, attach them to a tree so they won’t get knocked down by wind or an irate bear and place them about 5 to 6 feet off the ground to replicate natural light such as the sun and moon. A trail camera in video mode is concealed overlooking the setup in the rare instance something strange occurs.

One time I checked on the trap and found it tipped over on the ground with the camouflage cover dragged about 10 feet away. I checked the video and found that a wayward woodchuck had somehow gotten tangled in the cover, causing it to overturn and then proceeded to drag the cover nearly back to its den.

Setting up DSLR camera traps takes careful planning, hard work and immense patience because … what can go wrong, will go wrong. There are so many variables involved in getting that one perfect image.

Have you chosen the right location? Are the flashes working and pointed in the right direction? Has the memory card been cleared? Is the subject in focus? Are the battery packs and batteries charged? Are the cables in the camera inserted properly? Are the settings on the camera correct? Is the camera box lens clean and dry? Have you conducted a walk test in front of setup before you leave? The list is endless.

I shudder to think how many times I’ve done a walk test, satisfied everything was perfect, only to return a week later and find the camera box knocked askew or one of the batteries

dead. It is one of the most frustrating and challenging forms of photography I have ever encountered. But when you do get that one, (almost) perfect shot of an elusive species that puts a huge smile on your face, every single second and every drop of sweat you have invested will have been worthwhile. It took about a year for me to learn that we have a constant parade of all sorts of surprising species wandering around our rural property that include raccoons, skunks, opossums, gray foxes, red foxes, bears, bobcats, coyotes, great blue herons, great horned owls, fishers, white-tailed deer, long-tailed weasels and minks. Some are sporadic visitors that only appear during certain times of the year, and the others call our property home. And we’re thrilled and honored to be able to share the area with them.

Best Drive in the Finger Lakes? Is This the

Careening curves, new views, four cultures and light traffic await

story

by Derek Doeffinger

and photos

What makes a great day drive?

Three things stand out: the act of driving must be enjoyable, the trip and its destinations must offer fine sightseeing along with cultural insights and good food, and activities must be good enough to get you to open your car door, and maybe your wallet, too.

And what if there’s an eye-opening surprise? Then you’ve got a trip worth talking about.

If these criteria seem agreeable, then there are few road trips in the Finger Lakes that can beat the drive from Naples to Ithaca (or vice versa). If you’re still not convinced, let’s add another compelling reason: it’s a drive you’ve never taken.

So, let’s start our engines and see what lies ahead.

For those in the north, getting to Naples, Watkins Glen or Ithaca is a bit like wheeling a cart through the grid of aisles in a Walmart or Wegmans. Upon entering, you likely access the long front aisle of the heavily traveled Routes 5 and 20 to gain access to a north-south lake road leading to a southern town.

Not this time. We’re heading to the back aisle route in the south. It swerves, swoops, climbs and dives through the landscape to deliver us to lake-end towns positioned like endcaps.

Encountering the four cultures

You may be scratching your head about this “four cultures” comment, but

not for long. Each of these “southern” towns have dramatically different personalities based largely on their varying populations and influx of tourism, farming and colleges. Ithaca will seem very different from Naples, and they’ll both differ dramatically from Prattsburgh and Watkins Glen.

My starting point is Naples. It may be the best Finger Lakes example of classic small-town America. It features the main components of a small town – schools, homes, churches, businesses and government offices – all neatly and precisely arranged along the mile-long main street like a model railroad town.

Or in this case, a vineyard town. Is there another Finger Lakes town with one vineyard running beside the main street sidewalk and a second across the street sprawled over fields up to a winery?

The town’s grape obsession can be neatly summed up by its iconic grape pie and its annual grape festival (which is set for September 28 and 29 this year).

At the south end of town in Grimes Glen (complete with restrooms), you can find the favorite cascades of waterfall guru Matt Conheady. A few blocks southward, Joseph’s Wayside Market tempts drivers to stop with its cornucopian display of pumpkins, gourds, apples, pears and potatoes overflowing the bins, baskets, crates and boxes lined up along the street like a fortified rampart.

Prattsburgh: The comfort of an old shoe

To get to Hammondsport, you must pass through the tiny town of Prattsburgh. The folks we encountered not only basked in their rural authenticity but flaunted it.

To get there from Naples, hop on to Route 53 South just past Joseph’s Wayside Market at the south end of town. It’s a ride that can be enjoyable, thrilling even, as you lean into roads twisting through hillsides of farm and forest.

Within 20 minutes you’ll be in the middle of nowhere – Prattsburgh. There’s a good chance you’ll be the only tourist. I was. It’s about as small as a town can be and still be called a town. But after two separate visits months apart, I find it an appealing stop. Perseverance permeates the atmosphere.

You arrive at the northwest corner of what looks, at first glance, like a tiny town barely chugging along. That’s probably accurate.

The main town buildings stretch a few hundred feet along the west side of the town

fronts of a Hollywood movie set. That stretch includes a small grocery store, post office, library, pet barber (Barber of the Beasts), Dillio’s four-table (or is it five?) cafe that’s open until 2 p.m., Madison & Paul Realty and Empire Telecommunications. Let’s not leave out the empty, boarded storefronts.

On the opposite side of the town square are the white Baptist church with dazzling red double doors and the historical society in its doll-house imposing Gothic structure that’s so perfectly presented it’s a bit intimidating.

As we were eating at the cafe, a middle-aged couple walked into the cafe shortly after 2 p.m. The cafe was closed. But the cook greeted them with warm hugs, and soon they

were sipping yellow squash soup. Three more groups arrived in the following half hour while the cafe was closed. Each got a warm greeting. The couple said they had left central Florida yesterday where it was 91 degrees and sunny and drove straight through to Prattsburgh, where it was 39 degrees and dreary overcast. They were Mack and Tracy. Mack, a Prattsburgh native, said he’d never move back here, but he came back for some deer hunting.

