A lot going on this week.
Some great announcements, a heated burger vote, and a stacked bulletin.
Let’s go!
🎉 BIG NEWS 🎉
We crossed 10,000! Big thanks to everyone for being a part of the Finger Lakes Effect.
From finding new local events to burger contests, it’s been a blast, and I’m looking forward to 2026.
THE BURGER VOTES ARE CLOSE
The top 3 are within 2 votes of each other with a couple hundred votes!
Haven’t voted yet?
Head out, taste a new burger or two, then cast your vote
The Top 10 List
MORE BURGER INFO
Cast your vote already? Now’s the time to tell friends and family to join up and vote for their favorite!
I’ve now been to two more places that made the top 10 list, and have my eyes (and stomach) set on one more.
When you go out to try a new (or favorite) burger, snap a pic and tag @FingerLakesEffect and the restaurant - I’ll keep an eye out and will repost great shots that make me hungry.
😀 DINNER CLUB 😀
The first Finger Lakes Effect Dinner Club in Ithaca has its first members who have signed up to make some new friends, meet some neighbors, and have some fun.
I’ll keep the logistics down below for anyone who may have missed how it all works. SIGN UPS CLOSE ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24th AT 6:30 PM.
Take a quick quiz about your interests, food preferences, and what types of folks you are looking to meet. You know, that kind of thing.
Get matched with five other Finger Lakes Effect readers based on the quiz results.
Receive your invite the morning of the dinner and discover which restaurant in Ithaca your group will be eating at.
Dinner time will be on Thursday, February 26th at 6:30 PM. After dinner, all tables will be invited to a designated spot to keep the good times rolling. This after party is optional, so if you’re in a food coma, you can go home and call it a night.
The Logistics: The booking fee is 16 bucks per seat, you pay for your own meal at the end of dinner, and I’ll put it all together from the quiz, to matching, to the reservations, and sending reminders. All you do on your end is show up, meet some new friends, and have fun.
👋 Contribute To The Effect 👋
The Finger Lakes Effect is 100% free to read, independently owned, and locally operated (it’s me, my wife, and two cats).
Your contributions go toward keeping the Finger Lakes Effect going so we can have more fun, build more connections, and not have each edition filled with ads. I appreciate any and all support from this great group! — Adam
The new cat claiming her space.
The Bulletin
Partner with us: Reach 10,000+ engaged Finger Lakes readers. We feature local businesses worth knowing. Get in touch here.
Got a community event or shout-out? We want to hear about that too.
Laurentide Beer Company — keeping it simple and real, brewing quality beer on site in their 200-year-old Carriage House — with fresh pours, crowlers to go, and a kitchen menu that pairs perfectly.
The Local Branch — originally submitted by readers for the 2025 local gift guide, you can find their small batch, locally made, leather goods in Seneca Falls or online.
📅 EVENTS
Top Picks
Banff Mountain Film Festival @ Bailey Hall, Cornell University (Saturday/Sunday - Ithaca)
Star Party: Planets and Winter Skies @ Baltimore Woods Nature Center (Friday - Marcellus)
Bountiful Beer Bread Focaccia Art @ Outlet 111 (Saturday - Penn Yan)
Wednesday
Williamson Voice Studio: The Great American Songbook @ Ithaca College (Ithaca) – Jazz standards, Broadway favorites, timeless classics, free midweek vocal performance.
Voltage Ventures @ Dundee Library (Dundee) – Hands-on circuits, coding robots, and creative tech challenges make winter break smart and fun.
Kitchen OPEN @ Hopshire Farm & Brewery (Freeville) – Wood-fired style pizza, farm-fresh toppings, and laid-back brewery vibes for a cozy night out.
Thursday
Grease Sing Along (1978) @ The Smith Opera House (Geneva) – Sing, dance, and relive the ultimate high school musical romance with every lyric on screen.
Science & Suds @ Hopshire Farm & Brewery (Freeville) – Craft beer, curious minds, and engaging talks in a laid-back brewery setting.
Friday
Kilrush Dance Party! @ Stone Bend Farm (Newfield) – Celtic rock, high energy dance party, Irish roots, barn vibes, lively night out.
Souper Simple Lunch @ Buttonwood Grove Winery (Romulus) – Cozy soup, baguette, winter winery vibes, lakeside lunch, warm weekend escape.
Trillium Tap Takeover @ Brewers Kitchen and Taproom (Ithaca) – Limited tap takeover, craft beer pours, weekend social vibe, exclusive drafts.
Seneca Lake Wine Trail Event – Chocolate & Wine @ Wagner Vineyards (Lodi) – Decadent chocolate, award-winning wines, and a sweet winter weekend on the lake.
Star Party: Planets and Winter Skies @ Baltimore Woods Nature Center (Marcellus) – Moonless winter skies, bright planets, and telescope views of the cosmos up close.
Movie Night – Wicked: For Good @ Newfield Public Library (Newfield) – A magical Oz adventure, friendship, and free popcorn for a cozy community movie night.
Crys Matthews @ Night Eagle Café & Lansing Area Performance Hall (North Lansing) – Soulful folk and bold storytelling from an award-winning voice of hope and justice.
Planetarium | The Search for Life in the Universe @ Roberson Museum (Binghamton) – A breathtaking planetarium journey through galaxies, nebulae, and the search for life beyond Earth.
