The National Park Service turns 110 on Tuesday. Founded August 25, 1916.
Now, we have a national forest in our backyard. Sixteen thousand acres of it, sitting up on the ridge between Seneca and Cayuga. It is the only one in New York State and the second smallest in the entire country.
Technically the Forest Service runs it and the Park Service does not, so it is not really part of Tuesday’s birthday at all. I got most of the way through writing this intro before remembering that. Good news: nobody out on the Backbone Trail is checking. There is no gate and no fee, and there never has been.
We also have two genuine national park sites inside the region, which I will get to another week.
Last thing before we dive into the newsletter, the snail mail Quarterly is still available through the end of August or when supplies run out.
🤫 DINNER, THEN THE SECRET PART 🤫
More great food and good times at the next Dinner Club.
Dinner Club is back and heading to Hammondsport on Thursday, August 27.
Come out, meet some new friends, enjoy a tasty meal, and then wind down at the secret after-dinner meetup.
See you next week in Hammondsport!
🔆 HOW CAN YOU HELP OUT? 🔆
I appreciate all of the support from this great community.
Becoming a one-time (or recurring) contributor means helping to keep the Finger Lakes Effect going so we can have more fun and build more connections.
Thank you!
🍕 STONE BEND FARM: LOCAL RUNS DEEP 🍕
Owner Terry has poured himself into this farm and its greenhouse venue, sourcing from his own farm, local farmers and ranchers, and building a space that feels as much like a community hub as a restaurant. That’s Stone Bend Farm.
That commitment runs through everything: the menu, the vibe, and the long, airy greenhouse itself, bar and kitchen at one end, wood-fired pizza oven anchoring the middle, and an open area for live music at the other.
Picnic benches, dogs welcome, kids welcome, and Elvis, Terry's dog, keeping a watchful eye over it all.
The pizza oven is the undisputed heart of the menu. Adam reliably orders the Sweet Hungarian Devil, while I toggle between the Fungi (when in season) and the Signature Garlic.
The Roni Roll is a solid bet, the meatballs are always a win, and both the Backbone and Veggie Chilis are rich, deeply spiced, and deeply satisfying.
A former musician himself, Terry programs events throughout the year, making Stone Bend as much a gathering spot as a destination.
Jeney
The Forkin' Local
The Bulletin
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Crooked Lake Ice Cream Company - Near Hammondsport and need some tasty ice cream? You’re in luck! Swing by to satisfy the cold treat craving and maybe grab a great breakfast while you’re there too. Wait, are you getting ice cream at breakfast?? Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me!
Parker’s On Fall - This Seneca Falls spot caught my eye again as I was thinking about desserts. Something I wasn’t expecting, but they nailed, was an enormous slice of delicious carrot cake.
🔔 UPDATES 🔔
Sunrise: 6:17 AM
Moonrise: 2:04 PM
Air Quality: 43 Good
Sunset: 8:02 PM
Moonset: 11:06 PM
Pets: Say hello to Cindy Lou
📅 EVENTS 📅
Top Picks
Gone to the Dogs 2026 - Seneca Lake Wine Trail (Seneca Lake)
TEDxWatkinsGlen (Watkins Glen - Wednesday)
Pound the Ground 5K for Veterans Outreach Center (Honeoye Falls - Thursday)
Wednesday, August 19
TEDxWatkinsGlen (Watkins Glen) — Discover diverse innovators—racing pioneers, farmers, neurodiversity advocates—sharing breakthrough ideas on one Finger Lakes stage.
Music and Motors (Watkins Glen) — Enjoy classic cars, live music by Logan Route, and friendly competition at Watkins Glen's Mission Party Deck event.
Rock N Putt (Elmira) — Rock your way through 18 holes of mini golf while enjoying live music at Eldridge Park.
Three Bears Mug Making Class (Ovid) — Learn ceramic mug-making with local artist Angela Cartwright in this free two-part class, August 5-19, with all materials provided.
206th Steuben County Fair (Bath) — Experience the 206th Steuben County Fair with seven days of family fun, August 17–23.
Lucky Hare Run Club, Watkins Glen (Watkins Glen) — Join Lucky Hare Run Club on August 19 in Watkins Glen for a community-focused run welcoming all fitness levels.
Thursday, August 20
Meet the Terra String Quartet (Skaneateles) — Hear the award-winning Terra String Quartet, the 2026 Emerging Artist in Residence, perform Schubert on August 20.
Montour Falls Farmers Market (Montour Falls) — Browse local vendors at Montour Falls Farmers Market on August 20 for fresh produce and handmade goods.
Pound the Ground 5K for Veterans Outreach Center (Honeoye Falls) — Support the Veterans Outreach Center with the Pound the Ground 5K run/walk on August 20.