The mention of Florida got me wondering aloud about boar hunting. Tracy snapped to attention. She yanked out her cell phone and began flipping through pictures and videos until she found her recent boar hunt. The unlucky trophy was sprawled at her feet as were her boar-hunting hounds. A nearly 6-foot, late 30s, attractive athletic blonde who looked like she could chase down a boar, she claimed to know several ways to

Above: If you don’t stop at the Wayside Market in Naples for provisions, you may want to match wits with Lydia while eating at Delillo’s Cafe in Prattsburgh.

and

Bottom: Food

strolls await you at the harbor at Watkins Glen.

dispatch a boar. I believed her.

Five months later, still intrigued by my first visit, I returned to the diner. Now Lydia – the owner, cook, waitress and entertainer – left the kitchen to greet us. Weary of me studying the menu, she leaned as if to whisper but spoke loudly, saying something that left me speechless and her customers laughing

She strolled over to two middle-aged guys who had just entered and gave each a hug. Two more middle-aged men got the same treatment five minutes later. I looked inquisitively at the older couple who were there when I arrived, and the woman smiled as if to say, “We got hugs, too.” They had just moved down from Brockport a month ago and were at Lydia’s home the night before helping out with something.

Lydia knew everybody who came in, likely for much of her life. No false restaurant politeness was offered, or even wanted. Just hugs and her colorful language.

The food was good, so was the price, and the conversation was startling. One of Lydia’s hugees had recently completed the Lake Placid Ironman against doctor’s orders. He fainted after completing the race (which convinced him no more triathlons). His fellow diner revealed a different story of endurance. He was a bridge worker. As there are not too many bridges around Prattsburgh, he drove back and forth to Rochester almost every workday for 40 years.

As you leave Prattsburgh, you might want to stop by the trading post. Its outside décor tends to understate the inside. Knowing that the owners met in Prattsburgh after moving there from opposite sides of the country (one from Boston, the other from San Diego) may be enough to get you to stop and look inside. You won’t be disappointed.

Going upscale in Hammondsport

Maybe the four major cultures point is starting to sink in. Taking Route 53 East out of Prattsburgh (see map for further directions) will have you soon arriving in Hammondsport. Its northern flank meets the southern shore of Keuka Lake, just a short walk from town center.

The difference between the two towns is startling. The southern and western flanks of Hammondsport are guarded by two exceptional museums: the renowned Glenn H. Curtiss

North Star Fine Art

Open by appointment NORTH STAR ART GALLERY

743 Snyder Hill Road, Ithaca, NY 14850 607-323-7684 • zingologyjazz@gmail.com www.northstarfineartgallery.com www.briankeeler.com

A true innovator for traversing the land and sky (and federal government), Paul Curtis’ ongoing growth in historical importance is documented by the museum.

“Bridge of Angels- Ponte Sant’ Angelo, Rome” oil on linen 26”x 30”

“Brian Keeler - Paintings of Italy”

Top photos: At the Prattsburgh Trading Post you will find household goods as well as outdoor sporting supplies, and an indoor archery range. The Prattsburgh park pavilion honors local veterans.

Bottom photo: The Living Roots Winery just east of Hammondsport allows you to sip while enjoying one of the most splendiferous views in the Finger Lakes.

Best Drive in the Finger Lakes?

Museum on the south and the Finger Lakes Boating Museum on the west.

Truly a wine lovers’ town, and a historic one at that, Hammondsport’s upscale presentation around a small town square suggests an idyllic New England village. That idea is reinforced when you learn that a few years ago actor Anne Hathaway got married in the winery laden hills just above the town.

You may want to stretch out your stay an extra hour to visit some wineries or to see the fabulous views the surrounding hills offer.

Winding your way to Watkins Glen

The nonstop time to Watkins Glen is half an hour, but two stops deserve your consideration. About two miles out of Hammondsport a fantastic view at Living Roots Winery awaits you. Keuka connoisseur Mark Siwiec proclaims it as one of the great views in all of the Finger Lakes. Carved out of a hillside, Living Roots Winery can be reached by heading out on Route 54 North for a mile and turning right onto Wayne County Road for another mile.

After catching the view, continue east on Wayne Road for four miles and turn right on to Birdseye Hollow Road/ Route 23 to reach the neglected lake cousins, Waneta and Lamoka. These tiny lakes snuggle up to comfortable cottages on little traveled roads. On to Watkins Glen: Continue another two miles on Route 23, take a right onto Route 226 S and a quick left back onto 23. Eight miles later turn right onto Route 28 in Watkins Glen.

The racing fans roar in from Germany, Italy, Argentina and from across the U.S. Outdoor enthusiasts from Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Florida clack along the many steps of the gorge with their hiking poles. And don’t forget the fashionably dressed oenophiles (wine lovers), who arrive from all over the world.

This impressive mix of tourists draws in another type: the tourists who love mingling with tourists. They simply feed on the energy and buzz created by all the people streaming through the streets and chattering foreign speech. Our upstate New

NAPLES GRAPE FESTIVAL

SEPTEMBER 28th & 29th, 2024 10:00am–5:00pm (Rain or Shine)

On the grounds of the Naples Memorial Town Hall And the Naples High School

Learn more at www.naplesgrapefest.org 585-749-2248

FEATURING:

• Naples Grape Festival

• 100+ Artisans & Craftsman Vendors

• Regional & National Music Performers

• Fresh Food Vendors

• Great Grape Pie Contest

• Brahm Moore Beverage Garden for wine, craft beers, distillers sampling & bottle sales

Yorkers can’t resist the cosmopolitan atmosphere of an autumn weekend in the Glen.

What may be a bit overlooked at Watkins Glen is the harbor. Of the southern lake towns, it’s by far the best harbor as it’s woven into the town, exudes beauty with its clear reflective waters and chimes charmingly when breezes pluck the halyards.

It’s also quite walkable. Sure-footed walkers and hikers can stroll to the pavilion and then climb onto the breakwater where, if they’re lucky and the wind is right, the splendid threemast schooner True Love will tease them with a sail-by only a giant leap away. Along with the True Love, two other large boats (next to the pavilion) offer lake cruises with food.

Food, art, crafts, and people – the attractions at the Ithaca Farmers Market are many.

