The weather looks like it might be cooperating and warming up and I’ve got a packed issue for you this week, so I’ll keep this short.
Grab your coffee (or take it outside, you’ve earned it) and let’s go.
🍴 DINNER CLUB IN ITHACA 🍻
Ready to have a tasty meal and make some new friends?
Over 10% booked so far, let’s fill it up and meet some people.
Here’s what others have had to say about the experience:
"This was such a phenomenal experience, and a great idea. I was hesitant that I wouldn’t click with people, or that it would be too intimate of a setting, but everything was awesome. I think far more people should join this experience! Thank you for putting this together!"
"A wonderful experience! Conversation flowed easily, food was great - it was such a good way to spend an evening."
👋 IT’S HAPPENING 👋
Coming next week: The FLX Trail
Stay tuned, prizes are involved 😄
📘 THE YES HEARD AROUND THE FINGER LAKES 📘
The book club poll answers from last week were a resounding yes!
I’ve got a great book for us to get started with and the timing couldn’t be better.
I crossed paths last week with Michael Turback, you might remember him from newsletter #5 - he’s a well-known author with multiple books about the Finger Lakes.
He’s just releasing a new book that can help us “get out there” while learning more about the Finger Lakes: “111 Places In The Finger Lakes That You Must Not Miss” (also popping up in stores around the area).
After talking to Michael and getting my copy of the book I’ve already found a spot nearby that I didn’t know about.
Michael & Adam with the new book!
Here’s my plan (thought-out, but not totally complete):
Grab the book
Read through the parts / areas of interest to you
I’ll set up a poll in 2-3 weeks to see what spot people are the most interested in
We’ll do a short online call (Google Meet, Zoom, etc) book club - format will be shared ahead of time
If there’s interest, we do a meetup at the most popular spot from the book
Thoughts? Hate mail? Two thumbs up?
Let me know!
P.S. Thanks for the comments on the original poll - 100% in agreement with comments about keeping it fun, interesting, and non-political.
🔆 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.
Dinner Club - Ithaca is the location for May! Come join us - it’s always a good time, a wide range of ages, backgrounds, and definitely good conversation.
Keuka Lake State Park - Southeast of Branchport is a 621-acre state park with boat launches, dockage, camping, hiking, and more.
Climbing Bines - A farm-to-barrel brewery on Seneca Lake with estate-grown hops, plenty of outdoor seating, and a place for your furry friend.
🔔 UPDATES 🔔
📢 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
Did you miss the video with Found In Ithaca last week? Watch the conversation with Vanessa.
Human Interest
An 8-year-old basketball player from Horseheads is heading to national TV—Faith Micknich showed off her skills on The Jennifer Hudson Show, which premiered Monday. Pretty cool to see local talent getting that kind of platform.
📅 EVENTS 📅
Top Picks
Free Sketch Meetup 21+ (Ithaca - Thursday)
Meet Your Local Farmer Fair @ New York Kitchen (Canandaigua - Sunday)
Wednesday
Home Repair Workshop: DIY Plumbing @ Newfield Public Library (Newfield) – A practical community workshop covering common plumbing repairs and hands-on home maintenance advice from local experts.
RAFFLE for An Evening with Wilco @ Fred & Harriett Taylor Memorial Library (Hammondsport) – A community raffle supporting the local library with a chance to win tickets to see Wilco live.
LAND / MARK : Stephen Alexander Clark + Harry Littell @ Corners Gallery (Ithaca) – A thoughtful gallery exhibition exploring overlooked Upstate New York scenes through atmospheric paintings and photography.
No Party like a Prohibition Party! @ Chemung Valley Museum (Elmira) – An engaging museum talk exploring Prohibition, temperance movements, and the cultural history surrounding alcohol in America.
The Smith Opera House History Tours @ The Smith Opera House (Geneva) – A guided look inside Geneva’s historic opera house with stories, architecture, and local cultural heritage.
Lucky Hare Brewing Company's 10th Anniversary Week @ Lucky Hare Brewing Hector (Hector) – A four-day brewery celebration featuring special beer releases, live music, and Finger Lakes community festivities.
Thursday
Trivia Night @ The Dundee Library (Dundee) – A lively community trivia night packed with themed questions, friendly competition, snacks, and plenty of laughs.
Free Sketch Meetup (Ithaca) - Bring your own sketchbook and favorite pens for a So What? Studio sketch meetup! Practice your drawing skills and come create in the company of others! No skills encouraged :)
Paint & Sip Flower Pots! @ Simple Roast Coffee (Auburn) – A relaxed creative night of painting flower pots while sipping drinks and enjoying an artsy atmosphere.
All Grooves DJ Lounge @ K-House Karaoke & Arts Hub (Ithaca) – A late-night DJ showcase blending eclectic sounds, creative mixes, and vibrant community dance energy in downtown Ithaca.
Talks On Tap: Romance, Exploits & Peril-When Movies Were Made in Ithaca @ Two Goats Brewing (Hector) – An engaging talk exploring Ithaca’s forgotten silent film era and its lasting impact on local history.
Friday
The Probably Improbable Adventures of Robin Hood @ Hangar Theatre (Ithaca) – A playful family theater adventure packed with comic chaos, daring antics, and imaginative twists on Robin Hood.