Ghost Tours of Auburn (Auburn) — Experience costumed ghost tours of Auburn's haunted history with different stories from October's series, August 20.
"Keep It Simple and Strong": Watercolor Plein Air Workshop with Keiko Tanabe (Penn Yan) — Join a 3-day plein air watercolor workshop with artist Keiko Tanabe, August 20–22, blending observation with expressive technique.
Wise Crackers All Stars Comedy Show (Elmira) — Laugh all night with Wise Crackers All Stars Comedy Show featuring Tommy Gooch, Ruperto Vanderpool, and headliner Brian Scott McFadden at Powers Theater.
Public Sunset Cruise (Ithaca) — Relax on a scenic sunset cruise with light narration and informal crew chats on beautiful Ithaca waters.
Friday, August 21
Live Music - Noon Fifteen (Freeville) — Experience prog-soul rock from Ithaca-based Noon Fifteen with kitchen open until 7:30 PM on August 21.
Miller & The Other Sinners live at Wagner Vineyards (Seneca Lake) — Miller & The Other Sinners perform at Wagner Vineyards' Sunset Music Series on August 21 with dinner and happy hour.
Sidewalk Showcase in Downtown Ithaca (Ithaca) — Enjoy free outdoor performances by local artists on the third Friday of each month, running through October 16.
Owl Prowl (Sterling) — Discover owl adaptations and hunt for screech, barred, and great horned owls on night hikes, August 21-22.
Seneca Sounds Fundraiser: Free Live Music with Cool Club and The Lipker Sisters (Geneva) — Support Seneca Sounds with live music from Cool Club and The Lipker Sisters at The Cracker Factory, August 21.
Lunchtime Lecture Series: The Handcrafted Utopia (Auburn) — Learn about the Burned Over District's utopian societies with Oneida Community's director Tom Guiler on August 21.
End of Summer BLOCK PARTY (Burdett) — Join the End of Summer Block Party hosted by Finger Lakes Distilling and Damiani Wine Cellars on August 21st.
Food & Wine Experience: Summer Series at Fox Run Vineyards (Penn Yan) — Tour Fox Run Vineyards, sample summer varietals with the winemaker, and enjoy a locally-sourced lunch paired with Finger Lakes wines.
Moonlight Trail Ride (Burdett) — Experience a romantic moonlight trail ride on horseback under the full moon, exclusively for adults 18+.
Gone to the Dogs 2026 - Seneca Lake Wine Trail (Seneca Lake) — Seven-day wine tasting event August 21-28 at Seneca Lake Wine Trail wineries with exclusive passholders perks.
Summer Series at Vineyard View Keuka (Keuka Park) — Experience live music and food trucks at Vineyard View Keuka throughout the summer season.
Madelyn Rose Live - Keuka Spring Vineyards (Penn Yan) — Relax with live music from Madelyn Rose and exceptional wine at Keuka Spring Vineyards.
Saturday, August 22
Historical Watkins Glen Tour (Watkins Glen) — Discover Watkins Glen's founding history and iconic brick architecture on this free guided walking tour.
The Seneca Knitting Mill: History and Fiction (Seneca Falls) — Explore the Seneca Knitting Mill's 150-year legacy through historical research and historical fiction.
16th annual Silent Movie Under the Stars (Ithaca) — Experience the 16th annual Silent Movie Under the Stars, a free family-friendly screening in a beautiful state park on August 22.
Sock Hop at Northville Arts Center (King Ferry) — Dance to 50s and 60s hits spun by DJ Doug at this all-ages sock hop with snack options available.
Next Stop Comedy @ Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards (Hector) — Laugh the night away with Next Stop Comedy's stand-up show featuring mystery comics at a scenic vineyard on August 22.
Annual Antique & Collectable show & Sale (Penn Yan) — Browse 100 dealer spaces at the 53rd Annual Antique and Collectables Show on August 22nd, rain or shine.
The Wallflowers - Bringing Down the Horse 30th Anniversary Tour at Concerts at Point of the Bluff (Hammondsport) — Celebrate the 30th anniversary of The Wallflowers' iconic album as they perform it in full at Concerts at Point of the Bluff.
Sunday, August 23
Nate Michaels (Penn Yan) — Nate Michaels takes the stage on August 23 at 1:00 PM at Laurentide Beer Company in Penn Yan.
CatVideoFest 2026 (Geneva) — Watch the best cat videos curated from countless submissions; proceeds support local cat charities and shelters.
Family Karaoke (Elmira) — Rock the stage with your favorite songs at family karaoke on the Hilliard Family Stage—fun for all ages.
Black Diamond Express Half Marathon & 5K (Mendon) — Challenge yourself at the Black Diamond Express Half Marathon & 5K on August 23 in Mendon.
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