Some racing fans may not know they can take a few laps around the racetrack in their own car. Or stop in at the Seneca Lodge bar to see walls full of racing history photos and paraphenalia. Both of these opportunities are less available in the autumn; check out track availability at theglen.com/drive-theglen, and know that the Seneca Lodge bar may only be open for dinner in the fall.

Directions

At Reliant, we understand that everyone’s path to success is different. We work hard to help all of our members succeed—not just in their finances, but in their lives. Join us.

Naples to Prattsburgh: Route 53 south takes you all the way.

Prattsburgh to Hammondsport: Route 53 south to Mitchellsville Road (Route 13), which becomes Mitchellsville Hill Road, and then Pleasant Valley Road.

Hammondsport to Watkins Glen: South on 54A, left (east) onto 54, right onto Wayne Road, right onto Birdseye Hollow Road/Route 23, right onto 226, and quick left back onto 23, then right onto 28 into Watkins Glen.

Watkins Glen to Ithaca: Head east on East 4th Street (Route 414) and then right onto Route 79 all the way to Ithaca.

LAKE

Is This the

Best Drive in the Finger Lakes?

Meet the tongue ticklers of Ithaca

In Watkins Glen, take Rt. 414 (East 4th Street) east and in a mile or so turn right onto Route 79, which takes you all the way to Ithaca. Route 79 carries you across some of the steepest hills in the region. Coasting down a milelong hill makes you want to raise your hands and scream with joy. Route 79 also skirts the southern portion of Finger Lakes National Forest. Burnt Hill and Mark Smith Roads lead to some nearby trailheads.

In Ithaca the joy of driving ends. An annoying grid of stop-and-go traffic with an aggravating, alternating mix of traffic lights and stop signs can frustrate travelers. Thousands of Cornellians, many from around the world, most youthful, can overwhelm Ithaca on weekends, providing an entertaining and energetic atmosphere.

There’s a huge benefit created by this multi-cultural influx of people: tongue-tickling delights in the form of exotic and exquisite foods. You might say Ithaca is for gorgers. The best place to encounter and sample a variety of cultural foods is under the pavilion at the Ithaca Farmer’s Market on a weekend.

Let your brain chew on this vendor name: Mushroom Spirits Distillery. They have a fresh approach to vodka. And many of the market vendors embrace this creative approach. What’s your food preference? Japanese, Spanish, Thai, Tibetan, Hungarian (pastries), Vietnamese? Or maybe you’d just like some barbecued wings. Almost as varied is the artwork and farm produce. It’s an enlightening experience that ends at 3 p.m. on both weekend days through October.

Within a mile of the market, you can find Stewart Park with its large picnic areas and lawns stretching nearly a half a mile along the south end of Cayuga Lake. And should you turn right onto North Cayuga Street, within half a mile you’ll come upon the large Ithaca Falls.

If time allows, stroll the renewed Commons in the town’s center. It provides a few blocks of traffic-free walking surrounded by a wide variety of stores and restaurants flavored with that Ithaca outlook.

Taughannock The Geology of State Park

Most of the following text is derived from the book “Ithaca is Gorges: A Guide to the Geology of the Ithaca Area, Fourth Edition” by Warren D. Allmon and Robert M. Ross, published in 2007 by the Paleontological Research Institution (Special Publication No. 31).

Taughannock Falls is located in Tompkins County on the west side of southern Cayuga Lake. It can be viewed from a distance at an overlook close to a parking lot, or up close by hiking a short distance (less than 1 mile each way) along a a gentle path that follows the creek bed (this path is usually open year round).

At 215 feet (65.5 meters), Taughannock Falls is higher than Niagara Falls. In fact, it is the highest vertical single-drop waterfall in the northeastern United States, and one of the highest waterfalls of any kind east of the Rocky Mountains.

Taughhanock Falls

Photograph by Mark Stash

Falls

Taughannock Falls, Tompkins County. Approximate positions of major stratigraphic boundaries are indicated, including the Geneseo, Sherburne and Renwick formations. Note that the “caprock” – the resistant rock over which the larger falls tumble – is sandstone of the Sherburne Formation, which is roughly coincident with the Frasnian-Givetian (or, Middle Devonian-Late Devonian) boundary.

Photograph by Jonathan R. Hendricks for PRI’s Earth@Home project (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license).

Taughannock Gorge was formed as Taughannock Creek eroded through more than 400 feet (122 meters) of shale and deposited it in a broad delta on the western side of Cayuga Lake. The lawn, beach and marina areas of the park now occupy this delta.

Elevation map of Taughannock Falls State Park with various features identified. This map is a representation of the original Map created by Bryan Isacks. Published as Fig. 6.6 in Arthur Bloom’s Book the Paleontological Research Institution).

Hanging deltas formed during higher lake levels

Taughannock Creek

Taughannock Falls

Falls overlook

Lower Falls over Tully Limestone

Lower gorge

Cayuga Lake

Lower Taughannock Park

Upper gorge

Taughannock Gorge might have been cut and filled during more than one glacial-interglacial episode. The image below shows how this process took place over time.

Model for the formation of gorges similar to Taughannock Falls.

The 0.75-mile (1.2-kilometer) hike from the parking lot to the falls carries you through a rather flat, broad, very high-walled gorge. This shape is in marked contrast to the more stair-step form of many of the other gorges. This is due largely to the relative homogeneity of the Geneseo Formation through which the stream has cut. With few resistant layers to form ledges, the soft shale has been carried away almost completely, down to the harder Tully Limestone at the bottom of the gorge.

Left: A hanging valley formed as a glacier retreated. At this stage of its development, Taughannock Falls would have spilled directly into Cayuga Lake. Right: Over time, the waterfall receded, forming a gorge as the water cut through and eroded the weak shale overlying the resistant Tully Limestone. Images modified from originals by J. Houghton first published in The Teacher-Friendly Guide to the Geology of the Northeastern U.S. by Jane Ansley (published by the Paleontological Research Institution) (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license).

East-facing view of the resistant Tully Limestone at the base of Taughannock gorge and near the Lower Falls. Note that the creek flows along the north side of the creek bed, reflecting the fact that the strata here are dipping at a very shallow angle towards the north.