Aperitivo Happy Hour at New York Kitchen: Presented by Thera Clark & Chef Pam Cecere @ Wine Spectator Theater @ New York Kitchen (Canandaigua) – An elegant Italian-inspired happy hour featuring Finger Lakes wines, curated bites, and relaxed guided tastings.
Tom Chamberlain @ Abandon Brewing Company (Penn Yan) – A laid-back live music performance paired with craft brews and scenic Finger Lakes brewery vibes.
Underground Laughs @ Downtown Ithaca (Ithaca) – A secret pop-up comedy night featuring rising stand-up comedians, surprise locations, and intimate underground energy.
Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon Digital Dome Show @ Corning Community College (Corning) – An immersive planetarium experience pairing Pink Floyd’s legendary album with stunning surround-sound cosmic visuals.
Totally 80s Party @ Downtown (Binghamton) – A nostalgic costume party packed with retro music, arcade games, neon fashion, and classic 80s energy.
Spring Garden Fair & Plant Sale @ Ithaca Farmer's Market (Ithaca) – A beloved Finger Lakes plant sale featuring garden treasures, local vendors, and expert gardening advice.
Saturday
Tiny Forest Planting Day (Dryden) - The Dryden Rail Trail (DRT) Task Force is inviting volunteers to get hands-on involved with tiny forest planting day. Shifts are 9-11 am and 11 am-1 pm. If you’d like to pitch in or need more information, contact Alice Green at [email protected]
Opening Reception — j.m. barringer: paper & ink @ Saltonstall Foundation for the Arts (Ithaca) – A captivating exhibition celebrating thirty-five years of inventive prints, collages, and handmade books by artist Judy Barringer.
Sip Into Spring Tasting Pass 2026 (Watkins Glen) – A scenic wine trail experience featuring tastings, live music, pairings, and seasonal events through May 21, 2026.
Final Weekend Friends of the Library BOOK SALE @ Regina Lennox Book Sale Bldg (Ithaca) – A massive community book sale featuring discounted books, music, movies, and bargain finds through May 19, 2026.
RetroGameCon Spring Edition @ The Oncenter (Syracuse) – A massive gaming and pop-culture convention featuring cosplay, tournaments, vendors, panels, live music, and retro gaming fun.
Thom B Trail Runs (Freeville) - Spring is coming, and it's time for the Thom B. Trail Runs! Organized by the Finger Lakes Runners Club, the race is at Hammond Hill and offers three distances: 8.5 miles, 17 miles, and 26.2 miles.
Spring Vendor Fair @ United Church of Painted Post (Painted Post) – A cheerful community market featuring handmade crafts, local vendors, unique gifts, and raffle prizes.
Yoga + Beer at Gem Creek Brewing-benefitting Canandaigua Lake Watershed @ Gem Creek Brewing Co (Canandaigua) – A relaxing community yoga session paired with local craft beer while supporting clean water conservation efforts.
Flying Boxcar @ Abandon Brewing Company (Penn Yan) – A laid-back afternoon of live music, craft beer, and scenic Finger Lakes brewery views with local entertainment.
Jon Lamana @ Seneca Stag Brewing (Penn Yan) – A laid-back brewery performance featuring live music, local craft beer, and relaxed Finger Lakes evening atmosphere.
Joints And Jokes @ NRE Space (Ithaca) – A cannabis-friendly comedy night blending stand-up performances, social vibes, and upbeat community energy in downtown Ithaca.
Brownskin Band @ Auburn Public Theater (Auburn) – An energetic live performance from Syracuse’s award-winning Brownskin Band featuring soulful grooves and vibrant musicianship.
Steele Pop Expo @ Steele Memorial Library (Elmira) – A free pop culture festival celebrating comics, gaming, art, and fandom with activities for all ages.
Sunday
Open Studios at Artist Alley @ The Gallery at South Hill (Ithaca) – A welcoming open studio event where visitors can explore creative spaces and meet working local artists.
Spring Renewal | A Day of Wellness and Creativity @ The Lake House on Canandaigua (Canandaigua) – A restorative lakeside retreat blending yoga, meditation, floral design, and creative expression in a peaceful setting.
Lifelong Day Trip: A Bronx Tale at the REV Theatre and Lunch (Auburn) – A charming theater day trip featuring the hit musical A Bronx Tale paired with a relaxing luncheon experience.
Meet Your Local Farmer Fair @ New York Kitchen (Canandaigua) – A vibrant community farm fair celebrating Finger Lakes growers, local foods, chef demos, and regional beverages.
Aaron Isaacs @ Abandon Brewing Company (Penn Yan) – A laid-back afternoon live music set featuring acoustic performances and relaxing brewery vibes in the Finger Lakes.
Plant BINGO! @ Hidden Horseshoe Farm & Sanctuary (Auburn) – A playful farm gathering combining classic bingo games with live plant prizes and cozy countryside atmosphere.
Sourdough Baking Class (Geneva) - Hands-on sourdough baking class from 11-1 with Knead and Seed Bakery. Limited size, size up via the link and see all details.
Recurring Events
Limited Duration - click here
Trivia - click here
Kid Friendly - click here
See you out there!
Thanks for being part of the Finger Lakes Effect.
Adam Moody