Murder on the Orient Express (1974) @ The Smith Opera House (Geneva) – A star-studded classic whodunnit full of suspense, secrets, and vintage cinema charm.
The Sweet Spot @ The Lake House on Canandaigua (Canandaigua) – Six gourmet desserts, champagne pairings, and cozy lakeside date-night vibes.
Crow Cawcus Convention – Downtown Auburn (Auburn) – A citywide crow-themed festival with music, markets, art, food, workshops, and winter fun in Auburn.
February Break: Weather & Climate Fun! @ The Nature Center (Canandaigua) – Snowy science, winter exploration, hands-on fun, a perfect February Break adventure outdoors.
Cabin Fever in Corning’s Gaffer District @ Corning’s Gaffer District (Corning) – Sip, stroll, and shop through downtown with winter tastings, cozy vibes, and community fun.
Saturday
Fire & Ice Winter Festival (Canandaigua) - Enjoy two days (Sat/Sun) at the 10th annual Fire & Ice festival with professional ice carving, fire shows, dog sled teams, live entertainment, food, drinks, and more.
Aster Film Festival @ Cornell University - Schwartz Center for Performing Arts (Ithaca) – Short films, fresh voices, creative energy, two days of storytelling and cinematic inspiration.
Opening Reception for the Photography Group Exhibit @ The Gallery at South Hill (Ithaca) – Local photographers, bold visual storytelling, relaxed gallery vibes, Saturday art inspiration.
Pinch and Pour: Where Sip Meets Spice @ Cayuga Lake Wine Trail (Cayuga Lake Wine Trail) – Spice-infused wine pairings, scenic lake views, bold winter flavors, trail tasting adventure.
Raclette for Lunch! @ South Hill Cider (Ithaca) – Melty alpine cheese, crisp local cider, cozy winter lunch, comfort food done right.
Seneca Lake Wine Trail – Chocolate & Wine @ Wagner Vineyards (Lodi) – Chocolate pairings, lakeside vineyards, cozy tastings, the ultimate winter wine weekend.
Penn Yan Rotary Kids Winter Carnival @ Penn Yan Middle School (Penn Yan) – Bounce houses, crafts, winter cheer, a free family carnival full of fun and community spirit.
Bountiful Beer Bread Focaccia Art @ Outlet 111 (Penn Yan) – Edible art, fresh herbs, craft beer, a cozy and creative winter baking night.
The Nate Gross Band @ ONCO Fermentations (Tully) – Electric blues, craft brews, pizza night vibes, a relaxed Saturday music stop.
Chenango River Theatre Annual Fundraising Gala @ Tavern 1244 (Greene) – Live jazz, fine food, auctions, a dressed-up night celebrating local theatre and the arts.
Banff Mountain Film Festival @ Bailey Hall, Cornell University (Ithaca) – Epic adventure films, wild landscapes, global storytelling, an inspiring outdoor film night. View 1 night or 2 nights.
Cortland Coffeehouse PLUS presents Lynn Koch @ Unitarian Universalist Church of Cortland (Cortland) – Acoustic folk, historic church setting, timeless ballads, a cozy Saturday night escape.
Professor Louie and the Crowmatix @ Auburn Public Theater (Auburn) – Grammy-nominated roots rock, soulful grooves, intimate theater vibes.
Amber Martin @ Atomic Tom’s (Binghamton) – Indie folk, acoustic warmth, intimate venue vibes, a mellow Saturday night set.
Steele Adult: Hygge Hangout @ Steele Memorial Library (Elmira) – Cozy vibes, warm food, books, puzzles, quiet comfort, the perfect winter reset.
Sunday
Bound for Glory Live with Mark Rust @ Lansing Area Performance Hall (North Lansing) – Warm folk vibes, rich storytelling, and a cozy Sunday concert experience full of heart and humor.
Pints & Poses with Susan Marie Yoga @ ONCO Fermentations. (Tully) – Stretch, sip, and savor your Sunday with yoga, craft brews, and feel-good flow vibes.
Syracuse Speed Dating for Singles Age 50s/60s ♥ @ Crazy Daisies (Syracuse) – Flirty fun, real conversations, new connections, a fresh chance at love in one exciting afternoon.
Syracuse Speed Dating for Singles Age 30s/40s ♥ @ Crazy Daisies Flowers & Garden Cafe (Syracuse) – Fast chats, real sparks, zero swiping, a fun Sunday shot at love and connection.
Pop Pipes ROCK @ Broome Arena Forum (Binghamton) – Classic rock hits on a booming pipe organ, retro vibes, big sound, and even a chance to play yourself.
Stardew Valley: Symphony Of Seasons @ The Oncenter (Syracuse) – Beloved game soundtrack, live symphony, cozy nostalgia, seasonal magic, an unforgettable concert experience.
Recurring Events
Limited Duration - click here
Trivia - click here
Kid Friendly - click here
WANT TO BE A FINGER LAKES INSIDER?
Finger Lakes Insider - This isn’t just a longer event list. It’s a well-curated, month-ahead game plan so you can lock in the fun stuff early, discover gems you’d miss otherwise, and stop last-minute scrambling (and annoying calendar overlaps).
Thanks for supporting the Finger Lakes Effect!
See You Out There
Thanks for being part of the Finger Lakes Effect!
Adam Moody