Photograph by Jonathan R. Hendricks for PRI’s Earth@Home project (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license).

Tully Limestone forms the top of the small waterfall nearest to the lake, known as Lower Taughannock Falls, which is visible from Highway 89. Below this unit is the Moscow Formation, which consists of much softer siltstone. In the photograph below, one can see where the more resistant Tully Limestone overhangs a gap where the Moscow Formation has been more extensively weathered.

The natural beaches around Cayuga Lake— at Taughannock Falls and Stewart Park in Ithaca, for example—are made of pebbles rather than sand. This is because there is no natural source of abundant sand (such as layers of sandstone) anywhere in the area. The pebbles that make up these beaches are mostly rounded chips of shale and siltstone. They formed when pieces of rock eroded out of the gorges and cliffs around the lake and then were tossed over and over by waves striking the shore.

Sometimes a small point of weakness (sometimes caused by weathering out of a trace fossil or fossil crinoid stem) will allow the waves to wear a hole through one of these beach pebbles. These are locally known as “lucky stones” and are sometimes used in jewelry.

Eventually, the beach pebbles will be eroded into the mud from which they formed more than 360 million years ago, and this mud accumulates at the bottom of Cayuga Lake.

The Lower Falls at Taughannock Falls State Park. The boundary between the hard Tully Limestone and much softer Moscow Formation is indicated.

Photograph by Jonathan R. Hendricks for PRI’s Earth@Home project (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license).

Enterprising Area Tree Owners Embrace

The Finger Lakes is home to the only 20-C licensed facility processing black walnuts in NYS. Black walnuts, you say? The tree that’s known to make a mess and inhibits the growth of other common crops and plants? The tree that’s good for timber but nothing else? Yep, that’s the one! Black Squirrel Farms, located at 590 NY 14 in Penn Yan is helping black walnuts defy the odds by focusing on the tree’s unique benefits.

Prior to European settlement, black walnuts were mostly found near the camps and along the trails of Indigenous Americans. In the 1800s and early 1900s, black walnut trees clustered around farmsteads and were valued for both food and fine furniture wood. Unlike other trees, black walnuts need landscape instability plus a caring community in order to thrive.

Inspired by books on the topic, Black Squirrel Farms Owner and General Manager Sara Tyler had been thinking for years about the best way to get involved in the movement to shift

Emily Reynolds, Black Squirrel Farms Operations Manager, oversaw the receipt of over 38,000 lbs of raw black walnuts in 2023.

Tours are available during the summer and fall at the farm.

Below: Ready-to-crack black walnuts

people’s diet towards a greater dependency on perennial plants. She purchased the land that would become Black Squirrel Farms, knowing that considerable restoration would be required. She trusted that the restoration would uncover the site’s natural beauty and offer clarity on how best to integrate into –and yet stand out from – the area’s already diverse and vibrant foodscape.

In fall 2018, the black walnuts were so abundant on the ground, it was like walking in a box full of tennis balls. As Tyler almost fell, an idea came to her. The quickest way to implement change was to work with the available resources in a new way. So, she began to look more deeply into black walnuts.

The shade-intolerant black walnut won’t grow in the woods

Left:

Right:

and can be found all around the Finger Lakes. Because many people tend to have a negative view of black walnuts, it was clear that the variety of beneficial uses of black walnuts would need to be highlighted. It was decided that processing would be kept small scale and products would stay local. How to accomplish all of this was unclear. What tools and equipment that would be needed was even less clear. Thus, planning proceeded.

In 2020, Black Squirrel Farms launched a regional collection program that allowed Finger Lakes tree owners to drop off their black walnuts for a payout of $10 per 100 pounds of raw walnuts. Area growers enthusiastically embraced the opportunity.

Emily Reynolds, then a student at Keuka College, joined Black Squirrel Farms in fall 2021 as a team member. Now under Reynold’s watch as Operations Manager, the program has grown tremendously. In 2021, Black Squirrel Farms received 14,000 pounds of walnuts. In 2022, Reynolds graduated and joined the effort full-time, which allowed the company to focus on product development and engagement with its program members. Last year was the most productive season yet with 38,000 pounds received.

“It has been truly remarkable to watch the business develop and grow right in front of me as we continue to find new ways to use our native nut,” said Reynolds. “I’ve also enjoyed being able to educate the community about a natural resource that is right in all of our backyards. As we gear up for a very busy harvest season, it leaves me feeling inspired for what’s in store next for the company.”

To get the nuts from tree to table, black walnuts are collected, hulled, cured, cracked, sorted, packaged and sold. The equipment to process black walnuts in an economical way is not readily available – if it was, everyone would already be eating local black walnuts. As it became apparent that the technology gap impacted multiple processing stages, Black Squirrel Farms built a complete process using the lowest-tech equipment available and has been continually working to

make the procedure more efficient. Initially, hulling was the slowest step. A year later, cracking was the slowest step, and now sorting is the slowest step. Additional work is still needed, but a lot has been accomplished.

Black Squirrel Farms now sells 8-ounce packages of NYS wild black walnuts and NYS maple glazed black walnuts at its farm stand and online. The farm provides a heavy-duty bar soap that uses black walnut shells as an exfoliant. Additionally, the farm team has found that walnut shells have a multitude of different uses such as an antiskid additive for paint, smoking chips and even toilet bowl cleaner.

With the community’s increasing excitement and curiosity about the farm and processes, Black Squirrel Farms invites visitors to come and see how it is getting black walnuts from local trees to regional tables by offering seasonal guided black tours. Progress is being made towards Tyler’s goal of having the site demonstrate

The products of Black Squirrel Farms are quite diverse

how a nut tree-dominated landscape can support a complex community of plants and animals as well as provide food, education and recreation for people.

Black Squirrel Farms is leading the regional re-discovery of healthy and delicious traditional food. Many recipes

call for walnuts, which means the walnuts that are typically found in the grocery store. And now, there’s a way for everyone to get involved. Area growers can join the Black Squirrel Farms black walnut collection program. Visitors can stop by its farm stand, explore the site or register for a guided tour, a unique

experience that is offered nowhere else. It is often said that the best time to plant a black walnut tree was 20 years ago. The best time to change how you think about this important part of our shared natural heritage is right now.

