There's a cemetery in Ithaca with three times the population of Manhattan. Now, it might not be what you’re thinking.
East Lawn Cemetery, 1.5 acres, with 5.5 million ground-nesting mining bees. Cornell entomologists published the count earlier this month.
It’s one of the largest of its kind on the entire planet, and it’s been happening near Cornell Orchards since at least the early 1900s.
Cornell has been a bee research powerhouse for decades. Tom Seeley, professor emeritus, has spent over 40 years watching honeybee swarms make group decisions. He even wrote a bestselling book about it: Honeybee Democracy.
Lots more in this edition, including a recommendation for a non-honey kind of “sweet treat”.
Enjoy!
🫣 SNEAK PEEK 🫣
I’ve been whipping up something new for you. Not ready to fully share it this week, but wanted to give you a little glimpse behind the curtains.
I’ve had to redact some top secret info from the screenshot above.
Any guesses as to what’s coming?
Stay tuned! There might be prizes involved…
🪴 Finger Lakes Effect Contributors🪴
Becoming a one-time (or recurring) contributor means helping to keep 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! Thank you - Adam
The Bulletin
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Got a community event or shout-out? I want to hear about that too.
Spotted Duck - see more below, but they’re open for the season and delicious!
Couch to 5K - Join the FLRC group runs in and around Ithaca. A great way to get ready for the upcoming summer, run a new race, or just get in better shape and meet new friends doing the same thing.
🔔 UPDATES 🔔
Sunrise | 6:04 AM |
Sunset | 8:03 PM |
Moonrise | 6:21 PM |
Moonset | 5:09 AM |
Air Quality | 43 GOOD |
📢 Around The Lakes 📢
Events
Looking for more things to do outside of the weekend? Check out the new Finger Lakes Event Guide for ideas. Head over here and try it out: https://fingerlakeseventguide.com
Community Milestones
Here’s a shout-out to FLCC's men's volleyball team. They just won the program's first NJCAA national championship, taking down Ocean County College (NJ) out in Illinois. Well done!
Community Milestones
Seneca7 happened this past Sunday, and hundreds of runners circled the entire lake in a 77.7 mile relay. Great to see these bigger events around the lakes. Looking for more endurance events? Check out the Finger Lakes Runners Club or Red Newt Racing!
📅 EVENTS 📅
Top Picks
Star Wars, Episode IV: A New Hope (Geneva - Monday - May The Fourth Be With You!)
Friends of the Library Book Sale @ Regina Lennox Book Sale Bldg (Ithaca - Saturday)
Finger Lakes Distilling Kentucky Derby Party @ Finger Lakes Distilling (Burdett - Saturday)
Wednesday
Sew What? Sashiko Patch Workshop @ Hammerstone School (Ithaca) – A hands-on workshop teaching visible mending with traditional sashiko stitching to creatively repair and personalize clothing.
Plant Bingo @ Community Arts of Elmira (Elmira) – A fun, social bingo event blending creativity and wellness with plant-themed activities for older adults.
Helen Brewster Owens: Suffragist and Mathematician @ Kendal Auditorium (Ithaca) – A fascinating talk exploring the life and legacy of a pioneering mathematician and women’s rights advocate.
Ventosa Vineyards New Release Party @ Ventosa Vineyards (Geneva) – A lively wine release celebration featuring new vintages, curated bites, live music, and a festive vineyard atmosphere.
Spring Breakdown 2026 @ The Bundy Museum Annex Theater (Binghamton) – A high-energy live music night featuring multiple bands, great food, and a vibrant all-ages concert atmosphere.
Thursday
Movie Night Fundraiser for Stewart Park Featuring Listers @ Gallery at The Ink Shop and Olive Branch Press (Ithaca) – A fun documentary screening and fundraiser celebrating birdwatching adventures while supporting the preservation of Stewart Park.
Bingo For North Paw @ Abandon Brewing Company (Penn Yan) – A fun community bingo night supporting North Paw, with drinks, prizes, and a relaxed brewery atmosphere.
Cheers to the Kentucky Derby! @ New York Kitchen (Canandaigua) – A spirited evening exploring Derby traditions with bourbon tastings, history, and classic Mint Julep crafting.
Live Music – Ryan Sutherland @ Hopshire Farm and Brewery (Freeville) – An intimate live set of singer-songwriter tunes featuring slide guitar and unique melodies in a relaxed brewery setting.
Seed To Supper @ Elizabeth B Pert Library (Hector) – A practical gardening workshop series teaching beginners how to plan, grow, and harvest a thriving home garden.
SHM Book Talk with C. Evan Stewart @ Carriage House Theater (Auburn) – An engaging author talk exploring William Seward’s role during a pivotal moment in American history.
Friday
Bow Making Weekend for Adults @ Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County (Ithaca) – A hands-on weekend workshop crafting traditional wooden longbows while learning archery skills and time-honored techniques.
Advanced Cider & Perry Production @ Cornell AgriTech (Geneva) – An immersive program exploring the science, techniques, and operations behind high-quality cider and perry production.
Wine & Herb Weekend @ Cayuga Lake Wine Trail (Romulus) – A flavorful spring event featuring herb-infused pairings, wine tastings, and garden-inspired experiences across scenic wineries.
Friday Night Past to Present Cruise Night @ Arnot Mall (Horseheads) – A lively weekly gathering featuring classic cars, music, giveaways, and a fun community atmosphere for all ages.