New York Wild Black Walnuts

Black Squirrel Farms Walnut Sparkle Toilet Scrub

Walnut Traction (Anti-Skid Additive for Paint), made from walnut shells

Vibrant and Friendly Penn Yan

story and photos by Lauren Chamberlain

The Village of Penn Yan works hard to bring entertainment and joy throughout the whole year.

From Starshine to the Wing Walk to Trunk or Treat, there are many events that keep life in Penn Yan vibrant each season of the year.

Penn Yan holds its place in fame with Birkett Mills –known as one of the oldest companies in the United States, originating in 1797. There are numerous other businesses with a rich and successful history like the Keuka Candy Emporium and Seneca Farms.

Sharing this admiration for Penn Yan, many like-minded individuals banded together about five years ago in an effort to create a support system for the businesses of Penn Yan. Today, they offer a large range of resources for any and all who need their help. In addition, they hope to improve daily life in the village for locals and visitors by hosting events and festivals.

Meet the organizers

The Downtown Business Council is made up of volunteers motivated solely by their love for Penn Yan and the Finger Lakes Region. Their Executive Board consists of Chair Teresa Hoban of Hoban’s Spirits, Co-Chair Rose Curry of Burnt Rose Wine Bar and 18th Amendment, Secretary Jan Corning of Jan Corning Realtor and Jan Corning Yoga, Treasurer Heather Griffiths of The Nest Egg and their newly elected Board of Directors – Kelly Walker, Anna Sweet and Landon McCarthy. Originally starting as an offshoot of the Yates County Chamber of Commerce, they have now established themselves as their own distinct group within the last year.

“We are a welcoming, friendly community,” Hoban stated, adding that Penn Yan has much to offer, from fun retail shops to fabulous dining options. “Once you’re in Penn Yan, you do not have to leave! We plan off-season events for our local residents and visitors.”

Year-round fun and charm

The Downtown Business Council organize events to bring the community together for some fun throughout the

THE MORE YOU LOOK, THE MORE YOU SEE

All CBC Covid-19 guidelines in place

whole year. One occasion in particular that the Downtown Business Council is excited for Penn Yan life to experience this year is “First Fridays.” This event occurs from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the first Friday of every month. Select businesses offer extended hours with specialized menus, acoustic music on the street or other activities – like Sing Around at the Arts Center of Yates County. Establishments stay open later so people can eat, drink, shop and relax while enjoying the charm of downtown and experience all it has to offer.

Come October, there is the ever-loved Trunk or Treat for any who choose to participate. Cars, trucks – and once a boat – come together and decorate their vehicles to hand out candy to trick-or-treaters. Local celebrity judges award prizes to the best decorated trunks and host a costume contest for the most impressive creation. There are games, dance parties, food trucks and even a live DJ. Celebrating amongst the crisp fall air and colorful array of leaves, this is a fun event for all ages.

The Fall Festival takes over the downtown area during the first weekend of November. This event has so many attractions such as horse rides, a petting zoo and hayrides. There are also local artists, vendors, live music, food trucks and more for locals and visitors alike. This festival occurs when the air turns brisker, and there may even be the earliest signs of snow; when the town is covered in white, it almost seems like another world, even more magical than before.

Another fan favorite is the Wing Walk, held the first Saturday in March. Right on the cusp of spring, around 500 people gather in downtown Penn Yan and go from one participating restaurant to another, sampling chicken wings. Each person votes on the best wings in this well-loved – and extremely delicious – tradition. Going on in its fifth year, it is getting more and more popular; this past March, tickets sold out in 23 minutes! The winner this year was Parker’s Grille, and the last two years it was The Liberty Restaurant.

A sense of community camaraderie

While their title says, “Downtown,” the Downtown Business Council is for the true prosperity of all of Penn Yan – from the bustling streets full of businesses to the rolling valleys with the hardworking farmers and craftsmen. “A rising tide lifts all boats,” Curry stated, sharing their goal is to increase some businesses that will benefit all of Penn Yan and the life of its residents.

Outside of downtown, there are many iconic places to visit like Morgan’s Grocery, The Windmill and Oak Hill Bulk Foods. For whatever your hobbies or interests, this village has it all.

Horning’s Greenhouse, Garden Center & Nursery has beautiful selections for those interested in plants and gardening. Abandoned Brewing Company, Anthony Road Wine Company, Fox Run Vineyards, Keuka Spring Vineyards, Laurentide Beer Company and LyonSmith Brewing Company provide an extensive list of options for wine and craft beer enthusiasts. Shoppers can check out Starving Artist Woodwork, Once Again Shoppe, Longs’ Cards & Books, Nest Egg, Arts Center of Yates County, The Flower Cart and Gift Shoppe and many other shops just a short stroll away. The possibilities are vast within Downtown Penn Yan.

Hoban shared how visitors to Penn Yan are surprised by “how vibrant and friendly we are. There is so much to do, and you are greeted by a smile and thank you for visiting most places you go.”

While it is quite beautiful during the summer, Penn Yan is even more amazing during the fall and winter. No matter what time of year, there is so much life to experience in Penn Yan.

Lauren Chamberlain is a recent graduate of Keuka College. She enjoyed her time living in close proximity to Penn Yan and hopes to return soon.

The Finger Lakes’ Oldest Trees

by Ray Levato

“The forest is not only something to be understood, it is also something to be felt.”

— Joan Maloof, founder of the Old-Growth Forest Network

Trees are essential to our existence. They provide habitats for wildlife, help with soil erosion, give us cooling shade on a hot day and lumber for our houses.

But trees do so much more for the environment. Their leaves scrub the air by pulling in carbon dioxide – along with water and sunlight in a process known as photosynthesis – and create sugars that feed the tree. The by-product emitted by this magic of nature is the gift of vital oxygen.

Beyond just the physical, trees give us great enjoyment. Some people believe that trees have the power of helping with our feelings, emotions, mental health and sense of wellbeing. The power of these plants is apparent with a walk in a forest where we can experience the quiet majesty of tall or large, old trees.

So, what is the oldest tree in the Finger Lakes? The answer may need a little legwork to find.

The Old-Growth Forest Network identifies four forests in the heart of the Finger Lakes as existing since preEuropean settlement times: Carpenter Falls Unique Area, Bahar Nature Preserve in Cayuga County, Hoxie Gorge Nature Preserve in Cortland County and Fischer Old-Growth Forest in Tompkins County.

Plus, there are a couple trees in Rochester and Syracuse that deserve a mention.

Bob Freese stands wth the Bicentennial Tree – a massive black oak from the time of George Washington.

Above, right: The Bicentennial Tree is regarded as the oldest tree in Rochester.

Carpenter Falls Unique Area

The 37-acre Carpenter Falls Unique Area – about 12 miles south of Skaneateles off Route 41A – was created with recreation and watershed protection in mind. A half-mile trail runs the length of the property with scenic views of Bear Swamp Creek. Carpenter Falls plunges down more than 80 feet into a deep pool, the waters eventually finding Skaneateles Lake. There is an ADA accessible, elevated boardwalk and a viewing platform for all visitors. Gorges with steep slopes above Bear Swamp Creek have likely been inaccessible since European settlement and are dominated by large old eastern hemlocks and sugar maples. This trail also connects with the adjacent Bahar Preserve which is managed by the Finger Lakes Land Trust.

Left: The Great Sugar Maple in Liverpool towers over the surrounding forest.

Below: Tom Howard stands with the Great Sugar Maple, showing the surveyor’s mark from about 1790.

Bahar Nature Preserve

Amid the rolling farmland next to Skaneateles Lake is the 53-acre Bahar Nature Preserve; some call it an enchanted forest. There’s a trail that’s been used for more than a century called the Jug Path by locals. Hikers are treated to spectacular views of the 100-footdeep Bear Swamp Creek ravine. While the forest in the preserve was logged on and off over the last couple hundred years, the forest in the deep gorge was mostly inaccessible because of the steep slopes. This is where old growth eastern hemlock trees dominate. In 2006, two trees in the preserve, an American chestnut and a yellow birch, were winners in the Cayuga County Big Tree Contest.

Hoxie Gorge Nature Preserve

Over 18,000 Sq. Ft of Exhibits Depicting LIfe in the 1800 and 1900’s General Store • Creamery • Blacksmith and Woodworking Shop • Miniature Trains and Circus Displays • Country School House Kitchen, Parlor, Bedroom • Antique Tractors and Farm Machinery

Museum Heated • Free Admission and Parking Open 7 days a week - 10 A.M. till 4 P.M.

Halloween Witch Hat Hunt - October 1 -31, 2024 Halloween at Museum - Saturday October 18, 10-4 The Great Pumpkin Hunt - October 1 thru 31

Located in Emerson Park on Owasco Lake 6880 East Lake Road Rt. 38 A Auburn, New York 13021

Contact us for Additional Information: 315-252-7644 • tquill@cayugacounty.us wardwoharaagriculturalmuseum.org

Hoxie Gorge is a 169-acre natural area maintained by SUNY Cortland for educational, research and recreational purposes. Access to Hoxie is by the Finger Lakes and McDermott Nature trails. Near McDermott marker No. 29, is an area of old-growth hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) trees on the banks of the gorge, the oldest of which date back to 1736! Ward W. O’Hara Agricultural & Country Living Museum

Kozy Heat - Nordik Gas Insert

FINGER LAKES

Fischer Old-Growth Forest

This forest is described as majestic and magical with trees more than 150 feet tall. It is one of the few remaining examples of pre-European settlement forest in the Finger Lakes. The Old-Growth Forest Network says Fischer Old-Growth Forest “is notable not only for the extreme size of many individual trees, but also for the very high number of tree species—at least 23— of canopy size.” Forty acres of the preserve’s 181 acres is oldgrowth forest. It was saved from cutting in 1997 by the Cornell Plantations Natural Areas Committee. Fischer Old-Growth Forest is located about 6 miles southwest of Ithaca via Route 13.

Rochester’s Bicentennial Tree

The oldest tree in Rochester is a massive black oak in front of Transfiguration Lutheran Church on Culver Road. It was one of several in the area nominated for oldest tree as part of the 1976 Bicentennial celebration. And that’s when it got the name Bicentennial Tree.

A plaque at the base of the tree says the National Arborist Association recognized the oak as having lived during the American Revolutionary War period.

A news article at the time indicated that an arborist may have used a Swedish instrument called an increment borer to take a quarter-inch core sample. They determined the tree to be between 225 to 250 years old at that time. That would put the age of the Culver Road Bicentennial Tree at 275 to 300 years old today, or close to the time George Washington was born (1732).

Bob Freese, a member of the church congregation since 1961, has been watching the Bicentennial Tree to make sure it gets proper watering, fertilizing and trimming. “It’s been with us since before the beginning of our country,” he said.

The Bicentennial Tree is a massive 21-1/2 feet around. “Theres a lot of history here,” Freese stated. “It’s a bit of history that we all own. And we want to keep it healthy.”

The Great Sugar Maple of Syracuse

The oldest tree in the Syracuse area may be the 120-foottall Great Sugar Maple in the village of Liverpool. One expert says the tree could date back to about 1590, which means it was already 30 years old when the Pilgrims landed!

The 430-year-old tree is behind Liverpool High School in the old growth Liverpool School Maple Grove. Scarring on the tree leads the Native Tree Society’s Tom Howard to believe it was a witness tree. Surveyors in 1790 used large trees to mark plots for veterans of the Revolutionary War in what became known as the Military Tract in central New York.

The tree has two large scars near its base on either side of the tree, which would likely have been made by the surveyor to mark a lot boundary. The surveyor would mark a large, prominent tree so as to be visible to settlers.

Howard describes it as the most accessible old growth forest in the area. Some of the grove is wheelchair- and strolleraccessible because of a lighted, paved path.