States Apart Live @ Laurentide Beer Company (Penn Yan) – An easygoing live set of acoustic favorites paired with local brews, good food, and a relaxed atmosphere.
Mike Powell Live At The Sinclair - Night One @ The Sinclair of Skaneateles (Skaneateles) – An intimate live performance featuring singer-songwriter Mike Powell sharing heartfelt songs and stories in a cozy setting.
The Witch (2015) @ Smith Opera House (Geneva) – A chilling period horror screening exploring fear, faith, and isolation in a haunting New England setting.
Saturday
Friends of the Library Book Sale @ Regina Lennox Book Sale Bldg (Ithaca) – A massive community book sale offering thousands of gently used books, media, and treasures at unbeatable prices.
STUDIO SCHWEINFURTH: Felting a Floral Arrangement with Mallory Zondag @ Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center (Auburn) – A hands-on fiber arts workshop exploring wet felting techniques to craft intricate, lifelike floral arrangements from wool.
Elmira Downtown Clean Up 2026 @ Wisner Park (Elmira) – A community clean-up event bringing volunteers together to refresh downtown Elmira and make a positive local impact.
TREES Crew @ Baltimore Woods Nature Center (Marcellus) – A hands-on volunteer event focused on environmental restoration, invasive species removal, and protecting native ecosystems together.
Tulip Trot 5k @ Mecklenburg Fire Hall (Mecklenburg) – A community 5K run and walk supporting local parks, featuring scenic routes, cheering crowds, and a fun run for kids.
Derby Brunch Fundraiser @ Cayuga Museum of History & Art (Auburn) – A stylish brunch fundraiser blending Derby fashion, history, and friendly competition with prizes for standout looks.
The Flame in Every Hand: Writing as a Contemplative Act @ Gell: A Finger Lakes Creative Retreat (Naples) – A reflective writing workshop blending meditation and storytelling to help participants connect with creativity, purpose, and inner voice.
Valley Folk Presents: Tommy Sands @ Valley Folk (Corning) – A captivating evening with an iconic Irish folk songwriter sharing heartfelt music, storytelling, and messages of peace.
Paint and Sip Along with Bob Ross @ South Hill Cider (Ithaca) – A relaxed paint-and-sip experience inspired by Bob Ross, pairing creativity with cider, cocktails, and a scenic farm setting.
Madelyn Rose Live at Red Brick Pub @ Red Brick Pub (Seneca Falls) – Madelyn Rose brings an upbeat mix of country and crowd favorites, taking requests and keeping the energy high all night long.
Spring into the Gardens! @ Cornell Botanic Gardens (Ithaca) – A family-friendly celebration of spring with garden tours, nature activities, crafts, and mindfulness experiences for all ages.
Finger Lakes Distilling Kentucky Derby Party @ Finger Lakes Distilling (Burdett) – A festive Derby celebration with live music, cocktails, and a special whiskey release in a lively lakeside setting.
The Dylan Doyle Band LIVE @ Steuben Brewing Company (Hammondsport) – A lively performance blending rock, funk, and soul with energetic guitar riffs and crowd-moving rhythms.
Sunday
Annual Show, Finger Lakes Mineral Club @ Museum of the Earth (Ithaca) – A family-friendly showcase of fossils, minerals, and meteorites with hands-on activities and unique finds.
Pre-Mother’s Day Tea @ 1890 House Museum (Cortland) – A charming Victorian-style tea featuring sweets, sandwiches, and a festive hat contest in a historic setting.
Karaoke for Carnegie @ Ithaca Beer Co (Ithaca) – A lively community fundraiser featuring karaoke, games, and auctions supporting local musicians’ journey to a national stage.
Recurring Events
Limited Duration - click here
Trivia - click here
Kid Friendly - click here
The Spotted Duck: Custard with a Quackload of Charm
On a winding drive between vineyard views and lakeside breezes, the Spotted Duck Creamery pops up like a sweet little secret on Route 54, just outside Dresden on Seneca Lake. A tidy farmstand, a yard full of picnic tables, and a lot of love, but it scoops up some of the richest, creamiest frozen custard in the Finger Lakes.
What makes it special? Duck eggs, from the farm itself. You can even see the ducks waddling around near the picnic tables while you eat.
We went big with the Seneca Flight; eight flavors, plus one extra scoop to get every flavor, and promptly gave up on picking a favorite. Fleur Bleu (a dreamy blueberry-lavender), Wicked Chocolate, Toasted Vanilla, and Lemon Meringue Pie all fought hard for the top spot, but honestly, every single flavor brought something special to the scoop.
As if that wasn’t enough, we (well, mostly Adam) also dove into the Cookie Monster Sundae: Real Cookies and Cream, Vanilla Crème, a chocolate chip cookie, hot fudge, and whipped cream stacked high like a dairy-based dream come true.
With its relaxed picnic seating and farm animals ambling about, the Spotted Duck is the kind of place where you can settle in, slow down, and just enjoy a seriously good treat under the open sky and it’s one stop you absolutely shouldn’t skip on your next Finger Lakes wander.
Jeney - The Forkin' Local
✅ READY FOR THE INSIDE FLX SCOOP? ✅
Finger Lakes Insider - This isn’t just a longer event list. It’s a curated, month-ahead game plan so you can lock in the fun stuff early, discover stuff 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