The great tree has a trunk 55 inches in diameter with a circumference of 14-1/2 feet. “It has many characteristics of

This simple method only works on level ground. It just requires a stick and a measuring tape. The stick must be the same length as your arm or grasped at a point where the length of the stick above your hand equals that of your arm. The stick is held pointing straight up, at 90 degrees to your outstretched, straight arm. Carefully walk backwards until the top of the tree lines up with the top of your stick. Mark where your feet are. The distance between your feet and the tree is roughly equivalent to the height of the tree. Depending on the height of the tree, if your measuring tape isn’t long enough, you may have to measure in sections.

Courtesy bigtrees.forestry.ubc.ca

age like shaggy bark, spiral grain, massive crooked limbs in a lofty crown, Howard said. “It has an ancient, gnarly look.”

Howard went on to explain that a New York State Museum bulletin of original land survey records “shows there was a sugar maple witness tree on this spot. If this tree is the 1790 witness tree, it is one of the oldest sugar maples known, and one of the largest sugar maples in NY, and in the United States.”

The tree hunters

The Native Tree Society refers to its members as “tree hunters.” They are a group of outdoor enthusiasts including hikers, climbers, adventurers, scientists and artists, all “obsessed with exploring the forests and woodlands of the world.” What trees do they hunt? Large, magnificent trees – the forest monarchs. And ancient trees that exhibit the characteristics of great age.

The tree hunters’ goal is to help the rest of the world understand why big trees and old forests are valuable beyond just aesthetics.

Know of a really old tree? Share it with us at mark@ lifeinthefingerlakes.com. Estimate its height (left) and measure its circumference.

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

Simply Crepes

This is a seasonal staple at Simply Crepes. Grandma Mae’s warm cinnamon apples are paired with RumChata caramel, sweet vanilla cream and vanilla bean ice cream. We proudly support NYS apple farmers by buying from local orchards. simplycrepes.com

dining Delicious Dishes

English Scones

The Red Bird Café You don’t have to cross the pond for these authentic scones. Made fresh and served with afternoon tea. Lovely! redbirdcafegiftshop.com

Nolan’s Lobster Roll

Nolan’s

A generous portion of cold-water lobster meat is poached in warm butter and served on a New England style roll. nolansonthelake.com

Seasonal Vegetable Sauté

New York Kitchen

Enjoy a seasonal menu and local wines at New York Kitchen’s Chef’s Table cooking classes. Dive into a world of produce and artisanal products grown in New York. nykitchen.com

Carmel Chai Cupcake

Plenty the Bakery

A vanilla bean cupcake is filled with homemade caramel and topped with caramel chai Italian buttercream. plentythebakery.com

A Walk Along Hope’s Haven Wilderness Trail

There’s a new wilderness trail to explore in the Town of Candor, with a mission to create spaces for people of every ability to get outdoors and enjoy what nature has to officer. Hope’s Haven, located high on the knob at 84 Benton Road, has approximately 12-1/2 miles of cleared groomed trails that are ready for the explorer to enjoy. The site officially opened in Fall 2023, but once the grand

opening took place, more than 200 visitors – locals as well as out-of-towners – took advantage of what it had to offer. Many have come back to repeat their experiences.

“The response has been fantastic,” Jonathan VanScoy said. “I stopped counting visitors when I got to about 200 in early July last year. That was in just one month!”

To celebrate their grand opening, Hope’s Haven held

story and photos by Carol A. Henry

An inviting daytime vista from Hope’s Haven

Photo by Carol A. Henry

A Hidden Gem in the Heart of

Central New York

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

Brockway Trucks & Memorabilia

Local History & Musicians  Trains

Military History & Memorabilia

NEW ~ Antique Firehouse Museum

Tractors  Agriculture and More!

Handicapped Accessible  Plenty of Parking

with Prior Arrangements

4386 US Route 11  Cortland, NY 607-299-4185

www.cnylivinghistory.org info@cnylivinghistory.org

Halfway between Syracuse & Binghamton off I-81, exit 12 ~ Route 11, South

TOUR OUR FARM & BROWSE OUR GIFT SHOP

TOUR OUR FARM & BROWSE OUR GIFT SHOP

TOUR OUR FARM & BROWSE OUR GIFT SHOP

Our alpaca farm is the largest in the Finger Lakes area. You will have the opportunity to meet our herd of 60+ alpacas. Learn alpaca history & care while touring the vintage barns. Individual and group tours.

Fall is a wonderful time to visit us here on the farm. The cooler temperatures and Fall colors make for an enjoyable visit with our alpacas and the most gorgeous photo ops. We are open Tuesday through Sunday for tours and/or a visit to our store. We also offer yoga with the alpacas if you are looking for a new and fun way to interact with our friendly alpacas. Register on our website for a tour or yoga. Preregistration is required to insure we have the correct staff available to make your visit as enjoyable as possible.

TOUR OUR FARM & BROWSE OUR GIFT SHOP

Our alpaca farm is the largest in the Finger Lakes area. You will have the opportunity to meet our herd of 60+ alpacas. Learn alpaca history & care while touring the vintage barns. Individual and group tours.

Our alpaca farm is the largest in the Finger Lakes area. You will have the opportunity to meet our herd of 60+ alpacas. Learn alpaca history & care while touring

a private dinner on May 26, 2023, catered by Simply Catered by Bethany. The catering service was provided by Bethany Gregory, a 1992 graduate of Candor Central School; she went on to attend the International Culinary Academy in Pittsburgh, earn a degree in hotel restaurant management from Tompkins Cortland Community College and become a certified nutritionist through eCornell. The gourmet meal, presented to the invited guests, was the highlight of the evening, along with the astounding sunset over the valley below at every turn along the trails. Saturday’s Open Trail Day consisted of live music, guided tours, wagon rides, fishing and hiking.

latter event was organized through the leadership of Jonathan’s daughter Emily VanScoy through her Team Tioga contact and leadership.

“The idea of sharing our ‘blessings’ evolved,” Hope said. “We knew we had a beautiful gift, and were always reminded of that when new visitors exclaimed over the beauty of the area. Comments from strangers like, ‘It is so good to have an opportunity to do something with our kids and not cost an arm and a leg,’ was the nudge we needed to do something more with ‘the gift.’”

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

SCHEDULE YOUR VISIT: (585) 455-1203

According to Hope’s Haven Owner Hope VanScoy, who the venue was named after, the idea came about after hosting a free fishing weekend for families, as well as a Halloween hayride. The

The gift of more than 100 acres had been in the family for almost 60 years, and is now officially open to the public. There’s a chance for everyone to take advantage of this promising endeavor – a nature preserve and an educational research center to delve into, regardless of the season. Besides several platforms overlooking the scenic overviews that surround the area, there are

Overhead autumnal view of some of Hope’s Haven’s trails. Photo provided.

Cabin overlooking the fishing pond at Hope’s Haven in Candor. Photo provided

Geneva History Museum Rose Hill Mansion

picnic tables, portable solar panels and mini generators scattered throughout the hillside. There is also a one-of-a-kind glamping facility where stunning nature meets modern luxury.

Since opening, access by car has been improved, as has the wheelchair accessibility, making it easier for visitors to access the site. A new shower and several comfort stations have been installed. There are now three additional primitive camping spots, and a new shortterm apartment for accommodations up to one to four days at a time. One of the many highlights for the daytripper are the open-trail days and free family events.

The public was invited to watch the Perseid Meteor Shower last August, which was held at the top of Reservoir Hill. The event was free to family and friends, and offered an unobstructed view of the star-studded night sky, with an option for attendees to bring their own lawn chair. Marshmallows were provided to toast over the open camp fire.

“I wish it could all be free, but we have hired staff to maintain the grounds and facilities,” Hope said. “We have honor-system donation boxes that look a lot like

bird houses, located at convenient locations around the property, so be sure to look for those locked bird houses.”

As for restrictions for using the trails, it’s advised that if you are bringing a dog (on a leash), let the VanScoys know so they can keep their dogs inside to eliminate unwanted incidents. If you bring anything in, including items that end up being trash, you are asked to take it out with you. Although there is no swimming in the ponds, you can fish, so plan to bring your equipment with you.

The VanScoys emphasize that the main focus is to simply come and enjoy nature.

And don’t forget to walk the trails during autumn’s colorful showcase as the sun filters through the trees, highlighting the various hues that make the Finger Lakes area in Candor sparkle.

Parking is across from the ponds, or up the hill by the house. Whether you enjoy hiking, camping, fishing or would like to rent out a beautiful location for your dream event, you can call or email to purchase a reserved parking sticker. For more information on future events call 607-262-3011, email vsrhillc@gmail.com and check out Hope’s Haven’s Facebook Page at: Hope’s Haven Candor.

A scenic evening overlook from Hope’s Haven. Photo provided.

Because Art Moves!

Because Art Moves!

Largest Open-air Farm Market in the Finger Lakes! Harvest time! Featuring apples, grapes, local potatoes & onions. Decorate for fall!

Grape Pies, Cookies, Donuts & Specialty Breads from our Bakery NYS Maple Syrup, Honey & Sharp Cheddar Cheese (2.5 yrs.)! Gift Shop, Jams, Jellies & Hunt Country & Arbor Hill Wines!

Grand Central Avenue, Elmira, NY 14901 Tel. 607-733-5725 • NagleeFine Arts.com Because

Naglee Fine Arts has service packages

Because Art Moves!

Naglee Fine Arts has service packages available. We will install/deinstall your artwork, transport it to our secure warehouse, and store it for however long you are away. Peace of mind.

Naglee Fine Arts has service packages available. We will install/deinstall your artwork, transport it to our secure warehouse, and store it for however long you are away. Peace of mind.

Used by major museums and institutions, as well as private collectors. References available.

Naglee Fine Arts

1525 Grand Central Avenue, Elmira, NY 14901 Tel. 607-733-5725 • NagleeFine Arts.com

We will install/deinstall your artwork, transport it to our secure warehouse, and store it for however

Naglee Fine Arts has service packages available. We will install/deinstall your artwork, transport it to our secure warehouse, and store it for however long you are away. Peace of mind.

Used by major museums and institutions, as well as private collectors. References available.

Naglee Fine Arts 1525 Grand Central Avenue, Elmira, NY 14901 Tel. 607-733-5725 • NagleeFine Arts.com

JosephsWaysideMarket.com

365 Shannon Corners Rd. Dundee, NY 14837

607-243-7220

Windmill Market, Penn Yan Saturdays 8am-4:30pm

(Continued from page 11)

October 7, 14, 21, 28...Tree Buds Tree Phenology Walk

Be our tree “buds” and join the center in weekly citizen science walks to observe and collect data on seasonal changes in trees. Rain or shine, will monitor when buds break, leaves emerge, flowers bloom, fruits ripen, and when leaves change color and fall. Data is sent to the USA National Phenology Network, which makes it available to researchers who are trying to understand the mechanisms behind seasonal changes and how they are influenced by a changing climate. You’ll learn how to make these types of observations, and how to do this at home or in your neighborhood. This event is free and everyone is welcome to attend. Meet in front of the Cayuga Nature Center lodge at the beginning of the program. 3 to 4 p.m.

Cayuga Nature Center 1420 Taughannock Blvd., Ithaca NY 14850 priweb.org/visit/events

October 11-13... Candor Fall Festival

Come enjoy entertainment for the entire family, with a world-class woodcarvers show, quilt displays, craft/flea markets and delicious food. Event starts at 10 a.m.

Throughout the Village of Candor, NY, Route 96/ Spencer Avenue , Candor NY candornychamber.org

October 19...Ontario Pathways Great Pumpkin Walk

Take a walk in the moonlight as hundreds of hand-carved pumpkins twinkle in the dark. This is a truly magical evening along a section of the Ontario Pathways trail. The round-trip distance is about 1 mile and is suitable for all ages. Strollers are allowed, but no pets please. There is plenty of free parking. 6:30 to 9 p.m. $5 per person, children aged 2 and under free.

Ontario County Fairgrounds, County Road 10, Canandaigua 14424 ontariopathways.org

The Red Bird Café Bakery Gifts

Areas of Interest in the September/October 2024 issue

It’s a new age in aging

Today’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!

Follow us on Facebook!

-Bruce Springsteen